Carolyn Marie (Blevins) Francke

Carolyn Marie (Blevins) Francke

On April 2, 2015 we lost our loving family member, Carolyn M. Francke. She is now with her parents and her granddaughter Emily M. Lambright. Mom was born on April 17, 1942 in Camas, Washington to James Earl Blevins and Edith Marie Blevins (Stringer). They lived in Pocatello and Boise, before purchasing a ranch on Mann’s Creek outside of Weiser, Idaho. She graduated from Weiser High School in 1959 and then attended and graduated from Links School of Business. 

Carolyn married John G. Hollenberg in 1961 and they moved to Petaluma, CA where John was enlisted in the army. They had one child from that union, Michelle (Shelly) R. Lambright. They were subsequently divorced and Carolyn returned to Boise, ID where she began her career in accounting at KIDO Radio. She became the financial director for the Republican Headquarters for the State of Idaho and eventually a postal carrier for the Eagle Post Office. While Carolyn worked at KIDO radio she met and married Lee Johnson. They were happily married until January of 1992, when Lee passed away. 

Mom became reacquainted with her high school friend, Darrel Francke, whom she later married in December of 1992. Once she married Darrel, she sold her home in Boise and moved to Jordan Valley, OR where he resided. Like any small town, it was difficult to make friends but Mom persisted and became very good friends with several people in Jordan Valley, in particular Opal Ackerman. 

She would not have traded time with Darrel in Jordan Valley for anything. Mom was always telling us of deer and other wild critters which would show up in the yard at night. She loved the rural, small town atmosphere and it reminded her of her childhood, growing up in the country. Mom enjoyed all aspects of the outdoors to include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and bow shooting. If Mom was not outside enjoying nature, she would be curled up reading a novel, completing a crossword puzzle or trying to beat Darrel at cards. 

Mom and Darrel temporarily moved to Peck, ID in 2002 to provide hospice care for her stepfather, James E. McCormick. Darrel would make small trips back home to Jordan Valley to check on their home but Mom never left Peck and continued to stay until grandma, her Mom, Edith M. McCormick, passed away in 2003. She treasured her time with her Mom. 

Mom is survived by her daughter, Michelle Lambright and son-in-law, Ralph Lambright of Middleton, ID; her two granddaughters, Jessica and Julianna Lambright of Middleton, ID; her sister, Janice Keithly of Eagle, ID; step sister, Olivia Geidt of Lewiston, ID; step brother, Richard McCormick of Lenore, ID; nephew, Travis Keithly of Midvale, ID; stepchildren, Sharon Cuslidge, Tammy Jo Slagle, Terri Lynn Stolz, Phillip Darnell Francke and Darrel Dudley Francke, various step-grandchildren and many wonderful cousins. 

Mom’s quiet and loving nature will be missed by all. We will especially miss her willingness to hear us tell her about our day (good or bad) and her special ability to never give advice but gently encourage us to make our own decisions. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her. 

Funeral Services for Carolyn will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell. Viewing will be one hour prior to service, at 12:00 PM.

From Lois Hill Titus