Obituary for Linda Franklin

Linda Jeane Franklin

October 14, 1942 – May 30, 2017

Linda Jeane (Oswald) Franklin of Perry, Oklahoma left this earth on May 30, 2017 at Perry Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Linda was born in Grand Island, Nebraska on October 14, 1942 to Carl Max Oswald and Jeane Marie (Leaming). She graduated from Shenandoah High School in Shenandoah, Iowa in 1961 and attended the Methodist School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska.

She married James Edward Franklin of Red Oak, Iowa on August 9, 1964. They had 3 daughters, Julia Beth, Jill Caroline, and Jennifer Jeane. She lovingly referred to her family as “Linda and the 4 Js.” After living in California, Nebraska and Iowa, they spent a few years in Claremore, Oklahoma and then settled in Perry in 1980 where she became an active member of the community and the First United Methodist Church.

After many years of staying home to care for her young family, Linda continued her education at Claremore Junior College where she earned an Associate of Science in Nursing and then received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma.

Linda cherished the opportunity to care for others through her nursing career. Following graduation from OU, her RN career began at Perry Memorial Hospital as the Director of Nursing where she penned the PMH tag line “Caring People. Caring for People.” She later designed the swing bed program and became the Swing Bed Director. She continued her nursing career at Stillwater Medical Center in the ICU and spent many years working in home health. Linda always had a strong desire to teach the next generation of nurses. She was honored to serve as an instructor to LPN students at Meridian Technology Center until the time of her retirement.

Linda loved Stagecoach Community Theatre. She began volunteering with the theatre group soon after moving to Perry, and served in many officer roles. Throughout the years she acted in and directed many productions. Linda was a huge history buff and her favorite role to portray was Lucy Minor Boise on many occasions celebrating the Perry Carnegie Library.

In addition to volunteering with Stagecoach, she was an active member of the Ladies Tuesday Afternoon Club and had the honor of serving as its President for a time. She spent her retirement years volunteering with the Perry Memorial Hospital Auxiliary by working in the giftshop, organizing events and serving as an officer. Over the last several years she was honored to serve on the Board of Trustees of Perry Memorial Hospital.

Linda loved to travel. Family vacations were filled with love and laughter. She turned a deaf ear to her daughter’s objections and visited many historical markers throughout their numerous trips. Following retirement, Linda and Jim took many trips abroad and throughout the United States with her favorite trip being 4 weeks on the island of Molokai, HI.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Carla Rae Oswald Youngquist; her son-in-law Scott Milton Dark.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Franklin; her children, Julia Kendrick and husband Kevin of Perry, OK, Jill Schultz and husband Troy of Lucien, OK and Jennifer Polk and husband Ray of Morrison, CO; her sister Pamela Reitan and husband Terry of Golden, CO; her grandchildren, Benjamin Chasteen Kendrick, Hannah Taylor Skidgel, Ethan James Polk, Madison Rae Polk, Shelbi Lyn Schultz, Trysta Lane Schultz, Trevor Jordan Schultz; her nieces Serena Young and husband Tom of Fort Collins, CO and Tami Younquist of Lincoln, NE; and several great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to have a time of reflection on Linda’s life on Friday evening, June 2nd at 6pm to 8pm at Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St. The Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 3rd 2017 at the First United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. with Reverend Adam Weathers officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Perry Memorial Hospital Foundation, care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th St, Perry, OK 73077.

Source: Trout Funeral Home