May 27, 2021 at 2:08 p.m.
William "Bill" Franke
William "Bill" Franke
Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Rhinelander and married Karen Rolain on May 23, 1959 in Rhinelander. God blessed them with 62 years of marriage, to the day. It was his last wish to live to his anniversary and he made it.
Bill was employed as a youth in the Labor Temple as a pinsetter and then worked at the Rhinelander Paper Company for 31 years. He also had worked as a bartender for the Hodag Lanes, as a custodian for the City of Rhinelander and for US Stick. He was a faithful member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member of the choir for years. He was also a long time member of the Nicolet Male Chorus. He loved being a part of the annual show they put on and other events such as the "Big Sing" in upper Michigan.
Bill was also part of a senior writing class that really let him show his creative side and write down all of his stories and observations from life, always with a positive point of view. He loved working in the shop with the scroll saw and creating art to give to his friends and toys to give to the kids. He was a very proud grandpa who loved to take his grandchildren on outings around town and show them off to his friends. He enjoyed playing cards especially sheepshead. He also liked ice fishing and golfing and traveling with his wife.
In 2016 he experienced one of the highlights of his life when he went on the honor flight to Washington D.C.
Bill loved to talk about the history of Rhinelander. He enjoyed meeting with friends to discuss the events of the day and share a joke or two. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was always there when they needed him.
Bill is survived by his wife Karen, his daughter Susan (Chris) Barton, his son Thomas Franke, his grandchildren Danielle (Tyler) Cunningham, Tyler Castonguay and Zachary Barton, his great-grandson Waylon Cunningham, nieces, nephews, his in-laws Edwin and Nancy Kuehn, Richard and Marilyn Rolain, Al Guinta, Don Rolain, Pete Rolain, Lois Lukarich, Barbara Stevens and Betty Callahan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son John Franke, his in-laws Walter and Elin Rolain, his sisters Evelyn (Robert) Morgenstern, Charlotte (Charles) Johnson, Inez (Wesley) Baribeau and Jean Guinta, his brothers Hyron (Lou) Franke, Paul (Lorraine) Franke and Howard Franke and his brothers- and sisters- in-law Robert (Martha) Rolain, Dorothy "Red" Rolain, Ray Rolain, Darrell Rolain, William "Smokey" Callahan, Richard Stevens and Robert "Al" Lukarich.
Visitation for Bill will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carlson Funeral Home. Due to the pandemic family services will be held at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Reverend Tammy Barthels officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Home Cemetery.
You may leave your private condolences for the Franke family at www.carlsonfh.com.
The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Franke family.
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