Dianna Frank, 72

Dianna Frank, 72, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.

A memorial service was held on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Dianna Frank was born July 2, 1946, the second child to Raymond and Rhoda (Storrud) Abbey at the Winner Hospital in Winner, SD. With no available beds in the nursery due to the baby boom, she and her twin sister, Donna, were placed in apple crates. She grew up on a farm northwest of Witten, SD where she loved spending time with her 5 sisters and one brother. She attended elementary school at South Curlew School #8 in Curlew Township. She attended her freshman year at Winner High School, then on to Witten High School the following year. During this time, she waitressed at both the Witten Cafe and Winner Cafe. She graduated a “Witten Wildcat” in 1964. After high school, she continued waitressing at the Winner Westside Café, where she once waited on country singer, Merle Haggard, and got his autograph. She worked at the café for six years and for a brief time at Outlaw Trading Post.

Dianna married Neil Vincent Frank, Jr. on Christmas Eve of 1967, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. She continued working while Neil was stationed in Pearl Harbor until 1969. When he returned, they made their home in Winner, SD for a short time, until they moved to Everett, WA in 1970. On August 13, 1970, they had their first of three daughters, Serena. Due to Boeing layoffs in Seattle, they returned to Witten, SD in 1971 for a short period of time, and Dianna had her second daughter, Tammy. They moved to Watertown in 1973 where she waitressed while Neil attended Lake Area Vo-Tech.

They returned to Winner in 1972 where she began working at the former Gibson store, later named Pamida, as the clothing manager until 1981. In 1980 she attended Sinte Gleska University where she received her associates degree in accounting. She began working at the Tripp County Water Users District in 1981 where she worked as a secretary and office manager for 25 years. In 1982, she and her husband had their third daughter, Lindsey.

nDianna was an active, patriotic member of the Winner American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as president for two terms and junior unit leader. She was also a member of the Winner VFW, and began waitressing several evenings during the week there. She enjoyed her involvement in both clubs and enjoyed the many friendships she made while spending time in both organizations. She also volunteered much time baking goods for funeral services and was active in the Catholic Altar Society.

nThroughout her life, Dianna was very reserved and humble about her abilities. She was a talented seamstress, sewed trendy outfits for her young daughters, and several prom and bridesmaids dresses, a talent she acquired from her mother. She was very creative and resourceful, helped with school projects, upholstered furniture and even built her youngest daughter a dollhouse with miniature custom-made furniture. She was very industrious around the house, having accomplished many projects. She had many special “young” friends and enjoyed their company. She enjoyed her time attending her daughters’ softball games, keeping books, and still played an occasional game up until the young age of 50.

Dianna will be remembered for her selflessness, putting others first and her gracious, humble, giving nature. She was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother and aunt, and was proud of her family, especially her parents. In later years, she enjoyed special visits from close family and friends, and loved the “storytelling” others had to share. She was sentimental and compassionate; her quiet efforts were often overlooked, yet she never asked for anything in return.

Dianna leaves a void that cannot be replaced, yet we rejoice in knowing that she has joined her father, and Our Father, in heaven. Her faith was simple but deep.

Dianna is survived by her husband, Neil Frank, Jr; mother, Rhoda Abbey, Winner; children: Serena (Stan) Ager of Spearfish, SD, Tammy Frank (Ricky Hespe) of Winner, SD, and Lindsey Frank (Raymond Hespe) of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren: Chloe and Ezekiel Ager, Aidan Hespe, Kayden and Slade McKenzie, and Sebastian Hespe. Siblings: Rae (Joseph) Tyburec, Gregory SD, Donna Tyburec, Winner, SD, Mike (Renee) Abbey, Hudson, WY, Linda (Allan) Devish, Winner, SD, Susan (Nick) Frank, Valentine, NE, and Barbara (Ron) Hespe, Winner, SD and many special, beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, who all had a special place in her heart.

She is preceded in death by her father, Raymond Abbey; mother and father-in-law, Neil, Sr. and Eleanor Frank; brother-in-law, Frank Tyburec; niece, Annette Devish, & great nieces Lynae Hespe, Marcy Hespe and Shauna Pravecek.