Thomas G. "Tom" Franke

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2009 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Upper Church for Thomas G. “Tom” Franke, 67, of St. Cloud who died from cancer on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at St. Benedict’s Center in St. Cloud. Reverend Aaron Kuhn will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.

Family and Friends may call between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and after 9:00 a.m. on Monday at the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud. The St. Cloud V.F.W. Granite Post #428 will pray at 6:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Tom was born on February 27, 1942 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Gilbert and Clara (Althaus) Franke. He married Ramona L. “Mona” Peterson on October 7, 1961 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Tom served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1962 spending time on the U.S.S. Essex. After the military, Tom went to Barber School and also completed a B.S. Degree at SCSU. Tom owned and operated Franke’s Barber Shop in St. Cloud from 1962-present. He was a member of the St. Cloud V.F.W. Granite Post #428 and Holy Spirit Parish. Tom coached youth hockey for 20 years and was an avid bowler and bowled a 300 game. He also enjoyed golf and shot a hole in one.

Tom enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports.

He is survived by his wife, Mona of St. Cloud; children, Todd (Mary) of St. Cloud, Troy of Hyde Park, NY, Tim (Karen) of Zimmerman, Thomas Jr. (Cherie) of Sartell, Nissa Franke of Rockville; grandchildren, Alexa, Karrli, Anders, Kai, Bjorn, Nils, Tommy and Josh; nephews, Gary and Jamie Kometz; and many friends and clients.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Darlene and Will Kometz; and four infant grandchildren.