Mary Katherine Franzen 1927-2007

BRUENING, BUSCH, FRANZEN, HERMANSON, WALTON, RUDD, KRIESMAN, OPPERMAN

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 10/31/2007 at 18:53:59

Mary Katherine Franzen, 80, of Hawkeye, Iowa, died at home Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007, following a lengthy illness.

A Funeral Mass was held Friday, Oct. 26, at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union; Mass celebrants were the Rev. Richard Kuhn, the Rev. Dale Rausch, and the Rev. John Purcell.

Graveside services held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Waucoma. Casket bearers were Dana Franzen, Ryan Franzen, Adam Dudley, Nicholas Franzen, David Franzen, Danny Meek, Matt Franzen and Phillip Kriesman.

Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Sumner, was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Katherine (Bruening) Franzen was born April 7, 1927, in Festina. She was the daughter of Bernard J. and Clara M. (Busch) Bruening. Mary was baptized in 1927 in Festina and confirmed in 1937 in Waucoma.

On Feb. 28, 1944, Mary was united in marriage with Leonard J. Franzen at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waucoma. He died Jan. 29, 1991.

Mary graduated from Northeast Iowa Community College in 1968. She worked as a certified nurse's aide at Palmer Lutheran Health Center from 1967-1999.

After her retirement, Mary worked as a Hospice volunteer from 1999-2003.

She also was a Cub Scout den mother for many years.

Mary was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Hawkeye, the Rosary Society and Christian Women's Club. She also belonged to the Hawkeye Garden Club and volunteered for various causes.

Preceding Mary in death were her husband, Leonard; a grandson, a great-granddaughter, three brothers; and five sisters.

She is survived by eight sons, Duane Franzen of LaPorte City, Daryl (Diane) Franzen, Dale (Julie) Franzen, Douglas (Colleen) Franzen and D. Steven (Penny) Franzen, all of Hastings, Minn., D. Joseph Franzen of Englewood, Colo., Dana Franzen of Hawkeye, and David (Richelle) Franzen of Waverly; four daughters, Diane (Gary) Hermanson of Hastings, Minn., Donna (Harry) Walton of Toddville, Doris (Bob) Hall of Rudd, and Dalyn (Jeff) Kriesman of Fort Worth, Texas.

Additional survivors include 22 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn (George) Opperman of Hawkeye.

Memorials may be directed to the Palmer Memorial Foundation or the Heart of Iowa Hospice in West Union.

Fayette County Union, October 30, 2007