Franklin O. Kringel

Franklin Otto Kringel went to his heavenly home on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Nancy (Leikauf) Kringel, his children Neal Kringel of Kent Island, Maryland and Linda (Jeff) Knuth of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; grandchildren Nikki Knuth of Norfolk, Virginia, Thomas (Alyse) Knuth of Raeford, North Carolina, Kiana Kringel of Washington DC, and Conor Kringel of Annapolis, Maryland, great grandson Liam Franklin Knuth, and sister-in-law Marcia Rewolinski. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives and friends. The last living member of a family of 10 children, Franklin was preceded in death by siblings Hertha (Edgar) Kasten, Norma (Hugo) Butt, Ruben (Mildred) Kringel, Gerhard (Anita) Kringel, Mildred (Marvin) Peters, Loraine (Elvin) Butt, Anita (Donald) Franzen, Marvin (Carol) Kringel, and Edna (Arno) Jobs.

Franklin was born on March 12, 1932 on the Kringel homestead in the town of Jackson to the late Frank and Ida (nee Heckendorf) Kringel. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in the town of Jackson. He married Nancy Leikauf at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedarburg on June 14, 1958.

Franklin served his country in the U.S Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954 and was a longtime member of the Henry F. Gumm American Legion Post 486 of Jackson.

He served on several boards at Trinity Lutheran Church where he was a lifetime member and served on the Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School board. He served his community through organizations like “Meals on Wheels,” and years of volunteering at local nursing homes. He had an exceptionally green thumb for growing plants, trees, flowers and vegetables.

One of Franklin’s great loves that he passed on to his children was his joy of traveling. He recalled that as a kid he really didn’t see a need to learn geography because nobody he knew traveled and he didn’t think he would either. He changed that. He and Nancy traveled extensively throughout North America, visited the Caribbean, and Germany, and made two trips to Africa (Kenya and Gabon) to visit their son who was serving overseas.

He was an exceptional and loving grandfather to his four grandchildren taking them on many adventures and spending hours playing with them. In January 2022 he was thrilled to become a great grandfather to Liam.

Franklin lived a life of faith and has now rejoined his nine brothers and sisters who have gone before.

Franklin’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at 12 noon at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1268 Pleasant Valley Rd., West Bend, WI. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 until 11:45 with the funeral service to follow. Interment with full military honors immediately following the service at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church or Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School are appreciated.