Wendi Franke

Wendi Franke, 49, of La Crescent, MN, chose to end her life on this earth Sunday, April 24, 2022, at her home. She was born in Lansing, MI, on September 25, 1972, the daughter of Gary & Bonnie (Pflughoeft) Franke.

Wendi was a respected professional, employed as a real estate agent for Gerrard Hoeschler for more than 20 years. She was seen as dedicated and hardworking, winning many awards over the years. She left an immeasurable impression on every soul she touched, she built lifelong friendships with her clients and her associates. When not working, she could be found head banging to Metallica, singing at the top of her lungs, or dancing to “Jessie’s Girl.” She loved to shop, collect shoes and laugh at the silliest of things with her family and friends. She was the lover of all animals. You could catch her with her “Sushi Club Girls” enjoying her favorite food and making memories with her friends.

She was also a selfless and accomplished single mother whose ultimate desire was to give her daughter, Shaylyn, all that she never had in her life. Shaylyn was her entire world and made her the most proud.

Wendi also had a beautiful smile that would light up a room. Little did any of us know she would not save enough of that light for herself in the end. To lose Wendi in this manner is unimaginable, and it is very difficult to accept.

She is survived by her daughter: Shaylyn (Josh Goldbeck) Franke of Onalaska WI; her mom and best friend, Bonnie Pflughoeft of Winona, MN; her dad, Gary (Mary) Franke of La Crosse; sisters, Vicki (Joe) Baumgartner of Dakota, MN, Rebecca (Nana) Franke-Nyame-Essilfie and Eliza Franke, La Crosse; nephew, Anthony (Kayla Kamrowski) Baumgartner; niece, Adriel Nyame-Essilfie; many uncles and aunts, including one great-uncle and two great-aunts; many cousins, and, of course, her rescue baby Blu.

She was preceded in death by Michael Frohock; her maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Shirley Pflughoeft; her paternal grandparents, Betty and James Pawlowski; her aunt Barbara Kulas, and her fiancé, Jim Suarez.

We will draw strength from her faith in us all to carry on. We will heal, we will laugh, we will cry, we will thrive and we will never forget. Please remember to show kindness and, more importantly, to listen and to hear without judgment involving mental health.

Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home at 200 West Ave. S. in La Crosse. Friends may call on the family Thursday from 4 p.m. until the time of services. You are welcome to join the family for burial Friday morning at 11 a.m. in Bush Cemetery, Ridgeway, MN.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Leash on Life dog rescue or the National Alliance on Mental Illness “NAMI” (La Crosse County).