Maurice Franck

Maurice Dennis Franck, aka “The Ditch Digger”, of Arvada, Colorado, lost his courageous, 12 year battle with cancer on July 13, 2022, surrounded by family and friends.

Dennis was born April 7, 1950 in Independence, Iowa, to Maurice and Aurelia Franck. The family later moved to Hawkeye, Iowa. Dennis attended schools in Hawkeye and West Union, graduating from North High School in 1968. After completing college at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa, Dennis moved to Denver, Colorado where he began work installing residential and commercial irrigation systems. In 1990 he entered into a landscaping and irrigation business partnership with his friend, Bill Farley. This business thrived with Bill in sales and Dennis as a master landscaper.  Later on, Ray Weigel joined this partnership and the company expanded to include a very successful land and property development business. Dennis officially retired in 2008, although he continued to work on several property development projects for a more few years.

At an early age Dennis became interested in the Civil War and that interest became his life long passion. He collected an impressive library of books and memorabilia on the subject. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends to Civil War sites and sharing his vast historical knowledge with them. To have Dennis Franck as your Civil War tour guide was an incredible experience that one never forgets! He considered the Battlefield of Gettysburg especially “hallowed ground” and could often be found walking that battlefield alone, most likely recalling every detail of every battle. As a final tribute to his enduring passion, Dennis has requested that his ashes be scattered on the battlefield at Gettysburg.

Reading, spending time at the cabin in Harper’s Ferry, Iowa, enjoying an occasional Budweiser, baking bread (a retirement hobby), taking trips to different parts of the country with family and friends, having a good conversation about politics and reminiscing about the good old days growing up in Hawkeye were among some of his favorite pass times.

Dennis was respected and admired for his integrity and loyalty. He was a hard worker and humble man, often calling himself simply, “The Ditch Digger”. He had a multitude of friends and was always willing to help a friend or neighbor in need. He was one of “the good ones” and will be missed by all who knew him.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Mary Wilbur Puls,(and family Heather and Mike Kuleza and daughter, Alison) brothers Lance and Glen, sister-in-law Debi, niece Shannon, and nephew Brandon. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Charitable donations in Dennis’s memory can be directed to the American Cancer Society and the American Alzheimer’s Association.