Marilee Elizabeth Frankenberger

Marilee Elizabeth Mear was born May 30, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. She moved to Ft. Worth, Texas when she was 3 years old. She attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic School until her senior year in high school where she transferred and graduated from Pascall High School in 1952. After graduating, she went to work for the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

On June 26, 1954, she married airman Walter Frankenberger. As part of air force life, they were stationed in High Wycombe England, Fort Worth Texas, Tucson Arizona, and Ankara Turkey. Upon their return from Turkey after serving 21 years, they retired and moved to Aberdeen, SD. There they became small business owners of a ceramic shop for 15 years. Marilee was an instructor and artist. After selling their business, Marilee became the executive secretary for the Brown County chapter of the American Red Cross. She held this position for 20 years.

She always made time for the hobbies she loved: arts and crafts of all kinds, including ceramics, painting, knitting and crochet. She loved her family, traveling, dancing, playing darts, and participating in chili cook-offs, she was also known for her great baking skills. In 2010, Marilee and Walter moved to Ft. Collins, CO. Where Marilee continued to enjoy her love of line dancing, craft activities and card games. In 2019, Marilee moved back to Texas where she resided until her death on January 12, 2020.

Marilee was preceded in death by her parents, Marie Agnes Fritche Mear and Eli John Mear, and Walter Frankenberger, her husband of 58 years. Survivors include her son and two daughters, Lee (Laura) Frankenberger of Palm Coast FL, Suzanne (Bart) Palmer of Knoxville TN, and Tinika (Corey) Rosenbaum of Arlington TX, eight grandchildren: Timothy (Karen) Palmer, Brant (Ashley) Palmer, Eric (Courtney) Palmer, Michelle (Scott) Frankenberger Fletcher, Michael Frankenberger, Jason (Jillian) Rosenbaum, Kaitlyn (Bailey) Rosenbaum Graham, and Erin Rosenbaum, and ten great grandchildren: Julia, Sara, and Nathan Palmer, Avery and Addison Fletcher, Nolyn Frankenberger, William and Elizabeth Palmer, and Jack and Chloe Palmer. She is also survived by her sister, Yvonne Frisbie, and nieces, Jennifer Frisbie and Diep Le.

Burial will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Wounded Warrior Project.