"Frankee was my supervisor when I had a graduate assistantship at the ISU Alumni Association. She was the best boss I ever had. She taught me so much back then, and we kept in touch over the years after I moved away from Ames. She was a great lady, and I will miss seeing her whenever I visit Ames."
In loving memory of
Frankee Horn Oleson
October 17, 1948 - July 12, 2024
Frankee Horn Oleson, 75, of Ames, died on July 12, 2024, at the Green Hills Health Care Center, after she lost her battle with leukemia. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the ISU Alumni Center, 429 Alumni Lane, Ames, Iowa on August 15 at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and relatives two hours before the service. Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care in Ames is in charge of arrangements.
Frankee was born on October 17, 1948, in Chanute, Kansas. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 1969 with a degree in music (flute), and later did graduate work at Iowa State University (ISU). She married her college sweetheart, Jim Oleson, on August 2, 1969, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She and Jim lived north of Chicago (when Jim was with the Fifth Army band) and north of New York City (when Jim played with the USMA band at Westpoint) and moved to Ames in 1975, where they lived for nearly five decades.
Frankee was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota professional women's music fraternity, and P.E.O. Chapter KC in Ames.
Frankee's professional career began in teaching and ended in non-profit leadership. She taught music for ten years in Illinois, New York, and Iowa. She then joined the staff at Iowa State University's (ISU) Iowa State Center, and later worked in the ISU Alumni Association where her team substantially increased membership in alumni programs. She ended her career serving as President and CEO of the United Way of Story County from 2000 to 2010. The position was an excellent match for someone with Frankee's strong interests in philanthropy and community betterment. She spent her time identifying community concerns and issues, supporting educational initiatives, and consistently exceeding the targeted fund-raising goals for the annual LIVE UNITED campaigns.
Frankee was a dedicated community servant and one of the founders of the Story County Alliance for Philanthropy, an effort that promotes and celebrates philanthropy each year.
After retiring from her professional life in 2010, Frankee continued to work for community improvement through volunteer work with several organizations. These efforts included serving on the Mary Greeley Medical Center (MGMC) Foundation Board from 2012-2018 in the roles of Board chair and as a member of the Executive Committee. This service resulted in her receiving the MGMC Volunteer of the Year Award for leadership in 2019, where MGMC staff cited her great insight and advocacy as she helped to establish the Governance Committee, worked on strategic planning, supported donor relations, and much more.
Frankee loved Broadway, and she and Jim attended many shows while living in New York and after retiring. Additionally, they enjoyed and supported the arts and cultural activities in Ames, Cedar Falls, and Des Moines, and they performed together for many years with their own band, the Oleson Duo. They were also ardent fans of ISU Cyclone and UNI Panther athletics. The only conflict came when the two teams played each other, which resulted in Frankee wearing the UNI colors while cheering for the Cyclones.
Frankee devoted herself completely and passionately to everything she did, including showing up for her family and many friends during their life challenges and celebrating and honoring them in their triumphs. She will be deeply missed by the many persons whose lives she enriched.
Frankee is survived by her husband, Jim; sister, Beth Pechacek (Frank) of Council Bluffs; sister-in-law, Lavon Grover (Richard) of Omaha; sister-in-law, Linda Oleson of Pleasant Hill; nieces and nephews; and beloved cats Sunny and Penny. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Dorothy Horn, and niece Jill Pechacek.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Ames Animal Shelter, https://secure.usaepay.com/pay/4nkt6r3h4k6d6hn83/xNDAd0Gw or mail to Ames Animal Shelter, 515 Clark Ave., Ames, IA 50010. Greater Des Moines Community Foundation--directed to the Foundation for the Boone Area Humane Society. Address: 1915 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309. Please indicate that your memorial is in honor of Frankee Oleson.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"Frankee was a key part of creating the incredible support for many of the spirited endeavors in our community. We can never fully express our gratitude for her encouraging friendly effort to make a difference in so many lives for so long. Thank you, Frankee, for being the blessing you are in many of our hearts. Peace Ron & Dee Matthews "
"My condolences to you Jim and your family. I haven't been in touch with you and Frankee for a few years, but I so vividly remember her kindness and broad intelligence that just made it comfortable and enlightening to be around her. Please know my thoughts and Prayers are with you. Thanks for your friendship over the years. Randy Siders"
"I first met Frankee when she worked at Iowa State Center. She was always a smiling beacon in the day. Over the years, our paths crossed many times, usually at an arts event or performance. So difficult to think of her not being here. My condolences to her husband, Jim, as he forges his path without Frankee. So sad."
"I've known Frankee for quite a few years and she was one of the nicest, compassionate persons I've ever met, so sorry. Alan Talkington"
"I worked with Frankee at the Iowa State University Alumni Association. I was sorry to of her passing. Prays to you all. Joyce Hagley"
"Thinking of you Jim in the loss of Frankee. What a nice lady she was. Always friendly and had that nice smile. Keeping you and the family in my prayers."
"Frankee and Jim made beautiful music together, and my family and I had many additional connections with them-- kitties, October birthdays, many get-togethers, and a wonderful trip they made two years ago to visit in Oregon. I will miss Frankee's warmth, her gracious smile, her wise and caring attitude, always positive. I send loving thoughts to Jim and family members at this sad time. Frankee will live on in each of our hearts."
"Frankee was a great lady! I worked with her when I volunteered for United Way. She was a tireless worker! She wasn't an 8-5 kind of lady! Frankee was always pleasant, professional, and caring. Our condolences to Jim and her family, may she rest in peace Betty Baudler Horras & Chuck Horras"
"I am deeply saddened to learn of Frankee's passing. I knew Frankee mostly from her time with United Way of Story County as President and CEO. As the director of a United Way Partner agency, I had the opportunity to get to know her well over her 10 years in that role. She was smart, kind, understanding and supportive. Even though she represented a funder, Frankee saw and treated agency staff like colleagues. She was a great listener and a just a wonderfully kind person with the best smile. She will be greatly missed and I feel privileged that I got to know her. My deepest sympathies to Jim and all of her family and close friends. Kalen Petersen"
"It was never Jim or Frankee it was always Jim AND Frankee. We love them both and Frankee will be sorely missed by us all."
"Frankee and Jim. During our decades of friendship, you both enriched my life, Greg's life. Thank you. Frankee, I know you are at peace now, in a wonderful place. I suspect that Butch was fighting to be first in line to greet you. Jim, your loss is immeasurable. Never forget you have family and friends to listen, to help, to cheer you on during the coming years. Your friend, Peggy Fay"
"She was beautiful inside and out. She was a true Ames Treasure??"
"Frankee and Jim were the musical performers for my wife's doctoral graduation party in the Campanile room at ISU's Memorial Union in the late 1970's. She was so talented, friendly and had a wonderful voice. We know she will be missed by so many. Our hearts go out to Jim and her family."
"We knew Frankee through her father Frank Horn. We worked at the retirement community where he lived. He told us countless stories about her growing up as a child. She was an amazing person and she loved her cat's. It was a blessing to be able to know her through her father. Our deepest condolences to her family."