Frank Rohde, Jr.

Frank George Rohde, Jr., age 85, of Jenkins, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2009. He was born January 24, 1924, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Dr. Frank and Verona E. (Wischover) Rohde, Sr. He graduated from Kramer High School in 1941 and attended the University of Nebraska, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He served in the 8th Air Force during World War II as a pilot on a B-17. He worked 15 years as store manager at Montgomery Wards and ten years as district manager with Target. He spent eight years in Texas as vice president of Carrol Automotive until his retirement. He was a member and past trustee of Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Pequot Lakes. He was a member of the American Legion Post 49 in Pequot Lakes, and life member of the VFW Post 3839 in Jenkins. He also held positions of Councilman and Mayor of the city of Jenkins until health problems prompted his resignation. He stayed on the cemetery board until his death.

Frank has been coming to the Crosslake area since 1937 when his uncle originated Echo Ridge Lodge as a resort, and the Rohde family cabin was built. He was married to Patricia Quigley from 1954 to 1977 and they had three children, Margaret "Peggy" Scarcella (Jim) of Duluth, Pamela Peterson of Crosslake, and Frank G. Rohde III (Kelly) of Grand Rapids. He married Lorma Gene "Cookie" Shaw in 1986 in Pequot Lakes and became an instant father to seven more children who fondly called him Pops: Capt. Todd Yackley (Penny) of Moorhead, Bobbi Jean Richards (Cory) of Pine River, Susan Lujan (Johnny) of Casper, WY, Sheryl Gunzenhauser (Mike) of Winnebago, Larry Yackley of Blue Earth, Kipp Yackley (Karen) of Pine River, Denise Olsen of Eden Prairie

Frank is survived by his wife of 23 years, all ten children, 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Services will be 11 AM on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Pequot Lakes, with Rev. Loren Anderson-Bauer officiating. Burial will follow at the Jenkins Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 2, from 4 to 8 PM at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and one hour prior to the service at the church.