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Frances W. Franck
Frances W. Franck died on Jan. 14, 2005, at home under the care of Hospice in New York City after a six-month battle with cancer of the brain. She was 80.
She died
16 years to the day after marrying Peter Franck, a widower, and father of Davis Enterprise columnist Marion Franck.
Born in Bremerhaven, Germany, of Jewish parents on April 8, 1924, she fled to the United States in 1939 at the age of 15, with her 14-year-old sister, Edith. She was able to escape to America because her father, a sea-going cook who deserted the family, was a naturalized American citizen. However, her mother and a sister from an earlier marriage perished in the Holocaust, a tragedy that darkened all of her life.
She always carried in her heart the words of her mother's last letter to her, which she translated on a videotape she made for the Shoah Visual History Foundation in 1997.
"Our only hope, " her mother wrote, "is the war will end and you, dear Fanny, will make the effort to bring us to America." Only 15 years old, she was unable to fulfill that wish. For that, she never forgave herself.
However, she found many things to enjoy in New York, a city she adored. She joined folk dancing groups, attended concerts and studied the flute. She earned a bachelor's degree from Hunter College in her 50s, even though she had never graduated from high school. For many years, she worked for the Bulova Watch Company, retiring at the time of her marriage. From then on, she was extremely devoted to her husband.
Her funeral took place at the Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York City on Jan. 19, 2005, attended by family, friends and neighbors from the Manhattan apartment building where she lived for more than 50 years. Her step-grandchildren, Beth Lew and Daniel Lew of Davis, whom she loved, were both able to attend the ceremony.
She is also survived by her husband, Peter Franck, 88; his children, Marion Franck of Davis and Ronald Franck of Livermore; her sister, Edith Friedman of New York; and her sister's three children, Janice Kessler, Stephen Friedman and Laury Friedman and their families, who all reside in the New York area.
FRANKE
Helen Frances Tornquist Franke
Helen Frances Tornquist Franke, a retired nurse and Woodland resident for over 50 years, died at her home on Friday afternoon, June 21, 2002, of cancer at age 83.
Mrs. Franke was born in Alameda, California on August 18, 1918, to Carl Johan Tornquist of Hudiksvall, Sweden and Anna Emile Stenstad of Inderoin, Norway. At six months of age, her father died in the great flu epidemic and the family moved to Canyon, Minn. to live with her nearest relative, Uncle Olaf Stenstad. When she was two years old, the family moved to Tronheim, Norway, where she spent her early childhood. In 1926, the family returned to Canyon where Mrs. Franke attended grammar school and Cotton High School, graduating as an Honor Student in 1936. After high school, Mrs. Franke attended Saint Luke's Hospital Training School for Nurses graduating as class valedictorian in June 1939. Mrs. Franke furthered her training by attending the University of Minnesota, School of Anesthesiology. While serving as a member of the staff at Saint Luke's Hospital, she volunteered with the Nurses Corps, Minnesota State Guard as a second lieutenant during World War II.
After World War II, Mrs. Franke accepted a nursing position at Merritt Hospital in Oakland, Calif. While residing in Oakland, she was introduced to Fred W. Franke Jr., an almond grower from Woodland. In 1949, Helen and "Fritz" Franke were marriage in a double ring ceremony in Cloquet, Minn. The couple moved to Woodland where Mrs. Franke worked at Woodland Memorial Hospital as a nurse anesthetist. Starting in 1951, she took time off from her career to raise a family, working part time at Woodland Memorial and Davis Community Hospitals. During the later part of her nursing career, she worked for Dr. Samuel Houston. She retired in March 1989.
Mrs. Franke was an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ, and volunteered as treasurer for St. John's Preschool. When her sons were young, she was active in PTA and supported the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
She is survived by her sons, Carl W. Franke and wife Ann of Woodland, Fred W. Franke of Plano, Texas, and David L. Franke and wife Katie of Woodland. She is also survived by her brother's daughter, Breta Holgers of Santa Cruz; sister-in-law, Katherine Reiff; brother-in-law, Harold Franke, both of Woodland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Franke was preceded in death by her husband, Fred W. Franke Jr.; brother, Walter Tornquist of Burlingame; brothers-in-law, George Franke and Carl Franke; and sisters-in-law, Hilda Franke and Erna Jenness, all of Woodland.
Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation at McNary's Chapel from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, June 25.
A memorial service is scheduled at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at St. John's United Church of Christ, 434 Cleveland St. in Woodland.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to St. John's Retirement Village, 135 Woodland Ave., Woodland, 95695, and St. John's United Church of Christ.
McNary's Chapel of Woodland is in charge of arrangements.
FRANCK
Peter Franck
Peter Franck died peacefully at his apartment in Manhattan on Nov. 22, 2005, under the care of Hospice and with his son present. He was 89.
His doctor captured an essential part of him when he wrote in a condolence card, “We mourn with you the loss of this truly gentle man.”
Born to Julius and Sophie (Schweig) Franck of Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 23, 1916, he ventured to America in 1934 when he was 18 years old. Although his parents had raised him as a Christian, he was ostracized in Germany because of his family's Jewish heritage. His brother and one uncle had already settled in the United States.
The rest of the family migrated to America and other countries in the 1930s, his parents barely escaping the Nazis in 1939.
Arriving in New York City, he found work and attended college, completing a master's degree in mathematics at New York University. In 1945 he marriage Rosina Nan Garafola, the daughter of Italian immigrants, with whom he had two children. He worked as an engineer until well past retirement age, designing and supervising the installation of air conditioning into large buildings.
His passion was his country home in Copake, N.Y. He wanted to build every part of the home himself, a project that took more than 30 years. He and his wife named their home Shoestring because it was built “on a shoestring, ” starting with one room.
He was also a musician, playing classical piano with friends throughout his life. Even in his last years, when he suffered from dementia, he could sight-read music with remarkable speed and accuracy.
He also loved to travel and, in the days before cheap phone plans and the Internet, he would spend weeks meticulously planning each trip and writing graceful letters of inquiry to hotels and other places where he and his family could stay. A serious student of languages, he wrote his letters in Spanish, French, and even Danish and Italian.
He had a zestful sense of humor and liked to play with language, drawing chuckles from home health aides and family members right up to the last days of his life.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosina, in 1987. At 73 he marriage his second wife, Frances, who died in January at age 80. His older brother, Kurt Franck, died in 2000.
His survivors include his son, Ron Franck, of Alameda; and his daughter, Marion Franck, who has written about him in her Sunday column in The Davis Enterprise. He also leaves his son-in-law, Robert Lew, and two grandchildren, Beth and Daniel Lew.
His wish, stated many years ago, was for all his friends and family to gather for dinner at a restaurant after he died. Because most friends have passed on and his family is scattered around the country, this idea has evolved into a series of small, private dinners, in lieu of formal services.
The family asks that gifts in his memory be sent either to VNSNY Hospice Care, 1250 Broadway, New York, NY 10001, or to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617.
FRANKEL
Loren Bruce Wald Frankel
Loren Bruce Wald Frankel died early on Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 hours after a car accident in his hometown of Shepherdstown, W.Va. He was 39.
Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday at Congregation Bet Haverim, 1715 Anderson Road in Davis. Burial will follow at Davis Cemetery.
Born June 21, 1965, in San Francisco, he grew up in Davis. He attended Davis High School, graduating in 1983. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in English with highest departmental and collegiate honors. He received a teaching credential in English and social studies from UC Santa Cruz in 1993 and a doctorate degree in developmental psychology from Cornell University in 2003, where he taught until 2004. He was currently a psychology professor at Shepherd University in West Virginia.
He had numerous publications to his credit and was a member of several professional organizations focusing on his interest in men's studies.
Shepherd University President David L. Dunlop said school officials believed he would have been a good fit with the school's distinguished psychology faculty. He was well-liked among faculty and students who praised him for his ability to explain complex psychology issues.
"He was just a lovely person. I don't know anyone who was more respected in such a short time, " said Dunlop.
He is survived by his parents, Tom and Barbara Frankel of Davis; sister Valerie Fisher Frankel and her husband Matt Fisher of Davis; brother David Frankel and his wife Sharon Tyson of Berkeley; his girlfriend, Aimee Coonerty-Femiano, who was also injured in the accident; his nephews, Noah Fisher, Simon Fisher, Aaron Frankel, Nathan Frankel; and his niece, Abby Fisher.
He is further survived by numerous aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles and cousins.
Donations in his name can be made either to Congregation Bet Haverim or to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617.
FRANKLIN
Ellen M. Franklin
Ellen Mae Franklin dies in Woodland
Ellen Mae Franklin died in Alderson Convalescent Hospital on Tuesday, May 29, 1990. Born in Missouri on March 12, 1927, she was 63 years old.
Mrs. Franklin lived in Yolo County for 34 years, formerly in Winters and the last several years in Woodland. She was employed as a cook at Yolo General Hospital for 10 years, retiring in 1985. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Eagles Lodge in Woodland.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda G. Hanks of Vallejo; two brothers, William Herring Jr. of Suisun, and Roy E. Herring of Bellevue, Nebraska; three granddaughters, Adrienne Hanks and Oledda Hanks, both of Vallejo, and Alison Hanks of Sacramento, and one great-grandson, Jordan Hanks-Greene of Vallejo.
As per wishes of the deceased, no service will be held. Smith's Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
The family prefers memorials to be in the form of donations to the Heart Foundation and research.
HOWARD
Madeline Reis Howard
Madeline Reis Howard died at Palm Gardens Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, at age 91.
She was born in San Francisco April 17, 1911 to Joseph and Madeline (Moniz) Howard.
She lived in Daly City before moving to Woodland four and half years ago. She was employed by General Electric for 26 years, and was a member of the SPRSI Portuguese Society.
Mrs. Howard is survived by brothers Abel Reis and wife Delores of Petaluma, and George Reis of Salinas; stepson Jack Howard and wife Joyce of Lincoln; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Charles.
Friends are invited to attend a funeral mass scheduled for noon Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Holy Rosary Church.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at McNary's Chapel.
Graveside services are scheduled at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Olivet Memorial Park in Colma.
Family members request donations be made to Yolo Hospice or to the agency of the donor's choice.
McNary's Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
HOWARD
Norman Howard
Norman Gene Howard died unexpectedly Jan. 10, 2001, in Sacramento. Born in Honolulu on Jan. 27, 1965, to Ronald and Donna Howard, he was 35.
He was a resident of Yolo County for 25 years, having moved here with his family when he was 10. He attended Whitehead Elementary and Lee Junior High School. He graduated from Woodland High School in 1983.
While in high school, he was a member of the wrestling team. He was interested in karate and had achieved his brown belt. He served in the U.S. Navy from June 1988 to November 1999. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by his parents, Ron and Donna Howard of Woodland. He is also survived by his daughter, Casey Renee Gabbard of Seattle; brothers, Michael Howard of Woodland; Tim Howard and wife Tracy of Missoula, Mont.; Brian Howard and wife Stacy of Wiley, Tex.; Ron Howard and wife Eunice of Sacramento and paternal grandmother Ethel Howard of Antioch. He is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews and many other friends and family members.
Visitation will be at McNary's Chapel from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Monday with a funeral service following at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be directed to the Woodland Wayfarers Center, 201 Fourth St., Woodland, CA 95695.
McNary's Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
