Michael Edmund Franken

Michael Edmund Franken, 51, Roeland Park, KS. passed away at his home of a sudden heart attack on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. Mike was born June 5, 1963 in Tulsa, OK. He grew up in Indianapolis, IN and attended Pike Township Schools. In 1979 he and his family moved to Iowa City, IA and he graduated from West High School in 1981. Mike graduated from the University of Iowa, College of Business in 1986 and received his MBA from Rockhurst University in 1989. During his senior year in high school, Mike earned a bronze medal in Iowa's state wrestling tournament.

Mike married Jennifer Lamm in 1992 and they had two children, Nicholas and Kathryn, who were the light of his life.

A longtime resident of Kansas City, Mike held a diverse array of jobs ranging from golf ball retrieval to sales, before finding his niche in renovating apartment complexes for conversion to condominiums. His hobbies included golf, fishing, travel, sports (listening to the Royals on radio), Chiefs, Hawkeyes, and especially spending time with his children.

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, and infant sister, Katherine Franken. Survivors include his son, Nick Franken; daughter, Katie Franken both of Roeland Park, KS; parents, Tony and Penny Franken; brother, Ken Franken; sister, Jenny (Pat) Duffy; nephews, Tommy, Michael, and Charlie Duffy all of Iowa City, IA; mother of his children, Jennifer Lamm Franken, Roeland Park, KS; aunts and uncles, Betsy and Duane Evans, Andrea Moyer and Ray and Jane Vanderhook. Best father, son, brother and uncle a person could ask for. He will also be missed by Snickers, his dog.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at the St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson, Mission, KS 66202; cremation. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Thurs. at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Kathryn and Nicholas Franken Fund, c/o Bank of the West.