FRANKEN, Andrew 1890-1939

FRANKEN, DIRKS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/9/2012 at 10:47:05

Andrew Franken Dies Suddenly At The Hospital

Was Being Treated For Ulcers At Marshalltown Hospital; End Came Unexpectedly Tuesday Afternoon

Andrew Franken of Grundy Center died suddenly and unexpectedly at the Deaconess hospital at Marshalltown at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. He was taken to the hospital two weeks before where he was being treated for stomach ulcers. He was not showing any improvement from the treatments that he was receiving and the attending physicians believed that an operation would be necessary. He was up in his room at the hospital half an hour before the end came and he had been visiting with callers up to a short time before.

The body was brought to the Engelkes funeral home at Grundy Center Tuesday evening. Funeral services will be held at the home at 1 o'clock on Saturday and later at Bethany Presbyterian church. Rev. K. J. Stratemeier will conduct the services. He will be assisted by Rev. J. E. Drake from Cedar Falls who will deliver a short sermon in German. Burial will be in the cemetery adjoining the Presbyterian church in Colfax township.

Andrew Franken was born in Colfax township. He would have been 50 years old had he lived until the 25th of next February. He was the son and only child of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Franken. His mother died shortly after his birth. His aunt, Mrs. Maria Rabenburg, who was his mother's sister and his uncle, John Rabenburg, took him to their home and he remained with them until he married and was as a son to them.

Twenty-five years ago he was married to Miss Anna Dirks. The couple began housekeeping on the home Rabenburg farm six miles north of Grundy Center and they resided there until fifteen years ago when they moved to Grundy Center. After he came to town he assisted his aunt and uncle who were getting to old to take care of their extensive land interests. In later years the entire management of this property was left to him and he was taking good care of it up to the time that he was taken to the hospital.

Mr. Franken was widely known throughout the county and he had the respect and the confidence of all. He was very widely valued in the community where he lived and the news of his sudden death was received here with deep and sincere regret.

Mr. and Mrs. Franken had no children. Surviving are the wife, his father, J. A. Franken who lives at Holland, three half-brothers and four half-sisters. The brothers are, Albert, Jake Jr., and Ben. The sisters are Mrs. Ben Buskohl, Mrs. Henry Luiken, Mrs. Andrew Heerts and Reka Franken who makes her home with her father. All reside in Grundy county.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 28 December 1939, pg 1