Iola Frank

A memorial service for Iola Frank was held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating.

Music was provided by Mark Tuttle, accompanied by Michaela Johnson, pianist. Janet Bauld and JoAnn Frasch were in charge of registration. Urn bearers were Jamie Serghini, Joe Strain, Jackson Strain, Grant Strain, Patrick Frank, Matthew Frank, Andrew Tuttle, Luke Tuttle, Joshua Tuttle. Inurnment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Iola Marie (Tech) Frank was born on September 30,1934, on the family farm near Gregory, SD, to Edgar and Dora (Frerichs) Tech. She attended Pleasant Valley Country School and graduated from high school in Naper, NE, in 1952.

After high school, she received a teaching certificate from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD, and then taught country school for one year at Pleasant Valley Country School.

She married John Frank on June 30,1953, and they had four children. John and Iola moved to Springfield, SD, where Iola worked in the Registrar’s Office at the college, while John received his degree in education.

From Springfield, they moved to Burke, SD, where they raised their family. John was employed at Burke High School as a teacher, coach and superintendent. Iola was a homemaker and served on a variety of local committees, and even worked briefly for the Burke Gazette.

Iola enjoyed reading, quilting, playing card games and making homemade cards for all occasions. She was an avid Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Nebraska Cornhusker fan and rarely missed watching a game. Iola enjoyed spending time and visiting with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Iola was a member of the Union Baptist Church.

Iola passed away on November 21, 2024 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, SD, at age 90.

Iola is survived by her children: John (Peggy) Frank of Yankton, SD, Jerry Frank of Spearfish, SD, Joyce (Stewart) Strain of Martin, SD, Jane (Mark) Tuttle of Burke, SD; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her brother Earl Tech of Burke, SD; brother-in-law Elmer Frank; sister-in-law Judy Tech; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband John; her parents Edgar and Dora; sisters Betty Martin, Janet Spiedel and Phyllis Tech; and brothers Darrell Tech and LaVerne Tech.