Elmer Frank

Funeral services for Elmer Frank were held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating, Music was provided by Rose Wolf, vocalist, accompanied by Jane Tuttle, pianist. Mary Kaupp and Anita DeKramer were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Dustin Frank, Roger Frank II, Louis Scharf, Michael Kayl, Shaun Hessman, Nikolaus Frank, and Sawyer Schmitz. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Elmer Melvin Frank was born on February 21, 1931 to Fred and Ernestine Ulmer Frank in Herrick, SD. He farmed with his brother until he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War. He served from April 1952 to January 1954 in the K Company 35th Infantry Regiment. He returned from Korea and began farming south of Gregory. He married Patsy Leonard on April 27, 1956 at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD. To this union nine children were born. In April of 1991 they moved to Gregory where he resided until his death.

Elmer participated in the Midwest Honor Flight in May 2018. He passed away in his home on December 2, 2024, at the age of 93. He is survived by nine children: Ruth (Doug) Hessman, Douglas Frank, Fred Frank, Kay (Chuck) Scharf, Roger Frank, Gail Sinkular, David (Ardith) Frank, Lisa (Rob) Schmitz and Byron Frank; 23 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Patsy in 2000; his son-in-law Ken Sinkular; grandsons Levi, Tate and Dakota; eight siblings: Gilbert Frank, Leona Allum, John Frank, Milton Frank, Viola Waterbury, Alice Carlson, Erna Carlson, Sara Goodman and their spouses.