Loren D. Frank

Loren Frank, 70, of Woden passed away Sunday, July 3, 2016, at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Loren Frank will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street South East in Britt with Father Peter Nguyen and Father James Dubert concelebrating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation for Loren Frank will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Loren David Frank was born November 20, 1945 to Martin and LaVerna (Peterson) Frank in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Loren graduated from Britt High School with the Class of 1963 and attended Eagle Grove Junior College prior to serving in the United States Army for 2 years during Vietnam. Following his active duty service, he continued his education earning an Associate’s Degree from Iowa Lakes Community College. Loren then joined the Iowa Army National Guard and served as a Personnel Services Specialist at the Fort Dodge Armory for 19 years.

Loren was united in marriage with Shari Drabek on July 31, 1971. The couple made their home in rural Woden and to this union children Angel, James and Michael were born.

In addition to his military career, Loren was a lifelong farmer. Despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May of 2015, he continued to work on the farm, planting this spring and even cultivating in June. He refused to let his illness keep him from doing what he loved the most.

Speaking of his favorite activities, Loren had a lifelong interest in motorcycles and converted his Gold Wing motorcycle into a trike in January so he could continue to ride. Over the years, he rode countless miles and visited numerous states, whether to California with Shari on Route 66 or on his annual Black Hills trip. He completed an “Iron Butt Challenge” from Albert Lea, Minnesota to Wall, South Dakota and back with limited stops in between. When he wasn’t riding, he loved spending time with his family, watching NASCAR, riding his 4-wheeler and was an avid reader of western books with Louis L’Amour novels being his favorite.

Loren was a lifetime member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and was named Individual of the Year for 2016. He was a Bingham Township Cemetery Trustee, a member of the American Legion Post in Britt (previously in Wesley and Woden), and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt.

Loren will be remembered for his good-natured personality and for his ability to talk to anyone about any given subject.

Loren is survived by his wife Shari Frank of Woden; children Angel (Randy) Currie of Boone, James (Jen) Frank of Stratford and Michael (Briana) Frank of rural Kensett; grandchildren Kayla TerBeek of Ames, Jaden TerBeek of Boone, Wyatt Frank and Rachel Frank of Stratford and Addison Frank and Asher Frank of rural Kensett; brothers Jerry (Agnes) Frank of Algona, Gail (special friend Heidi Bagus) Frank of Hotchkiss, Colorado and Doyle Frank of Mancos, Colorado; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and brothers Carl Frank and Raymond Frank.

Loren's tribute video can be viewed here:

Loren Frank Tribute Video