Estella Franz

Estella Cynthia Cook, the daughter of Ernst J. and Isabella (Irving) Cook was born on July 28, 1912, in rural West Point, MN. She received her elementery education at a country school at Grove Lake, MN, and she graduated from the Morris, MN High School. Estella continued her education at West Central School of Agriculture, University of Minnesota, graduating in 1928, and in 1935 she received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. Following graduation she packed bananas, and for the first year she sold sewing machines for Singer. From 1937 through 1938 she taught at East Chain, MN and was hired as the first girls high school basketball coach in Minnesota. She then taught in Paynesville, MN. Estella came to the local area as the Cottonwood County Extension Agent. On September 16, 1943, Estella was united in marriage to Henry Peter Franz at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Grove Lake. They made their home and farmed together north of Bingham Lake, MN. Following their marriage, Estella accepted a position teaching Home Economics at the Mountain Lake High School, where she remained until teaching for a partial year in Jeffers, MN and retiring in 1973. She was a member of Immanuel Mennonite Church in Delft, MN and active in Mission Society there. She enjoyed gardening, was an active member of the local garden club, served for two years as District President of the horticultural association, and was a certified floral judge. She also enjoyed baking, helping on the farm, judging at local fairs, and being with her grandchildren. Education was a very important part of Estella's life. She endured the difficulties of receiving advanced degrees through the depression with hard work and help from local friends. In 1954, Estella and Henry had the opportunity to travel to Cuba and Mexico City to visit relatives. Through the years they hosted many foreign exchange workers from around the world on their farm. Estella died on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake, and in keeping with her love of education, her body was donated to the University of Minnesota Medical School. Estella is survived by her husband, Henry Franz of Bingham Lake, MN; 2 sons, Dean (Pam) Franz of Northfield, MN and Jay (Marilyn) Franz of Windom, MN; a daughter-in-law, Joann (Eldin) Classen of Bingham Lake; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Elva (Phil) Landgraf of Starbuck, MN; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Dennis Franz; 2 sisters, Olive Thompson and Idela Moyer; and a brother, Faye Cook. Estella's family is designating memorials to a scholarship fund for local students