Arnold Franke

Arnold Franke, 94, Bismarck, passed away May 15, 2018, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. A service of the celebration of the life of Arnold will be held Monday, May 21, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at Bismarck Baptist Church, 2211 E. LaForest Avenue, Bismarck, with Pastor Bryan Hochhalter officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Sunday, May 20, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Arnold was born February 21, 1924, the youngest son of Christ and Olga (Mund) Franke in rural Turtle Lake, ND. He attended grade school at the New Home Township School and graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1942. He then remained on the farm helping his father. Arnold and Leona Miller were married at the Turtle Lake Baptist Church in a North Dakota blizzard on January 7, 1945. After their marriage, they lived on the Strobel farm until the fall of 1947, when they purchased the Red Owl Agency in Turtle Lake in partnership with Leona’s father, Otto Miller. To this marriage was born one beloved daughter, Claudia Renee on July 20, 1947. Otto Miller later sold his share of the Red Owl business to Arnold and Leona, and they operated the store until 1955 when they discontinued their business. Arnold worked on the construction of the Baptist Church in Turtle Lake and on the spillway at Garrison Dam in Riverdale, ND. In August 1956, they moved to Bismarck where Arnold was the assistant manager of the B & R Food Store until 1957. Arnold worked in construction as a carpenter for Schafer Construction in Bismarck and for Peter-Kiewit Co. in the building of the dike at Williston, ND. Arnold was a driver-salesman for Cloverdale Foods in Mandan, ND from 1958-1972. In 1973, he was employed as a maintenance technician for the Bismarck Baptist Home for the Aged for 16 years until retiring in 1989. Arnold and Leona enjoyed their retirement years and travelled to 48 states either on bus tours or in their motor home. Arnold enjoyed bowling and did woodworking for a pass time. He was an active member of Bismarck Baptist Church singing in the church choir for 53 years, the Senior Saints Choir, and volunteer work. Arnold served as deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. Arnold is survived by his daughter, Claudia (Dennis) Schulz, Napoleon, ND; three grandchildren, Wayde (Dawn) Schulz, Bismarck, Amy (Andrew) Prokop, Bismarck, and Ryan Schulz, Fargo, ND; nine great-grandchildren, Tristan, Brayten, and Dawson Schulz; Avery and Brady Prokop; Klayton Rau, all of Bismarck; Coby, Zachary and Mason Schulz of LaCenter, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona; his parents, Christ and Olga Franke; brothers, Edmund and Walter; and sisters, Edna, Elsie, Lillian, Lila, and Vivian. Memorial gifts may be directed to Bismarck Baptist Church or Samaritan’s Purse in Arnold’s memory.