1906
Frank
2005
Frank Fox
March 9, 1906 — October 29, 2005
Frank John Fox was born on March 9, 1906 in rural Reels Valley, Wisconsin to Frank and Mary (Keller) Fox. Frank was the 9th child born into a family of 7 brothers and 1 sister. Frank grew up in rural Reels Valley, where he rode his pony to attend a one room country school. The family moved to Tomah, where he attended a German Lutheran Parochial School and later completed his high school education at Tomah High School.
Following high school, Frank attended LaCrosse State College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he majored in history and physical education and minored in English and Social Studies. Frank was united in marriage to Severa O. Lanke on September 2, 1933 at Crown Point, Indiana. The couple honeymooned at the Worlds Fair in Chicago. Frank continued his education in LaCrosse, where he graduated in 1935, with a Bachelor of Education Degree. He obtained his Master of Arts Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1941, where he majored in educational administration.
Frank's professional experiences have been many and varied. He began his educational career in 1935 as a high school physical education and social studies teacher in addition to coaching all sports at Browns Valley, Minnesota. In 1938, he moved to Wycoff, MN, where he was high school principal and superintendent of schools. In 1942, he began his duties as superintendent of schools at Kasson, MN. The couple moved to Morris in 1947, where Frank was superintendent of schools until 1956, when he was hired by St. Paul Park Schools. Frank was involved in the building of many new schools and getting school referendums passed.
While Frank and Severa were married they developed a love for travel and collecting. They had a unique bottle collection among other collectables. Frank had an extensive stamp and coin collection. He enjoyed anything historical and nature. His greatest love was fishing, especially trout. He has fished most of the states west of the Mississippi and Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. He also liked to play cards, gamble and do all of this with his family. He has left them with many humorous stories of his antic's. After Severa passed away, Frank formed a loving friendship with Ada Dueffert who, along with her children, shared Frank's many interests.
In 1965, Frank was selected as one of 125 educators to represent the United States and Canada to travel to the Soviet Union and the eastern European countries to participate in a "Comparative Education Seminar". Frank was a life member of the National and Minnesota Education Associations, Minnesota School Administrators and Minnesota State High School League. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners, Lion's Club and the Isaac Walton League. He has provided leadership for the Crippled Children's Society, the United Fund and the Red Cross Water Safety Committee; he served on the Gov's Advisory Committee for State Aid, the Boy Scouts, 4-H Clubs and the Minnesota Safety Council.
In 2003, Frank moved to Morris to be closer to his family. He became a resident of West Wind Village in August 2004. He loved the staff there and teased and kibbitz with them, just as he had with his dear ones all his life. He enjoyed the MACC children. A special part of his week was when the UMM English class came to interview and visit. He loved to hear of their career choices and goals. His love for children and students showed through his whole life.
Frank died on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 99 years.
He is survived by one daughter: Barbara ?Bobby Jo? (Duane) Solvie of Morris; grandchildren: Jean (John) Schultz of Morris, John Solvie of Gilbert, AZ and Cathy Solvie of Morris (and her special friend: Robyn Daerda and his daughter: April); two great-grandchildren: Tony and Dani Schultz of Morris; numerous nieces and nephews and special friends: the Art Dahlquist family. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; nieces and nephews and special friend: Ada Dueffert.
Pallbearers for the service are: Art Dahlquist, Kurt Dahlquist, Randy Staats, Dick Ross, John Schultz, Sr and Ollie Grossman. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service with Ellen Dahlquit and Kari Dahlquist-Sticha serving as song leaders and Randy Staats serving as guitarist.
Following high school, Frank attended LaCrosse State College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he majored in history and physical education and minored in English and Social Studies. Frank was united in marriage to Severa O. Lanke on September 2, 1933 at Crown Point, Indiana. The couple honeymooned at the Worlds Fair in Chicago. Frank continued his education in LaCrosse, where he graduated in 1935, with a Bachelor of Education Degree. He obtained his Master of Arts Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1941, where he majored in educational administration.
Frank's professional experiences have been many and varied. He began his educational career in 1935 as a high school physical education and social studies teacher in addition to coaching all sports at Browns Valley, Minnesota. In 1938, he moved to Wycoff, MN, where he was high school principal and superintendent of schools. In 1942, he began his duties as superintendent of schools at Kasson, MN. The couple moved to Morris in 1947, where Frank was superintendent of schools until 1956, when he was hired by St. Paul Park Schools. Frank was involved in the building of many new schools and getting school referendums passed.
While Frank and Severa were married they developed a love for travel and collecting. They had a unique bottle collection among other collectables. Frank had an extensive stamp and coin collection. He enjoyed anything historical and nature. His greatest love was fishing, especially trout. He has fished most of the states west of the Mississippi and Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. He also liked to play cards, gamble and do all of this with his family. He has left them with many humorous stories of his antic's. After Severa passed away, Frank formed a loving friendship with Ada Dueffert who, along with her children, shared Frank's many interests.
In 1965, Frank was selected as one of 125 educators to represent the United States and Canada to travel to the Soviet Union and the eastern European countries to participate in a "Comparative Education Seminar". Frank was a life member of the National and Minnesota Education Associations, Minnesota School Administrators and Minnesota State High School League. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners, Lion's Club and the Isaac Walton League. He has provided leadership for the Crippled Children's Society, the United Fund and the Red Cross Water Safety Committee; he served on the Gov's Advisory Committee for State Aid, the Boy Scouts, 4-H Clubs and the Minnesota Safety Council.
In 2003, Frank moved to Morris to be closer to his family. He became a resident of West Wind Village in August 2004. He loved the staff there and teased and kibbitz with them, just as he had with his dear ones all his life. He enjoyed the MACC children. A special part of his week was when the UMM English class came to interview and visit. He loved to hear of their career choices and goals. His love for children and students showed through his whole life.
Frank died on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 99 years.
He is survived by one daughter: Barbara ?Bobby Jo? (Duane) Solvie of Morris; grandchildren: Jean (John) Schultz of Morris, John Solvie of Gilbert, AZ and Cathy Solvie of Morris (and her special friend: Robyn Daerda and his daughter: April); two great-grandchildren: Tony and Dani Schultz of Morris; numerous nieces and nephews and special friends: the Art Dahlquist family. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; nieces and nephews and special friend: Ada Dueffert.
Pallbearers for the service are: Art Dahlquist, Kurt Dahlquist, Randy Staats, Dick Ross, John Schultz, Sr and Ollie Grossman. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service with Ellen Dahlquit and Kari Dahlquist-Sticha serving as song leaders and Randy Staats serving as guitarist.
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