Birth: May 8, 1922
Death: October 24, 2010
Location: Lot 135, Section 6, New Addition
Robert Stuart “Bob” Franke, 88, of Grand Island died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, at Tiffany Square Care Center, Grand Island.
Robert was born May 8, 1922, at Pleasanton to John William and Dora Alice (Riesland) Franke.
Survivors are: his beloved wife, Genevieve (Jenny); children, John Franke and his wife, Barbara, their three children, Dustin, Kristin and Jordan, Laurie Berggren and husband, Christopher and their three children, Caleb, Seth and Anna, James Franke and his wife, Debra, and their two children, Aubrey and Mason. Other survivors include a sister-in-law, Elizabeth and husband, Herman Larsen, sister-in-law, Gertrude Franke, and a host of friends and relatives.
Robert spent his early days in Pleasanton graduating from Wood River High School with the class of 1939. He was the first one to attend Boys State in Lincoln while attending school in Wood River.
He attended business school in Grand Island.
After graduation he worked for National Cash Register Company.
He entered the United States Air Force and was stationed at Muroc Air Base, working on radios.
He was discharged from the Air Force and later attended the University of Nebraska, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
He was united in marriage to Genevieve Roberta Mason, July of 1948.
The couple moved to Provo, Utah where he worked for the U.S. Steel Company for three years.
He returned to Grand Island and worked for Countryman Associates. He became a CPA and later became a partner in the firm, retiring in 1987.
For the last 18 years, Robert and Jenny were involved with traveling in their Airstream trailer and going with the Wally Byam Airstream Club, traveling to different states.
He loved to dance, woodworking, play billiards, cards and golf. He was an avid gardener, furnishing not only the family but also the neighbors and friends with their fruits and veggies.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Keith R. Franke.