Zechariah David Franck

Zechariah David Franck, beloved 3 year old son of Robert and Gayle Franck, was finally released from the multiple heart and lung problems he was born with and given the ability to run to his Lord Jesus Christ on September 8, 2024, passing out of this cross-shaped life of suffering into eternity to be made new and whole, as his Creator ultimately intended. He was born Zechariah Leroy Aleman on April 24, 2021, at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. After several surgeries, he entered the earthly care of the Franck family as a foster child on July 29, 2021. Nearly dying after a surgery on January 5, 2022, he was baptized into Jesus Christ and the Christian faith and was made a child of God, making all the difference in the world for Zechariah, whose name means, “The Lord Remembers.”

 He loved being with his family and in church, listening to the organ music as his sisters practiced, and he loved the outdoors, especially throwing rocks into Lake Superior, and resenting the constant oxygen tubing that tried to hold him back. He thoroughly enjoyed many Disney characters, including Moana, Winnie the Pooh, and Cars. His joy in life was enthusiastic.

 Following a surgery in August, 2023, Zechariah had multiple complications that again nearly ended his life and hospitalized him for over seven months, but the highlight of that stay was being adopted on November 1, 2023, (over zoom) into the Franck family that had cared for him for over two years and receiving his new name. He will be deeply and fondly remembered by those he leaves behind for a while: his mom and dad; his brothers and sisters, especially Elizabeth and Rachel, who never let him spend a day in the hospital alone and whose constant love and attention extended his life in this world, also Grace, Mercy, Lydia, Joshua, Abigail, Jacob, Rebekah (Phil), Hannah (Sam), and Jonathan (Shaina); his biological mom Shawnee; biological brothers and sisters Karter, Kendahl, Bella, and Kaidin; his grandma and grandpa, Jim and Phyllis; his aunts and uncles and niece and nephews, and many friends from church, from the hospital, and from New Hope. Visitation at Dougherty Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 10, 5-7 p.m. (with a short service at 6:30) and continuing at 10 a.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2012 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55812 on Wednesday, September 11, with the funeral service at 11 a.m. and brunch to follow. Memorials may be made to Mount Olive Lutheran Church or New Hope for Families, and may be directed to Mount Olive.

 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Ps 116:15.

Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall [certainly not] die [forever].’ John 11:25–26.

 Zechariah's slideshow can be viewed by scanning the QR code shown below or typing into your browser the following link. 

https://youtu.be/xvqq1e53Ucg