Franklin T Whipple

Whipple Franklin

Franklin Whipple, 68, of Santee, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday August 6, 2025 at Nebraska Medicine Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Visitation will begin at 7:00 pm Saturday, August 9 and conclude Monday August 11 at 1:00 pm at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center in Santee, Nebraska. There will be a wake service at 7:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Franklin’s funeral service will be 1:00 pm Monday August 11 at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center in Santee, Nebraska with Rev. Ken James officiating. Burial will be at Our Most Merciful Savior Episcopal Cemetery in Santee. Online condolences may be sent at www.okfhc.com . Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Frank was born December 15th, 1956 in Bloomfield, NE to Thomas Lawrence Whipple and Lavara Ruth (James) Whipple. He lived in Santee most of his life. He went to school at Niobrara Public School. He worked numerous jobs in the Santee Community including the Santee Sioux Tribal Housing Authority. He took great pride in helping shape the community, having contributed to the construction and development of many local buildings and landmarks including Tatanka Golf Course, Veterans Memorial Monument and the Isanti Community School to name a few. He also helped construct many homes, buildings, and roads in many different states.

Frank was the most loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. He married Rosella Whipple on July 16th, 1976, and together they had two daughters, Twila and Thomasina. He was very family oriented and was always there for everyone. He loved to watch sports, was an awesome softball player, basketball, bowler, and golfer, and loved to constantly build things. He was a dedicated Nebraska Huskers fan including baseball and football. He especially loved renovating and taking care of his family home he built himself.

He is survived by his wife, Rosella of Santee, NE, his daughters Twila of Santee, NE and Thomasina of Nice, California; his sisters, Vietta (Gary) Swalley, Roxanne (Danny) RedOwl, both of Santee, NE and Teresa (Nate) Gilpin of Wabeno, WI,; his grandchildren, Tate’, Alexiah, and Forever of Santee, and Kimora and Frankie of Nice, California, many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Tom Whipple, his siblings Duane, adopted brother Carl, Terry, Sonny, Elia, Darlene and Anne.