Franken, Henry Rev. 1899-1995

FRANKEN, SCHOEP, DYKSHORN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 1/26/2013 at 13:56:30

Sioux Center News of Dec 19, 1995
The Rev. Henry Franken
November 18, 1899— December 6, 1995

The Rev. Henry Franken, 96, died on Wednesday, December 6. Funeral services were at Second Reformed Church in Pella on Saturday, December 9, the Rev, Henry Vermeer officiating and assisted by the Rev. Barbara Wright and the Rev. William Paul. Eulogies were given by Franken's grandchildren.

There was a committal service at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center on Monday, December 11, officiated by the Rev. Joel Bensema.

Franken was born near Sioux Center on November 18. 1899. He was one of five children born to Evert and Louise (Schoep) Franken. He was baptized and made profession of faith at Middleburg Reformed Church at Middleburg. He attended country school at Mlddleburg and was graduated from Northwestern Academy In Orange City in 1924. He attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, from 1925 to 1926, and then enrolled at Central College in Pella, graduating with the Class of 1928. He then attended Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, graduating with a divinity degree In 1930.

While at seminary, he and Harriet Johanna Dykshorn were married on August 8, 1929. They had five children: Darrell. Marilyn. David, Robert and Carol. Franken spent 35 years In the ministry of the Reformed Church of America.
Congregations served were Eddyville Reformed Church In Eddyville, Falrvlew Reformed Church In Fairview, South Dakota, and Aurora Center Reformed Church in Aurora Center, South Dakota. While serving there, Franken took a leave of absence to be a chaplain In the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He served In California and the Philippines where he ministered to Dutch and Indonesian prisoners. Following his discharge, the Frankens returned to Aurora Center Reformed Church and then served Garden Home Reformed Church in Denver. Colorado, Winnipeg Reformed Church in Winnipeg. Canada, and Abbotsford Reformed Church In Abbotsford, Canada.

Following his retirement, he and Harriet served as managers of Klrkslde Retirement Center in Roxbury, New York, from 1964 through 1966.
The Frankens retired in Pella in 1967. but Henry remained active in many church and civic organizations. He served as minister of calling for Second Reformed Church for more than 20 years, belonged to the Kiwanis and the senior citizens In Pella and was the organization's first president.

Survivors are his wife, Harriet; four children and their spouses, the Rev. Darrell and Marilyn Franken of Holland, Michigan, Marilyn and Gil De Roos of Des Moines. Dr. Robert E. and Helen Franken of Calgary. Canada, Carol and Sumner Mapes of Pella and daughter-in-law Karen (wife of the late David) Franken of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded In death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers, Ella Nlessink. Gerrit E. and Arthur Franken and Johanna Punt; his son, David; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.