Obit: Ludwig, Franklin E. (1915 - 2008)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Block, Franklin, Fritsche, Long, Ludwig, Milles, Schmidt, Voit, Wagner

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, December 17, 2008, online edition

Ludwig, Franklin E. (July 30, 1915 - December 10, 2008)

Franklin E. Ludwig, age 93 years, a long time resident of Abbotsford, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 at Pine Ridge Assisted Living in Colby under the tender and loving care of Ministry Home Care Hospice Staff.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, Dec. 15 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Abbotsford. The Rev. Benjamin Franklin officiated. A committal service took place at Abbotsford Public Cemetery. His grandchildren served as pallbearers.

Franklin was born July 30, 1915 in the Town of Little Black in Taylor County to Anton and Anna (Fritsche) Ludwig.

He attended Lawndale Country School until the eighth grade. On April 28, 1936, Franklin married the former Sarah Milles at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford.

He and Sarah farmed for 40 years near Stetsonville. Franklin served as the Town of Little Black treasurer from 1949 to 1975. He also served as the secretary/treasurer of Pleasant View Co-op Cheese Factory from 1941 to 1965. Franklin served on the board of Lawndale Elementary School for several years, which he had attended himself as a child growing up. Franklin and Sarah retired from farming in 1978 and moved to Abbotsford and continued to operate an antique store right in Abbotsford until completely retiring from the antique business in 1987. Franklin entered Pine Ridge Assisted Living on June 26, 2008, and his wife Sarah was with him every day caring for him and holding his hand.

Franklin was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, a charter member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and a member of Rural Electric Association.

Franklin is lovingly survived by his wife of 72 years, Sarah of Abbotsford; his children, Nadine Block of Columbus, Ohio, Lynda Long of Lewis Center, Ohio, David Ludwig of Ventura, Calif., Barbara Schmidt of Jacksonville, Fla., and Lin Ludwig of Fort Myers, Fla. He is further survived by 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Franklin was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Edna Voit and Alma Wagner; and a brother, Ray Ludwig.

The Ludwig family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Pine Ridge Assisted Living Center for their kindness and gentle care given to Franklin during his stay there.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Franklin's name may be given to the Ministry Home Care Hospice.

The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Abbotsford assisted Franklin's family with arrangements.