Frank Steele Koffend 1933-2025

Frank Steele Koffend, shark tooth collector, feather-wearer, friend gatherer, Poppy extraordinaire, of Appleton, Wisconsin, died on December 6th, 2025 at the age of 92, at home and surrounded by family. 

Frank was born in Appleton on April 24,1933, to the late Joseph and Mary (Slosson) Koffend into a family of twin sisters, Mary and Jean, and two older brothers, Joe and John. Frank met Jean Coutant in New York City in 1961 and married in Ridgewood, New Jersey, in 1962. Frank and Jean lived in New Jersey, New York and Cleveland, Ohio, before settling in Appleton. Frank graduated from Appleton West High School in 1951, from Miami University in 1955, and from the Harvard AMP in 1973. His career with Thilmany and Hammermill, in the paper and silicone industries, spanned 33 years. Frank then worked in Mequon for Charter Manufacturing, Wisconsin’s only steel manufacturer.

Frank was a veteran of the United States Navy serving as a radarman aboard the USS Chilton. Frank’s brief, lackluster athletic career peaked in junior high when he and Gene Glessman won every event in a dual-school track meet. This lead to a ‘two-man track team’ story in the Chicago Tribune. Frank ran his final race, a 5K, at the age of 89 where he won first in his age group, a very small feat, he said. In retirement Jean and Frank divided their time between antique collecting, volunteering, birding, their children & grandchildren, and their home in Boca Grande, Frank’s happiest place. Frank loved sport fishing and tackle collecting. At the age of 91 he wrote the book he’d talked about for years titled, Fish Stories. Frank was preceded in death by his wife of almost 50 years, Jean, and by his four sisters and brothers. 

He is survived by two children, Jennifer (Brad) Santeler in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and Christopher (Lee) Koffend in Plainwell, Michigan, along with five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A Charitable Trust has been established through the Fox Cities Community Foundation in Appleton, Wisconsin. There will be a celebration of Frank’s life this summer. Please reach out to Chris or Jen for details. 

Frank Koffend 

April 24, 1933 – December 6, 2025