Ruth Franks

Ruth E. Franks, age 99 of Endeavor passed away peacefully Thursday, December 7, 2023 at The Residences on Forest Lane in Montello.  She was born Ruth Eileen Ralph in Belmont, Wisconsin on May 30, 1924 to G.L. and Elvah (Shipley) Ralph.  After one year, the family moved to Rewey, Wisconsin where they lived for about five years.  They moved to Mineral Point, Wisconsin in 1930 and Ruth attended the Mineral Point School grades 1-12.  During her school years, Ruthie participated in Methodist Church activities, worship services, youth group, choir and Sunday School.  She also enjoyed sports, hiking, knitting, reading and other school activities and was a Girl Scout.  After graduation from MPHS in 1942, she worked at home and as a telephone operator for a year and a half.

She entered the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in January 1944 under the Cadet Nurse Corps and graduated with a Diploma in 1947 and obtained her Registered Nurse status.  She married Charles Franks in Mineral Point on May 31, 1947, and became a full-time wife and part-time nurse.  She worked in various hospitals as they moved back and forth from Mineral Point to Platteville.  In 1953, the family moved to Madison.  Ruth did private duty nursing, then she worked in a doctor’s office for 3 years and in two nursing homes.  When they were raising their three children, she was also involved in church (Westminster Presbyterian Church in Madison) and community activities.  She became a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother and was a member of Madison Professional Police Association Auxiliary, Wisconsin R.N. Association, Methodist Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae, PTA, Neighborhood Block Captain and took continuing education courses through the UW and MATC.  In 1979, they retired to Terry, Montana. Since moving to Terry, she retired from nursing and shared Charlie’s hobby of photography.  She joined the Terry Community Presbyterian Church and was active in PWA and other church activities, as well as Order of Eastern Star Chapter #74, Prairie County Museum, Ama de Casa Homemaker’s Club, Republican Women’s Club and American Legion Auxiliary.  Ruthie has never been “bored” with life.  She always had some project that needed to be done and loved lists.  Ruth enjoyed visits with relatives and friends.

Ruth is survived by her children: Cheryl Franks of California, Ralph of Madison and Margaret (John) Krause of Endeavor as well as a brother, Eugene (Helga) Ralph of California.  She is also survived by four grandchildren:  Bryan Hinsen, Craig Hinsen, Christopher (Ogoma) Krause and Wendy (Leo) Van Asten as well as five great-grandchildren:  Misha, Masha, Kalaria, Gavri and Aristone.   Ruth is further survived by her step-sister, Marian Stone and other extended family members.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, step-mother, Ann Wearing Ralph, daughter-in-law, Judy Franks, grandson, Shawn Franks, sister, Geraldine (Marvin) Berg, sisters-in-law: Doreen Ralph, Virginia (Virgil) Hatfield and nephew-in-law, David Hatfield.

A memorial service for Ruth Franks will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Douglas Bible Church, W7383 County Road P, Endeavor.  Visitation will be held Thursday evening, February 8^th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Crawford Funeral Home in Oxford and again at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the hour of service.  Pastor Dominick Thoman will preside and private inurnment will take place at Prairie County Cemetery, Terry, Montana.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Oxford and Montello is honored to be serving the family.  www.CrawfordFH.com