Ruth Ann Franta

Ruth Ann Franta, 86, of Wabasso, passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at the Wabasso Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Wabasso. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be 4 – 8 PM on Monday at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 PM followed by the Rosary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Father Thomas Diehl Endowment Fund or Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. Ruth Ann Franta was born on October 10, 1932 to Anthony and Mary (Donohue) Rohlik in Vesta Township, Redwood County. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth and graduated from St. Anne’s Catholic School in 1950. After graduation, she attended St. Catherine’s College, graduating in 1953. On June 30, 1954, Ruth was united in marriage to John Franta at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. They lived in Barstow, CA, North St. Paul, Marshall, and finally settled in Wabasso in 1965. Ruth was a homemaker and an RN at the Wabasso Nursing Home. She was past president of the Nursing Home Auxiliary and a member of St. Anne’s CCW and the Wabasso American Legion. She also volunteered for the Red Cross Blood Mobile and at St. Anne’s School. Ruth enjoyed quilting, spending time at the lake, attending her grandchildren’s events, collecting beanie babies, traveling, watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins and spending time with her family and friends. On Thursday, January 24, 2019, Ruth passed away at the Wabasso Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Wabasso at the age of 86. She is survived by her children Catherine (Don) 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 and Jane (Richard) Odenthal of Albany; 25 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; sister Helen Rohlik, OFS of Rochester, brother Steve (Morene) Rohlik of Owatanna; brother-in-law John Wachlarowicz and sisters-in-law Ila Mae Rohlik and Lisa Rohlik. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, and siblings Roy (Doris) Rohlik, Rose Marie Wachlarowicz, Ida Mae (Don) Regnier, Gerry Rohlik and David Rohlik. Blessed be her memory.