Frank John Franson, Jr. age 81 of Lake Vermilion – Tower, died Thursday, April 24, 2014 in his home. He was born December 20, 1932 in the Soudan Hospital, the son of Frank J. and Edith (Anderson) Franson, Sr. Frank graduated from Tower High School in 1950. During his school years, he worked for Grandview Resort. After graduation, Frank worked for a couple of years to pay his college tuition, and graduated from UMD with a degree in Geology. During his college years, Frank worked as a ski pro at Lookout Mountain and Giant's Ridge. Upon his college graduation, Frank worked in Dallas, TX for the company now known as Texas Instrument. He was offered a job overseas, but wanted to return to Minnesota. Frank went back to school at Moorhead State where he earned his teaching degree in Physics, Chemistry, and Advanced Math & Science. He taught in Kennedy, MN, Moose Lake, MN, and Cotton, MN prior to returning to the Tower-Soudan School District where he taught for 30 years. During his teaching career, Frank spent many summers building numerous homes and cabins on Lake Vermilion. In 1974, he married Jeanne Gilbert and became a wonderful step-father to Greg, Barb, and Brian. After retiring he loved doing woodwork, and was an avid wildlife carver. Frank also carved and created many historical landmarks of the Tower-Soudan area, which he donated to the Tower Historical Society. Later in life, Frank enjoyed sharing life stories of the Days Gone By in the Tower-Soudan and Lake Vermilion area. These stories have been published in the local newspapers. Frank loved camping in the Boundary Waters and picking blueberries and cranberries. He loved hunting at the shack and fishing.
Frank is survived by his wife: Jeanne; children: Greg (Jenny) Gilbert of Warroad, Barb (John) Schultz of Grand Rapids, and Brian Gilbert of Virginia; grandchildren: Amanda, Dylan, and Cody; great-granddaughter: Jordyn; sister: Evelyn Cashman; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister: Janet Chaltas; and grandson: Nathan Gilbert.
A Gathering Time for Family and Friends will be held Monday, April 28, 2014 at 1:00 p.m in Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. The Memorial Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Facts

Born: December 20, 1932
Place of Birth: Soudan, MN
Death: April 24, 2014
Place of Death: Lake Vermilion - Tower, MN
Occupation: Teacher/Carpenter
Hobbies: After retiring he loved doing woodwork, and was an avid wildlife carver, carving and creating many historical landmarks of the Tower-Soudan area which he donated to the Tower Historical Society. Also loved hunting at the shack and fishing, camping in the Boundary Waters and picking blueberries and cranberries. Later in life, Frank enjoyed sharing life stories of the Days Gone By in the Tower-Soudan and Lake Vermilion area. These stories have been published in the local newspapers.
Organizations: Tower-Soudan Historical Society

Services Gathering Time for Family & Friends

Monday April 28, 2014 , 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home

Monday April 28, 2014 , 2:00 p.m. at Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home