JANET FRANKE

JANET LYNETTE FRANKE

February 21, 1954 – October 28, 2024

Janet (Jan) Lynette Franke passed away peacefully at her home in Hanford on October 28th. Jan was born in Sacramento, CA on February 21, 1954 to Ernest and Audrey Franke. She was a Camp Fire Girl from bluebirds to horizon girls and graduated with honors from Mira Loma High School in 1972. She attended American River College and Chico State graduating with a double major in Psychology and Social Welfare and a minor in Sociology. She worked at an adolescent group home, as an eligibility worker for Butte County, and taught for 22 years at Bret Harte Elementary in Corcoran, CA. She was honored as Who's Who of American Teachers.

Jan was a life-long church member who served as a lay worship leader, led Bible studies, gave children's sermons, led Vacation Bible School, Stephen Minister, church secretary, lay preacher, small group facilitator, praise team, choir member, and drummer. Jan has put her heart and soul into her church, declaring publicly that they welcome LGBTQ+ people to be fully included in all church activities and leadership positions.

Jan was joined by Holy Union with Sky Seguin in 1990. She and Sky were individuals who shared a deep connection of mutual understanding, empathy, and shared values. Jan and Sky shared a love of the Lord, dogs, drumming and music. They were active in Wesley UMC, Fresno then 1st UMC, Hanford and supportive of the Reconciling Ministries Network. They loved the ocean, especially Morro Bay and Pismo Beach, where they flew kites with rescued senior dogs, Ivan and Bernie. Jan became a facilitator for Remo's Health Rhythms for comforting and healing during cancer treatments and they used it during Sky's final 5-month journey with ovarian cancer.

Jan approached life with a sense of humor and weathered life's ups and downs with grace. In retirement, Jan frequently appeared in costume with props to read Dr. Seuss around the area, read to children at the Hanford library, and helped with the food distribution at 1st UMC. She was also a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Her dog Mindy was "career changed" at the last minute and got to stay with Jan until Mindy's passing.

Jan is survived by her siblings, Gail (Keith Backman), Brad Franke (Cathy Cruz), Ross Franke (Rhonda), and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 16th at 10 am at Hanford First United Methodist Church, 505 N. Redington Street, Hanford.

Donations to any of these three organizations would be appreciated by Jan.

Hanford 1st United Methodist Church, 505 N. Redington

Street, Hanford, CA 93230

Reconciling Ministries Network, W. Lake St., Suite 109

Chicago, IL 60606

Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., P.O. Box 151200 San

Rafael, CA 94915