Obituary of Donald Lee Franek

Donald Lee Franek, 59, of Kersey, passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on December 6, 2023 at NCMC in Greeley.  He was born October 25, 1964 in Hugo, CO to John Andrew and Evelyn Gayle (Eaton) Franek where he grew up.  Don was very active in all sports as a youth and graduated from Hugo High School in 1983. 

He met Vicki Eastin Mekelburg while they were both working at Monfort Transportation in Greeley.  They married in 1996 in Greeley. 

Don was an over the road owner-operator truck driver for Monfort Transportation driving his ‘Big Smoke’ and  ‘Bare Necessities’ trucks many miles coast to coast, primarily the east coast.  After leaving Monfort, Don worked independently for a number of years before choosing to sell his equipment for a job that allowed him to be home every night to be more involved in his children’s lives. Don then started his career with Schmeeckle Bros. Construction where he worked in many capacities: crane rigger, crane operator, most recently, Warehouse Manager but mostly as the go-to for anything anyone needed.  Don loved sharing his trucking travels with his family, taking his children and nephews on trips with him when they were young.  Don coached youth and Middle School football as well as helping with high school football for Platte Valley in Kersey for many years.  He loved all sports, especially those his children and grandchildren participated in. Don also enjoyed spending time with his extended family at Empire Lake each summer. 

Don had a rough exterior but was a softie on the inside.  No one was a stranger to him, he ‘adopted’ all of his children’s friends as his own and became a second ‘papa’ to anyone that would let him.  He loved using his tractor to plow snow for the neighborhood, was meticulous about his yard and was a general ‘fixer upper’ of anything in need. 

Don was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. 

Those having been blessed to share his life are his wife, Vicki, children; Hilary Law, Tate Mekelburg and fiancé Sarah Kawata and Eastin Franek, three grandchildren; Brooks, Scout and Ainsley Law, his mother, Gayle Franek, siblings; Lou Ellen (Leon) Zarembski , J.D. Franek, Kenny (Mary) Franek, mother-in-law, Irene Eastin, two sisters-in-law; Linda (Steve) Hart and Karen (Gary) Evans, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. 

He was preceded in death by his father, John Franek and father-in-law, Dallas Eastin. 

A visitation for Don will be held from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Adamson Life Celebration Home.  Don’s Life Celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with a luncheon to follow.  Interment 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Eaton Cemetery.  Memorial gifts may be made to “Kersey Cougars Youth Football” in care of Adamson, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.