Daniel James Frank, 79, West Fargo, formerly of New England, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Sanford Medical Center Broadway in Fargo. Daniel’s Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England with Fr. Gary Benz as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 5:30 p.m. with Deacon Victor Dvorak presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Dan was born August 1, 1940 in Dickinson, to Joe and Alma (Schobinger) Frank. Dan attended New England St. Mary’s School graduating in 1958, after which he began a long career as a farmer and rancher on the family homestead with Don, his identical twin and best friend. On December 27, 1971, Dan married the love of his life, Betty Gilje. They made their home in New England where they raised their four children and made life-long friends. Dan and Betty moved to West Fargo in the fall of 2018.
Dan had a deep dedication to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School and provided an amazing example of service and leadership to his children. He was active in many aspects of the parish, including serving as the president of the school board, the parish council, and the athletic booster club while his children attended St. Mary’s. Dan was an annual fixture at the parish fall festival for fifty years, serving as chairman several times, and working on the set-up committee, as a bingo caller, and as a cashier, often with his brothers. He truly loved St. Mary’s and dedicated much of his life to serving the parish.
Dan stayed busy as a hard-working farmer, but in his spare time he enjoyed hunting, shooting pool (ask the locals, he was quite the pool shark!) and attending sporting events. He was also an exceptionally talented woodworker, and he took great pride in building furniture for his children and grandchildren that will be forever treasured by them.
After retiring from farming, Dan worked part-time for his dear friends at Fitterer Oil hauling fertilizer to farms all around the New England area. This ended up being such a gift to Dan, as he so loved to drive in the country and watch the crops. You can take a farmer out of the field, but you can never take the love of the field out of the farmer.
Dan loved sports, from watching his kids play through high school to seeing his grand kids play later in life, he thoroughly enjoyed it all and rarely missed a game. And then there were the Minnesota Vikings and Twins…. Dan was as big of a fan as you will find. Attending a Twins game and a Vikings game with his family in recent years were two of his most treasured memories.
Dan was a faithful and loving husband and father. He was a man of few words who worked hard and always made sure his family was taken care of. He absolutely adored his grandkids and loved to be around them. The way his smile lit up the room when talking about his beloved grandkids is how his wife and children will always remember him.
Dan is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Dean (Gina) Frank, Todd Frank, Wade (Allison) Frank and Robyn (Keith) Urlacher; his grandchildren, Luranna, Morgan, Mason, Gillian, Karli, Sylvia and Evelyn; his sister, Eileen (Clem) Decker; sister-in-law Patti Frank; and brother James (Arlene) Frank; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his dear brothers, Don and Charlie; his parents, Joe and Alma; step-mother Philippine; and infant sister Mary.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Foundation in Dan’s honor.
