Francis J. Pyykola (Buffalo)'s Obituary
Francis J. Pyykola, lovingly known as "Poppy," was born on June 1, 1936, in Ashland, Wisconsin, to William and Ruby (Dezotell) Pyykola. He passed away on April 23, 2025.
He married Lana Rosenbaum in 1965, and they were together until 1978. He later married Joyce Hormann on November 22, 1980. Francis worked as a truck driver for various companies before starting his own independent trucking business, which he co-owned. He eventually retired from driving a truck.
Francis is survived by two brothers and one brother-in-law: Don (Lu) Pyykola of Cambridge, MN, and Bob (Iris) Pyykola of Eau Claire, WI, Wayne Hansen of Ida Grove, Iowa; and four children: Laura (Mark) White of Lamar, MO, Pamla Pyykola of Neosho, MO, Karen (Warren) Sharp of Buffalo, MO, and Kelly (Jerry) Gallion of Polo, MO.
He was the proud grandfather of twenty-one grandchildren: Pamela Robison, Greg White, Cybille White, Shelly (AJ) Sordon, Cassandra Robison, Samuel Allen, David Covarrubias, Nick (Makayla) White, Joseph (Samantha) Magnusson, Crystel (Jeremy) Palmer, Kala (Dean) Spencer, Kyle Shaffer, Nitasha Shaffer, Lilith Mygan, Steven Pyykola, Nathaniel (Halle) Lee, Joshua Lee, Landon (Kylee) Lee, and Katelyn (Lauren) Baker, David Hughes, Kelsey Gallion. He is also survived by many great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives Joyce Hormann Pyykola and Lana (Rosenbaum) Richardson; his daughter Jo Ann Pyykola; and two siblings: Jerry Pyykola, and Mary (Pyykola) Hansen.
Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home in Buffalo. Escorts will be Jerry Gallion, Joshua Lee, Landon Lee, AJ Sordon, Braxton Sordon, and Frank Hufstedler.
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