Mrs. Rosemarie Brigitte Franke (nee Weghnnar) passed away at the Red Deer Hospice, surrounded by her family and loved ones, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, on Monday, November 27, 2023 at the age of 64 years. Rosemarie was born on February 18, 1959 at Cardston, Alberta, to Siegfried “Zig” and Blondin (nee Rapp) Weghnnar. They moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1960, and then settled in Olds, in 1968, to open a bakery and deli. Rosemarie worked in the bakery slicing buns and bread, serving in the deli, and was very hard working. She had a tight group of friends who loved to ride horses, socialize, and cross-country ski. There, Rosemarie attended school and graduated High School, and then attended the Olds College Fashion and Merchandising Program. She met and married a High School friend, Jeff Kearney and they had a daughter, Rhianne. In 1983, Rosemarie and Rhianne headed to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where Rosemarie found employment with a Medication Manufacturer, and soon started attending the University of Saskatchewan, in Computer Programming. In 1987, Rosemarie met Rick Franke while curling with a mutual friend. Mom worked at the Diefenbaker Centre as a Legal Assistant and was an amazing typist – I remember being mesmerized while watching and listening to her fingers dance across the keyboard. Oma and Opa moved to Saskatoon as well and were involved in the German School and the community. Rick and Rosemarie were married in 1989, they had a daughter, Rebekka in 1991, and the, a son, Rhett joined the family in 1993. In 1994, they moved to Castor, Alberta and Rosemarie worked at the Suncrest Hutterite Colony, and then they bought Double R Liquor Sales in 2004. Rosemarie drove her kids all over the land for horse shows, swim meets, dance competitions, and hockey games. Mom had a rich social life and a wide friend base. She was always up for a visit, or weekly meet ups – she loved a good cup of coffee, or a glass of red wine. She travelled extensively throughout her life with her parents, her mom, her daughters, her friends, and took a trip with family to the Bahamas. Some of the places she travelled to include, Japan, Germany, Amsterdam, Russia, Turkey, France, Italy, Philippines, Hawaii and extensively to the USA, Peru, Mexico, Nova Scotia and much of the Canadian West Coast. She loved to garden, always had flowers, fresh vegetables, berries, and an apple tree. She made salsa, antipasto, apple sauce, and baked goods. She was an amazing cook and baker with the world’s best recipe for chocolate cake. Mom had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She sang in church, in the seasonal church choir, and later in a choir with Rhianne, where they took voice lessons and joined other community choirs. She was a sewing and crafting phenom, known to make figure skating costumes, Halloween costumes, dresses, ornaments, toll painting, and decorating cakes. Mom was so talented and gifted – yet very humble. She belonged to a spiritual learning group, where she learned qigong and tai chi, and more about homeopathic remedies, herbal medicines, and energetic healing. Mom was a dedicated lane swimmer during the months the outdoor pool in Castor was open – waking up at 5:00 a.m. to get her laps in for the day. She was confident and content in the water, and thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling while travelling to tropical locations with vibrant sea life or reefs. Rosemarie’s grandchildren, Lilith and Anders were both born in 2018 – both of whom she was so proud to be Omi. She was always surprised at how fast they could grow, how compassionate and kind they both were, and how much joy they brought to her life. Rosemarie and Rick moved to Red Deer, Alberta in late 2018. She was involved with the Dopamain Boxing Gym, swimming, Parkinson’s group, and treatment. Through her last years, Mom enjoyed going on walks in her community or to local parks, snowshoeing at beloved Duane and Julie Franke’s acreage, going to the barn to see the horse and chickens, sunning at the beach in Gull Lake, and having visits from friends and family. Often when thinking of Mom, people will comment about her notable laugh, and how quick she was to giggle and have fun. She was quick to welcome others, and make them feel a part of the group, or community. Rosemarie was warm, kind and always eager to help pitch in, no matter what needed doing. Rosemarie will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Rick Franke; her daughters, Rhianne Weghnnar (Jamie Duncan and Lilith Duncan) and Rebekka Franke (Shawn Donnelly and Anders Stevens); her son, Rhett Franke and her stepson, Douglas Franke, (Fay Cassidy) as well as her mother, Blondin Weghnnar and many dear friends. Rosemarie was predeceased by her father, Siegfried “Zig” Weghnnar. A Celebration of Rosemarie’s Life will be held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Colin Millang Officiating. If desired, Memorial Donations in Rosemarie’s honor may be made directly to the Dopamain Boxing Club, e-transferred to drowe@telusplanet.net with Dopamain Gym in memo field or to the Red Deer Hospice at www.reddeerhospice.com. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2023-05-03
• Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com