JOHN WILSON FROHMAN
December 22, 1915 – January 17, 2010 

John Wilson Frohman, age 94, a long time Park Rapids, MN area resident passed into Eternal Life in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids.
John was born on December 22, 1915 in Rapid City, South Dakota to John and Amanda (Richmond) Frohman. At the age of four, John tragically lost his mother who died in childbirth. At the age of 14, he came with family to the Park Rapids area. On March 19, 1940, John was married to the prettiest gal in the state of Iowa, Minnie Maydean Binley. This union was blessed with ten children. The young couple made their home in Park Rapids where they engaged in farming in Lake Emma Township. On June 26, 1944, John entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country aboard the USS Charleston until his honorable discharge in 1946. After the war, John ventured north where he helped construct the Al-Can highway between Alaska and the lower 48 states. He worked cutting timbers and building the first bridge constructed on the highway. Later, John traveled to Greenland where he also worked in heavy construction. Later, John began a new career that spanned many years working in the iron ore mines of Northern MN. He also worked in the Northern MN forests cutting pulp wood for many years. In 1968, John returned to the Park Rapids area where he gained employment working for the Warner Manufacturing Co. in Akeley until his retirement in 1981. John loved the out of doors; especially when he could be out on his favorite fishing spot. He also enjoyed hunting the elusive whitetail deer. John was an avid trapper who supplemented his family’s income by trapping fox, beaver and gophers. Each year, John looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden which he nurtured into fruitful abundance to meet the needs of his large family. He loved raising many beautiful gladiolas into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. John’s most peaceful and restful times were spent relaxing under his favorite shade tree where he would gaze into the heavens and thank God for the beauty of his creation and the blessings He had given to him. Above all, John devoted his life to his beloved wife, children and grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart.
John will be lovingly remembered by his wife and soul mate for 69 years, Minnie Maydean Frohman of Park Rapids; his children: Marylou (Harry) Erle of Tenstrike, MN, David (Taia) Frohman of Ava, MO, Bonnie (Virgil) Johnson of Park Rapids, Ruthann Junes of Vergas, MN, Leo (Kathy) Frohman of St. Louis, MO, Paul (Laural) Frohman of Nevis, MN, Sarah (Ted) Nelson of Hewitt, MN, Ada (Larry) Luukkonen of Laporte, MN and Susan Moore of Louisiana; as well as many grandchildren; great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
John was preceded in death by his son, Keith; his parents; l brother, Augustus and l sister, Esther Anderson.
Services will be held 1:00 PM Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids. Special Music selections will be: “In The Garden”, “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art”. Following the service, a luncheon will be provided by the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post Auxiliary. To leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.