Lelani "Lani"  Helena (Simon) Franke passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 08, 2024.

Visitation for Lelani will take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 300 West St., Beaver Dam from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam.

Lani was Born September 6, 1942, to Lewis and Talke (Renken) Simon. She attended St. Peter's Lutheran School in Oak Grove, St. Stephen's Lutheran School in Beaver Dam, Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac, and Beaver Dam Sr. High School graduating in 1960. She has been a member of St. Stephens Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam.

Lani left behind the love of her life Jerry, who she married April 12, 1969 at Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam and enjoyed 55 years together. Lani worked at Three Sisters, JCPenney's, ran a private daycare out of her home and worked at American National Bank from where she retired in 2008.

Lani was a woman who loved deeply. From her constant gifts of banana bread, impromptu visits, the way she answered the phone and especially her loving bear hugs, it was clear the people she cared about most meant everything to her.

Over their married life, Lani was a dedicated wife and mother as she would attend Jerry's softball games as well as her kids and grandkids sporting events and theatre performances. She was most proud of her kids and grandkids. In her spare time, she enjoyed chatting on the phone and keeping everyone informed with the juicy details of the news of the day. Some were privileged to hear the news more than once. When she wasn't busy chatting on the phone she enjoyed sitting on her porch and visiting with friends, family, and neighbors. Lani kept herself busy as she would also have many crochet and knitting projects producing baby hats, sweaters and blankets and donating them to the hospital all because of the love she had in her heart. She also made numerous dish clothes, and if she wanted a change of pace, she would bring out her sewing machine where she would mend clothes for the kids, make hot pads, aprons, table runners, or anything else someone asked her to do including bridesmaids dresses and suits for boys. She also had to make sure people were taken care of, even people she never met.

Lani is survived by her husband, Jerry Franke; son, Brian (Bonnie) Franke and their children Molly, Natalie, Quinn, Lainie; daughter, Amy (Bob) Sommercorn and their children Alex & Hannah; son, Brad Franke and his children Austin, Bradon, Carson; son, Cory Franke (Jodie Miller) and his children Rhett and Olive; daughter-in-law, Kim Franke; sister, Laurel (Dave Essmann) Tadych; sisters-in-law, Christine Franke and Nancy Franke; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Talke; stepfather, Harold Krause; brothers, Jack Simon and William Simon (in infancy); mother-in-law, Lillian Franke; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Charlene Ganske, Janice Loy, Duane "Hans" Franke, Alan & Renee Franke, and John "JT" Tadych; and other relatives.

Lani will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

The family would like to thank great friends and neighbors Jeff and Sheila Schlegel and their daughters Kayla and Myah who were always there to help her through the years.

If desired, memorials in Lani's name may be directed to St. Stephens building fund, St. Stephen's radio fund or American Legion Post 146 Baseball Fund, or a charity of your choice.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.