Joel Franke

Joel Lee Franke was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday morning November 11, 2003. Mr. Franke was born September 20, 1941, in New Ulm, Texas to Henry and Elinor Howe Franke. He was christened at the Frelsburg Lutheran Church and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He attended La Marque public schools. After graduation from La Marque High School, he attended Alvin Community College and the University of Houston. He received a bachelors and masters degree from Sam Houston State University. He also completed post-graduate courses at Texas A&M and the University of Texas. On June 27, 1964, he married Pamela Lee Haglund in Trinity Lutheran Church in La Marque, Texas. They moved to Brenham in 1971. Mr. Franke taught government and was division chair of the social sciences department at Blinn College. During his tenure at Blinn, he sponsored Circle K, College Republicans, the Student Government Association and Baptist Student Ministries. In 2001, he was awarded the Blinn College Teaching Excellence Award. He retired in May 2003 after working 32 years at Blinn. He was an active member and chairman of the Republican Party of Washington County, and in 1996 had the honor of being elected as a presidential elector in the Electoral College for Bob Dole. Mr. Franke was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and was baptized there on June 6, 1997. He was involved in the choir, chairman of the Brotherhood, was responsible for the Wednesday night family meals, and served on the baptismal and nominating committees. Survivors include wife, Pamela Franke of Brenham; daughter, Kim and her husband Mark Winford of Brenham; son, Brandon and his wife Sarah Franke of College Station; grandchildren, Adalee, Aleesha and Amanda Winford and Hannah, Dylan and Jacob Franke; mother-in-law, Ethel Haglund of Houston; brother, James Franke of Houston; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Prissy and Carlton May of The Woodlands; nephews, Tim and Jamie Franke of Houston; niece, Becky and husband Toby Burt of La Porte; niece, Jennifer and her husband Michael Sieber of Sugar Land, Texas; great-nephews, Mitchell and Wade Burt; and great-niece, Grace Sieber. He was preceded in death by his parents. The funeral service will be Friday, Nov. 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Friends may pay their respects at Memorial Oaks Chapel Thursday, Nov. 13 between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Larry Watson, Alan Lehmann, Harley Hausmann, Thad Hill, Mack Bean, Dale Carnagey, Scott Baehren, Don Whatley, Don Stafford and Conway Drane. Honorary pallbearers will be all the faculty, staff, administration and former students of Blinn College. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joel and Pam Franke Scholarship at Blinn College, 902 College Ave., Brenham, TX 77833 or memorials may be given to the building fund at Calvary Baptist Church, 1100 Niebuhr, Brenham, TX 77833 or Hospice Brenham, 705 S. Austin, Brenham, TX 77833. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham.