On August 17, 2025, a soldier was called home.  Franklin Treacy Gibbens departed this life in his home surrounded by family. He was a North Dakota boy with an infectious Irish smile who was raised in the depression and became a man on the battlefields of Europe during World War II. He survived three major campaigns in France and Germany while serving in the 63rd Division, and his unit was named as co-liberators of a German concentration camp. After the war in Europe ended, Treacy was on a troop ship headed for the invasion of Japan.  Just one day away from the Panama Canal, the war in the Pacific ended and the ship turned to home to New York City where they were welcomed with fireboats in the harbor. Treacy returned home as a proud patriot, and subsequently lived his life as a cowboy in Montana, a dentist in North Dakota, and a Haitian refugee volunteer in Florida.

Born June 12, 1923, in New Rockford, North Dakota, Treacy attended school at St. John's Academy in Jamestown and was attending the University of North Dakota as a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity before enlisting in the Army after Pearl Harbor.  On his return to the States, Treacy graduated from Loyola University Dental School in Chicago where he met and married his wife of 66 years, Jeanne Warnimont. Their children were outwardly shocked but inwardly delighted to discover that their parents met in a Chicago bar!  Well, to be exact, it was an Irish pub frequented by Loyola dental students – Dad - and St. Joseph hospital nurses – Mom!  Treacy and Jean spent the first years of their marriage in the mountains of Montana before settling down in Garrison, North Dakota where they raised their family.

Treacy was a faithful husband to his wife, Jeanne, a faithful father to his children and a faithful son/member of the Catholic Church.  During the Vietnam War, he used his radio operator skills to help connect families stateside with their service members in Vietnam.  He was a valiant prolife prayer warrior and was a prolific letter writer fighting against abortion and pornography.  Treacy spent countless hours sewing and distributing scapulars – just one sign of the deep love and devotion he had to Our Lady. He was the kindest of husbands while he cared for his wife during her final days on earth. Together they instilled in their children a strong sense of responsibility, pride in our country, respect for the flag and the knowledge that everlasting life in Heaven was the most important goal. Four of his five surviving children served in the military with the one hold out marrying a Marine. He never spoke in a prejudicial manner about anyone and his daughters never heard him swear although his sons heard the occasional 'hell' – not used in a religious sense!  It is only now that he will see the fruits of his many prayers and sacrifices for his family and for the world. A member of the greatest generation, Franklin Treacy Gibbens did fight the good fight, finished his course and kept the faith.  Rest in peace, dad.

He is survived by his sons Stephen, Jacksonville, Fl; Mark (Theresa) Rapid City, SD;  Joseph (Laurie) Tacoma, WA; daughters Mary (Roger) Sayler, Fargo, ND and Rosalie (Scot) Woodmancy,  Yankton, SD; 16 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

Treacy was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, his wife, Jeanne, and their two infant sons, and his daughter-in-law Kim Gibbens.

Treacy's family would like to thank all those who made the last years of his life as happy and healthy as could be.  We so appreciate the spiritual care from the pastoral staff at St. Mary's Cathedral and every prayer warrior on the Cathedrals's prayer chain who walked with us on this journey. We thank the entire staff at the Fargo VA Hospital for the outstanding care Dad received over the past 8 years with particular thanks to Heather Bryant and her entire team, the Home Based Primary Care team and the Emergency Department staff for their unwavering commitment to give the best possible care to our veterans. We thank Ethos Home Care and Hospice with a shout out to Moiria, Agozie, Deb, and Amanda for helping us maintain dad's comfort in his final weeks. We absolutely could not have cared for dad at home without the entire staff of Comfort Keepers who have been with us almost every step of the way. The care dad received from Tammy, Melissa, Maia, Shayna, and Musa was exemplary. We thank their schedulers, Brittany, Brooke, Kaitlyn, and Eva for their patience with all the last- minute changes! Tasha, Rachael, Myva, Tacita, Veronica, Lydia, and Jessica were Treacy's unfailing advocates to ensure milkshakes and chocolate cake were a daily part of his routine! This list would not be complete without including the firemen from the north Fargo fire station.  Every single lift assist was a testimony to the strength and gentleness of each of you. The respect you showed to Dad is a reflection of your character.  Each and every one of you mirrored the love of God in the care you gave our dad and we will never forget that.