Markus Franck

markus franck
Markus Franck was born January 18, 1947 to Markus and Ida (Ternes) Franck. They were farmers, in rural Strasburg, North Dakota, two miles east of Holy Trinity parish. In his mid-teens, he took over the family farm. A few years later, in 1967, he fell in love with and married Helen Aberle, from St. Boniface parish, rural Kintyre. On April 08, 2016, they celebrated 49 years of marriage. Markus and Helen moved from Strasburg to Kintyre in 1970, and to West Fargo in 2007. In addition to farming, Markus also worked as an auctioneer. When he moved to West Fargo, he worked at Tecton. In his final years, he started his own wood working and glass etching business. He belonged to the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly, and the Blue Army, the apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima. Markus frequently helped his neighbors with all sorts of projects. He enjoyed singing in the St. Boniface church choir, playing cards, eating German food, listening to music, and telling stories. More than these, Markus enjoyed people. Frequently the optimist, as a son, brother, husband, dad and grandpa, he filled our lives with much joy. Above all, Markus is a man of faith. His parishes included Holy Trinity (rural Strasburg), Sts. Peter and Paul (Strasburg), St. Boniface (Kintyre), and finally Holy Cross Catholic Church. He often went to daily Mass, and prayed the Rosary even in his final hours. One story he often told was about the missionary priest who asked the group to pick their five favorite things, ultimately requiring them to pick only one. In conclusion, the missionary priest noted that if God was not the one they chose as number one, they chose poorly. The tale stuck with him, and he told it often, as a way to remind us of the importance of loving Jesus Christ above every thing and every one. Markus maintains a special love for Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Saint Anthony. He tirelessly shared the Catholic faith with anyone who would listen (and those who would not). His last few years, especially the last few months, he frequently offered up his sufferings for the sake of us, his family and friends, and those who had no one to pray for them. He desires that we and all the world would come to know the great love and mercy of Jesus Christ, the one Lord and Saviour. Markus is survived by his wife, Helen, West Fargo; five children and their spouses—Stella and Greg Jeffrey, Kevin and Carol (Kurle) Franck, Brian and Tamee (Milbrath) Franck, Rhonda and Joseph Meyer, and Trina and Craig Michels—and 20 grandchildren, ages 18 to awaiting birth in June – Kendra, Tyler, Morgan, Zerian, Zavior, Zeanna, Zakara, Zakita, Zakala, Zohrak, ZsaEve, baby Z, Terez, Felicity, Magdalene, Cyprian, Roman, Basil, Ruth, and Isaac; and two sisters – Betty (Joe) Vogel and Marie Swallow. He was preceded in death by his parents, Markus and Ida Franck, one sister, Alvina and three days prior to his own death, his brother, Joe (Helen) Franck, ever-committed to being his older brother showing him the way in this world and into the next.

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  1. My deepest sympathy to you Brian and all of your family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this heart hurting time.

  2. I want to express my condolences on the loss of Markus. Keep in mind the good memories you
    have of him. I hope those memories will give you a measure of comfort at this
    difficult time. God doesn’t like to see us suffer due to the loss of a loved one. A time will
    come when the enemy death will be no more. Isaiah 25:8 and Revelation 21:3,4.

  3. My deepest sympathy to Greg, Stella and all the family. This is a sad time for all family and friends. You are in my daily prayers. A candle will be lite at 11:00 Mass on Sunday in honor of your dad.

  4. Our Sincere Sympathy In the lost of Markus may his wonderful memories be with you all.

  5. This is indeed sad news. Markus was such a great guy. Somehow, he decided that I would make a good Material Handler and personally trained me for a Forklift position at Tecton and then vouched for me to get that position. He was always kind and considerate of others and I never heard him say a negative thing. People like Markus are a rare thing these days. Even after I left Tecton, I ran into him several times and we always had to have a 20 min “smoke break” and catch up on things. I will miss him.

  6. Helen, Kevin, Stella, and the rest of your wonderful family, I am sorry you had to say goodbye to Mark. He and Father John have a lot of catching up to do. Your dad always had good stories! I know he took pride in passing his faith and work ethic on to you kids! Peace to Mark.

  7. Brian & Tamee, We are truly sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Prayers for your family. God Bless. Penne & Scott Bassingthwaite

  8. I am so sorry for your loss! Mark was a wonderful man! I loved the tale you shared about putting Jesus first in your life. Mark certainly did that! May God comfort you at this time and the days to come! Love you, Helen!

  9. Markus left a legacy. We are praying for the entire family, especially Stella and Greg.
    With love,
    Bob and Maggie McCalip

  10. Please be assured of our heartfelt prayers and condolences. May the soul of this faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Joe & Melissa Ford and Family

  11. Helen, Trina and family,

    So sorry to hear of your loss. I have been thinking of you and hope that Mark is at peace now and no longer suffering. Your family has been in my prayers. Please let me know if you need anything. Hugs!

  12. Our condolences Stella and Greg. I learned from Ellen this morning
    of your father’s passing.
    What a wonderful tribute to a man where Mary and I ; Marie Claire
    and Ellen only knew him through a his reflection in you and Greg’s writing
    about you and your personality in ” Why enough is Never Enough”.

    Mary and Barry Roderick
    Saint John, NB Canada
    roderickmbarry@gmail.com


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