History
Ranfranz Funeral Home
Ranfranz Funeral home was founded in 1929 by R. C. Ranfranz and a partner, Mr. Schuman, and was located at 104, 106, and 108 Second Street Northwest in what has been dearly termed “The Old Crowl Flat Building.” The funeral home occupied most of the main floor with two floors of apartments above it. This partnership terminated when Mr. Schuman became the proprietor of a funeral home in northern Minnesota.
In 1932 Mr. Ranfranz was joined in partnership with his wife, Marie. The first of two sons joined his parents after graduation from the University of Minnesota in 1945. Donald “Mike” Ranfranz passed away two years later. In 1948 after graduation from the University of Minnesota, Richard “Pat” Ranfranz joined the firm. In 1951 the business moved into the building at 119 2nd Ave. NE.
The partnership was terminated in 1961 with the formation of a corporation. In this same year, R.C. and Marie retired at the respective ages of 62 and 66 years. The building was expanded and remodeled in 1961 and remodeled once again in 1970.
R.C. Ranfranz passed away in September of 1966. Operation of the family corporation was carried on solely by Pat until 1970 when his son Robert C. Ranfranz graduated from the University of Minnesota and joined the firm.
Marie Ranfranz, wife of the founder, passed away on February 20, 1975 leaving Richard “Pat” Ranfranz and Robert C. Ranfranz to continue in the fine tradition established by this family in 1929.
Ronald J. Hodge joined the firm in July of 1976 as Treasurer of the corporation.
Late in the fall of 1979, the Ranfranz Funeral Home, the Methodist Hospital and the Assembly of God Church entered into negotiations for their mutual benefit. The Rochester Methodist Hospital bought the Assembly of God Church, 1705 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester. The Methodist Hospital, in turn, traded the Assembly of God Church to Richard C. Ranfranz, for the Ranfranz Funeral Home Property, 119 2nd Ave NW. The church was renovated and remodeled by Richard C. Ranfranz. The Ranfranz Funeral Home moved into it in the spring of 1980.
In 1984 Ronald and Michelle Hodge purchased the funeral home and operated it until 2001. In March of 2001, the firm was purchased by Paul Czaplewski and August “Augie” Schleicher.
In May of 2003, the firm relocated, along with the Vine Funeral Home, to a new spacious facility at the corner of 18th Ave. and 55th St. NW in Rochester.
Vine Funeral Home
Vine Funeral Home was founded by Earl A. Vine in 1879. It was originally located at South Broadway and Fourth Street in Rochester. Later, his son, Adelbert C. Vine, became associated with the firm in ownership and management.
In 1940, the firm relocated to 428 Third Ave South West. A grandson of the founder, David T. Vine, later became one of the owners of the firm. Adelbert C. Vine died in April of 1956, and his father Earl A. Vine died in January of 1960.
In 1956, Edward H. Gerards joined the firm and became one of the owners. In 1963 a new facility was built at the 3rd Ave SW location.
In 1965, Louis J. Bortolon joined the firm and later became one the owners.
In December of 1988, Ronald and Michelle Hodge purchased the firm and held ownership until March of 2001, when Paul Czaplewski and August “Augie” Schleicher purchased it.
In May of 2003, the firm relocated, along with the Ranfranz Funeral Home, to a new spacious facility at the corner of 18th Ave. and 55th St. NW in Rochester.
