Dr. Marion E. Franken

Dr. Marion E. Franken, age 89, of Plain City, Ohio, a native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin died Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Riverside Methodist Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio.  Born in Manitowoc to the late Joseph P. and Grace (LeClair) Franken, Marion was an esteemed educator, scientist, medical researcher, evaluator, theologian and artist.

 A veteran of the United States Army, Marion served at the hospital of the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. 

She attained her Bachelor of Science, Medical Technology degree and her Master of Education, Exceptional Education degree, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Later, she attained her Doctor of Philosophy, Vocational Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Franken would work for many years at UW-Madison and The Ohio State University, specializing in the evaluation of Vocational Education, health occupation education and handicapped education.

Marion moved to Central Ohio in 1978.  Her sister Elaine moved to Ohio in 1993 and together they loved to travel and explored Europe, Russia, and the American Southwest. Later, Marion would become Elaine’s caregiver in their home and they were great friends.  She was a wonderful cook and her home was beautifully appointed with her artwork and elegant, modern Scandinavian furniture.         

A genuinely good person, Marion had a passion for learning.  She had a quiet generosity that she displayed to almost everyone she met.  She consistently gave of her time, talents and treasure toward the benefit of improving people’s lives. Her later interests included selling real estate, studying theology, and a keen interest in art.  Marion drew from her extensive experiences to create her artwork.  She was an accomplished artist in many types of media including watercolor and oil paint, sketching, sculpture, ceramics, metal and stonework.  Marion established her own art studio, Franken Haus, specializing in ecclesiastical art, such as altar crucifixes, chalices and paintings.

Marion was a faithful parishioner of St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church, Dublin, Ohio and also enjoyed attending mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Marysville, Ohio and St. Joseph Church in Plain City.

She is survived by her sister Donna Yannutz, her nieces and nephews: Dennis Yannutz, Mary Powell, David (Louise) Yannutz, Linda (Monir) Ludin and Laura (Victor) Cozart.  In addition to her parents Joseph and Grace Franken, Marion was preceded in death by her sister Elaine Franken, brother Richard Franken, brother-in-law Ralph Yannutz, nephew Daniel Yannutz, niece-in-law Alice Yannutz and nephew-in-law Rex Powell

Her family will receive friends from 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 at ST. BRIGID OF KILDARE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017 where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00p.m. MONDAY with Monsignor Joseph M. Hendricks, Father Timothy Lynch, Father Kevin Kavanagh and Father Joseph Trapp, con-Celebrants.  Burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

For those unable to attend in person, the funeral mass will be available to watch live at https://stbrigidofkildare.org.  To view, click WATCH LIVE on the green upper banner, then click LIVE on the next page.  (The page may need to be refreshed a few minutes prior to the start of the mass if you do not see the livestream in progress.)  The Mass will also be recorded and available to watch later on the same page.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Dr. Franken’s name to her favorite charities: Maryknoll Sisters, P.O. Box 317, Maryknoll, NY 10545, St. Mary’s Mission, P.O. Box 189, Red Lake, MN 56671, St. Joseph’s Indian School, P.O. Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326, St. Stepen’s Indian Mission Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 278, St. Stephen’s WY 82524 or to St. Brigid of Kildare SPICE Program, P.O. Box 3130, Dublin, OH 43016, in Marion’s memory.

The Tidd Funeral Home, Dublin-Plain City Chapel, 9720 SR 161, Plain City, OH 43064 (614)-733-0080, assisted the family.  Please visit www.tiddfuneralhomes.com to share your favorite memories and to send your condolences to the family.