Carl Franzen

     Carl Franzen, age 102, of Ossian, IA, formerly of West Union and New Hampton, IA, died on Thursday, January 8, 2015, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA.      Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, IA, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in New Hampton, IA.      Friends may call after 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, IA. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah is handling the arrangements.      Carl B. Franzen was born on September 21, 1912, the son of Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA. Carl attended St. Luke’s Catholic School and later worked with the CC Corps. He was united in marriage to Madeline Kelly in 1942. Together they farmed near Little Turkey and Fredericksburg until 1949. They moved to West Union and he started Franzen Implement, selling Case farm equipment. He retired in 1977 and moved to California in 1978 to be near his daughter. While in California, he enjoyed growing tomatoes and square dancing with Madeline. He returned to New Hampton in 1994. He entered the Barthell Eastern Star Home in 2006 and the Ossian Senior Hospice in 2009. Carl was a former Knights of Columbus member.      Carl is survived by his daughter: Maureen (John) Skeese, LaQuinta, CA. Carl’s siblings and in-laws: Irvin Franzen, Hawkeye, IA; Helen (Ronald) Palmersheim, Greeley, IA; Marion Franzen, Decorah, IA; Eleanora Franzen, Ossian, IA; Janet Franzen, Ossian, IA; and JoAnn Franzen, Festina, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.      Carl was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen. His wife: Madeline on July 21, 2005. One son: David Carl Franzen on July 21, 1968. His step-mother: Elizabeth Franzen. 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, LeRoy Franzen and Francis Franzen.