Velma Stella (Chighazola) Frank, age 94, of Carroll, IA passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab of Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 A.M. on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at St. Lawrence Church with Fr. Patrick Behm as Celebrant. Lector for the Mass will be Erin Taylor. Eucharistic Minister will be David Meyers. Gift bearers will be Velma’s great-grandchildren: Olivia, Andersen, Paisley, and Owen. Casket bearers will be Velma’s grandchildren: Marc Rizzo, Nathan Rizzo, Scott Frank, and Sean Frank. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
A Rosary will be prayed at St. Lawrence Church at 9:15 A.M. on Thursday. Visitation will follow the Rosary from 9:30 – 10:45 A.M. prior to the Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Velma, (Chighazola) was born on January 31, 1930, in Grand Isle, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Felicie Guidry and Joseph Clinton Chighazola and sister to Jesse Chighazola and Steven Wagner. Velma moved to New Orleans when she was 12 years old and graduated from high school in 1948. She went on to work for Southern Bell Telephone Company in Corpus Christi, Texas. On June 16, 1953, she married Robert E. Frank at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, moved to Sunspot, New Mexico where Robert Frank was stationed with the United States Air Force and upon honorable discharge of his service, moved to Carroll Iowa in April 1955.
Both Robert and Velma owned and operated local family businesses, Joe P. Frank & Son Plumbing and Heating and The Bath Shoppe.
Velma was a devoted parishioner of St. Lawrence Church. She was involved and enjoyed her bridge club, church and children’s participation in sports and school activities.
Velma is survived by her children and their families: Son, David (Linda Gradoville) of Carroll, daughter, Anne Donovan (L.T. Donovan, MD) of Naples FL, and daughter, Kay Frank, (Robert Nicholas, JR.) Syracuse, New York. She has seven grandchildren, Sean Frank, Scott Frank, Marc Rizzo, Nathan Rizzo, Erin Taylor, Danielle Galasso, and Joseph Mevec. Eight great grandchildren, Olivia, Andersen, Paisley, Owen, Caroline, Andrew, Mila and Izabella.
Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Frank (2019), sister-in-law, Sister Mary Rose Frank (2024), brother, Jesse Chighazola, step-brother, Steven Wagner and her parents, Felicie Guidry and Joseph Chighazola.