Caledonia Argus

Posted: 1/24/03

Jerome Frank

Jerome H. Frank, 82, of La Crescent and formerly of Caledonia, died Monday, January 20, 2003, at Lakeview Health Care Center, West Salem, WI, of Alzheimers disease. He was born October 3, 1920 in Caledonia to Peter and Catherine (Penning) Frank. He graduated from Loretto High School in 1938. On May 6, 1944 he married Florence Lehmann at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, La Crosse, WI.

Jerome was an outstanding farmer and businessman and he was a member of many farm organizations. He held offices in the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and the Brown Swiss Breeders. Many of the purebred Brown Swiss cattle he raised went to Europe and other foreign countries as well as locally.

His love for the land always stayed with him. He loved the outdoors. In 1974 Jerome retired from farming and some of his land was developed so that others might enjoy the peaceful countryside known as Sunset Drive Estates in Caledonia township, many homes are there because of his efforts. His interests also included landscape design. He drove school bus for 17 years and boasted the fact that he always had good kids on his bus.

He enjoyed traveling and visiting many foreign countries, and he liked fishing and the river, watching the football and baseball games on TV and above all spending time with family and friends.

He was a best friend and companion to his wife and a kind and wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Jerome was a member of St. Maryís Catholic Church in Caledonia for 78 years where he was active in church and study groups and a member of Crucifixion Church of La Crescent for four years.

Jerome is survived by his wife Florence of La Crescent; six children: Joanne (Charles) Wieser, La Crescent, Sister Elaine Frank, OSF, Janesville, Bob (Mary Ellen) Frank, Brownsville, Larry (Betty) Frank, La Crosse, Ken (Jean Frank), Caledonia, and Amy Johnson, Rochester; a foster son, Ray (Carlene) Winkler, Debray, FL; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Doug (Lori) Wiegrefe, La Crescent; brother-in-law, Dr. Ralph Kramer, Ft. Smith, AR; Max (Renata) Schober, Germany, a former exchange student; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving daughter Barb Wiegrefe, son-in-law Eric Johnson and his sister Delores Kramer.

Mass of Resurrection will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 25, at St. Maryís Catholic Church, Caledonia with Father Donald Schmitz officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Friends and family may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Holy Family Hall, St. Maryís School, Caledonia, where a rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Friends may also call from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church.

McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia is assisting the family with arrangements.

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