NAPA - Veronica “Vera” Marie Franck, 83, of Napa, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center, following a lengthy illness.

Born Aug. 16, 1926, in Osceola, Neb., she was the daughter of the late Andrew Joseph and Catherine Hemmer Hiermeier. She married Gustav “Gus” Joseph Franck on Dec. 7, 1944, and the couple made their home in Napa in 1955. Vera was a loving mother and grandmother and enjoyed growing her own vegetables, especially her prized tomatoes. She was an avid shopper and was always ready to go to the track and bet on the grey! She and Gus were married in South Dakota and Vera often returned to the Black Hills for visits.

Vera was preceded in death by her infant daughter Roxi, and by her beloved husband Gus in 1997. She is survived by her five sons: G. Joseph Franck and his wife Marie, Daniel P. Franck, David Franck and his wife Karen, Marty R. Franck and Randal Franck; brother Melvin Hiermeier; three sisters: Cecelia Giometti, Monica Rogers and Rosella Tholberg; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with the Reverend Monsignor Gerard Brady, pastor of the church, celebrant. Private committal will be at a later date in the Pringle Cemetery, Custer County, S.D.

The family asks that memorials be made to the church or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel is serving the family of Mrs. Franck and friends may relay condolences online at www.treadwayandwiggerfuneralchapel.com.