Francis W. Gansen (1931-2020)

GANSEN, THEISEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/6/2020 at 16:57:18

Francis W. “Franny” Gansen, 89, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away Saturday, October 3, 2020. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Church of the Resurrection where visitation will be held Saturday from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, masks and social distancing will be required. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Peosta, where military rites will be accorded.
Franny was born February 25, 1931 on the family farm in local Peosta, Iowa, the son of William and Marie (Theisen) Gansen.
He was very proud of his service in the US Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War, standing up against socialist communism and later was a proud, patriotic supporter of Donald J. Trump.
On April 7, 1956, he was united in marriage to Joyce Elaine Travis at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque. Their marriage was blessed with Julie Connolly of Scottsdale, Arizona, Timothy (his late wife, Roberta Yelden), of Geneva, Illinois, Anita Gansen of Dubuque, Duane (Susie House) Gansen of Bedford, Texas, Betsy (Ron) Gibbons of Altoona, Iowa and Sue (Bob) Emich of Ankeny, Iowa. They also have 16 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Franny was employed at Caradco before becoming employed at John Deere as an inspector, from which he retired on September 30, 1987.
Upon retirement, Franny traveled to Ireland with his brother in law, John Dwane and also did extensive traveling to the western U.S. with his neighbor, Mike Hogan, where they hiked the Grand Canyon and hiked and biked 15 National Parks during their travels.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and their six children their marriage was blessed with; Julie Connolly of Scottsdale, Arizona, Timothy Gansen, of Geneva, Illinois, Anita Gansen of Dubuque, Duane Gansen of Bedford, Texas, Betsy (Ron) Gibbons of Altoona, Iowa and Sue (Bob) Emich of Ankeny, Iowa; 16 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
He is also survived by three siblings, Melita (Ray) LaPointe, Shirley Eppler and MaryLou McFadden and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter in law, Roberta Gansen; a grandson, Ben Gibbons; and five siblings, Bernie, Cy, Eddie, Florence and Billy.
The Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Francis Gansen Memorial Fund.