Esther Grace Frank

Esther Grace (nee Johnson) Frank was given life by her Creator and was born on November 21, 1915, in Joplin MO to the parents of John Richard Johnson and Louisa Karletta (nee Martens) Johnson. On December 12, 1915, she received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin. On March 24, 1929 at Immanuel, she publicly confessed her faith, was confirmed, and received the precious gift of the Lord's life-giving body and blood.

On November 30, 1941, she received the gift of a beloved companion in her spouse, Rev. Edmund Paul Frank at Immanuel Lutheran, Joplin. Upon their marriage, Edmund took a divine call to Trinity Lutheran, Norman OK, where their union was blessed with these children: Emilie (fallen asleep in Jesus, July 4, 1944), Jane, Sara, John, Mary, Charlotte, and Edmund, Jr.

In 1952, the family moved to Decatur IL where Edmund served as assistant pastor at St. John's Lutheran. From there, they moved to Austin TX in 1953, where Edmund was called to begin the Lutheran student ministry at The University of Texas. Esther and Edmund were blessed with their last child, Janet. Sadly and unexpectedly, Edmund passed away at the age of 42, leaving Esther, with the Lord's guidance, to raise her family of 7 young children.

Esther has been a faithful member all these years of different churches here in Austin: St. Paul Lutheran, Hope Lutheran, and Redeemer Lutheran. She shared her love of music by singing in choirs and being a member of several different Bible studies. She also volunteered her time with Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Lutheran Braille Workers, the Heart Association, Bethesda Thrift Store, and the Concordia Guild. She also served as an election official in city and county elections for many years.

Finally, on January 23, 2014, God blessed Esther with a holy death and took her home to rest in the arms of her Savior Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edmund; one daughter, Emilie; and three siblings: Bill, Carl, and Louise.

Esther is survived by her children: Jane (Max) Thompson, Sara Frank, John (Annette) Frank, Mary (Mike) Dobrasko, Charlotte (David) Hintze, Edmund (Margaret) Frank, and Janet (Ted) Naumann.

She was also blessed with the gift of sixteen grandchildren: Ryan Thompson, Sean (Caydee) Thompson; Jennifer (Scott) Schilbe, Jonathan Frank; Rebekah Dobrasko, Michelle Pater; Gretchen (Paul) Dolan, Bret (Laura) Hintze, Heidi (Mark) Wildauer, Kevin Hintze; Daniel (Carrie) Frank, Keith (Jane) Frank, Philip (Maureen) Frank, Amanda (Joshua) Jackson; Emily (Seth) Gehrke, and Eric (Kirstin) Naumann.

The gift of great-grandchildren fulfilled Esther's life even more: Ana Thompson; Timothy and Benjamin Schilbe; Michael Woodward; Noelle, Paige and Sawyer Dolan; Benjamin Hintze; Noah, Jack, Abby, Josie, and Wyatt Wildauer; Connor and Joshua Frank; Avery Frank; Will Gehrke and unborn grandson expected in March.

In addition, God blessed Esther's life with many nieces and nephews and an abundance of special friends and acquaintances.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our mother and sister in Christ, Esther Frank.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31st at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on February 1, 2014 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Anderson Lane, Austin. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Foundation of Texas (EN084), 7900 East Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78724-2499 for the Frank Endowment funding of Scholarships of future full-time church workers.