Wallace Edward Frank

Wallace “Wally” E. Frank, age 96 of Mapleton, died surrounded by family on Friday, July 27, 2018 at the Mapleton Community Home.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 421 North 2nd street  in Mankato. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at from 4 – 7 p.m. at Olson-Tichenor Funeral home in Mapleton. Visitation will continue from 10 – 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church Wednesday morning prior to the service. Interment will follow the luncheon at Union Cemetery in Mapleton.

Wallace Edward Frank, the son of Edward and Verna (Borowick) Frank was born at home in Prescott, Wisconsin on September 16, 1921. They moved to Mapleton where he later graduated from Mapleton High School. During his high school years, he worked at Frank Bros. Elevator. In July of 1942 he was inducted in to the US Army. He was in the 10th Armored Division involved in numerous battles thoughout Europe including the Battle of the Bulge under General Patton. Wally was honorably discharged in 1946. On October 13, 1946, he was united in marriage to Bertha Riewe at St. John’s Church in Willow Creek. The couple lived in Mapleton where they started their family. He worked with his father Edward continuing to grow Frank Bros. Feed and Grain. They distributed seed, feed, coal, fertilizer and handled grain in Southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Northern Iowa. It was in 1960, that the Frank Family moved to rural Medo Township. In 1965 he received an award for conservation work at the farm.

Wally was an active member of the Mapleton Chamber of Commerce, the Lutheran Church, the Heather Curling Club and a Charter member of the Mapleton VFW. Frank Brothers was sold in 1992. For over 20 years, Wally and Bertha traveled extensively within the United States, as well as internationally in their motor home. Their travels eventually found them building a cabin in Hollister, Missouri, where they lived for eight years, before returning to Mapleton in 2008, to be closer to family.

Wally enjoyed all sports especially football and curling. He enjoyed keeping in contact with his friends and family through emails and phone calls. Wally took great pleasure in meeting new people and was always gracious and willing to lend a helping hand.

Wally is survived by his four children, Larry (Leah) of Mapleton, Lee Ann (Larry) Rosten of Glenwood, Vern (Karen) Frank of Mapleton, Gail (Gary) Boening of Mapleton; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Bertha of 67 years in 2014; two brothers, Allan and Delby; one sister, Kay Bleess; a granddaughter; and two great grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: Mapleton VFW Post 5338; Mayo Clinic Hospice; Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato.