Dr. Frank Linn

SHEFFIELD - Dr. Frank Linn, 93, longtime Sheffield veterinarian, died Friday (June 10, 2005) at the Sheffield Care Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church Sheffield with the Rev. R. Karl Watkins presiding. Military honors will be provided by Harlow Ray Massee Post No. 277 American Legion. Interment will be at a later date at Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.

His family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m today at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield.

Franklin John Linn was born November 9, 1911, near Shelby, Iowa, a son of Franklin Bryce and Hannah Elizabeth (Walker) Linn. He attended country school and graduated from Shelby High School. Frank then entered the School of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State College. While there he was a member of the varsity wrestling team and was named an All-American in 1937 and 1938. He also posed for the mural "The Development of Corn" which is still prominently displayed in the Ames Post Office.

On December 31, 1939, Frank was united in marriage with Ann Thorson at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Radcliffe, Iowa. They made their home in Sheffield, where Dr. Linn set up his veterinary practice.

In 1942 Dr. Linn was called up for the U.S. Army and as a captain served in the China, Burma, India Theater. His unit was charged with training the Chinese to fight against the Japanese. After the war, Frank returned to Sheffield, resumed his practice and worked to support Sheffield and the area.

Frank was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sheffield. He served his community as city council member, mayor and was recognized for 45 years on the Sheffield Fire Department.

He was Commander of American Legion Post No. 277 and active in the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine and Order of the Eastern Star. Frank also spent 11 years on the Executive Board of North Iowa Area Community College. Active in professional organizations he served as president of the Iowa Veterinary Medicine Society where he was a lifetime member and served as a member of the Iowa State Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Frank will be remembered for his great sense of humor and as one who loved a good joke. He was famous for his Halloween antics and helped transform the holiday in the community. He kept active as a woodworker, potter and rock collector.

He was a very determined man. After he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he set out to learn to ride a unicycle, just to show that he still could. As a true outdoorsman, he enjoyed all outdoor activities and there was nothing he couldn't do or didn't try. Even in his 80s he went to the Boundary Waters camping.

Of all the activities Dr. Linn was involved with, he enjoyed most the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dr. Linn is survived by his wife of 65 years: Ann; three children: Annette Linn, Englewood, Colo., Jim (Mary) Linn, Coralville, Rebecca "Becky" (Galen) Stahle, Deep Haven, Minn; four grandchildren: Katherine (Jeffrey) Brandel, Rebecca (Mark) Passavant, Galen James "Jamie" Stahle and fianceé, Katie Frederick, Langdon McKendrie Stahle; two great grandchildren: Elizabeth Zoe and Sean Leonard Brandel; sisters-in-law: Helen Linn, Grace Linn and Jane Linn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Linn is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Gladys Simon, Laura Linn and Fern Robinson; brothers: Harry, Dwight, Hugh, Jacob, Leslie, Samuel and Everett.



Published in the Globe Gazette from 6/11/2005 - 6/12/2005