Irma Malinda Franke, 92, formerly of Seymour, passed away Monday, October 2, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Fishers, Indiana.
Irma was born in Jackson County on March 31, 1931, the youngest daughter of Albert Elmer and Alma Wilhelmina (Rittmann) Thoele. She married Herman Franke on October 9, 1954, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, IN.
Irma was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She graduated from Shields High School in Seymour in 1949. A graduate of Valparaiso University, she taught in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Ohio for one year before coming to Immanuel Lutheran School in Seymour. Irma received her master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University in 1976. She retired in 1990 after 23 years of teaching in Lutheran schools. Irma lived with her husband on her family farm in Washington Township for over 60 years and was an active long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Irma is survived by her children, Joseph (Sandra) Franke, John (Kathryn) Franke, Katherine (Robert) Verner, and Margaret (Richard) Ritter; grandchildren, Alexander Franke, Emma (Franke) Imhoff, Anne (Franke) Beard, William Franke, James Franke, Steven Franke, Daniel Franke, Melinda Franke, John Franke, Joseph Franke, Lauren Verner, Rachel Verner, Richard Ritter, Maxwell Ritter, Nathan Ritter, Lilya Ritter, seven great-grandchildren, and sister Helen (Ollie) Goecker.
Irma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herman, and her sister Mary (Don) Schneider.
Visitation will take place from 9-11AM, Saturday, October 7, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 Gaiser Drive, Seymour. Rev. Jeffrey Stuckwisch will officiate a funeral service to follow at 11AM at the church. She will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 Gaiser Drive, Seymour, IN 47274. or the LCMS Foundation-Rittmann Scheidt Memorial, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122. Online condolences may be shared with the Franke family at www.vossfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Voss & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services.

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