Joanne Bertha Becker Frantz was born January 30th, 1927 and passed away December 9th, 2025.  Joanne, nearly 99, was dedicated and faithful to her Mennonite Brethren upbringing.  She believed the Bible was the true Word of God, and was strong in her faithfulness to God and her salvation.

Joanne was born in Shafter, one of four children born to Regina and Otto Becker.  She attended elementary and high school in Shafter and graduated in 1944.
She attended Pacific Bible Institute in Fresno with the first class of students which began in 1944.  She married Daniel W. Frantz, whom she met at church.
He was and remained the love of her life for the 59 years they were married.  Together they raised their five children in the Wasco area.  During their marriage they moved numerous times,  living in seven different residences, sometimes in town, sometimes near their farm.  After Dan's retirement from farming, they enjoyed several trips traveling around the United States, including a few tours overseas.

Joanne was always involved in her church community and served in various positions in church.  She also served in positions in school and community organizations.
She was a historian and loved to document dates, people, places and events related to her church history as well as that of her hometown Shafter.  Joanne's mother,
Regina, has a published book on display at the Shafter Historical Society museum.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Dan Frantz, brother Richard Becker, and grandson Eric Weis.  She is survived by sisters Neva Knox and Belva Warkentin, and her five children; Karen Enns and husband Raymond, Terry Frantz and wife Annette, Brenda Putnam and husband Danny, Elinor Rossi and husband Richard, Julia Weis and husband Scott, 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held January 31, 2026 at the Social Hall of the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church at 11am, with lunch following.

Gifts or Remembrances can be made to Mennonite Disaster Service, the Mennonite Central Committee, or the Shafter Historical Society.