Franklin Edward Hollands

Franklin Hollands, 86, of Minnetonka, MN, sailed out of this world January 13, 2024, at Methodist Hospital from complications of PSP – Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. His love of family, and passions for sailing, steam and song continue to reverberate joy.

Born November 10,1937 in Fargo, ND, to Franklin Ralph and Muryel Ione Houglum Hollands, Frank grew up in Moorhead. Summers were spent at the family cabin in Detroit Lakes. At age 10 he was a designated driver for adult visitors and kids riding in the family’s Century speedboat. Next, he fell heir to the Burritt Beach neighbor Haakenstad’s sailboat “Snirpy” and a sailing passion was born. Sailing all day resulted in a great tan, as modern sunscreen didn’t exist.

Frank graduated from Moorhead High School in 1955, and from North Dakota State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. In the interest of supporting his parents business, Frank then completed a management course at the National Institute of Dry Cleaning in Silver Spring, MD, before moving to Minneapolis where he first applied his engineering talent at Honeywell Ordnance, and later at General Mills James Ford Bell Research Center.

In 1964 Frank and Judi Amoth were married at Trinity Church, and lived in Minneapolis until 1969 when they purchased Hollands Dry Cleaners from Frank’s parents and moved in over the “shop”. Moorhead was now home, the chosen place to start his family.

The cleaning business had steam, but there’s more at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, MN, every Labor Day weekend. Frank was a regular, packed up a tent and the kids and thoroughly enjoyed working the events – had to keep certified as an engineer.

Frank had an infectious smile, and was happy singing. He performed for 30 years with the FM Opera Company, sang with Master Chorale and in barbershop quartets. The Hollands kids – Todd, Sean and Meghann – went to more opera performances than most. Frank contributed even more to their appreciation of music through his acquaintance in the Moorhead Rotary Club with Dr. James Condell, Professor of Psychology at Moorhead State College and an accomplished musician. Frank requested, and Jim agreed, to teach classical guitar to each of the Hollands kids, who are about 5 years apart in age, so the time frame of lessons was extensive. Frank went to every lesson and took notes. The notebook survives as do the memories of a fantastic life opportunity.

The Rotary Club Youth Exchange Program also became part of the family lifestyle, and over the spread of years the kids were in high school we hosted 12 exchange students. Frank was song leader at the Tuesday Rotary Club meetings, and as a family we are still singing the songs of life learned in these international experiences.

1999 – 30 years later, Frank and Judi moved back to Minneapolis to be closer to their grown children and families. Frank joined Home Depot in the Computer department and knew all of the employee’s by name in the St. Louis Park store. Now with actual “vacation” time the foreign travel intrigue started. First stop was a spur of the moment decision to visit Singapore and Bangkok, because a last minute bargain surfaced. After 20 years of adventures, Paris remained Frank’s favorite city and the desire to return was always alive.

Frank was blessed with a spirited sense of humor, or as we call it, “Frankism’s”. He lived at Deephaven Woods Assisted Living his last year, just a few blocks from his home. At dinner Frank ordered chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup for dessert, only the request from him was for “C-squared”. At first puzzled, quite soon all the kitchen staff understood his ice cream request. Frank never complained about his accelerating PSP physical struggles. He embraced every day with a smile, and every evening with a good-night kiss. What a blessing!

Frank is survived by Judi, his wife of 59 years, children Todd (Kristi) of Deephaven, Sean (Kari) of Deephaven, Meghann (Chris) Jeffrey of Chicago; grandchildren Emma, Olivia, Aidan and Tanner, and sister Doroles (Merrill) Johnson of Scottsdale. Frank was preceeded in death by his daughter Tara Linnea, parents Ralph and Muryel, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the Celebration of Life at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.

In lieu of flowers, foundations Frank would want to support:

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy PSP Research

https://www.psp.org/iwanttohelp

 Fargo Moorhead Opera

https://wwwfmopera.org/donate-now

 Master Chorale of Fargo Moorhead

https://app.givingheartsday.org/#/charity/817

 WMSTR

www.areafoundation.org

https://rollag.com/endowment/