LeRoy Franzen

LeRoy Franzen, age 78, of Festina, died Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas with the Rev. Nick March officiating.

Interment was in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery in St. Lucas.

Schluter-Balik Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

LeRoy Edward Franzen was born on April 11, 1936, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bruening) Franzen on the family farm near St. Lucas. LeRoy graduated from St. Luke’s Catholic High School in 1954. While in high school he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball.

He farmed with his father until he purchased the family farm.

LeRoy was united in marriage to JoAnn Lutkenhaus on June 29, 1960, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina.  To this union 14 children were born: Deborah, Kathy, Marilyn, Timothy, Patrick, Keith, Jean, Daniel, Dean, Michael, Scott, Beth, Julie, and Gregory.

Along with farming, LeRoy also worked at Bushman Farms, Brumwell Organic Foods, and Beatrice Cheese. He retired and moved to Festina in 2008. LeRoy enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, mushroom hunting, playing cards and socializing with family and friends. He was very proud that the family farm became a Century Farm in 2013.  LeRoy was a life-long member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, JoAnn Franzen, Festina; 14 children, Deborah (James) Shults, Grand Junction, Colo.; Kathy (Scott) Steffen, Carroll; Marilyn (Richard) Nesbitt, Coal Valley, Ill.; Timothy (Connie) Franzen, Festina; Patrick (Kendra) Franzen, Luana; Keith (Robin) Franzen, Riceville; Jean (Michael) Everhart, Cedar Rapids; Daniel (Sarah) Franzen, Fort Atkinson; Dean (Nancy) Franzen, Fort Atkinson; Michael Franzen, Festina; Scott (Denise) Franzen, St. Lucas; Beth (Graeme) Sandlin, Port Townsend, Wash.; Julie (Joshua) Nolte, Waucoma; and Gregory Franzen, Festina. LeRoy is also survived by numerous grandchildren.

LeRoy’s surviving siblings and in-laws: Carl Franzen, Ossian; Irvin Franzen, Hawkeye; Helen (Ronald) Palmersheim, Greeley; Marion Franzen, Decorah; Eleanora Franzen, Ossian; and Janet Franzen, Ossian; Shirley (Edward) Morris, Cedar Rapids; Donna Mae (William) Davis, Cedar Rapids; John (LuAnn) Lutkenhaus, Cedar Rapids; Karen (Bernard) Busta, Waucoma; LaVonne “Bonnie” (Dean) Patrick, West Union; and Mary Jo Wharton, Denver, Colo., along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Franzen; one grandson, in infancy, Matthew Nesbitt; siblings, Catherine (Roy) Tierney, Marie (Lawrence) Bruening, Leonard (Mary) Franzen, Raymond Franzen, Guido “Pete” Franzen, Theresa (Ray) Baumler, Theckla Franzen in infancy, Louis (Arlene) Franzen, and Lawrence (Pat) Franzen; sister-in-law: Madeline Franzen.  LeRoy’s father and mother-in-law, Gregory and Marie (Ehler) Lutkenhaus.