Jon C. “Jack” Francke, 89, of Lincoln, passed away November 8, 2019.
Born in Nebraska City, NE on October 10, 1930, he lived his young adult life on a farm near Walton, NE with his parents August W. and Thelma (Schultz) Francke. He graduated from Walton High School in 1948 and attended University of Nebraska Lincoln. In October 1950, he married his high school sweetheart Mary Laird and they were blessed with two sons, Dennis and Jerry.
Jon joined the U.S. Naval Reserve (Seabee division) in 1948, served four years and received an honorable discharge in 1952.
In 1956, he joined the Lincoln Fire Department and was a Lincoln Firefighter for 8 1/2 years. He resigned the fire department and started his own construction business, built several homes in Lincoln and a home for his family on the family farm near Walton and returned to farming.
He thoroughly enjoyed attending the school activities of his children and grandchildren, Husker football, and traveling in the RV with his wife and special dog Sadie to many places in the U.S. The pride and joy of his life was his wife Mary and his family.
Jon was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, served several years on the Board of Trustees and enjoyed volunteering many hours at various jobs for the church.
He is survived by his sons Dennis (Gina) Francke, and Jerry (Alice) Francke; 5 grandchildren Jennifer Francke (Jennifer Thomas), Jason (Roxanna) Francke, Jill Francke (Melissa Hodges), Grant (Laura) Francke, Kendra (Burke) Wilson; 2 step-grandchildren Chris (Jessica) Kliment and Jay (Jeannie) Kliment; 14 great-grandchildren; brother Donald (Shirley) Weight, Loup City, NE; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary; 1 step-grandchild; 4 brothers and 3 sisters.
Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday (11-12-19) at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive (SW corner of 40th & Yankee Hill Rd). Private family burial preceding Celebration of Life Service.
Visitation with family present from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday (11-11-19) at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to Saint Marks UMC, Lincoln, NE or Goldcrest Retirement Center, Adams, NE