Wilma Frana

Friday, October 7, 2016 3:51 pm

Wilma Frana, 77, of Calmar, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, at Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian. A memorial Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, with Rev. Robert Gross officiating. Lector is Dave Koudelka. Organist is Jeanette Dietzenbach. Cantor is Dan Silhacek. Hymns are “Here I am, Lord,” “One Bread, One Body,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Goin’ Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Offertory gift bearers are Marge Taylor and Julie Frana. Interment is at St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Calmar. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel.

Wilma Margaret (Koudelka) Frana was born Nov. 6, 1938, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Tlusty) Koudelka in Elma. Wilma attended country school near Protivin, and graduated from Cresco High School in 1957. She was united in marriage to Ermin Frana Sept. 25, 1957, at Holy Cross in Schley.  They lived near Calmar and later moving into Calmar, where they raised their nine children. Wilma attended Area One in Calmar, and received a diploma for the secretarial program. She then worked at the Anderson – Wilmarth law office for 22 years. After that she worked part-time at the Decorah Public Library for eight years, and this was a job that she really enjoyed. She retired in 2008. Wilma was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) and won a Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She also was able to rate large print books for the Decorah Public Library. Wilma has always loved to read, along with doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and other craft work. She also enjoyed spending time on her computer and Facebook. Above all, Wilma loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Wilma is survived by her six children: Marge Taylor, Holmen, Wis.; Julie Frana, Chaska, Minn.; Gene Frana, Ridgeway; Tony Frana, Ridgeway; Jeff (Karen) Frana, Shakopee, Minn.; and Bruce (Kelli) Frana, Festus, Mo.; one daughter-in-law, Lora Frana, St. Paul, Minn.; 17 grandchildren: Travis Frana, Val (Russ) Brincks, Sandy (Kyle) Fischer, Sharon Frana, Amy Frana, Justin (Krissy) Frana, Eric (Min) Frana, Josh (Ashley) Frana, Jeremy (fiancé Laura) Frana, Chelsey (Curtis) Rasing, Brian Kelly, John (Tawnnia) Kelly, Adam (Casey) Remke, Ashley Taylor, Krista (Kyle) Allen, Kasey Steely and Matt Frana; along with many great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law: Verneal Koudelka, Cresco and Georgina Frana, Edina, Minn.; Marie Frana, Decorah and Elaine Frana, Decorah; three brothers-in-law: Jerome (Lois) Frana, Ossian; Marcelline Frana, Charles City; and Julius Frana, Ft. Atkinson; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Koudelka and Margaret Koudelka (Edward) Hovorka; her husband, Ermin Frana, Aug. 28, 2004; three sons: Ron, Brian and Allen Frana; one great-granddaughter, Abigail Sutter; one brother, William Koudelka, in Nov. 2003; one niece, Marsha Koudelka; four sisters-in-law: Martha, Viola Frana, Monica Frana, Sonia Frana and Janice Frana; five brothers-in-law: George, Leonard, Adolph, Stanley and Art Frana.