Verda Louise (Carper) Franklin of Smith Center passed into the loving arms of her Savior on February 25, 2023. She was born March 25, 1931, to God fearing parents, Edward Paul and Esther (Noble) Carper on their farm north of Lebanon, Kansas. She was the seventh of eight children so learned early the value of family relationships and hard work. Verda attended Red Country grade school and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1949.
On September 4, 1949, she married James Franklin. To this union, four children were born: Ken, Dale, Shirley, and Judy. Verda was a farm wife and homemaker. Her hobbies included Bible study, sewing, quilting, embroidery, reading, and more Bible study.
She was preceded in death by husband Jim in 2008, siblings and their spouses Gerald (Elsie) Carper, Edna (Ernie) Kattenberg, Don (Lorene) Carper, Delbert (Lois) Carper, Mary (Wayne) Kiefer, Ivan (Norma) Carper, brother-in-law Bill Frankin, and sister-in-laws Shirley Carper and Joan McElfresh.
She is survived by children Ken (Sondra) Franklin, Dale (Kathy) Franklin, Shirley (Randy) Merritt, and Judy (Daniel) Deaver. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Laci (Ben) Schrant, Erik (fiancé, Kathy Vrbas) Franklin, Tiffany (Ryan) Rietzke, John (Jennie) Franklin, Clint (Sara) Merritt, Jennifer (Brent) Karnatz, April (Eric) Kientz, Kelsey (Jeremy) Myers, Danielle (Jeremy) Casey, Drew Deaver and Alex Deaver; 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. Also surviving, her brother Owen, brother-in-law Don McElfresh, sister-in-law Aldean Franklin, many nieces and nephews, and numerous friends.
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