Helen J. Franks

Helen (Hannahs) Franks March 19, 1917-August 29, 2014 Helen (Hannahs) Franks passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2014 at the age of 97. Helen was born on March 19, 1917 to John and Margaret Kries in Genesee, Idaho. She spent her childhood there with her five siblings before moving to Lewiston to become a registered nurse. She married Walter (Sonny) Hannahs in 1938 and began raising her family of five children. Helen and Sonny lived in Soap Lake and Spokane before settling in Waterville, where they lived until 1966. She worked at the Waterville Hospital during that time and is still remembered by many for the care she gave. In 1966, Helen and Sonny relocated to Lind, WA where she worked nights at Ritzville Memorial Hospital. Sonny died in 1976, and Helen continued working and raising her youngest children in Lind. Helen met Ed Franks and they were married in 1979 and lived in Ritzville. They took many trips and spent lots of time fishing, especially after their retirement. Helen and Ed moved to Spokane in 1999 and lived there for several years before Ed passed away. At that time, Helen moved back to the Waterville area where she spent the remainder of her years close to her family. Helen will be remembered for her kindness and caring, always finding time to help others. She took great pride in her work as a nurse and will be missed by many. She loved fishing, traveling, spending time with friends and watching her grandchildren grow. She was truly loved and will be missed. Helen's family would like to thank Wanda, Dondis, and Liesa for the kind and compassionate care they provided Helen during the last months of her life. She was truly loved and treated like family in their care. Helen was preceded in death by her husbands, Walter Hannahs and Edward Franks; her son, Daniel Hannahs; and grandchildren, Debbie Hannahs and Rusty Elliott. She is survived by her children, Mary Ann (Vince) Burke of Waterville; Linda Elliott of Redmond, OR; David (Kathy) Hannahs of Albany, OR; Dennis Hannahs of Albany, OR; a stepson, Cliff (Virginia) Franks of Deer Meadows, WA; and a stepdaughter, Janet (Gary) Anderson of Spokane, WA. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Dorothy Huffman of Lewiston, ID; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A Viewing will be held Friday, Spetember 5 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Waterville Funeral Home. This will be followed by a Rosary at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Waterville at 7:00 pm. Helen's funeral will also be held at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Waterville on Saturday, September 6 at 11:00 am. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Waterville Funeral Home.

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Helen J. Franks

March 19, 1917 - August 29, 2014