Minerva R. Franek

Minerva Rosealine Franek of Fargo died Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Rosewood on Broadway.

Minerva was born November 10, 1910 in Fargo, ND, the daughter of Arthur and Rosealine Streed. She graduated from North Dakota Agriculture College (NDSU) with a degree in Physical Education in 1932. She taught Physical Education in the Fargo-Moorhead school system and was one of the first playground directors. She married Godfrey Joseph Franek June 29, 1935. He died September 1, 1991.

Minerva was active for 25 years in Camp Fire Girls and is a lifelong member. In 1962 she worked at Luther Hall as an activities director and housemother, retiring in 1985. She was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School Teacher, Parish Secretary and was the first woman to serve on the church council.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved the outdoors, walking and swimming. She swam and did water exercises into her nineties at the YMCA.

Minerva is survived by her children, Stanley (Naomi) Franek, Larry (Adelle) Franek, Jerry (Rosemarie) Franek, all of Fargo, ND, and Diane (Merle) Wilson, Machesney Park, IL; sister, Wenonah (Nonie) Melander, Tempe, AZ; brother, Robert (Bob) Streed, Fargo, ND; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Campfire Girls, Rosewood on Broadway or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.