Pamela Ann Franko

WINONAPamela Ann (Halvorson) Franko, 66, passed away at home on July 1, 2015. She was born on March 6, 1949 to Harlan and Mildred (Rauschenberger) Halvorson in Wells, MN. She graduated from Wells High School in 1967. She married Jeff Franko on January 10, 1970 and they had one son, Erik. She received her AA degree from Waldorf College, Forest City, IA in 1969, her BS Degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University, Winona, MN in 1971, her Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND in 1980, and her Specialist Degree in Behavioral Disabilities from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN in 1992. She was a Special Education Tutor in Winona, MN in 1972. She taught Special Education for the Tri-County Special Education Unit, Hillsboro, ND from 1977-1982. From 1982-2003 she was a Teacher and Coordinator of Special Education Services for the Souris Valley Special Education Unit, Minot, ND. Pam retired in 2003 when she and Jeff moved to Winona.Pam is remembered for her flair for cooking and giving guests a taste of her generous hospitality. She made her home a welcoming place for all. Pam also was a ferocious gardener who could spend long summer days ridding her lawn and gardens of weeds. While living in Winona she was among those responsible for starting "The Feast", a weekly community dinner sponsored by Central Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed working with the Central Lutheran Quilters and the Needle Point Guild. Over the years she volunteered extensively singing in church choirs and serving for many years as a Sunday School superintendant. There wasn't much Pam enjoyed more than a good glass of chardonnay; sadly, it was the wine which got the best of her.Pam is survived by her husband, Jeff and son, Erik and his life partner, Audrey Helling, South Bend, IN; her mother, Millie Halvorson, Wells, MN; her siblings, Dawn (and husband, Dave) Erdner, Wells, MN; Nona (and husband Bill) Boyes, Faribault, MN; Randy (and wife, Nancy) Halvorson, Kansas City, KS, along with five nieces and nephews and a 3 great-nieces and 2 great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her dad, Harlan Halvorson.Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2015 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Corrine Denis will be officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Valley Cemetery.Please share a memory of Pam with her family at www.hofffuneral.com.