Leilah Lucille Franke

A Celebration of Life Service for Leilah Franke, 101, of Truman, will be held Sat. June 16th at 2:00pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman. Visitation will begin at 12:30pm and continue until the time of service. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Cemetery, rural Truman. Leilah passed away on June 7th at Heartland Senior Living of Truman. Zaharia Family Funeral Home of Truman is assisting the family with arrangements. www.ZahariaFamilyFuneral.com

    Leilah Lucille (Krupp) Franke was born October 27th, 1916 to Albert and Elsie Krupp in Elmore Township. She was baptized November 26th, 1916 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elmore and confirmed on July 20th 1930 at Trinity by Rev. O.J. Kitzmann. She graduated from Elmore High School on May 31, 1934. She was a Sunday School teacher and assistant church organist. On October 30, 1934 she was united in marriage to Victor Franke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elmore. They farmed in the Elmore area from 1935 until their farm sale in 1945. In May of 1946 thy purchased the Gamble Store in Truman. In 1956 they joined United Hardware of Hardware Hank. After they purchased the R.G. Vandrey building in 1961they moved their store and living quarters there. They worked together and retired from business in 1982. Leilah was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman, Ladies Aid and Truman Historical Society. Victor passed away on June 14, 1994.

   She is survived by her daughter, Lanier ( Larry) Theesfield of Fairmont , Two granddaughters, Janae (Kevin) Greier of Truman, Jeanine Thompson of Prior Lake, MN. Grandson, Layne Theesfield of Bloomington, MN. Great Grandsons, Andrew Greier, Aarin (Stephanie) Greier, Tanner (Maddie) Thompson, Great Granddaughter, Taylor Thompson, and great-great granddaughter, Gabriell Greier.

    Leilah was preceded in death by her parents, husband Victor, infant daughter Renee Lynnette, son Dalon, Grandson LaRon Theesfield, brother Fred (Leona) Krupp, sister Argiene (Selmer) Gjerde, brother-in-law Orice (Alice) Franke, sister-in-law Esther (George) Christ and many relatives and friends.

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