Franzmeier, Leah R. (1940-2012)

FRANZMEIER, PETERSEN, MILLER, JOHNSON, SMITH, JAMES, DILLARD, ASMUS

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/29/2012 at 12:40:40

Leah R. Franzmeier
October 09, 1940 - May 22, 2012

Storm Lake, Iowa

Leah R. Franzmeier, age 71, of Newell, Iowa, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Leah Rosetta Petersen was born October 9, 1940, in Storm Lake, the daughter of Eugene and LaVada (Miller) Petersen. She attended school in Sulphur Springs, Iowa, graduating from Sulphur Springs High School in 1958 with her eleven classmates. Later in life, Leah continued her education taking computer and bookkeeping classes.

On December 1, 1940, Leah was baptized at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell and in 1954 confirmed there. A faithful and devoted life-long member at Nain, she also played the organist and directed the choir. In addition, Leah married Merle Franzmeier at the Nain Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children: Dennis, Diane, and Douglas.

Over the years, music remained an integral part of Leah’s life. She played the organ, piano, and marimba. Consequently, she traveled all the states as a young woman, winning many contests playing her marimba. In addition to directing the choir at her church, she loved to sing.

Involved in her community as a 4-H leader, she also played an active role in the Buena Vista County Extension Service. Her other hobbies included crocheting, doing puzzle books, baking, cooking, and playing cards and table games. Above all, Leah loved and cherished her family. She often traveled to visit her grandchildren, proudly attending their activities.

Those left to cherish Leah’s memory include her children: Dennis Franzmeier (friend, Connie Urban), of Newell, Diane (Rodney) Johnson, of Newell, and Douglas (Sandy) Franzmeier, of Fonda, Iowa; her grandchildren: Jessica (Christie) Johnson, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Steven (Trista) Smith, of Alta, Iowa, Angela Johnson, of Newell, Evan (Karianne) Franzmeier, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Trisha Johnson, of Newell; her great grandchildren: Riley Miller and Sabrina Smith; her brothers: Jon (Joy) Petersen, of Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Donald (Joan) Petersen, of Phoenix, Arizona; her sisters-in-law: Donna James, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Shirley Franzmeier Dillard, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; and her adopted grandchild, Josh Asmus; as well as many other dear friends and family.

Leah was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and LaVada Petersen; and her brother-in-law, John W. Dillard.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., May 26, 2012 at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell, Iowa.
Visitation: one hour prior to service time, May 26, 1912, at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell, Iowa.
Interment: private family committal, May 26, 2012, at the Newell Cemetery in Newell, Iowa.

Copyright © 2012, Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home
 

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