Obituary of Allan Franke
The family of Allan Franke of Yorkton and formerly of Margo, beloved husband of Juliette Franke, sadly announce his passing on June 22, 2025.
Allan Donald Franke was born to Felix and Ethel (Schwanke) Franke on May 8, 1949 in Wadena Hospital 12 months after his brother Dale. His sister Brenda arrived 2 ½ years later.
Allan attended grades 1 & 2 at the New Olivet country school approximately 5 miles from the farm where he grew up. He was then bused to school in the village of Margo, SK. where he graduated from high school in 1967. During that time he enjoyed playing baseball, football, hockey (after he and guys cleared the outdoor rink of snow), and curling. He also attended the Army Cadet program in Invermay, SK., and loved the summer cadet camps he attended at Vernon, B.C. There was also much work to be done on the farm.
After grade 12 Allan worked for the Wadena Royal Bank of Canada in the loans department, then for Federated Co-op in Regina in accounting. He disliked both, so he returned to help on the farm with his parents and worked in the Margo Co-op store.
In 1970 while dating Juliette Wrubleski, they both enrolled in programs at what is now known as Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon, he in the Mechanical Technology program and she in the Diploma Nursing program. They married on November 27, 1971 at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Kuroki, SK. during their second year of studies.
While working for Great West Steel in Saskatoon in the drafting department, Juliette worked at the University hospital. One project he always remembered with pride was the work he did on the new STC bus depot in Saskatoon.
Allan never liked city life. In 1974 he and Juliette moved back home to farm in the Margo area in the R.M. of Invermay. Juliette worked as an RN in the Invermay Hospital and what is now known as the Invermay Health Centre. They joined community life and they raised 3 daughters; Adria born in 1977, Halayna born in 1981, and Elyse born in 1983. Allan was able to give back to the Army Cadet Program where he instructed for the 2500 Invermay Legion Cadet Corps, and the Pipestone Army Cadet Corps in Kelvington. He became a Commissioned Officer in the Ready Reserve of the Canadian Armed Forces on April 1, 1989 in the rank of Second Lieutenant. He was secretary of the Invermay Legion No.94 from 1994 to 1999. It was always his honour to lead the Colour Parade at their Remembrance Day services. Allan played bass guitar in a Margo area band, playing mostly old time dance music. He eventually put his guitar away after a short stint in a bar band. Over a period of many years Allan served in various positions on the Margo Co-op board. His last responsibility there was dealing with the closing of the Margo Co-op Store. He enjoyed serving as scrutineer during the Invermay Rural Municipality elections.
After retiring from farming in 1998, Allan did many things. Initially he worked as a combine operator for local custom combiners. He enjoyed his time on the road when he drove semi for 3 years delivering grain hopper cones within Saskatchewan as well as into Manitoba. He also worked as a window installer until 2005 for North Home Comfort Windows out of Foam Lake. He made several trips to Winnipeg to pick up windows from the factory where the windows were manufactured. He met many interesting people while being in their homes installing windows with the crew.
Having a long history with back pain, Allan needed to do less rigorous work. He received his WHMIS-Train the Trainer Certificate in October 2006. He taught the safety courses mostly in the Prince Albert area and as far north as La Ronge.
Allan learned hard working values from farm life while growing up. Working alongside his father he was able to acquire many skills he came to appreciate later in life. Over the years his skills were developed through grit, mistakes, failures and the Reader’s Digest Complete Do–it-yourself Manual. He built a new home in 1980 and eventually a shop. He later became the go-to person for his children’s home reno projects. Battery operated tools and google were quite the step up. He loved being in his shop, his final project being a self propelled snow blower. The prototype was a failure due mostly to salvaged parts. Accepting the fact that his plan to build from the ground up was overly ambitious, he obtained a used Versatile 400 swather, started over and converted it to a snow blower he christened Fur Fox Ache.
Allan had a soft spot for creatures so was never a hunter, but he did enjoy fishing and being out on the land. He always enjoyed having a dog or cats as pets. His grandchildren were the blessing of his later life. He loved to read, a testament to the two overflowing book cases in his home. He was knowledgeable about geopolitical world affairs, and liked to express his concerns and opinions about them.
Although Allan was not a church goer, he supported his wife and children in their faith formation. He leaves to mourn his wife, Juliette and his daughters Adria (Jason Pozniak), Halayna (Jeff Heshka), and Elyse (Kelly Thomas-separated); and his grandchildren Dawson and Hallie, Emma and Isaac, and Sully and Beckett, sister Brenda and her husband Tim Wrubleski; his brothers-in-law Philip Wrubleski (Mary) and Emile Marquette (Sylvia); sisters-in-law Ruby Franke (Dale), Mary Anne (Martin Wrubleski), Diane (Bob Wrubleski), Peggy (Ted Wrubleski), Annette (Allan Rudyk), and Lucille Silveira, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Dale in 1990, father in 1998, his mother in 2010, his mother-in law May Wrubleski in 2011, brothers-in-law Martin, Bob and Ted Wrubleski, Allan Rudyk, and sister-in-law Sylvia Marquette.
The Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Sathiadas Antony as Celebrant. The cross bearer was Emile Marquette. Tim Wrubleski and Philip Wrubleski read scripture. The intersessions were delivered by Brenda Wrubleski. The gift bearers were Adria, Halayna and Elyse. A family interment followed in St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Rama, Sask. with Juliette serving as urn bearer.
Memorial donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #77 or to St. Anthony's Cemetery Fund, Rama as gifts of remembance.
