Francis "Red" Mentgen

Francis Edward “Red” Mentgen, age 85 of Waterville, passed away on November 11, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He was born on December 30, 1939, in Marysville, the son of Philip Sylvester and Gertrude Alice (Klataske) Mentgen. He graduated from Waterville High School with the Class of 1957.

After graduation, Francis enlisted with the United State Air Force. He was stationed at bases throughout Texas, maintaining B-47 bombers and was honorably discharged. On May 6, 1967, he married Janice Carol Miller at the St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Waterville.

After service, Francis worked for Beechcraft in Wichita, Kansas as a plane mechanic. In 1970, Francis and family relocated home to Waterville. He worked locally and farmed east of Greenleaf, Kansas, where he managed crops and swine. He was also hired by Georgia Pacific in Blue Rapids. He spent his years working primarily in the mine as a mechanic, retiring from Georgia Pacific in 2005.

He enjoyed working on any type of machinery and deer hunting. Other than his first name, everyone knew him as Red. If you called him by his name, people would as who, but once you said Red, they knew. In retirement he loved watching all his childhood Westerns on television. He was true cowboy at heart. It would be funny to hear people ask him if he was a true cowboy? His response was, “Yes, I am.” He was a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Waterville and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Blue Rapids.

He is survived by two daughters, Brenda Brown of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Denise Devonshire (Craig) of Louisville, Kentucky; one son, Philip Mentgen (Pam) of Burlingame, Kansas; six grandchildren, Jessyp Brown, Aidan Brown, Brayden Brown (Alyssa), Samantha Dettburn (Richard), Zachary Devonshire and Brooke Devonshire; one great grandson, Landon, and a grandfather to Philip’s dog, Jax.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents and one brother, Dennis Mentgen.

Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 pm and a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the St. Monica St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Blue Rapids, with Father Anthony Chendumalli as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery with Military Honors.