Obituary of John Franke

John was born on March 22, 1947 in Bottineau, North Dakota to Claude and Kathleen Franke. When John was four they moved to Cambridge, Minnesota. He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1965. He then moved to Anchorage Alaska and attended Alaskan Methodist University for 3 years while living and working with his Uncle Dave at Evergreen Memorial Chapel. He had many colorful Alaska stories. If you knew him, or even sat next to him at the bar, you probably heard one. He returned to Minnesota after school and attended Moorhead State University. John, along with his parents, opened Cambridge Sporting selling Ski-doo snowmobiles. He started racing snowmobiles with his dad and traveled anywhere there was snow to race. During that time John met Judy and they eloped in 1972. She was able to travel with him to most of his races and also when he qualified to race in the Snowmobile World Series in Nyack, New York where he claimed second in his class. Through friends from his racing days John became connected with Hyman Freightways and starting working for them in Roseville, Minnesota. John had high expectations of himself and for his performance at work, which led to to many "safe driver" awards. This was the beginning of his career working for several different trucking companies over the years where he had many long lasting friends. He ended his career at Valley Cartage in Hudson, Wisconsin John was also an avid sportsman. At every chance John and his friends would take advantage of another day to hunt. He shot trap and skeet at many different venues, and anyone who shot with him knew that 100x100 was not unusual for John. He also loved to fish and he took that love to Lake of the Woods where he guided and grew to have quite an affinity for being on the lake. He also had a great passion for hunting, with both gun and bow, which he passed to his son. They enjoyed many days together in the woods. He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughter Susan of Bend, Oregon, his son David and fiance Claire of New Brighton, Minnesota, sister Patti (Gary) LeRoy of Cambridge, Minnesota, Nieces Amy (David) Kendall , Becca (Tom) Voris, Dina (Larry) Fredlund, Nephew Devin LeRoy, and dog of many dogs, Cap. So friends, in remembrance: love and teach your children, lift a glass, hit the green on 13 (even if you have to buy a new club to do it,) shoot a buck (from an unlikely spot,) watch your dog flush a pheasant in the field, savor catching even a 3lb walleye, sink a birdie on 18, enjoy a good steak off the grill, really drive a Corvette or feel the rumble of a Harley, root for Dale Jr., revel in a Twins win, and enjoy the life you are given.