Mary Franke

Mary Leanora Franke went home to be with the Lord on March 10, 2026. Mary was born August 12, 1931, to Ralph W. Schnepp and Annie M. Gerstenberger in Manchester, Iowa. She was raised in Hazelton, Iowa, and graduated in 1949. She excelled in academics, music, basketball, and was the class valedictorian. After graduation, she attended the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls where she earned her two-year teaching degree. Her first teaching job was teaching K-12 students in a one-room schoolhouse. She continued teaching piano, organ and accordion lessons for many years. Mary married James Franke of New Hampton on June 1,1956, in Delhi, Iowa. Together, they farmed near New Hampton for 25 years and raised twelve children. They later divorced. Mary then restarted her teaching career, received her four-year degree and worked toward her master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa while working full time. She had a twenty-year career as a Special Education teacher at Dike-New Hartford, retiring at age 72. Mary lived life to the fullest after retirement. She loved to travel and took numerous trips to visit family Stateside as well as several overseas trips and cruises. She was a member of craft club, garden club, bridge club, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Rosary, and book club. Mary was devoted to her family, students and church. She never missed Sunday mass and was often found praying novenas and the Rosary for her children. She loved to watch sports and never missed her grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. Even when she was unable to attend, she watched via the internet. In her last few years, Mary moved in with her daughter, Joan, where Mary’s family cared for her. She loved being on the farm and watching all the activity. She appreciated her many visitors and enjoyed having people around her. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law, Bill Boesen, brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Edna Franke, nephew Tom Boesen, son-in-law Kenneth Eggena and her special friend, Arnold Freitag. Mary is survived by her twelve children; Sue (Steve) Clark of Cannon Falls, MN, Carolyn Louden (Wayne Sutcliffe) of Keosauqua, IA, Janet (Kevin) Bane of Maxwell, IA, Daniel (Penny) Franke of Janesville, IA, Gary (Carole) Franke of Camarillo, CA, Connie (Ricky) Burks of Janesville, IA, Mary (Russ) Dalke of Castle Rock, CO, Judy (Mike) Lacy of Polk City, IA, Joan (Late Kenneth Eggena) of Cedar Falls, IA, Diana (Daniel) Kueter of Delaware, OH, Brian (Tammy) Franke of Dallas Center, IA, Barbara Lorenzen of Clive, IA and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and two great-grandsons; a sister, Beverley Boesen of Waterloo, IA; and six nephews. We want to thank everyone for their kindness, visits, and overwhelming love for her. A special thank you to the wonderful, caring, women at Unity Point Hospice and Father Ivan Nienhaus of St. Patrick Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12th at Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls with a rosary at 3:45 p.m. and vigil at 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waterloo. One of Mary’s favorite songs was by Barry Manilow, “I Can’t Smile Without You”. We will smile with memories of her until we meet again.

Mary Franke

August 12, 1931 - March 10, 2026