Mary Franke

Mary Lee Fischer Franke was born on December 2, 1911, in Sisterdale, Texas. She was called from this life to the glory of heaven by the grace of God on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

Mary Lee was the fourth in a family of eight children. Her parents, Erich and Olga Habenicht Fischer, lived on a farm near Sisterdale while she was growing up. She told about going to school in a horse and buggy with her older brothers and sisters.

Around 1919, the family moved to a farm near Pearsall. She remembered taking a train during the move to Pearsall and waiting on a siding in San Antonio while troops returning from war passed the train. In Pearsall they farmed with mules, raising goats, tomatoes and broomcorn, and making brooms which they sold in San Antonio. She had many interesting stories about the farm in Pearsall stories of handdug wells, cactus and rattlesnakes.

After several years the family moved to Kerrville and then to a farm near Knippa. At Knippa they still farmed with mules, raising hay and other crops. While in Knippa, the family attended Emmanuel Lutheran church and became acquainted with the Franke family. At this time Mary Lee began writing to Gertrude and later to Clarence Franke.

After leaving Knippa, the family moved to a farm near Alfred, a small community near Alice. After additional correspondence, she married Clarence Franke on October 16, 1938. They moved to the Franke Ranch in Maverick County where she enjoyed helping with gardening, cooking, and housekeeping. Her first three children, Ernest, Anna and Gilbert were born during this time.

In 1947, Mary Lee and Clarence moved to a farm 5 miles south of Uvalde so the children could attend public school. Clarence and Mary Lee designed and built their home on the farm where Clara and Stuart were born. During the drought of the 1950s, Clarence worked outside the farm so Mary Lee managed the farm, raising the children as well as grain, hay and cows, which she named individually.

Mary Lee and Clarence joined Trinity Lutheran Church in 1947 and were very active members. Mary Lee taught Sunday School for many years and played a large role in getting a day care center started at the church. Although her formal education was limited, she encouraged all of her children to finish school, including college degrees. After Clarence died in 1981, she continued to live on the farm south of Uvalde, with several of her children and grandchildren. She always enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and seeing crops grow in the fields. She passed away at 3:40 pm on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, aged 98 years and 11 months.

Throughout her life she cared for people in times of illness or need: her grandparents, her siblings, children, grandchildren and neighbors. She often wrote encouraging letters and notes to those who she was not able to visit with personally. One of her nieces remembered her wry sense of humor, how she loved to tell stories on Mama, her generosity, her love of nature, and our Lord.

Mary Lee is survived by one sister, Oda Fischer Buegeler of Alice, Texas, and one sisterinlaw, Beatrice Franke Richter of San Antonio. She is also survived by her five children, Ernest and Doris Franke of San Antonio, Anna and John Mendeke of Uvalde, Gilbert and Beth Franke of Bishop, Clara Mertens of Uvalde, Stuart and Elane Franke of Hondo. She has twelve surviving grandchildren: Eric Franke and Leal, Kurt Franke, Scott Franke, Christopher Walter and Ngoc, Stephen Walter and Sheena, Peter Walter and Jennifer, Ben Walter and Mary Ann, Thomas Walter and Danee, Ethan Franke and Melissa, Jennifer Hemple and Wesley, Andrew Franke and Nicholle, Jeremy Franke, Jason Mendeke and Rachel. She is survived by nineteen greatgrandchildren and three greatgreatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, three sisters, her husband Clarence Franke 1981, a grandson Neil Franke, and a greatgrandson.

Pallbearers are grandsons: Eric, Christopher, Stephen, Peter, Thomas, Ethan, Andrew, Jeremy, and Scott. Kurt and Ben are honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be at Rushing Estes Knowles Mortuary, Friday, November 5, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be held Saturday, November 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Uvalde, at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. Donald Olson officiating. Interment will be at the Uvalde Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church memorial fund.

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Friday, November 5, 2010
6:00 to 8:00 PM

Service

Funeral

Trinity Lutheran Church
762 N. Getty
Uvalde, TX  78801
Saturday, November 6, 2010
1:30 PM

Cemetery

Uvalde Cemetery
Hwy 90 West
Uvalde, TX  78801