Garnet Lee Franklin

Garnet Lee Franklin, 75, of St. Paul, Minnesota passed away in Hospice care on June 22, 2026, from acute myeloid leukemia.

Garnet was born on December 8, 1950, in Keokuk, Iowa to Paul and Nadine (Barnett) Franklin. She grew up in Fairfield, Iowa, graduating from Fairfield High School in 1969. She attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1973 with a BA degree in education, and later obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

Garnet had a love for children and dedicated her life to public school education and was a lifelong learner. She taught in elementary school in the Pleasant Valley, Iowa school district before embarking on a career of working for educators and their unions at the Kentucky Education Association and later Education Minnesota, from which she retired in 2015.

Garnet was a lover of the arts and culture, literature, history, anthropology, fabrics and textures, recipes, classic rock and roll and a good personal story. She enjoyed the outdoors and the changing of the seasons, with fall being her favorite.

Garnet is survived by her brothers Jon (Shelly) Franklin and Craig (Denise) Franklin. She is also survived by three nephews, one great niece, and two great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life is planned for September 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Crestview Forest Club House, 610 Crestview Forest Drive, Maplewood, Minnesota.

Memorials are preferred to PBS, the University of Iowa, or your own favorite non-profit.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Pillars Hospice Home. Their dedication, offering compassionate, comfortable and respectful care not only to Garnet but her family, is greatly appreciated.