Tragedy in Idaho wilderness spurs Stillwater dad's mission

In the middle of David and Linda Francis' nightmare, a phone call planted a seed of hope.

It was a woman from the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center offering sympathy and help in the search for the Stillwater couple's son. Jon Francis, 24, had gone missing one July day after setting out to climb Idaho's Grand Mogul mountain.

"She said: 'David and Linda, don't do anything now, but think about doing something to honor Jon's memory and honor his loss,'" recalled David Francis.

That was nearly three years ago.

The Francises eventually learned that their athletic son had died instantly in a climbing accident. "It took us over 12 months to find Jon's remains. It was grief all over again," David Francis said.

Since losing Jon, the Francis family has been hard at work on several fronts to honor his life and help other families.

Through the Jon Francis Foundation, they've provided counseling and advice to others whose loved ones have gone missing in Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Last year, they teamed up with law enforcement to conduct multiple searches for missing hikers, climbers, campers and others lost in the wilderness.

Currently, the Francises are involved in two wilderness searches for missing adults -- in Ontario and Marshall, Minn.

"What we're trying to do is provide a lifeline to other families who suffer the same misfortune," he said. "We did not have a lifeline to hang on to in July 2006."

The foundation also works to teach people about wilderness safety, giving talks to Boy Scout troops and church groups.

Linda Francis regularly boxes up and sends out safety kits that include a small mirror that can be used as a signaling device and a whistle with the "Jon Francis Foundation" name on it.

From heartache to hope

Jon Francis had been working as a Bible camp counselor in Idaho at the time of the accident. An experienced climber and avid runner, he had chosen to scale the rocky Grand Mogul alone after he couldn't find anyone to join him that day.

His family knows he reached the summit because he signed a log book at the site. His entry read: "07/15/06. Jon Francis. LHBC [Luther Heights Bible Camp] and Ogden, Utah. Climbed avalanche field to east face and east ridge. Great times bouldering! All Glory to God for the climb and the beautiful Sawtooths."

When camp staff discovered he was missing, they called David and Linda Francis, who flew to Idaho. The discovery of Jon's remains on the mountain capped a yearlong ordeal that involved the governors of Minnesota and Idaho and hundreds of searchers.

The day after Jon's funeral, David Francis began writing a book about his son. "Bringing Jon Home," which Francis says is about his son's life, the search and his own journey of sorrow and discovery, is scheduled to be published this year.

"I didn't want the world to forget this wonderful young man, and I wanted to document the search and to try to end with some hope for the future," he said quietly.

Missing Brandon

Among those who have benefitted from the foundation's work are the Swanson family in Marshall, Minn. Their son, Brandon Swanson, has been missing since May, when his car went into a ditch along the Lincoln and Lyon County line near Tauton, Minn.

He started walking and talking to his family on his cell phone. The call ended abruptly, and the family has not heard from him since.

Lincoln County law enforcement officials said they found no evidence of foul play. Previous searches have focused on the Yellow Medicine River near the car.

The Swansons have conducted searches for him, but there isn't much that can be done in the winter, said Brian Swanson, Brandon's father.

Friday was an especially hard day, he said, because it was Brandon's birthday. His son would have turned 20, Brian Swanson said.

He said he has appreciated the involvement and support of the Francis family.

"Part of it's dealing with the loss, since at this time we have nothing to say that he's either alive or dead," Swanson said. "All indications lead to the possibility that Brandon's no longer with us. They've helped us with that, and with getting into contact with people who can help with the search."

Brandon's search will resume in the spring.

"It lets you know that you're not alone," Swanson said. "We're not the only family to go through this, and that's helped a great deal."

Allie Shah • 612-673-4488