John Nicholas Franta

John Nicholas Franta, 84, of Wabasso, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2017 at Seasons Hospice House in Redwood Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Monday at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 PM followed by a CCW rosary. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at St. Anne’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Father Thomas Diehl Endowment Fund. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family.   John Nicholas Franta was born in Wabasso, Minnesota on June 7, 1932 to the late Otto and Theresa (Schwengle) Franta. John was raised in Wabasso and was baptized, made his first communion and confirmation at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. John attended Saint John’s University where he completed his degree in 1953. John and Ruth Ann Rohlik were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth, Minnesota on June 30, 1954. John served in the U.S. Army for two years. He attended law school at William Mitchell, graduating in 1960. John opened a law firm in Wabasso in 1965. He practiced law in the community until 1989 when he joined daughter and son-in-law at Jonti-Craft. John was an avid supporter of the Wabasso community and St. Anne’s Catholic Church. In their spare time, John and Ruth liked to travel, play cards, attend sporting events and spend time with family and friends at their cabin on Lake Koronis. John is survived by his loving wife Ruth of over 62 years, their seven children, Catherine (Donald) Schwarz of Wabasso, Jeanne (Randall) Burtzel of Cold Spring, Karen (Dr. Jon) van der Hagen of Baxter, Michael (Bonnie) Franta of Maple Grove, Janet (Richard) Bryson of Las Vegas, NV, Thomas (Mary) Franta of Wabasso, Jane (Richard) Odenthal of Albany and twenty-five grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, his twin sister Joan Gerteisen, sister-in-law Flavia Franta, brothers and sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews, exchange student Hebe Postali and his “grand-dog” Benjy. John was preceded in death by his parents, Theresa and Otto Franta, his brother Vincent Franta and his niece Teresa Gerteisen. Blessed be his memory