Yolo-Alameda County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....FRANKE, Helen Frances Tornquist June 21 2002
**********************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/ca/obitsca.htm
**********************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net August 20, 2004, 11:21 pm

"The Davis Enterprise," Wednesday, June 26, 2002
Helen F.T. Franke

Helen Frances Tornquist Franke, a retired nurse and Woodland resident for more
than 50 years, died of cancer on June 21, 2002, at her home. She was 83.

She was born in Alameda on Aug. 18, 1918, to Carl Johan Tornquist of Hudiksvall,
Sweden, and Anna Emile Stenstad of Inderoin, Norway. Her father died in a great
flu epidemic when she was 6 months old, and the family moved to Canyon, Minn.,
to live with her nearest relative, Uncle Olaf Stenstad.

When she was 2 years old, the family moved to Tronheim, Norway, where she spent
her early childhood. In 1926, the family returned to Canyon, where she attended
grammar school and Cotton High School, graduating as an honors student in 1936.

After high school, she attended St. Luke's Hospital Training School for Nurses,
and graduated from there as class valedictorian in June 1939. She furthered her
nurse's training by attending the University of Minnesota School of Anesthesiology.

While serving as a member of the staff at St. Luke's Hospital, she volunteered
with the Nurses Corps, Minnesota State Guard, as a second lieutenant during
World War II.

After World War II, she accepted a nursing position at Merritt Hospital in
Oakland. While living in Oakland, she was introduced to Fred W. Franke Jr., an
almond grower from Woodland. In 1949, the couple was married in a double-ring
ceremony in Cloquet, Minn.

The two moved to Woodland, where she worked at Woodland Memorial Hospital as a
nurse anesthetist. Starting in 1951, she took time off from her career to raise
a family, working part-time at Woodland Memorial and Davis Community hospitals.

During the latter part of her nursing career, she worked for Dr. Samuel Houston.
She retired in March 1989.

She was an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ, and volunteered
as treasurer for St. John's preschool. When her sons were young, she was active
in PTA and supported the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred W. Franke Jr.; brother, Walter
Tornquist of Burlingame; brothers-in-law, George Franke and Carl Franke; and
sisters-in-law, Hilda Franke and Erna Jenness, all of Woodland.

She is survived by three sons, Carl W. Franke and his wife Ann of Woodland, Fred
W. Franke of Plano, Texas, and David L. Franke and his wife Katie of Woodland.
She is also survived by her brother's daughter, Breta Holgers of Santa Cruz;
sister-in-law Katherine Reiff and brother-in-law Harold Franke, both of
Woodland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. today at
McNary's Chapel, 458 College St., Woodland. A memorial service will begin at 4
p.m. Thursday at St. John's United Church of Christ, 434 Cleveland St., Woodland.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to St. John's Retirement
Village and St. John's United Church of Christ. McNary's Chapel is in charge of
arrangements.


Additional Comments:
Submitted with the permission of the "The Davis Enterprise," 315 G Street,
Davis, CA 95616.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/obits/gob1302franke.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/

File size: 3.7 Kb