Jean Frank

(Phyllis) Jean Brown Frank died on the evening of Monday, March 15, 2021 in Madison.  Jean was born in Iowa City, Iowa in 1934, the daughter of Dr. Merle J. and Lisette E. Brown.

Jean graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1952. After graduation, she was initiated into the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and enjoyed participating in philanthropic activities through local PEO chapters throughout her life. She attended Iowa State College and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1956. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and Theta Sigma Phi national journalism honorary.

Jean began her career in public relations at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and School of Nursing. She subsequently worked in media and publicity with Bowling Green State University. While in Bowling Green, Jean met, dated, and married accounting professor Werner Frank and they started their family. Jean & Werner moved to Madison in 1964. Jean became active in the University League and Commerce League. She worked at the Jane Haslem Art Gallery, Madison District Nurses’ Association, Wisconsin Nurses’ Association, and the University of Wisconsin School of Business during her career in publications. Jean enjoyed time spent with friends, groups, and family. She appreciated the visual and performing arts, and loved birdwatching, gardening, cooking, and traveling.

She is survived by her three children: Susan Frank (Middleton, WI); Diana Frank Johnson (Geneseo, IL); Margaret Frank (Katy, TX); as well as four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her sister, and her parents.

A memorial service will be held at Cress Funeral and Cremation Service on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 2:00pm. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until time of service. Friends who are unable to travel at this time are encouraged to attend a live stream of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following organizations; The National Audubon Society , Cottey College , and the Madison Symphony Orchestra .

For those who are unable to travel at this time, please join our live-stream of the services here -> https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=d824342e-9bd9-46b0-bd87-7d0b977168bb