Ermanelda D. Franke

Ermanelda Dora Franke, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2022.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 12 p.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in LeRoy. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 21 from 9 a.m. until the start of the service at 12 p.m. at the church. Family Entombment will take place at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Fond du Lac.
In 1973 Erma was appointed deputy assessor and worked with her father who was the assessor.

Erma was born on July 4, 1940, at home in LeRoy, WI, to Reuben and Vida (Indermuehle) Sperger. Erma was united in marriage to Donald Franke, on April 30, 1960 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, LeRoy, WI. Erma and Don bought the family farm they lived on all their life in April of 1960. They worked together on the farm milking cows, planting and harvesting crops, working together doing assessing work, and welcoming goose hunters for many years.

In December of 1976 she was appointed by the Town of LeRoy as their full-time assessor. She held this position for 40 years. She also was the assessor for the Towns of Ashippun, Lomira, Williamstown, Villages of Kekoskee, Brownsville and then Town of Wayne in Washington County. She was also the Clerk/Assessor for 20 years for Town of LeRoy and retired in 2016. Erma was the Treasurer for the Dodge County Farm Bureau and past President of the LeRoy/Lomira Farm Bureau. She was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in LeRoy and sang in the St. Andrews Choir for many years.

She is survived by her son Scott (Laura) Franke, daughters Mary (Jerry) Cooper and Kay Franke. Grandchildren: Ashley (Andy) Vande Zande, Emily (Ryan) Vander Grinten, Ryley & Madison Cooper, Samson, Mike (Gina) Zuehlke, & Joe Zuehlke. Great-grandchildren: Alexa & Axel Vande Zande, Collin, Deszion, & Linden Zuehlke. Sisters: Henrietta Gremminger, Romona (Bernard) Werner, Ruby (Richard) Stommel. Brother-in-laws: Eugene Hanke, & Arnold Walters.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, son Myron, daughter Cynthia, parents Rueben & Vida Sperger, in laws Alphonse & Erna Franke, brothers Donald & Courtland Sperger. Brother-in-law Ray Gremminger, Sister-in-laws Shirley Sperger, Cathy Walters, Berniece Hanke, Romona Sperger.

Memorials may be directed to the Waupun Dialysis Center or the Knowles Fire Department.

Special thank you to the Waupun Dialysis Center, St. Agnes Hospital, Edenbrook Rehabilitation Center, St. Croix Hospice Care, and all of the wonderful neighbors and friends of mom who have given her such great care and love over these past few months. We are eternally grateful for all of you in making mom’s transition to be with dad again a beautiful journey.