Ivan Vincent Frank

Ivan Vincent Frank, 88, died on December 19, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Due to COVID, a private family service will be held on Tuesday December 22nd at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa, with Fr. John Sauer officiating. Burial will be in the Mazeppa Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 588 and the Mazeppa Veterans’ Honor Guard.

Ivan was born on September 29, 1932 on the family farm, Goodhue County, the son of John and Ruby (Tupper) Frank. He attended country school, rural Mazeppa, through 8th grade and high school at Mazeppa Public School, graduating in 1950. Ivan met Darlene Fagerhaug while ice skating on the Zumbro River, and on November 8, 1952 the couple were united in marriage at the Catholic Parsonage in Mazeppa. They made their home in Mazeppa after Ivan returned from the Army where he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky from 1953 to 1955. Ivan worked on the family farm, the railroad, construction and at IBM Rochester for 30 years until he retired in 1987. In retirement, he had a snow removal/landscaping business with his trusty blue Ford tractor for many years. Ivan was a member of the Mazeppa Legion for 66 years, Mazeppa Fire Department for 25 years and St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church his entire life. Ivan enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, working in his woodshop, watching tractor pulls, and going uptown for a cup of coffee or a beer and visiting friends.

Ivan is survived by his daughters: Merrilee (Doug) Christianson, Heather (Blaine) Hentz, and son Russell (Deborah) Frank, all of Mazeppa; Six grandchildren, Shawn (Molly) Hentz, Angela (Andrew) Miller, Nichole (Jason) Farnsworth, Tim (Emily) Frank, Annalisa (Bryce) Dohrn, Krystle (Kory Matthees) Rude; 14 great-grandchildren, Chloe and Kara Farnsworth, Alaina Hentz, Mark Muenkel, Jr., Carson and Summer Frank, Gabriella, Kjersten and Evelyn Miller, Braxton and Rylee Dohrn, Joel, Nathan, and Colton Rude; 3 step-grandchildren, Scott (Wendie) Christianson, Eric Christianson, and Rebecca Christianson; 6 step-great grandchildren, Norah Savage, Jeric, Ryley, Aubrey, and Lola Christianson, and Gavin Klemmetsen; brothers Sidney Frank, Ralph (Norma) Frank, and sister Marjorie Dahling, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ivan was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, and grandson, Mark Muenkel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Legion Post 588, 655 1st Street, Mazeppa, MN 55956.