Edna Johannah Franklund's Obituary
Edna Johannah Franklund was a woman whose life quietly shaped generations through steadfast love, creativity, faith, and an enduring sense of home.
Born on April 1, 1940, in Dickinson, North Dakota, Edna was the daughter of Dorothy Barlow and Andrew Staudt. She was preceded in birth by an unnamed sister who died at birth from spina bifida and grew up alongside her older brother, John Staudt, who was two years her senior. Her early years were lovingly guided by her Uncle and Aunt, Evert and Nettie Nelson, and her grandmother, Hannah Luthander Barlow—strong, faithful people who instilled in her resilience, humility, and deep roots in family and place.
Edna carried a lifelong love for the wide-open North Dakota landscape—the rolling plains, endless skies, and quiet beauty that shaped her character. No matter where life took her, North Dakota always remained “home” in her heart.
She attended Washburn High School, graduating in 1958. A gifted musician, Edna played the clarinet and maintained a lifelong appreciation for music, especially the comforting melodies of Lawrence Welk and the heartfelt voices of Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers.
On May 23, 1959, Edna married the love of her life, John “Paul” Franklund. Together, they immediately embarked on the great adventure of military life as a young Air Force family. Their journey took them from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, where their first two children were born. The family later moved overseas to Seville, Spain, where their second son was born.
Returning to the United States, Edna and Paul settled again outside of Minot AFB before eventually putting down permanent roots in Farmers Branch, Texas, in 1967 where their youngest daughter was born. There, they purchased the family home on Onyx Lane—a place Edna transformed into a true sanctuary. It was in that home that holidays were magical, Christmas decorations abundant, and every room reflected warmth, care, and welcome.
Edna served faithfully for many years as the church secretary at St. Paul Lutheran Church, where her quiet diligence and kind spirit touched countless lives. Her faith was lived out not loudly, but consistently—through service, hospitality, and love.
She found joy in sewing, reading, crafting, gardening, decorating, and attending craft fairs. She loved traveling to Alaska and Hawaii, celebrating her Swedish heritage, desserts, sipping old-fashioned chocolate sodas or red wine, and watching John Wayne movies. She treasured conversations with neighbors—especially those lawn-chair circles of the 1970s that turned ordinary evenings into lasting friendships. Edna had a strong sense of who she was: she did not care for cats, high fashion, or fish—and she was perfectly content that way.
Edna is survived by her beloved children:
• Evert Franklund (Giang) of Farmers Branch, Texas
• Noretta Isaacs of Fairbanks, Alaska
• Karl Franklund (Sharon) of Flower Mound, Texas
• Laura Gossel (Don) of New Straitsville, Ohio
She is also survived by six cherished grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, each a testament to the life and love she poured so generously into her family.
Edna Johannah Franklund will be remembered as a woman who made houses into homes, neighbors into friends, and ordinary days into treasured memories. Her legacy lives on in the traditions she passed down, the faith she modeled, and the quiet strength of the prairie spirit she carried with her all her life.
The celebration visitation for the life of Edna will be held at Restland on Greenville Ave. in Dallas, Thursday, Jan 8th, 4-7 pm.
Funeral services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church on Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, Friday, Jan 9th, 10 am, followed by graveside services at Restland, 11:30 am.
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