David John Franke

June 25, 1942--Nov. 28, 2010

HERNDON, Kansas -- David John Franke, 68, died Sunday (Nov. 28, 2010), in his sleep in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He was born June 25, 1942, in Oberlin, Kansas to Clade and Beulah (Tannehill) Franke. He was raised on a farm northeast of Herndon. He graduated from Herndon in 1960. He attended Fort Hays College one semester soon after graduating from high school.

He married Bonnie Needham on Oct. 20, 1968 in McCook. The couple made their home on the Franke family farm all of their married life and raised their three children there.

He was a retired farmer. He spent his entire life on the farm where he grew up raising wheat, corn, milo, and cattle. In the 1980s, he had also worked at off-farm jobs for several years, having worked at Miller W. in Stratton, Nebraska, and Herndon Equity.

After retiring from farming in 2000, he attended Mid-Plains Community College for three semesters, receiving his associates degree in political science.

He was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Herndon. He had served on the boards for the Herndon School, Rawlins County Farm Bureau, Rawlins County Extension Service, and Immanuel UCC.

He was a member of the U.S. National Guard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two siblings, Vernon Franke and Gayle Grafel.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Herndon; sons, Dean and wife, Carrie Franke of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Brian and wife, Tracy Franke of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter, Brenda and husband, Aaron Van Horn of Ottawa, Kansas; three brothers, Roger and wife, JoAnn of Hutchinson, Kansas, Dick and wife, Amelia of Talent, Oregon, and Tom and wife, Kay of Council Grove, Kansas; two brothers-in-law, Don and wife, Joan Grafel of Herndon, and Dale and wife, Gwen Needham of Campbell, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Joan Franke of Akron, Colorado, and Donna and husband, Wayne Pick of McCook; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were today at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin. Burial was at Immanuel Church of Christ Cemetery in Herndon.

Visitation i s Sunday, 1-8 p.m., with family present from 6-8 p.m., and Monday, 8 a.m. until the service.

Memorials can be made to the American heart Association.

Condolences to the family can be left online at www.paulsfh.com.

Pauls Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.