Obit: Franke, LaVerne A. (1917 - 2008)

Contact: ken@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Franke, Volhard, Wagner, Fochs, Towne, Henrichs, Skofronick, Diermeier

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) 15 May 2008

Franke, LaVerne A. (20 Jan. 1917 - 14 May 2008)

LaVerne A. Franke, 91, Marathon, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau. Arrangements are pending with Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon.

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) 16 May 2008

LaVerne A. Franke, 91, Marathon, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau. He was born Jan. 20, 1917, in Marathon, son of the late Gustave and Catherine (Volhard) Franke. On April 28, 1951, he married Ruth Wagner at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives. LaVerne was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as Sergeant from 1941 to 1945. He served in the European Theater and was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. LaVerne was an assistant brew master for the former Marathon City Brewing Co., and later worked at Wausau Homes until his retirement.

Among his many interests, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at the cabin in Lincoln County. He was a former trustee for the Marathon City Board and a charter member of the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post No. 469, Marathon.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Franke, Marathon; three sons, LaVerne (Linda) Franke, Wausau, David (Lorrie) Franke, New London, and Scott (Mary) Franke, Marathon; five grandchildren, Stephen, Nicole, Thomas, Mitchell and Nathan Franke; two stepgrandchildren, Jennifer (Rick) Towne and Chris (Jill) Fochs; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Colin Towne and Allison Fochs; one sister, Alvina Henrichs, Wausau; one brother, Donald Franke, Marathon; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Gregory, Gustave, Walter, Gilbert and Harvey Franke; and three sisters, Esther Skofronick, Alta Franke and Lorraine Franke. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2008, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. The Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Post No. 469, Marathon. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, and again from 10 a.m. until time of services Saturday at the church. There will be an American Legion Post No. 469 service at 6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mount View Care Center, Wausau, for all the care, friendship and support given to LaVerne and his family.

Biographical Information

Social Security Record

Name: Laverne A Franke
Birth Date: 20 January 1917
Social Security Number: 399-05-5599
Place of Issuance: Wisconsin
Last Residence: Marathon, Wisconsin
Zip Code of Last Residence: 54448
Death Date : 14 May 2008
Estimated Age at Death: 91