Dennis Frana

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 11:32 pm

Dennis Frana, age 88, of Decorah, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at his home in Decorah.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at the St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military honors. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/StBenedictCCDecorah. Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Decorah, is in charge of the arrangements (www.schluterbalikfuneralhome.com).

Visitation will be from 4: to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah and also after 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday morning at the church. Everyone attending will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Memorials may be sent to his family at: 2304 Dry Run Rd, Decorah, IA 52101.

Dennis Francis Frana was born on November 6, 1932, the son of Frank C. and Regina (Shindelar) Frana on the family farm near Decorah, IA.  Dennis attended country school and St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Spillville.  Dennis helped farm the family farm and then served in the Korean Conflict from 1952-54.  He was united in marriage to Darlene Smith on Dec. 28, 1955, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. To this union, seven children were born: Denise, Daryl, Doreen, Donette, Douglas, Dean and Dawn. Together they farmed for 50 years, raising hogs and crops.  Dennis enjoyed fishing, hunting, going gambling, John Deere farm equipment and doing woodworking.  Dennis was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and a lifelong member of the VFW.

Dennis is survived by his wife: Darlene Frana, Decorah, IA.  Six children: Denise (George Kakos) Shanks, Decorah, IA; Daryl (Sue) Frana, Decorah, IA; Doreen (Jeff) Roney, Decorah, IA; Douglas Frana, Cresco, IA; Dean (Maria) Frana, Decorah, IA; and Dawn (Bob) Hawkins, Caledonia, MN.  Son-in-law: Bill Trisler, Tulsa, OK.  Twenty-two grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. Dennis’ siblings and their spouses: David (Marie) Frana, Decorah, IA; Dale (Gloria) Frana, Decorah, IA; Virgil (Janet) Frana, Springfield, MO; and Vivian Rongner, Spooner, WI. Sisters-in-law: Kate Hovden, Decorah, IA; Karen Dehning, Marengo, IA; Luann Smith, Decorah, IA; Joyce Smith, Keosauqua, IA; Eileen Smith, Rochester, MN and Shirley (Lester) Hageman, Calmar, IA. Dennis was preceded in death by his daughter: Donette Trisler.  Parents: Frank C. and Regina (Shindelar) Frana.  Grandson: Robert Roney.  Great great-granddaughter: Mariana Guess.  One son-in-law: Duane Shanks. Siblings and spouses: Donald Frana, Dolores (Tom) Lynch, Diana Frana, Jim Rongner and Francis Frana.  One niece: Karla Hanson and one nephew: Terry Smith.  His father-in-law and mother-in-law: Loren and Florence (Mahoney) Smith.  Brothers-in-law: Norm Smith, Earl Smith, Don Smith, James Smith in infancy, Carmen Hovden and Harlan Dehning.  Sisters-in-law: Mary (Vernon) Frana and Rita Smith.