Johanne G. Krasnansky

Frances Elizabeth Croft Wark, 92, and her daughter Johanne G. “Josie” Krasnansky, 71, area residents, died within two days of each other last week.

Frances Wark died April 14 at Montclair Park, an assisted living facility in Poulsbo, where she had resided for the past two years.

She was born Jan. 14, 1913, in Berwick, Pa., to Gertrude and Clyde Croft.

She was a medical technologist, graduating from a program at Hahneman Medical College in Philadelphia, and at age 45 became a licensed practical nurse. Most of her life she worked alongside her husband, Allen, in the dairy business in Berwick and Sunbury, Pa.

She loved all animals, and had a pomeranian named Rx, loved flowers and had many friends at Montclair Park. She enjoyed having her family around her.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Wehner, her second husband, Allen R. Wark, and then by her daughter.

Josie Krasnansky died April 12 at her home on Bainbridge.

Born in Hazleton, Pa., she graduated from Berwick High School and later received a nursing degree from the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.

Having cared for children with polio as a student nurse at Geisinger, she was quick to respond to the spread of AIDS in the 1980s, serving with Kairos, a resource for caregivers in San Francisco, as a volunteer counselor and a prodigious fundraiser.

In 1993 she received the San Francisco Cable Car Award “for distinction in the fight against AIDS.” In 1994, Berwick High School inducted her into its Academic Hall of Fame in recognition of her efforts on behalf of people with AIDS.

Frances and Josie are survived by Josie’s husband, Marvin Krasnansky and daughter Melanie (Doug) Olson of Bainbridge Island, sons Tim Krasnansky (Loyanne Wilson) of Davis, Calif., and William Krasnansky (Maria Garrido) of San Francisco, grandchildren Samantha and Olaf Olson and Katie Frances and Kai Krasnansky.

Memorials can be made to the ASPCA or local animal shelter organizations. A memorial service for mother and daughter will be held at 11:30 a.m. April 23 at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are by Kass Funeral Home.