Dorothy C. Franke, (nee Heim), age 86, of West Bend, passed away on Tuesday May 10, 2005, at St. Joseph's Community Hospital in West Bend.
She was born in Bay Settlement, WI on August 31, 1918 to the late Martin and Helen (nee Grassel) Heim.
She moved with her family to Casco at an early age. After her graduation from Casco High School she moved to Milwaukee and worked for Gimbles in sales and modeling. She was united in marriage to John Franke on November 14, 1942 in her hometown of Casco.
She moved to San Antonio to be with John where he was stationed during WWII. During that time she worked in a hotel as a receptionist. Later, she and John moved back to the Milwaukee area where they started and raised their family. In the 1970's her and her family settled in their home on Okauchee Lake near Oconomowoc. Dorothy lived at the lake until 1992. Then she moved to West Bend.
Dorothy loved to travel with her husband. She was always interested in politics and current events; and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her four children, Martin (Yayoi) Franke of Tokyo, Japan, Greg (Nancy) Franke of Duluth, Georgia, Don (Carol) Franke of LaCrosse, and Leslie (Kevin) Lorbiecki of West Bend; six grandchildren, Kim (Paul) Montello of Athens, GA, Sarah (Todd) Walker of Roswell, GA, Justin Franke of Valpraiso, IN, Derek (Melissa) Lorbiecki of Delavan, and Nickolaus and Gunnar Lorbiecki of West Bend; three great-grandchildren, Alexandra Montello, Miles Montello, and Francesca Walker; five sisters; and two brothers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a grandson Tommy Franke, and two brothers.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, May 13, at 10:30 am, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Luxemburg. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will follow the Memorial Mass at St. Mary's Cemetery in Luxemburg.