Franklin L. Munson

Franklin L. Munson

Franklin Louis Munson passed away on November 20th, 2007 in Imperial NE at the Chase County Community Hospital at the age of 91 years. Franklin was the youngest child of Peter and Hulda Christina (Wise) Munson. He was born on the family farm near Burnside, IA on June 6, 1916. On August 6th of that year he became a baptized member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Burnside. Franklin attended Burnside Consolidated Schools until his 8th grade year when he took over the family farm due to his father's failing health.

On November 26th, 1942 he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Alice Garrett at the West Minster Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fort Dodge. To this union 4 children were born; Annette Christine, Gary Franklin, Richard Raymond and Martha Jane. For 3 years the family moved to a farm near Callender. In 1964 his wife Mary Jane passed away.

Franklin continued to farm the family farm until 1970. He also worked for Palm Grove Coop, Johnson Clay Works in Colo and US Gypsum from which he retired after 15 years in 1981.

In July1973, he married Virginia Rose Salvatore Devlin. They made there home in Moorland where Franklin grew a large garden and assisted Virginia with her upholstery business. Later they moved to an acreage near Coalville. Virginia preceded him in death in 1993.

In September of 1993 he moved Gothenburg, NE. to be near his son Richard. He continued to garden there as well often trading his produce for baked goods with his neighbors and working on his antique tractors with his son. In 2000 Franklin moved with Richard's family to Pilger, NE. Then in 2003 they moved to Imperial, NE. He continued to enjoy his hobby of gardening harvesting his last crop this fall, and as usual sharing his produce with family and friends. He also enjoyed riding his tricycle to the store, eating dinner at the senior center, watching his favorite shows and sports on television, reading the Fort Dodge Messenger and creating scrapbooks.

He is survived by his children Annette (Bob) Palmer of Marshalltown, Gary of Emmetsburg, Richard (Letitia) of Imperial, NE and Martha (Bill) Fisher of Des Moines. He also leaves behind stepchildren Cora Stalzer, Charles and Larry Devlin of California and Carl Devlin of Iowa. He had 7 grandchildren and 6 step grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Ruby Koppen of Fort Dodge and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Munson was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother Clifford and brother in-law Kenny Koppen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday November 24, 2007 at 1:30 PM at the Bruce-Graham Funeral Home in Fort Dodge, IA. Interment will follow in the Dayton Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home

Those wishing to make donations in memory of Franklin Munson may do so to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Burnside, IA or to the Imperial Senior Center in Imperial NE.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home