LeAnna E. (Sodmann) Frank

  LeAnna Edeleen (Sodmann) Frank, daughter of Edward and Alma (Rockemann) Sodmann was born July 17, 1927 near Humboldt, Nebraska on the family farm. She was baptized August 7, 1927 and confirmed September 14, 1941 at St. James Lutheran Church.  LeAnna attended Greenfield rural school in Nemaha County, graduated from Bratton Union High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Peru State College.  She did post-graduate study at UNL and UNK.  LeAnna taught rural schools in Nemaha, Richardson and Pawnee County and then taught first grade for 28 years at Elk Creek until retiring and then did substitute teaching for another 10 years for a teaching career of 45 years.

   LeAnna was married to Loraine “Johnny” Frank on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955 at the St. James Lutheran Church by interim Pastor H.A. Kolm. The couple lived at Pawnee City for two years and then moved to the farm near Humboldt in 1957 where LeAnna grew up.  To this union two daughters were born.

  Along with elementary school teaching, LeAnna taught Sunday School, assisted with Bible School, served on the Board of Parish Education, as church librarian, and was co-editor of the History and Membership Directory for the Church’s 125th anniversary.  She served as a 4-H Leader for 20 years. LeAnna was a member of the Nebraska State Education Association, the local education association and Falls City Area Retired Teacher’s Association.  She was nominated as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher by her Superintendent, for which she received recognition in 1972.  In 1998, she was nominated by a former student to receive recognition in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.”  LeAnna was always very proud of the accomplishments of former students.

  LeAnna loved sewing and all types of craft work.  After retirement from teaching she did many wood crafting and tole painting projects, making gifts for numerous occasions.  She made many quilt tops for use at church as well for each of her children and grandchildren.  Her family was her greatest pleasure. 

  LeAnna became a resident at Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams in August of 2016.  Her husband Loraine “Johnny” passed away February 27, 2017. LeAnna joined him in heaven on December 19, 2017. 

  She is survived by her daughters, Lorinda Stoddard and husband Mick of Custer, SD and Lynette Tegtmeier and husband Mark of Burchard, four grandchildren, Stacey Stoddard, Amanda Shelton and husband Zach, Erica Roth and husband Dan and Kyle Gottula and fiance’ Mary Schram and son Tucker, great-grandchildren, Elliott and Norah Roth, sisters , ElDonna Jager and husband Peter of Colorado Springs, CO and Willa Jean Stutheit of Johnson, brother-in-law, Leland Frank and wife Imogene of Humboldt and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

  LeAnna was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Loraine “Johnny”, grandson, Jacob Stoddard, son-in-law, Alton Gottula, brothers-in-law, Dalen Kracke, Herbert Stutheit and Richard Alden and niece and God-child, Pamela (Kracke) Piper.                                                        

   Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2017 at the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Church, rural Humboldt, Nebraska with Rev. Eric and Amalia Spruth-Janssen officiating.  Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Friday, December 22, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.   Memorials may go to the family’s choice.  Inurnment will be in the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Cemetery, rural Humboldt, Nebraska at a later date.   Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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