Frances “Franki” Perry-Wolhart, age 44 of Bottineau, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026 at a Grand Forks hospital. Her funeral will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 3:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be on Thursday starting at 3:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Franki was born August 22, 1982, in Orlando, Florida to Ann (Boppre) and Mark Perry. She joined her older sisters, Eloyce and Jana at home. Franki had a rough start to her life, due to spinal meningitis, which caused her to suffer severe hearing loss. Once she was released from the hospital, the family moved to North Dakota, where Franki resided for the rest of her life. She attended elementary and middle school at Bottineau Public School through the fifth grade. The family moved to Tower City, where she continued her education at Maple Valley Public Schools, graduating in 2000.

Franki began her adult life working different types of jobs trying to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up. She worked at hotels, restaurants, and healthcare facilities.

On September 4, 2004, her daughter Jacqueline Mae was born. August 8, 2008, she married Steven Wolhart, they grew their family with the birth of Samuel James on July 8, 2009.

After the birth of her daughter, she decided to become a social worker and started her journey to completing her degree. Franki graduated from Bismarck State College with her associate’s degree. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Minot State University. She started her career as a social worker at Good Samaritan and worked there for many years until she transitioned to her position as Developmental Disabilities Program Manager for this region, for the State of North Dakota. Franki touched many, many lives in her capacity as a social worker. She was a very avid animal lover and worked with many animal rescues, as time allowed, transporting and fostering many animals.

She was surrounded by animals for most of her life. At the time of passing, she had a full house, her two children, along with the family pets: Zoey, Sparkplug, Senor Sprinklebutt Poptart, Tiger, Snow, Biscuit, Mama, Squirt, Ghost, and Ollie. Franki will be greatly missed by many. She is survived by her daughter, Jacki and her son, Sam. Her mother Ann and her sister Jana (Kris). Her partner, Steven, his son Kevyn, and grandson Alex. Niece Nora and Nephew Jaxson. Her uncle Jon (Diana). Her aunts Donna (Walt), Carol (Jim), Betsy (Chuck), Bobbi (Bill). Many cousins, extended family, friends, classmates, and coworkers.

She was preceded in death by her father Mark, sister Eloyce, grandparents Donald and Eloise Boppre, James and Marty Perry, aunt June, uncle Joe, cousins Todd and Darci.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to:

Kitty City 3204 46th Ave SE Mandan, ND 58554

https://www.kittycitymandan.org/donate.