Carol Sue Franks

Carol Franks, 61, of Park River, ND passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in Park River surrounded by family and friends. Carol was born October 6, 1948 in Rhame, ND, the daughter of Charles (Bud) and Fern Sipma. She graduated from Hettinger, ND High School and then attended the University of North Dakota, graduating in 1969 with bachelor's degrees in English and German. In 1970, Carol married Wayne Franks. She taught high school students from 1971 to 1979 in Makoti, ND; Bellingham, MN; Sargent Central in ND, and Baker, MT. Carol moved to Portland, OR in 1979. While working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Portland State University (PSU) from 1979 to 1981, Carol earned her Masters in Literature. She was an instructor in the English Department at PSU from 1981 until her death. In 2004, Carol moved to Park River, continued teaching on-line, and pursued her dreams of opening a bookstore and developing a publishing house. Her five-year battle with cancer prevented her dream of the publishing house, but she did enjoy her bookstore. Carol was a published author of many short stories, essays, and poems. She also co-authored a college level grammar workbook. In 1996 she was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Service Award at PSU. In 2004 Carol wrote a winning essay in the Power of Purpose Awards Contest sponsored by philanthropist Sir John Templeton, with her essay entitled: "What Ever Happened to Chris Olsen?" Also in 2004, she received the PSU John Eliot Allen Outstanding Teaching Award. Carol is survived by her mother, Fern Sipma, Hettinger, ND; her siblings: Don (Norma) Sipma, Hettinger, ND; Tracy (Dawn) Sipma, Dickinson, ND; and Brenda (Bill) Dooley, Portland, OR. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Her father, Charles, preceded her in death. Visitation will be Friday, June 11, 2010 from 1-2 PM with a prayer service at 2 PM CST at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Funeral services will be Monday, June 14, 2010 at 2 PM MST at the Hettinger Lutheran Church, Hettinger, ND. Visitation on Monday is one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Hettinger Cemetery, Hettinger, ND. Carol gave something to everyone she met - whether a laugh, a profound thought, optimism, courage, or simply something to think about. She will be missed and remembered. Memorials are preferred to the Walsh County Hospice or the American Cancer Society.