Franklin John Rabold

Franklin John Rabold, 87, of Grand Marais, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, June 9th at the Silver Bay Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay, MN.

He was born December 23, 1938 to Dagney Jacobsen in Portland, OR and at a young age moved back to the family home in Hovland, MN. He was raised by his grandmother Anna Jacobsen and worked for Brandt’s Resort on McFarland Lake as a fishing guide, dock boy, and jack of all trades. He graduated from Cook County High School in 1956 and then enlisted in the United States Army where he was a truck driver and stationed in France.

On December 5th, 1964 he married Elaine Haavisto. They had two daughters, Kelly and Kim, and made Grand Marais their life long home. Frank and Elaine were known to be quite the couple on the dance floor. When they took the floor, others stepped back to watch. Frankie worked for North Shore Freight, CO Backlund, Edwin E Thoreson’s, and the City of Grand Marais as a lineman. In retirement Frank and Elaine enjoyed several winters in Coolidge, AZ.

Frankie enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, singing and picking on the guitar, building, cards, story telling, snowmobiling, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed lending a helping hand to anyone and passing on his expertise in many areas. There wasn’t much Dad couldn’t do, he built a cabin on North Fowl Lake and later built his happy place on McFarland Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elaine, sister Mary Lou, and a brother Dale.

Frank is survived by his daughters Kelly Swearingen (Shawn) of Grand Marais, Kim Kerntz (Tom) of Ely; grandchildren Connor (Theresa Phillips), Tommy, and Rylee; sister in laws Karen Brickman and Kathy Steinbach (Scott) both of Grand Marais, and nieces, nephews, and many special friends.

Services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais, MN on Friday, June 19th at 1:00 pm, followed by a burial, with Military Honors, at Poplar Grove Cemetery at 3:00 pm.