Franks, Burnice Leon Johnson

Burnice Leon Johnson Franks, 80, of Lisbon, formerly of Mount Vernon and Mechanicsville, died Feb. 9, 2011, in her home. Private family services will be in Lisbon Cemetery. Arrangements with Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon.

Surviving Burnice are a son, Charles Jr. “Chuck,” Lisbon; two daughters, Ricki Onstott and Ann Clark, both of Mount Vernon; seven granddaughters, one grandson, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Burnice in death were her parents, Rudolf and Eunice (Bailey) Johnson; her husband; two sisters, Carmen and Anna; a brother, Arnold (Berniece) Johnson, Portland, Ore.; and son-in-law, Arnold “Arnie” Onstott.

Burnice was born May 14, 1930, in Elgin, and graduated from Fayette High School in 1948. She married Charles “Chuck” Franks on Dec. 6, 1948, in Fayette. He died Jan. 24, 1997. Burnice and her family lived in Oelwein until 1966 when they relocated to Mount Vernon. She worked as a line technician at Collins Radio, Cedar Rapids.

Burnice's greatest joy was to spend time with her husband dancing, camping, traveling, and playing their various musical instruments.   Their love for dancing started when Burnice and Chuck worked at the Oelwein Ballroom after World War II. Every summer Burnice, Chuck and the children set off on a grand adventure in the family camper to various parts of the country. The grandchildren enjoyed spending time camping and at the farm with grandma and grandpa.

Burnices' children are working on the Rudolph Johnson family history. Rudolph is the son of Ole and Anna Johnson, buried at the St. Olaf Cemetery. If anyone has any information of the Johnson family, please contact Ricki Onstott.

Memorials in Burnice's honor may be mailed to Ricki Onstott, 278 Standing Rock Rd., Mount Vernon, IA 52314

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