Serena Franken

A live-stream of Serena's service may be viewed on the church's webpage: https://www.arcluverne.org/watch-live/

SERENA SUE FRANKEN was born on October 8, 1984 to Bryon and Kristi (Laackmann) Franken at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne, Minnesota. She was baptized in November 1984 at the Luverne United Methodist Church. Serena was raised in town and attended school. In school, she played basketball, was a cheerleader for the football team and was part of the track and field team where she set a record in shot put. Outside of school, she enjoyed hanging out with friends and worked at JJ’s Tasty Drive-In. Serena graduated from Luverne High School in 2003. She then moved to the Twin Cities and attended the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sociology in 2007. She began working and attending school at the Carlson School of Business where she later received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Following her education, Serena made her home in Chaska, Minnesota, and worked a couple of jobs before accepting a job at C.H. Robinson where she worked as a customs broker. Serena was married in October 2019 and later divorced. In February 2021, she returned to Luverne and worked remotely for a short time. On Thursday, January 19, 2023, Serena left this earthly home while surrounded by her family at the Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 38 years, three months and eleven days.

Serena enjoyed cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Gophers, New York Yankees, and Duke University basketball. She loved her pitbull, Charles, and taking him for walks, and hanging out with friends. She liked watching movies on all streaming services, bowling, singing car karaoke, ice-skating, spending time by the water and following her favorite basketball player, Charles Barkley. She had an energetic spirit, loved her Dad jokes humor and having play-by-play discussions with her Dad while watching sports.

Serena is lovingly remembered by her parents, Bryon and Kristi Franken of Luverne; sister, Carissa Franken-Spaar (Jason Spaar) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandfather, Marvin Laackmann (Carol Girmaldo) of Luverne; aunts, uncles, and cousins; her dog, Charles; numerous friends; and very special friend, Steven Esselink. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Howard and Wilma Franken; maternal grandmother, Doris Laackmann; four cousins, Beth Hoyme, Casey Bonhorst, Becky Crane and Matthew Franken; and best friend, Jessica Kontz.

Memorials may be directed to the Sioux Empire Pit Bull Rescue or the Child's Remembrance Garden in Luverne.