Franklin Joseph Pierce

Franklin Joseph Pierce was born June 14, 1917, to Manford and Edna Franklin Pierce in Staples, MN. They moved to the Geneva area when he was a child and he attended school in Geneva. Franklin served in the United States Army from 1942 - 1945, serving in France and the Rhineland. He had been a driver for General Patton. On November 17, 1945, Franklin was united in marriage to Helen Benson in Albert Lea. He worked as a butter maker at several creameries in the area including Clarks Grove, Hope, Mansfield, Lerdahl, and retired as the manager of the Geneva Creamery in 1982. Franklin was a member of the Community Lutheran Church and the VFW. He enjoyed woodworking, playing golf, bowling, fishing, and spending time outdoors. Survivors include his wife, Helen of Geneva; children: Larry and wife, Joni Pierce of Owatonna, Susan and husband, John Hohansee of New Richland, and Mary Lund of Geneva and special friend, Steve DeFor; grandchildren: Lori Tom Leeman, Jodie Andy Waalkens, Kari Jeremy Hohansee, Amy Shannon Vandersyde, Tami Matt Wacek, Rhonda Lund, and Jesse Lund; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis George Drimel of Florida and Rachael John Stoffel of Pine City, MN; brother, Mikel Pat Pierce; and many nieces and nephews. Franklin was preceded in death by his parents; son, Alan; son-in-law, Norman Lund; brothers: Reuben, Donald, Clarence, and Harold; and sister, Sylvia Jordon.