Edward Donald Frank

1949 - 2025

We are sorry to announce the passing of Edward Donald Frank, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, uncle, brother, nephew and chief. We are happy to know he is reunited with his wife, Sarah Jane Frank, and son Jethro Frank. He died April 5, 2025.

Eddie was born on Oct. 17, 1949, to Jean and Dan Frank, in Fort Yukon. He was the sixth child out of ten.

He met the love of his life, Sarah Howarth, while a teenager in Kotzebue. They married in 1973, and soon after the couple had Jethro, followed by Danielle (Somik), Jeannan and Freda.

The couple moved to Venetie, where the Frank family originated. Eddie built the family home out of logs harvested from the area. He worked for the Venetie Tribal Government as a tribal administrator, was elected chief, and served on the council.

He understood numbers and was a good money manager for the village, and for his family. He had a keen mind and was a steady leader.

He was a knowledgeable outdoorsman who knew what a moose did in a day, earning him the name Moose Dundee. He also understood fish and wildlife. He had a trapline and he gave many fur pelts to family and friends.

He was most at home on the land, and people would comment how he appeared to be his true self while out hunting or trapping. He worked a wood lot, cutting trees for firewood, and running loads back for the village. That job cost him his right eye when it got infected from a rogue splinter. He sometimes joked he was a pirate.

He could be counted on for a good joke or a good story. He was mild mannered and spoke in soft voice. The most negative emotion that he expressed was a disappointed "geeeeee."

He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly, calling them the "Tribe."

In later years, Eddie developed Alzhiemer's, but still he never got angry or unreasonable. If anything, his humble attitude sharpened. He had won a battle with cancer, losing half a lung, but in the end, pneumonia brought him down.

Eddie is survived by his daughters Danielle Frank (Julius Roberts), Jean Frank-Tritt (Macarthur Tritt II), Freda Hanson (Patrick Hanson), and adopted daughters Madeline Fredson, and Ginger Gilbert. Grandchildren are Melissa Harvey, Amber Harvey, Chad Frank, Gilbert Frank, Makayla Tritt, Jaylynn Tritt, Brandon Tritt, Raylene Tritt, Lezzlie (Scott) Bettoney, Karilee Firmin, Jayden Fredson, Connor Fredson and Emma Fredson. Great-grandchildren are Lyla, Bailey, Traciin, Asher, Andre, Tyler, Tristen, Caiden, Neveah, and Travis.

He leaves behind brothers Steve Frank, Tommy Frank and John Frank; and a large extended family. Many dear friends will miss him, too.

He was preceded in death by wife Sarah Frank, and son Jethro Frank; parents Jean and Dan Frank, brothers Bill, Buddy and Danny, and sisters Virginia, Lula and Donna.

Services will be at noon Wednesday, April 9, at Fairbanks Funeral Home, 3704 Erickson Ave. in Fairbanks. He will be laid to rest next to Sarah and Jethro in Venetie soon after.