Lydia Fransk

Lydia Fransk, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025. She was 80 years old. Lydia was an accomplished educator and administrator at many local schools within School District 11 in the Colorado Springs area. She was firmly devoted to her family, friends and church community. She loved to read, travel and work on projects, such as cross stich and diamond art. Lydia had an infectious smile and laugh that was always welcoming to everyone she was around. With a constant positive attitude and demeanor, Lydia never met an obstacle she couldn’t overcome. Lydia was truly a gift to us all.

Lydia was born July 9th, 1945 in Hibbing, Minnesota to parents, Melvina (Mel) and Anthony (Tony) Berklacich. Lydia was one of six children to Mel and Tony. She is preceded by death by her brothers, John Berklacich and Frank Berklacich, and sister Mary Alice Berklacich. She is survived by her sisters, Rosemary Trudeau and Judy Wojtaszek. Lydia’s parents relocated to River Forest, Illinois early into Lydia’s life. Lydia graduated from Trinity High School in River Forest in 1963.

In 1964, Lydia enrolled to the College at Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Math in 1967. While in Lydia’s senior year of College at Saint Scholastica, Lydia met Theodore “Buzz” Fransk. They were married June 22, 1968 in Duluth, Minnesota. Together, they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1967, finally settling to Black Forest, Colorado in 1972.

Lydia’s passion for education and teaching led her to her first teaching position at Horace Mann Middle School where she was a math teacher from 1967 to 1975. She then transitioned to Irving Middle School to teach math in 1975 where she served multiple roles there, including being the assistant principal until 1982. From 1982 to 1986, Lydia served as a math teacher and Coordinator of Activities at Sabin Middle School. Lydia felt a calling for high school education and served as a math teacher at Doherty High School from 1986 to 1990. During her tenure at Doherty is where Lydia sharpened her skills in administration, earning her Master’s of Education and becoming an acting assistant principal of that school. In 1990, Lydia was promoted to Assistant Principal at West Middle School for two years. Lydia’s teaching and administrative career culminated at Russell Middle School from 1992 through 1998 where she served as Assistant Principal and Acting Principal before retiring in 1998.

Following her career in teaching and administration, Lydia loved to travel. This love led to her becoming a travel agent as she enjoyed planning and educating others on travel plans. She adored her family, especially her grandchildren and made certain she visited with them many times throughout the years. Lydia treasured her time with her sisters-in-law, Claudia Gannucci, Kathy Jazdzewski, and Peggy Jugasek of Proctor, Minnesota.

Lydia is survived by her husband Theodore “Buzz” Fransk, her two sons, Scot (wife Angie) and Sean (wife Christina) and two grandchildren, McKenna and Beckett of Scot and Angie.

Services will be held on Saturday September 20th, 2025 at 11:00am at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church located at 11020 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80908. Livestreaming of the service can be accessed at https://ourladyofthepines.org.

The Fransk Family would like to thank the support of so many in the community and beyond.