Franklin Theodore Kube

Franklin Theodore Kube was born September 15, 1932, in Arcadia, Wisconsin and died on December 28, 2022, in West Salem, Wisconsin at the home of granddaughter, Aubrey and her husband Ryan. He is the son of Adolph Henry Kube and Hazel Otilda (Larson) Kube. Franklin was the oldest of three children with Alice (Albert) and John (Diane) in succession. Franklin, Alice and John lost their father at a very young age. Franklin stepped up as a father figure during this time of their lives. With their mother, they tackled many obstacles. Franklin married Janet Marie Grossman on August 23, 1952, in Arcadia and they had six children: Lynn (Scott), Ann (Joe), Jean (Mike), Don (Mary), Charles (Rosie) and Jim (Coleen). Franklin and Janet also received thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Their kids, grandkids and great grandkids were the highlights of their lives. Franklin’s forever spouse passed away on October 21, 2021. With a very heavy heart he carried on.

Franklin at an early age did his plumbing apprenticeship at Kube Plumbing in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Shortly after he received his journeyman license. His plumbing expertise was only a fraction of his total talents. After moving to La Crosse, he was employed with St. Francis Hospital in the maintenance department. While at the hospital, wearing many hats he finished up his 32-year career as administration assistant of facility operations. Above and beyond working at the hospital, he drew up blueprints for many projects in the La Crosse area working for Branson of La Crosse. His talents were second to none. There was really nothing he would not tackle. He was a “Frank” of all trades. He helped countless people on their personal projects all at “no charge” be it demolition, electrical, carpentry, fireplace installs and of course plumbing. He took tremendous pride on all of his projects. Franklin was a staunch German when he cam to perfection, his biggest and best project that touched countless amounts of people was “The Shack” or as he called it “The Floating Palace” with the help of good friends, Bob, Tony, John, Jerry, Eric, Maynard and others. The Shack was completed in 1972 and has given outdoor enthusiasts a look into how being in the wild should be like. He treasured new and old alike with an open door policy at the shack. Another hunting abode he constructed with Bob and Tony was “The Bunkhouse” at friend Mark and Kris’ farm, refurbishing an old barn and milkhouse to a turkey and deer hunting camp. Many years of great memories with great friends were created here. He always said, “how fortunate we are to have great places to get together to hunt, enjoy the outdoors and each other’s company.” He loved the outdoors being it a canoe trip to the Quetico, turkey and goose hunting in southern and central Illinois, or a good boat ride as the picture portrays. He loved being around good people that enjoyed and respected the land and resource.

After retirement Franklin and Janet through the course of several years experienced traveling to every state in their pop-up camper with the exception of Hawaii. They joked about putting floats under the camper and sail to the islands, cooler heads prevailed, and they flew instead! They also visited Jasper and Banff in Canada. He always said and commented that Banff is the beautiful place he ever experienced. Speaking of trips, Janet and Franklin sponsored family trips every summer in different locations in northern Wisconsin consecutively for over thirty-seven years. He had a heart of gold as did his bride of sixty-nine years, the two would do anything for anyone and expected nothing in return. “You are a stranger but once” they often said. Tradition was very important to him; one example of this is the gathering on New Years Eve. To ring in the new year with family, good friends, music, laughter, libations, memories and of course shooting of the shotgun at midnight for each person present to ring in good luck for the New Year. An ongoing tradition for some seventy years!

Franklin was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son-in-law, Joe; grandson, Nathaniel; brother-in-law, Albert; aunts, uncles, cousins and good friends.

Franklin’s family would like to give special thanks to Aubrey and Ryan Hesselberg and Hannah and Levi Sobkowiak in giving him dignity with family presence in his last hours. Also, all the care givers at Mayo Healthcare, Havenwood Independent Living and La Crescent Health Services.

Dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin: Frank and Franklin, you will be sorely missed. “Yes Sir, it’s time for a nap.” Make it a great Heavenly nap.