Rodney D. Franson

Rodney D. Franson, 88 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Saturday evening, November 2, 2019 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND where he resided since August of 2019.

Rodney Delyle Franson, the youngest of 10 children, was born on January 28, 1931 in Kloten, ND to John and Rachel (Homme) Franson. Rodney attended school in Kloten where he graduated from Kloten High School. 

He was inducted into the US Army on February 27, 1952 and served with the 2^nd Division in Korea.  He was honorably discharged at Camp Stoneman, California on February 18, 1954.  Rodney earned the Korea Service Medal with 2 Bronze Campaign Stars, United Nations Medal, the National Defense Medal and an Unit Citation Ribbon. 

After returning from the service, he worked in construction in North Dakota and Montana. In 1955 he was employed by the US Forest Service in northern Idaho. He then moved to Seattle, Washington where he was employed by Boeing working on the B-52 Bomber.  He later moved to Pocatello, Idaho where he was employed by Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Company. 

Rodney returned to North Dakota in 1957 and began work with the North Dakota Department of Transportation. On April 11, 1959, Rodney was united in marriage to Dorothy Novak at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Park River, ND.  In 1959 he was transferred to the District Office where they would call Devils Lake their life-long home.  Rodney retired after 35 plus years with the DOT.  Dorothy passed away on December 14, 2000. 

Rodney was a life member of the Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars where he served as Post Commander in 1969-1970, was a member of the Military Order of Cooties, serving as CCDB (Adjutant) for 15 years. He was also a member of the American Legion, 40&8, the Devils Lake Elks Lodge, a long-time member of the VFW Honor Guard and an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where he served on the church council.  Rodney was an avid coin collector and served as President of the Lake Region Coin Club.  He enjoyed waterfowl and deer hunting in the Lake Region area with his hunting buddies. 

Following retirement, he and Dorothy enjoyed camping, fishing and gardening. Together they were resident managers of Sweetwater Apartments for many years. 

Rodney is survived by his daughter Lonna (Ernie) Streifel of Harvey, ND; granddaughter Rachel (Ryan) Heintz of Bismarck, ND and several nieces and nephews.

Rodney was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, parents, sisters Thelma Franson, Theola Franson, Beatrice Miller and Rose McGraw, brothers Arthur, Orlando, Mylo, LeRoy and Orville Franson.

Funeral Services for Rodney will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Burial will be in the Valley Grove Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kloten, ND. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 8^th at the church two hours prior to the funeral service.