James A. Franke, 75, of Dumont, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at his home under the care of St. Croix Hospice. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Counsell Woodley Funeral Home in Dumont, with a graveside service to follow at the Dumont Cemetery. Counsell Woodley Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Dumont is caring for Jim and his family.
People for miles around always knew where to find Jim – Sitting on his perch. He is one of very few people I know who has been lucky enough to have lived his entire life in the same spot. Too many will not understand not ever wanting to leave home or not wanting to get the heck out of here. To my dad, it was simply perfect. He needed nothing more in his life than his perch. And why would he? He had all of his favorite things right there with him. The man loved to hunt, so he did it in his back yard. The man loved to fish, so he did it in the back yard. He loved to garden, so for years he had two or three of them right outside his door. He loved to feed his family, so he butchered his meat right there in the yard. He loved to watch the History Channel, so he did on the 50 inch TV right at the perch. He loved to play cribbage, so he did that, too, right in the garage. We all know he loved to drink beer, so he had that fridge and perch right there in the garage. No worries at all, he had his perch.
Jimmy Allan Franke was born to Herbert P. Franke and Gertrude Tjabring on September 4, 1947. There he was raised for his entire life on the home place. He graduated in 1965 from Dumont High School and completed Barber School. He was then drafted to the USMC in 1966. He fought in Vietnam and returned back to his home in 1968. After his return from the service, he was united in marriage to Jacquelyn Schwab in 1969. To this union Troy, Cindy and Todd were born. This family was raised on the home place and Jimmy remained there until his death on July 12, 2023.
As time went on, he helped his father farm. He joined the local Sheet Metal Union in 2000. Later in life, his marriage dissolved, and he met Theresa Jones. They were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on September 12th 1997. They continued to live on the home place.
As I said before, everyone knew my dad loved to garden. One year, the man made ketchup for Pete’s Sake and grew peanuts; makes me chuckle just thinking about it. And by the way, the ketchup definitely did not taste like Heinz. He loved to share his produce. Everyone knew that if you stopped by Jimmy’s mid summer, you were guaranteed to come home with a zucchini, tomato or maybe if you were lucky, a banana pepper.
Dad loved to fish, hunt, play cribbage and simply sit and have a beer with a friend. His life was very simple and consisted of it being done so on his perch. He didn’t have to go very far, as people just simply came to him. You could always find him on his perch. If you know dad, you knew not to call during the hours of 1:00 p.m – 3:30 p.m. This time became his sacred time when his Cribbage Crew would show up and the garage was full. If you wanted to have a conversation with dad during this time, you were out of luck as they were pretty focused on seeing who could skunk who next.
This cribbage crew also loved to meet for “church” on Sunday mornings. You can find them either down to Franke Pond or just up the road at Paul’s place. As you can guess, not too far from the perch.
My dad loved his grandchildren. You may have not seen him at many of their activities, but I could guarantee the next day at 7:19 a.m., he was calling to see how the event turned out. He loved it when they would stop to check in. He truly loved them all.
Dad was very content with all he had. To him, he had the world at his perch. He didn’t need to travel or go places to see the world. He would say, “Oh you go ahead, I will be fine right here in my chair on the perch”. And so he did. But he definitely did not live a boring life. He had his cribbage crew every afternoon. He got to plant his garden and share with everyone in four counties around. He got to do his love for hunting and fishing right in his back yard. He definitely demonstrated that you don’t need much but good friends and conversation. These friends I don’t think minded as they loved telling their wives, “Oh, I have to stop out to Jimmy’s for a minute”. Well I know they all knew that meant a beer or two and maybe a few hands of cribbage.
To his many, many friends, thank you for being a part of his perch. He loved you all.
He was truly one of the luckiest people I know. He had his home, he had his wife, his family and friends, all right at the perch. Life will never be the same again on Franke Road, but as you pass by, please give a wave, tip your beer and think of Jimmy as you go.
To my dad, we all know the perch was the farthest you ever wanted to go. Now you are on the greatest journey of your life. Unfortunately, you will not return. But as you arrive dad, I know you will be smiling down on us. Enjoy the new view from that new perch up there in Heaven, dad. You will be truly missed.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Theresa Franke of Dumont; children Troy (Jean) Franke of Dumont, Cindy (Rod) Arjes of Dumont and Todd (Brandy) Franke of Dumont; stepchildren Jimmy (Holly) Grover of Hampton, Jodi (Jerome) Grover of Hampton and Jamie (Curt) Johnson of Iowa Falls; grandchildren Trevor, Alexa, Maci, Kaci, Leighcen, Landon, Louden, Cole and Carli; step-grandchildren Callie, Brianna, Faith, Colin, Samantha, Storm, Jacobi and Tripp; great-grandchildren Kyler, Kellany and Kesley; step great-grandchildren Carter, Ryleigh, Beckett, Reid, Bentley and Silas; and nephew Steven Franke.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jeff Franke.
