NANCY JO FRANEK

Nancy Jo Franek, 79, of Simla, Colo. passed away Friday, April 14, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colo. after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

She was born April 4, 1944 at the family homestead south of Hugo, Colo. to Ernest Albert Nall and AnnaLea Bowles Nall. Nancy was raised on the homestead south of Hugo and attended school in Hugo, Colo. In her youth, Nancy enjoyed attending the local dances, helping her parents on the farm, knitting and crocheting with her mom.

During her high school years, Nancy was honored to be the President of the Student Council (1959), Secretary of the Student Council (1961), and Royalty “Miss Junior” (1961). She was also a member of the National Honor Society (1961, 1962), Pep Club (1959, 1962). Also, during her high school years, she was a member of the school chorus (1960, 1961 & 1962), worked with the Buccaneer school newspaper and helped in the library. Nancy graduated as Valedictorian from Hugo High School in 1962 and in that same year was also the recipient of the Student of the Year scholarship.

After high school, Nancy attended Lamar Community College for a short time before returning to Hugo to marry the love of her life Anthony “Tony” Franek, on June 23, 1963. To this union her beloved children were born – Michael, Mathew and Michele. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Simla, Colo. She remained a resident of Simla until shortly before her death.

Nancy enjoyed numerous activities such as crocheting blankets for each one of her grandchildren, working in her garden, and spending time with family and friends. She was also a member of a bowling league in Limon, Colo. which she enjoyed doing alongside Tony. Nancy also enjoyed the yearly family vacations to Silverthorne, Colo. as she always referred to the Colorado mountains as her “home away from home.” During these family vacations, she

enjoyed hiking, fishing, and taking in the peaceful scenery of the mountains.

Nancy’s greatest love was for her children and grandchildren. She spent as much time as possible with each of them while they were growing up. Her brother even said that “she put a million miles on her cars” attending numerous sporting and school events that they were involved in. This wasn’t a new passion of hers, as she did the same with her own children when they were growing up.

After retirement Nancy enjoyed being beside her siblings traveling and sightseeing. She continued to be highly involved with her children and grandchildren as well.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and AnnaLea Nall; her husband of 29 years Anthony “Tony” Franek; her mother-in-law Pauline Franek; brothers-in-law Andy Franek, Thomas Franek, John Franek, and Bill Franek; and her sister-in-law Marjorie Martinez.

Nancy is survived by her three children: Michael (Kathy) Franek of Elbert, Colo., Mathew Franek of Calhan, Colo., Michele (Nate Hume) Franek of Colorado Springs, Colo. Her siblings Dennis (JoAn) Nall of Fairplay, Colo., Shirley Study of Gillette, Wyo., and Jim (Deanna) Nall of Hugo, Colo. Her grandchildren Josh Franek of Calhan, Colo., Anthony Quinn Franek of Simla, Colo., Mikayla Franek of Aurora, Colo., Logan Franek (Fiancé Blake Nicholas) of Urbana, Ill., Reilly Franek of Colorado Springs, Colo., Hannah Schwartz of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Dalton Hume of Colorado Springs, Colo. She is also survived by two step grandchildren Bodie Hume of Boraschallen, Sweden and Chase Hume of Scottsbluff, Neb. Nancy also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and good friends.

A visitation will be held at Love Funeral Home in Limon, Colo. on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 5-7 p.m.. Funeral services will be held at Matheson Community Bible Church in Matheson, Colo. on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 10 a.m. with Chad Thieman officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at Simla Cemetery after the funeral services. The family wishes to extend their invitation to a luncheon at the church immediately following the graveside service.