Obituary: Ronald "Ron" Frank

Ronald "Ron" Frank, 65, died unexpectedly Dec. 21, 2022, of natural causes. He was born on Nov. 7, 1957, to Edith and Harold Frank at Cloquet Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, the seventh of what would eventually be a family of 10 children. Ron was a member of the Cloquet class of 1976. He attended Hennepin Technical College from 1978 through 1980, where he studied computer programming. Ron held several jobs, including working at USG, and most recently at Black Bear Casino, where he was a reliable and conscientious worker at the buffet.

Some of the highlights of his young adult years included taking a trip to Milwaukee with his sister Veronica ("Vickie") in a 1956 Chevy to see David Bowie, driving his GTO, going on fishing trips to Canada with his brother Harold ("Eddy") and his cousin Carl, and attending Elton John concerts with his brother-in-law Rick and sister Vickie. Elton John was his favorite musician and "Rocket Man" his favorite song. Tooling around town in his GTO, playing Elton John's "Rocket Man" on his 8-track as loudly as he could get by with was a favorite pastime.

Later in life, he loved traveling and was lucky to travel several times to Mexico, where he met and made friends that he kept in touch with over the years. He took several camping and fishing trips with his brother Eddy. He often came home with delicious trout. Ron was a devoted son to his mother, and took care of her in her last years. He was also a wonderful brother to his sister Roma, helping her as she homesteaded the family land in Wrenshall.

Although he never married or had children, Ron loved children and played a very important role in the lives of his nieces and nephews. They will forever miss his sense of humor, his fun teasing, his life skills lessons and unconditional love.

Ron is survived by his brother Harold (Margaret) Frank Jr .; his sisters Jeanne (Armond) Schake, Roma Zacharopulos, Veronica (Rick) Bong and Robbon Smith; and many sad and heartbroken nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Frank Sr .; mother, Edith Frank; sisters Kathleen Ryan, Karon Fyten and Carol Ebrahim; and brother Billy Dean Frank. We will miss you on your timeless flight, Rocket Man.

There will be a memorial service in his honor at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, followed by a light luncheon, in the Northwoods meeting hall of the Cloquet Public Library, 320 14th St. in Cloquet.

Pine Knot News, Jan. 6, 2023