Frances "Frankie" Meinke

Frances Rena Meinke, 90 years old, of Barnes, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 8, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.

On June 1, 1935, Frankie was born to Kenneth and Sylvia Ellison (Knutson) in Barnes, WI. She graduated from Drummond High School with the class of 1953. She was united in marriage to John (Jack) Meinke, on September 12,1953. They spent 67 loving years together.

They started their journey together in Superior, WI, moved to Rice Lake, WI, then to Eau Claire, WI, for a number of years before returning to Rice Lake again, and eventually retiring in Barnes, WI.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend to many.

Her biggest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved the family get togethers at the lake and watching the family swim, fish, bonfires scaring the kids, creating many wonderful memories for us all.

She loved to read, play cards weekly with her friends at the Barnes town hall, have lunch with the Red Hat ladies and getting together with her support group. She was a member of the Barnes Community Church and actively involved in her younger years where she served as a Deacon, alter server, and helped with the Town Food Shelf.

Frankie is survived by two sons, Tim (Pam) Meinke of Two Harbors, MN and Mike (Gloria) of Eau Claire, WI; two daughters, Sue (Bob) Berg of Rice Lake, WI and Tami (Jack) Hoff of Barnes, WI; two sisters-in-law, Gail Rosenbaum of Bainbridge Island, WA and Debra (Chuck) Kuenzi of Beaver Dam, WI.

She was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Shelly (Nathan), Ryan, Theresa, Alice, Katie, Robert (Tanae), Tyler (Nyree), Trenten, Josh (Tasha), Dina (Chuck), and her great-grandchildren, Chance, Reese, Evan, Jake (Megan), Ben, Zebulen, Gideon, Dylan, Jylian, Aydan, Damian, Makayla and Kyler; and many nieces and nephews.

Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, son Scott, and sisters Grace Bedard and Binnie Mundle.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Barnes Community Church in Barnes, WI. Interment will follow in Barnes Memorial Cemetery.