Francis "Frank" Hughes

Francis S. “Frank” Hughes, age 86 of Melrose, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Tree of Life in New Munich, Minnesota, surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. The Mass will be livestreamed and the link can be found at: oneinfaith.org

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.

Francis Solan Hughes was born on July 25, 1939, in Benson, Minnesota, to Henry and Gladys (Knutson) Hughes. He graduated from Benson High School in 1957. Frank earned his four-year degree in Education and later a master’s degree from St. Cloud State University. On June 29, 1963, he married Bonita “Bonnie” Boutain at St. Malachy’s Church in Clontarf, Minnesota. Frank served as an elementary school principal in Melrose from 1970 until his retirement in 1996.

He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Melrose Lions Club, and the Knights of Columbus Council #1633. Frank enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Big Birch Lake, wintering in Arizona from 1997 to 2012, and most of all spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his daughters, Carolyn (Brian) Atkinson of Annandale, Sara (Glen) Kemper of Melrose, and Andrea (Scott) Bussmann of Melrose; sons, Paul (Paula) Hughes of Avon and Michael Hughes of Minneapolis; 15 grandchildren, Riley, Emma, Grace, and Annie Atkinson, Benjamin, Max, and Maddie Jo Kemper, Tyler and Samuel Bussmann, Alison Fronning, Megan, Katelin, Jaiden, Thomas, and Kaelin Hughes; seven great-grandchildren, Nova Kemper, Avery Howitz, Cade Atkinson, Cameron Bussmann, Kayson Howitz, Briar Fronning, and Brody Atkinson; in-laws, Mary Ellen Mattice, of Lino Lakes, Nancy (Mike) O’Leary of Starbuck, Katie (Tim) Readon of Clontarf, Jon (Barb) Boutain of Starbuck, and Jerry (Sandy) Boutain of Las Vegas, Nevada,

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Bonita “Bonnie” Hughes on December 10, 2016; parents, Henry and Gladys Hughes; siblings, Michael “Mick” Hughes, Jerry Hughes, Isabel Kent, and Mary Ellen Radford; in-laws, Milt Mattice, Bill Boutain, Shari Boutain, Stan Kent, Dee Hughes, Anne Hughes, and Phil Radford; and great nephew, Hunter Boutain.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.