Wilma B. Franken

Wilma Franken 89, of Sioux Center died Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the Hegg Memorial Hospital of Rock Valley, IA. Visitation will be held Friday from 4-8PM with the family present from 5-7PM at the Carmel Reformed Church of Carmel, Iowa. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Saturday at 1:45PM at Carmel Reformed Church with Interment to follow in Carmel Cemetery of Carmel. A memorial service will be held at 2:30PM at the Carmel Reformed Church with Rev. Mark Heijerman officiating. In lieu of flowers the Franken Family prefer memorials be directed to the Foster Grandparent program. Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Wilma Bertha Franken was born May 24, 1922 to Henry and Gertrude (Cleveringa) Duistermars on a farm 3 miles west of Sioux Center, Iowa. At the age of four, Wilma moved with her family to Michigan. Wilma graduated from Lake Odessa High School in Lake Odessa, Michigan. In 1939, Wilma's family moved back to Sioux Center and later she moved to Denver Colorado. Wilma met the love of her life at a fourth of July fireworks display. Louis was stationed in Denver and dating another gal on the night that they met. Louis must have known that Wilma was the one for him because he offered his hanky for her to sit on instead of his date. Can you imagine the fireworks that night? Louis and Wilma started dating and were married on January 28, 1944 in Denver. God blessed this union with nine children. Wilma instilled in her children her love of family and God. Even though God dealt Wilma and Louis many challenges in their lives, they stood strong and set good examples for their children. The couple showed that faith in God supplied all of their needs. Many memories were made as the family gathered and grew. Wilma started working outside the home when her youngest child started school. She worked for various Sioux Center Businesses over the years including: Sam's Variety, Schouten's Grocery Store, Hy-Vee and Holiday Lanes. One of her favorite positions was working for the Foster Grandparent Program. Wilma was active in her church as a teacher and the Women's League. She also participated in the American Legion Auxiliary. Those left to cherish her memory and life are her children: Judith and Bernard Franken of Sioux Center, Gretchen and Gary Bernhardt of Sheldon, IA, Mary and Norm Boeve of Hull, IA, Leon and Cindy Franken of Carmel, Susan and Doug Ten Napel of Ireton, IA, Kathryn Franken of Rock Rapids, IA, Thomas and Leanne Franken of Hawarden, IA and Laura Franken of Sioux Falls, SD; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Henrietta and Dan Alons of Hospers, IA; sister, Dorothy Coats of Le Mars, IA as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Welcoming her home to heaven's gate were her husband, Louis; daughter Ronata Franken; granddaughter, Greta Sue Ten Napel; her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Dena Duistermars; three sisters: Catherine Van Otterloo Lems, Ruth Wilson, and Eileen Duistermars and brothers-in-law, Lane Van Otterloo and Gerrit Lems.