Remembering Craig Franken

Age 61, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Passed away on April 19, 2020

Franken was an employee at Smithfield Foods in Sioux Falls.(Photo: George Boom Funeral Home)

He celebrated his 40th work anniversary with the company last year and was planning to retire from the plant in a few years, according to the obituary.

Smithfield Foods is the epicenter of Sioux Falls' coronavirus outbreak, with more than 700 workers contracting the virus since late March. The outbreak drew national attention after it announced it would shut down for two weeks due to the outbreak.

Franken took pride in his work, but the true hallmark of his character was how much he loved his family, according to the obituary. He "would have done anything" for his two granddaughters, and his daughter was "his pride and joy."

Franken and his wife, Karen, would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary next week.

"The single most important description and salute for a person relates to the connection they have with family and those who love them," Franken's son-in-law, Bob Bohm, said in the obituary. "Craig was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and beloved friend to many people. He is loved and missed and will always have a place in our hearts."

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Franken was also an avid fan of Star Wars, the Oakland Raiders, rock and roll concerts and golfing, according to the obituary. He was known for throwing an annual Fourth of July party among friends and family. He was born in Madison and graduated from Washington High School in 1976.

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