Kimball resident Frank Pope turns 100 Friday, Feb. 13. Frank’s niece Audrey Pope says they’re having a small get together with family on his birthday and plan to do a larger party in May when the weather is nicer. Frank lives in Kimball and has so for all of his life. Audrey says he likes to read, go over the newspaper, and watch TV, but he doesn’t do so much anymore because of his eyesight. When Frank was younger he owned a saw mill where he’d cut wood for everyone in the area. “He was very well liked and admired,” Audrey says. He also was a farmer, a good dancer, and loved fishing. Audrey says he would always catch the biggest fish. “He’s probably the kindest, most giving, happy person I think I’ve ever met,” Audrey says. “Never got angry or said a bad word, and doesn’t complain. I think that’s why he has made it this far-no stress.” Frank grew up on the farm with his dad who raised him and his two brothers. Frank’s mother died when he was 6 years old and an older sister had died a few years before. Audrey says Frank still remembers a little about his mom and how after her death, along with his father, he stepped up to take care of the two younger brothers. An interesting aspect about Frank and his family is that the three Pope brothers married three Scheeler sisters. Oldest son Frank Pope married Marie Scheeler (97), middle son Dan Pope (passed away a few years ago) married Elsie Scheeler (88), and youngest son Wheeler Pope (94) married Laura Scheeler (91). Also, Frank’s wife Marie’s grandmother delivered Frank when he was born. Frank and Marie still live on a farm in Kimball and never had children, but they have a lot of nieces and nephews on both sides. Audrey says she has always thought of Frank and Marie as her “second set of parents.” “Never ever heard him say a bad word about anybody,” Audrey says. “He used to say if you can’t say something nice about somebody, don’t say anything at all.” If you’d like to send Frank a birthday card, send it to: 7550 200th St., Kimball MN 55353
