Grant Franker

Grant Franker was born July 25, 1926 in Milford, Iowa, the son of Oscar J. and Gusta (Lambertus) Franker. He was raised near Milford and attended Okoboji Consolidated School. Grant entered the US Army in 1944, serving in both the Pacific and Europe, until receiving an Honorable Discharge on April 17, 1947. Grant was united in marriage to Betty Jean Greenwaldt on August 13, 1948, in Hinton Iowa. The couple soon made their home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where they raised their family and Grant co-owned Town & Country Garage, and later worked at Citation Homes. Grant was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. He enjoyed fishing (especially cat fishing on the Minnesota River), gardening, and was an avid reader of war and American History. His grandchildren fondly remember him as a mentor, a companion in fishing and the outdoors, the smell of his pipe, singing and his colorful sense of humor. Grant passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at his home in Spirit Lake at eighty-five years of age. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty Greenwaldt Franker; children, Steve Franker (Dianne), Fay Murray (Greg), Gail Springborg (Dan) and Jill Rasmussen (Dave). Also surviving are a brother, Arthur Franker, thirteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother and sister.