HOWARD JOHN FRANKEN, age 92, of Luverne, died Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. He was born March 23, 1925, in rural Sioux County, IA, to Gerrit and Gertrude (Bosch) Franken. Howard attended country school in rural Sioux County. He served his country in the United States Army.

Howard married Wilma J. Vande Kieft on August 4, 1948, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA. After their marriage, the couple farmed northeast of Sioux Center. In 1951, they moved to the farm southwest of Luverne. In 2012, Howard moved to Luverne.

He was a charter member of the American Reformed Church, in Luverne, where he served in many capacities including Deacon, Sunday School Treasurer, and sang in the Quartet. He was also a member of the Luverne American Legion & VFW; and "The Old Goats Club". Howard enjoyed wintering in Texas and Arizona, needlework, and traveling with the Holiday Rambler Club. He mostly loved farming.

Howard is survived by his three children, Cheryl Edstrom & friend, Cliff Boom, Luverne; Larry (Pam) Franken, Luverne; and Bryon (Kristi) Franken, Luverne; nine grandchildren, Tammy Crow, Amy (Travis) Dammann, Becky (Nate) Crane, Travis (Kairie) Franken, Matthew Franken, Carissa (Jason) Spaar, Abbey (Ryan) Behr, Eric (Monica) Edstrom and Serena Franken & fiancé, Ron Whitaker; sixteen great grandchildren; a great great grandson, Oakley Hollander; a sister, Kathleen Altena, Sioux Center, IA; three sisters-in-law, Velma Franken, Sioux Center, IA; Carol Franken, Elizabeth, CO; Shirley (Paul) Van Zanten, Lynden, WA; brother-in-law, Howard (MaryAnn) Vande Kieft, Lynden, WA; and a special friend, Marcella Flier, Brandon, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wilma on September 23, 2004; son-in-law, Gene Edstrom on April 2, 2014; six brothers, Louie, Everett, Dries, Gerrit, Arnie & Irwin Franken; and two sisters, Louise Oliver & Grace Van Batavia.

   Visitation will from 4-7 pm Friday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral will be 11 am Saturday at the American Reformed Church, in Luverne, officiated by Pastor Mike Altena with a time of fellowship from 10 to 11 am Saturday at the church. Burial with full military honors provided by the Luverne American Legion & VFW will precede the funeral at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Luverne.

   To view an online obituary please visit dingmannandsons.com

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