Eric Franke Obituary

Eric Franke, 82, of Onalaska, WI passed away peacefully at the Mayo Clinic at Franciscan Skempin La Crosse, WI on November 21, 2011. Eric, born John Eric Herbert Franke in Orebro, Sweden on August 20, 1929 immigrated to the United States to live with his aunt and uncle in Chicago, IL at the age of 18 in 1948. He served as a very proud American in the Korean War from 1951-1953. He married the love of his life, Betty in 1954 and was employed as the V.P. of Engineering at Briskin Manufacturing Company in Chicago until his retirement in 1995. In 2002 he and Betty moved from Glen Ellyn, IL to Onalaska, Wisconsin to be near their only living son Rik, his wife Wendy and his two beloved grandchildren Paige and Erik. Betty, his lifelong partner passed away on November 22, 2003. Together Eric and Betty traveled extensively to many foreign countries and throughout the United States sharing a love of great food, music and varied cultures. Eric is survived by his son, John Eric (Rik) Franke; daughter-in-law, Wendy (Moore) Franke; granddaughter, Paige Elizabeth Franke; and grandson, Erik Anders Franke of Onalaska, WI; brother, Gunnar Franke of StoraMellosa, Sweden and his children and grandchildren; sister, Marianne Fearon of Orebro, Sweden and her children and grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Linda Franke Uhl of Bonita Springs, Florida. Eric is preceded in death by his mother, Signe Gunhild Franke; father, John Bertil Franke; son, Steven John Franke; and wife, Elizabeth Mae (Bell) Franke. Please direct memorials to your local Salvation Army. Eric fondly remembered that The Salvation Army soldiers were the first to greet him and his fellow army men with hot coffee and donuts when they arrived home from the Korean War. To learn more about Eric and his years of life experiences, read his lighthearted book "Stories from Life", by Publish America. Eric will be cremated and a private burial ceremony will be held at a later date in Chicago. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements and condolences may be sent through the online guestbook at www.schumacher-kish.com.