Richard "Dick" Frana

Richard Frana, age 94, of Calmar, IA, died on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at his home near Decorah, Iowa.      Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 19, 2017, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 South Maryville Street, Calmar, IA, with Rev. Donald Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.      Friends may call from 2:00-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 18, 2017, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel in Calmar, IA, and also after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Monday morning. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.      Richard (Dick) Damas Frana was born on the family farm near Spillville, Iowa on December 11, 1922, the fourth of nine children of Stephen and Frances (Havel) Frana. Dick attended school in Spillville and graduated from Decorah High School. On September 6, 1944, he married the love of his life, Naomi Houdek. They were married for almost seventy years. Five children were born to this union. Dick found the world a fascinating place. Farming was his calling. He particularly enjoyed spring -the planting of the crops, the young animals being born, and watching everything grow. In his later years he would cruise the area checking on the progress of the crops. The farm and family he built with his beloved Naomi were his life. He was tied to that land that was his part of the world, and he cherished it. Family was always a priority. He was a devoted husband and father, wanting to be surrounded by family whenever possible. He always surprised his family with his excellent recall of the details and circumstances surrounding events of the past. His Czech heritage flavored his conversations with family, teaching words, phrases, and nursery rhymes to even the youngest great-grandchildren. He was also a man of strong faith. He had the gift of gab and could carry on a conversation with anyone. His sense of humor was a delight to all who knew him. He also served his community for many years as Calmar Township Trustee and was a member of the St. Aloysius Parish Council.     Richard’s legacy is carried on by his three sons: Gary (Lois) Frana, Calmar, IA; Fritz (Mary “Cece”) Frana, Bloomington, MN; and Mark (Lesley) Frana, Delmar, MD. Grandchildren: Kelly (Brenda) Frana, Kathy (Ryan) Becker, Kristi (Jeff) Einhorn, Greg (Toni) Frana, Erin Frana, Kathleen (Daniel) Moss, Ryann (Jacob) Raynor and Daniel Frana. Fourteen great grandchildren: Connor & Bailee Frana; Sydney, Gabby, Annika & Elliot Becker; Aidan, Lance, Trystan & Wyatt Einhorn; Ellie & Presley Frana; Liam Moss and Evelyn Raynor. Sister: Francis O’Brien, Cedar Rapids, IA. Sisters and brothers-in-law: Julie (Cullen) Schwemer, Winona, MN; Richard Groux, Austin, TX; Rose Frana, Calmar, IA; and Sandy Frana, Decorah, IA. Half-brother: Vince (Janell) Frana, Cadiz, KY, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.    Richard was preceded in death by his wife: Naomi Frana on March 14, 2014. Son: Danny Frana on August 26, 1967. Daughter: Patricia Frana on October 20, 2012. Parents: Stephen and Frances (Havel) Frana. Step-mother: Agnes (Shindelar) Frana. Four brothers: Steven Frana, Walter Frana, Raymond (Alice) Frana and Robert Frana. Three sisters: Marcella (Vernon) Lee and Mildred (Wilmer) Poshusta, Rita (Bud) Jirak. Brother-in-law: Gene O’Brien. Brother and sisters-in-law: Rosemary Groux and Germaine (Joe) Izydorek.S PANEM BOHEM(Farewell greeting in Czech “Go With God”)