Frank, Dorothy Adeline (Liegel)

Dorothy Adeline (Liegel) Frank, age 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, April 15, 2024. She was born on May 7, 1926, the 5th of 14 children born to Walter and Mary (Aron) Liegel. She was raised with her 5 brothers and 8 sisters on the family farm outside of Plain, Wisconsin. Although her parents did not see the need for girls to attend high school, Dorothy insisted, and was proud to graduate from St. Luke’s High School in Plain in 1944. She wanted to continue to nursing school at the Twin Cities, but her parents refused. Dorothy instilled in her own family the value of education and her children would pursue knowledge with passion. The Greatest Generation included many unsung heroes who did not go abroad to fight but kept the home fires burning. The women of that era contributed to the war effort, and Dorothy did her part. After graduating from high school, she was employed in the chemistry lab at what was then the Badger Ordnance Works, producing war materials for use in WWII. Dorothy had to stay in the Baraboo area during the week and went back to the family farm only on weekends.  After the war, Dorothy started dating Florian Frank, who had returned to Plain after serving in Europe during the War. They married on September 17, 1946, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Plain. Together they raised 12 children. Dorothy and Florian owned and operated Biglow Cheese and Butter Company in Clyde, Wisconsin, from 1949 to 1989. She was an integral part of their cheese business as office manager/ bookkeeper/advisor of the business. A product of the Depression, Dorothy became an expert seamstress making her own clothes. She would teach her children and many others in their community how to sew skillfully. She was a sewing leader for the local 4-H club and a member of the Clydette Homemaker Club. An active volunteer in several organizations, Dorothy served as an officer on parish councils at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lone Rock and St. Malachy’s Catholic Church in Clyde. She was a member of the women’s auxiliary and volunteered as a poll worker during elections. In addition to managing their business and family, Dorothy and Florian found time to travel extensively throughout Europe and North America. Many fond memories will include Christmas time at the factory. We believe this to be Dorothy’s favorite time of year. Shopping, decorating, baking, and entertaining were all activities Dorothy loved to do. Her home would sparkle with the Christmas decorations and wonderful smells would come from the meals she prepared. The family made their way to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Malachy’s or Sacred Heart across the river. Afterward the factory would be filled with the laughter and conversation of her children, grandchildren, and some of the earlier great grandchildren. Her generosity was tremendous, and we all benefited from it in so many ways. They include her survivors: sons Joseph (Astrid) Frank, Mark (Eileen) Frank, Ted (Elaine) Frank, and Nick (Jodi) Frank; daughters Deborah Frank, Bonnie (Randy) Thompson, Sandra (Mark Dostal) Frank, and Susan (Bob) Ashton; son-in-law Pat Shelton (Diane); brother Jerry Liegel; and sisters Carol Meixelsperger, Mary Jane Hull (Leo), Liz Torgeson; 23 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Walter and Mary Liegel; brothers Roy, Donald, Norman and Louis Liegel; sisters Evelyn Metcalf, Lorraine Urbanek, Irene Yanke, Lucy Dolan, Marcy Marklein; her beloved husband of 74 years, Florian Frank; and daughters Diane Shelton, Barbara Frank, Elizabeth Frank, and Josephine Frank.

Visitation will be held April 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. with funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., at St. John’s Catholic Church in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Burial to follow at St. Luke’s Cemetery, Plain, Wisconsin. 

Sincere gratitude is owed to Agrace Hospice and Greenway Manor, whose professional staff treated Dorothy with dignity, competence, and compassion. They became a part of Dorothy’s very large family.  Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.  

The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green is assisting the family with the arrangements.