Johanna Antonia (Veltman) Franklin Obituary (2015)

Johanna Veltman Franklin Johanna Franklin, 75, of Tooele, passed away in her home on April 22, 2015 surrounded by her children and sister. Johanna Jacoba Antonia was born February 2, 1940 in Rotterdam, Netherlands to parents Joris and Johanna Veltman. Johanna immigrated by ship to the United States with her family in February of 1955. The family then traveled from the Atlantic coast to Tooele where they made their home. Johanna began working at Tooele Valley Hospital shortly after arriving and spent her career caring for others. At the hospital she trained and worked as an OB tech, and in other areas as needed. Later in her career, she worked as a recreational therapist at Tooele Nursing Home and retired (twice) from that position. In her retirement, she volunteered and substituted at the Early Learning Center, where the kids called her “Grandma”. Johanna was an avid reader, and enjoyed reading most anything. She could spend hours reading her collection of cookbooks and used that knowledge to become a gourmet cook of cuisines from around the world. She also had books on quilting, crocheting, and knitting. She was skilled at all forms of needlecraft, and taught her children and anyone who wanted to learn. Family members and her friends all benefitted from her talents and treasure her handmade gifts. Any day was a great day for a celebration with family. Johanna could make a party out of picking raspberries, peaches, or fresh herbs from her garden. She planned family picnics in the canyons and barbeques in the backyard. Craft days with the grandkids were legendary. The grandchildren would call grandma and ask when they could come over and cook or craft with her. Grandchildren and great grandchildren also had the joy of being jostled on Oma’s knee as she sung Dutch nursery rhymes to them. Johanna is survived by her children, JoAn Ekenstam Coon of Tooele; Glenda Ekenstam Carmine of Brunswick, Georgia; Debbie Beebe (Steve Elton) of Tooele; and Justin Franklin of Tooele; grandchildren Kathryn Coon, Dylan (Becca) Coon, Morgan (Freddy) Neal, Angela (T.J.) Crowe, Jessica (Keith) Seddell, and Brook Beebe; seven great grandchildren; and her dog, Goldie. She is also survived by siblings Alida (Karl) Ostberg, Maria Spencer, Pete (Renee) Veltman, and Martina (Grant) Thomas. Johanna was preceded in death by her parents, Joris and Johanna; brother, John Veltman; son in law, Delbert “Did” Beebe; and grandson, Derek Coon. Services will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 11 a.m. at Tate Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at 10 a.m. The family wishes to invite those attending services to wear “pink” to support breast cancer awareness. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Johanna Jacoba Antonia (Veltman) Franklin please visit our Sympathy Store.