PRATT — Franklin A. Rose, 90, passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. He was born on Jan. 30, 1934 in rural Greensburg to Albert Dirk and Pauline (Bottoms) Rose. Franklin married Theda Allene (Howell) Rose on July 12, 1953 in Mullinville. She preceded him in death on Nov. 5, 2016.

Franklin was a member of Boy Scouts and Upward Strivers 4-H club. He graduated from Mullinville High School in 1952. He served in the United States Army where he was stationed at Fort Bliss for basic training. He then went to Fairbanks, Alaska where he was attached to Eilson Air Force Base as a Radar Site Analyst. He earned his double Bachelors Degree in Science Biology/Agriculture from Fort Hays State University. Franklin farmed and helped his dad build his parents new home in Greensburg. He taught middle school science in Great Bend for nearly 20 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Greensburg, Kiowa County Historical Society, Round Barn Board, American Legion and Kiowa County Development Group. He enjoyed collecting Indian artifacts, antiques and attending Hamm Auctions.

He is survived by his children, Karla (Dennis) Hitz of Manhattan and John (Desree) Rose of Mullinville; sister, Meredith Rose of LaCrosse; grandchildren, Christopher Degenhardt, Tyler (Daree) Rose, Michlynn (Austin) St. John, Nicole (Thomas) Cooper and Kaden Hitz; 12 great-grandchildren; and his favorite nieces, Twyla, Vanessa, Kathy, Peggy, Barbara, Linda, Marla, Anne Marie and Jolynn. Franklin is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Theda Allene (Howell) Rose; sons, Steven Rose and David Rose; daughter in-law, Kay Rose; siblings, Violet Preston, Gilbert Rose, Irene McFarland and Ethel Thompson.

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5-7 at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at First United Methodist Church, Pratt with Reverend Tim Bevers and John Hamm presiding. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fort Hays State University or Pratt First United Methodist Church in care of Larrison Mortuary. Online condolences may be made at www.larrisonmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Larrison Mortuary

300 Country Club Rd. 

Pratt, KS 67124

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 8, 2024