Frank Leslie Scott was born November 19, 1923. He was the oldest of three children, born and raised on the family farm north of Early. He was responsible from an early age for helping with chores for the livestock and working in the fields. He graduated from Early Consolidated School in 1941 and then attended Radio Technical Training School in Kansas City. On May 20, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Ann Stevens. Together they maintained the family farm until 1966, when they purchased the house in Early where Ruth Ann was raised. At that time, Ruth Ann was employed at the Early Savings Bank, where she continued until 1985, when the bank was closed.
Frank became a licensed real estate broker and partner in the Ray Stevens Insurance Agency and later obtained his broker license. He was the owner of the Scott Real Estate Agency and later owner of the Ray Stevens Insurance Agency; the insurance agency was sold in 1992; however, Frank continued as a real estate agent until his retirement in December 2006.
Both Frank and Ruth Ann were active in civic and church affairs in Early. Frank was elected mayor of Early, serving a total of twelve years. During this time, Early celebrated its Centennial, and both Frank and Ruth Ann were deeply involved in planning and promoting that landmark event. Frank was an active member of the Early Lions Club for years. He also served on the library board in Early and the Sac County Board of Review. He served on the Board of Directors for Loring Hospital during their major renovation project. In 1968 Frank and Ruth Ann were elected as National Stewards for the National Presbyterian Mariners, and those responsibilities and conferences took them to various locations in the United States. They were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Early serving in various capacities such as deacon, trustee and elder until the church closed, and then joined the Presbyterian Church in Sac City.
Frank was an active member in the St. Elmo Masonic Lodge in Early, attaining his 3rd Degree on November 17, 1969, and later serving as Master of the Lodge. He joined the Abu Bekr Consistory in Sioux City and attained his 32nd Degree where he remained active for many years.
As Early’s mayor, one of Frank’s special interests was the completion of four-lane Highway 20 through Sac County. After numerous years of planning, public hearings, starts and stops and on-going anticipation, Frank was able to enjoy a ride on the new stretch of highway as it was finally completed just west of Early. Although it was a victory of sorts, Frank—being a true “farm boy” at heart—couldn’t help remarking that the project “…sure chewed up a lot of good farm land.”
Frank and Ruth Ann shared a passion for travel and, through the years, visited around the United States and abroad. Some of the overseas trips have included the Holy Land, the Vatican, Hawaii, Alaska, Great Britain, Finland (to visit former exchange student Marita Kallas), and the Passion Play in Germany.
Frank’s particular hobby, however, was gadgets. He enjoyed his cameras; his stereo and music albums; citizens’ band radio and carpentering. If he liked a particular tool, he might have several of it stored in various places in the house, garage and shed. One computer was not enough—he had two set up at home. He was always one to read the instruction manual, and save every box and every operator’s manual. His careful attention to detail served him well in farming, the insurance business, real estate, church and community business.
Frank’s wife of 67 years, Ruth Ann, preceded him in death, along with his parents Frances and William Scott; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Kelly Bandow; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Swan and Clarice Scott and a brother-in-law, Dale Druivenga.
Frank Leslie Scott passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. He is survived by his children Dale Scott (Angela) of Sergeant Bluff; Dale’s daughters Tawnya, her husband Mike and children Matt, Kasey and Jessica; Tara, her husband Brian and her son Jordan; Angela’s sons Brian Kroll, his wife Nichole and their sons Chris and Scott, David Kroll, his wife Melinda and their daughter Kelsey and son Colin; Diane Bandow (Randy) of Cumming, Georgia; their daughter Kristi Sailor and her husband Blair, and their children Ryan, Andy, Kasey and Jake; Danelle (Randy) Essing of Iowa City; his brother Ralph Scott of Smithville, Texas and his sister Ruth Druivenga of Carnarvon; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Frank’s family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Park View Rehabilitation Center for the kind and compassionate care Frank and Ruth Ann both received in their time there; also to the wonderful caregivers of Home Choices Ltd. for their excellent help over the years, and especially to Cyndi Hatch for her many years of caring and devoted assistance.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Unity Point, Storm Lake; the Presbyterian Church of Sac City, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (http://alzfdn.org).
