Bruce L. Frank, 69, Galesville died on Thursday, April 28th, 2016 at his home after a long time battle with multiple health issues.
Bruce was born December 16, 1946 in La Crosse. His Parents, Lawrence E. and Margaret R. (Baker) Frank, were longtime residents of Mindoro and Bruce graduated from Mindoro High School in 1966. He enlisted for a four year term in the United States Navy while still in high school and went into the service directly after graduation. He received an honorable discharge due to a service connected disability from the U.S. Navy.
He married Patsy A. Henthorn on August 16, 1969 and his job as a draftsman, with Fairbanks Morris in Beloit, took them to Janesville. While living in Janesville, Bruce worked building semi-trailers for Highway Trailer Industries in Edgerton, drove pizza delivery truck for Pizza Villa and drove cab for Yellow Cab Company. He also worked for a short time for Rock County Health Care/Rock Haven before they were involved in a major car accident while home visiting family and friends in March 1970.
He loved his jobs driving pizza delivery and cab for the cab company because he enjoyed interacting with people. He had plenty of stories to tell about his experiences and met a lot of people doing so. He never felt like it was work, because he had too much fun doing so.
In 1973 they moved back to the Galesvillle area because both his father and Patsy’s father were diagnosed with diabetes and they wanted to be closer to family.
While living in Galesville, Bruce worked building campers and motor homes for Schilling Industries. Then worked as a forklift operator for the Galesville Canning Company, another job he loved, even though it was long hours and seasonal work. He also took a job as a truck driver for a local trucking company but didn’t stay with it long, even though he liked the job, because the other drivers gave him a hard time over the fact that he got his training through Ryder Truck Driving School rather than experience.
In 1978 Patsy’s job required a move to the Whitehall area, where Bruce worked as a gas station attendant at SSG Corp until he was overcome by fumes from the filling of their main underground gas tanks made it impossible for him to work there.
Bruce had numerous interests and hobbies which he went into with a vigor and enthusiasm. He was an avid reader and always had a book close by.Because of his varied interests he devoted a lot of time and energy to everything he did. He was the most passionate about anything that had to do with guns, reloading, shooting and competing in various types of shooting events. He loved “company” and found it hard to let people go at the end of an evening. He would walk everyone to the car and stand and talk even longer. He missed the people that he had lost contact with and often spoke of “Someday” we have to go visit ” * ” but due to time, distance and his health issues was unable to re-connect with them.
He loved to travel and made many trips exploring as many western states, Canada & Mexico as he could. He loved to attend gun shows, flea markets and garage sales. He also loved to shop. Movies were another of his passions and he collected DVD’s and VHS copies of many of his favorites.
He was a member of a number of organizations, but the most important ones to him were the Rod & Gun Clubs. He was the most active with the Osseo Rod & Gun Club and their Trap Club. He would shoot trap five times a week and go to various shoots on the weekends. He brought home trophies, patches and frozen chicken. He enjoyed helping and teaching kids the fundamentals of shooting and gun safety.
He was preceded in death by his father Lawrence Ellis Frank and His sister Diane Louise Frank, who died from whooping cough. (As well as some very dear friends)
He is survived by his wife, Patsy. His mother, Margaret, two sisters, two aunts, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A Memorial luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 21st from 11:00 – 4:00 pm at the home of Bruce & Patsy. Friends and family are welcome to come anytime and please dress casual. If you do stop by please bring a chair, a photo or a memory to share.