Franken, Johannes "Joe" 1920-2007

FRANKEN, MILLER, KOSTERS

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting (email)
Date: 5/3/2024 at 16:53:12

Source: Rock Valley Bee issue of 28 March 2007.

Joe Franken, 86, formerly of Lebanon, IA, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Hilltop Care Center, Spirit Lake, IA. Funeral Services will be 10:30 am Thursday at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Sioux Center, IA. Burial will be at Peace Lutheran cemetery with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday with the family present 6:30-8:00 Wednesday at Porter Funeral Home, Rock Valley.

Johannes "Joe" Franken was born December 14, 1020 on the family homestead east of Sioux Center. His parents Arie and Anna (Zomermaand Kosters) Franken were born in the Netherlands. Joe attended rural public and church schools in the aread and later worked several years at his stepbrother's E.J. Kosters Machine Shop before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1941. Joe was proud of his four years of service primarily aboard ships in the Pacific. Joe's tour of duty included sea battles for Midway Island and Guadalcanal. His heavy cruiser USS Vincennes was torpedoed and sunk near Savo Island in August of 1942 for which Chief Petty Officer Franken received the Purple Heart Award. Joe married Ruth Amma Miller on May 4, 1944 at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Sioux Center. After his honorable discharge from the service, the couple lived west of Sioux Center in Lebanon where they raised their children and owned the Lebanon Farm Shop for 57 years. Joe was a 61-year member of the American Legion; the USS Vincenne's Survivors; and Peace Lutheran Church. Through the years Joe enjoyed operating motorcycles or any type of vehicle. He also enjoyed traveling coast to coast with his family during summer vacations and was proud of all his children and grandkids, sharing stories and photos with anyone he met along the way. Joe and Ruth moved to Spirit Lake in 2003. Ruth died May 3, 2005.

Joe is survived by son Daniel (Donna) Franken of Virginia Beach, VA, daughters Rebecca (Dave) Jauquet of Boise, ID, Priscilla Franken of Prior Lake, MN, Martha (Jim) Nodland of Spirit Lake, IA, Dorcas (LT) Donovan of St. Paul, MN, Diana (Thurston) Crawford, Mankato, MN, son Captain Michael (Jordan) Franken of Virginia Beach, VA. 18 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Henry (Delia) Franken of Sioux Center, IA.

Joe was preceded in death by wife, Ruth; son, Phillip; daughter, Rachel; brother Everett, and sister Lucille Weirda.

Memorials may be directed to Sioux Center or Rock Valley American Legion.