Arthur Frana

Arthur Frana, age 85, of Spillville, IA, died Thursday, November 1, 2007, at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, IA, after a long illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, November 5, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville by Rev. Donald Hawes, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Balik Funeral Home in Spillville with a scripture service at 4:00 and a rosary at 5:00. There will also be visitation after 9:30 at the Funeral Home on Monday. Arthur James Frana was born on May 3, 1922, the second oldest child of Adolph and Tillie (Pecka) Frana on the family farm near Conover, Iowa. Art attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and country school. He farmed from 1950 – 1960; worked for Decorah Builders for several years. He also helped farmers and started his own painting business. Art was the Custodian at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and School from 1978 - 1983 Then he went back to painting on his own until 2004 when he sold his home in Spillville and moved to Wellington Place Assisted Living in Decorah, IA where he did volunteer work and also did volunteer work at the Decorah Library. Art enjoyed gardening, playing bingo, watching TV, listening to old time music and visiting with relatives and friends. He belonged to the First Slovak Ladies Association, Catholic Knights and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church where he was a usher for many years. Art’s survivors include his three brothers: Jerome (Lois) Frana, Ossian, IA; Marcelline Frana, Charles City, IA and Julius Frana, Calmar, IA. Two sisters: Viola Frana and Georgina Frana, both of Edina, MN. Sisters-in-law: Marie Frana, Decorah, IA; Wilma Frana, Calmar, IA and Elaine Frana, Festina, IA and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, step great nieces and nephews and great - great nieces and nephews. Art was preceded in death by his parents: Adolph and Tillie Frana; one sister: Martha Frana in 2004; five brothers: George, Leonard, Adolph, Ermin and Stanley Frana. Three sisters-in-law: Monica Frana, Sonia Frana and Janice Frana. Nephews: Brian and Rodney Frana and a great – nephew: Steven Krewson.