Genevieve "'Jenny'" Roberta Franke

Genevieve(Jenny) Roberta Franke of Grand Island, Nebraska, age 90, died at Saint Francis Hospital on December 31, 2014.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Gollaher Chapel with Rev. Theresa Mason officiating. Interment will be at the Wood River Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2015 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island.

Jenny was born August 7, 1924 in Seward, Nebraska, the daughter of Fred and Anna (Wickenkamp) Mason. She was raised in Seward, Nebraska and was valedictorian of her high school class. Jenny attended business school in Lincoln, Nebraska and also worked for the Social Security Administration. During that time she met Robert (Bob) Stuart Franke whom she married on July 31, 1948 at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Jenny and Bob moved to Provo, Utah for 3 years after they were married, where Jenny was employed by U.S. Steel. Bob and Jenny then settled in Grand Island when Bob was employed by Countryman and Associates.

Jenny was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her entire family. Cooking and sewing were passions of hers and she was an active 4-H leader and enjoyed passing on her knowledge and skills of cooking and sewing to others. She was always showing hospitality to family, friends and guests that visited her home. Music was important to Jenny and she enjoyed singing with Mother Singers and going to dances with Bob. Jenny was an avid bridge player and played in many bridge clubs. She enjoyed golfing with her family and taking her family on vacations to Estes Park, Colorado. Jenny also enjoyed traveling with the airstream club when Bob retired. They traveled to Texas, Alaska, and all over the country with their airstream trailer. Jenny was a devoted caregiver to Bob in his later years of life. Jenny and Bob were married for 62 years, until the time of Bobs death.

Survivors include her three children: John Franke (Barb) of Wood River, Nebraska; Laurie Berggren(Christopher) of Blair, Nebraska; Jim Franke (Debbie) of Lincoln, Nebraska. Eight Grandchildren: Dustin Franke, Kristin Paben (Kyle), Jordan Franke, Caleb Berggren, Seth Berggren, Anna Berggren, Aubrey Franke and Mason Franke. Two great-grandchildren: Cole Paben and Avery Paben. Brother-in-law Herman Larsen of Geneva, Nebraska. Multiple nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by her late husband Robert Franke, sister Elizabeth Larsen, three brothers: Walt Mason, Robert Mason, and Fritz Mason and several cousins.

Memorials may be sent to Stevens Ministry, Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Island, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com