Franklin Henry Trantow, age 82, Manawa died on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, following a short battle with cancer at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Frank was born on March 7, 1930, in Wausau to Wilford and Adeline (Bushendorf) Trantow. He graduated from Wausau High School in 1947, and was a National Guard Reservist from 1948 to 1952. On September 10, 1949, Frank married Magdalen Vetter, in Wausau. In 1959 he moved his family to Manawa and started Trantow Hardware with his brother, Bill. He operated this for the next 35 years. He and Magdalen also owned and operated the Edge of Town Bar and Hall for 20 years. Over the years he was very involved in his community as an EMT, deputy sheriff and police officer for 13 years (Officer Friendly) and also served 2 terms as mayor. After his retirement he worked as a bartender at King Veteran’s Home. Frank was known for his love of the casinos, socializing with his many friends, and driving around town on his scooter. Frank was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manawa. Frank’s greatest joy was his family and being around them.
He is survived by his loving wife and soul mate of 62 years, Magdalen; sons: Michael (Lucy), Chris (Carol) and Timothy (Tonia), all of Manawa; daughters: Connie (Joe) Havlovick, Rockford, IL; Karen Dorn – Gilson (Steve Gilson), Neenah; Debbie (Allan) Tierney, Winneconne; and Mary (Glen) Getchell, Seminole, FL; grandchildren: Stacey Livermore (Jamie), Jacob Trantow (Sherry), Matthew Trantow, Jason Havlovick, Jon, Nathan, and Bryan Dorn, Lance and Landon Buchholtz and David and Jennifer Trantow; his great grandchildren: John, Caleb, Madelynn, Fox and Cameron; step grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jacob, Tony, Brandon, Makenna, Nikki, Oceana, Rayna and Aurora Sky. He is further survived by numerous friends. He mourned the passing of his parents, 2 children, Jeffrey and Annette, and siblings: Bill, Irv, Lillian, Millie, Bob and Grace.
Funeral Mass for Frank was held on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Manawa with Fr. Paul Vanden Hogan officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation was held at the Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home, Manawa on Friday from 4-7 p.m., and also at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.