Frank Williamson Green, 64, Ellendale
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank Albert Williamson Green, 64, who passed away after a short battle with cancer. Frank was known for his sharp wit, strong opinions, and a lifelong, rigorous commitment to tidiness.
Frank entered the world on Aug. 25, 1961, in Hamilton, Ohio, to his parents, Dorothy and Robert Williamson. His early life was a bit of a Dickensian tragedy—losing his father to a fire in 1964 and his mother on an Amtrak train in 1972. After being shuffled around by relatives in New York City, who didn’t quite know what to do with his blunt personality, he was eventually adopted by the Green family back in Ohio.
A man of high standards and low tolerance for dust, Frank spent the majority of his life wiping down surfaces that were already clean and rearranging objects no one had touched. His eye for detail extended to the driveway; he could identify a car’s make and model from three blocks away. He was a die-hard Chevrolet Camaro man, and in Frank’s house, mentioning the other “F” brand was a punishable offense. Frank loved nature, animals, and fishing. He loved collecting unique rocks and found peace in relaxing by any body of water.
Frank’s life took a meaningful turn in 1991 when he married Cindy Diffendorfer. A woman of saint-like patience, Cindy did her best to domesticate Frank. Their marriage was a legendary battleground of football rivalries—Frank for the Vikings and Cindy for the Packers. However, Frank’s gruff exterior hid a heart of gold; he became Cindy’s dedicated, tireless caregiver during her battle with ALS. In a final, ultimate act of love, he even fulfilled her wish and became a Packers fan.
After several years of mourning in the garage, Frank found a second wind with his partner, Steph Hawkins. Together, they shared a love for 40-mile bike rides, impulsive road trips, and cleaning the house together when it was already spotless. Steph provided the comfort and support Frank truly deserved at the end of his road.
Frank was a professional jack-of-all-trades. His resume was a wild ride including auto shops, fishing boats, ski instructing, and a very brief (and historically suspicious) stint as a personal assistant to Martin Van Buren in 1840. He gave 20 years to Viracon in Owatonna and retired in 2024 from a local meat store. In a move of peak Frank-efficiency, he retired just in time to die, a cruel irony that was certainly not lost on him.
He is survived by his sons, Maison Green (Faith Rautenkranz) and Justin “Lee” Green; his daughter, Keslie Green; his sweetheart, Steph Hawkins; two bonus daughters, Molly and Leah, his brother-from-another-mother, Darin Rhoades; and his beloved wire-haired yellow lab, Cooper.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cindy Green (Diffendorfer), and his parents, Dorothy and Robert Williamson.
Frank is likely already embracing the afterlife, asking where they keep the vacuum and making sure the harps are properly aligned.
Services will be held at Ellendale United Methodist Church on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at 3 p.m. with Pastor Randy Cirksena officiating. There will be a two-hour long visitation prior to services beginning at 1 p.m. at the church. Services will be livestreamed. For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.