Roy 'Frank' Franklin Bogenrief

HINTON, Iowa | Roy Franklin "Frank" Bogenrief, 102, of Hinton died Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, at TLC Hospice unit. An honorable man has passed our way, a patriot, a man who endeavored to do his best.
Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City. With cryogenics not available here, Frank opted for cremation. Arrangements are under the direction of Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Frank was born on July 31, 1910, in Hinton, to Roy and Nellie (Waters) Bogenrief. In 1914, Roy and Nell Bogenrief, with their Hinton born sons, Frank and Bob, headed to Hobbs, Mont., homesteading there until poor health and the Great Depression had them return to Hinton, where Roy was postmaster and Nell was assistant postmistress. The Montana years had found Frank trapping badgers skins to exchange for staples and pocket money. Often on those hunting trips, he stayed overnight in the famed western artist, Charlie Russell's cabin.
Their Montana and Hinton homes were full of music. It was during this time, he sang in a Billy Eckstein vocal contest on the radio with Lawrence Welk directing and also participated in the singing of the Messiah.
He met Louise Priborsky through a mutual friend, fell in love and they married on Jan. 14, 1939, and stayed married for 70 years. 1939, was also the year he began a lifetime of antiquing. He worked for Brown's Garage as a mechanic in those early years, but was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the position of postmaster in 1942. He remained postmaster for 11 years, then became a rural letter carrier for the next 21 years.
In those years, he played bass violin in local bands, sang, wrote and recorded music with Louise, repaired clocks, and restored a 1914 Model T to perfection. He was a member of the Siouxland Horseless Carriage Club, and a founding board member of the Plymouth County Historical Museum. He also was a member of the Steam Engine Club, St. Michael's Assumption and St. Boniface Catholic Church member and an excellent card player and a very bad cook.
Frank and Louise opened their Frank's Folly Antique Shop in 1961, traveled, and were blessed with a multitude of clients who became friends. Frank was an avid reader, a lover of classical music and all things beautiful. Fiercely proud of his family, this dignified eldest senior citizen in Hinton held a prominent position within the Siouxland antiques community and the hearts of those who knew him.
He is survived by his children, Terry (Cliff), Margaret (Rich), Cece, Nick (Diane), Mark (Jeanne), and Tim (Madlyn); his grandchildren, Michael (Erin), Craig (Melinda), Sara Beth, Ben (Heather), Joel (Julie), Seth, Jesse, Amanda (Seth and a baby to come), Jeremiah, Eric, Matthew, and Heather; his great-grandchildren, Abigail, Stephen, Allison, Jayln, Kiana, Serena, Jordan, Jet, and Mary Catherine; his sister-in-law, Natalie "Talie" Thorp; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and dear friends throughout the country.
One of the last of the greatest generation, Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; his parents, Roy and Nell Bogenrief; brothers, Bob and Bryan; sisters, Lois and Lilas; and sons, Francis and Stephen.