Helen Franzen

Helen Franzen, age 77, of St. Lucas, Iowa, died on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 23, 2020, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa, with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa and also after 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning. Everyone attending is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. For those not attending; memorials may be sent to her husband Bernard at PO Box 135, St. Lucas, IA 52166 Helen Margaret (Blong) Franzen was born November 5, 1943 to Paul and Margaret (Balk) Blong in Waucoma, IA. She married Bernard Franzen on October 19, 1963 at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Waucoma, IA. She was part of the first graduating class of Turkey Valley Community School. She had many jobs during her lifetime. Of them, she made mention of Iowa Turkey Products, City of Saint Lucas, the White House Supper Club, and helping neighbors, mainly through babysitting, house cleaning, farm chores and lawn mowing. She also assisted her husband on the farm, until they retired to Saint Lucas in 2003. Together they raised six children. She leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Helen loved her family and spending her time with them. She enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and preserving the reaps of her garden. Other hobbies included decorating cakes, collecting knick-knacks, collecting cookie jars, and bird watching. She always enjoyed her pets and attending sessions of Bingo. She loved playing games with her family, particularly card games. Holidays of togetherness were very important to her. Helen is survived by her husband Bernard and children: Charles Franzen, St Lucas; Mary (Stephen) Markovetz, Littleton, CO; Kathy Lougiu, Brooklyn Park, MN; Irene (Darryl) Bohr, Ossian, IA; Rita (Melvin) Brandenburg, Fort Worth, TX; Becky Oelmann, Becker, MN; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Brothers: Robert (Lily) Blong, Manchester, IA and Raymond (Charlotte) Blong, Waucoma, IA. In-laws: Stella Franzen, Broomfield, CO; Richard (Susan) Franzen, St. Lucas; Ignatius (Sherrie) Franzen, Otis, LA; David Franzen, St. Lucas; Dennis (Karen) Franzen, St. Lucas; Michael Heins, Billings, MT. and Guenter Hagemeier, Germantown, WI. She is preceded in death by her parents: Paul and Margaret (Balk) Blong. Her father and mother-in-law: Victor and Margaret (Aud) Franzen. Her brothers: Albert and Lawrence. Sister: Theresa (Paul) Dietrich. In laws: Mary Ann Franzen, JoAnn Heins, Dorothy Hagemeier, Doris (Ignatius) Franzen, Barbara (Raymond) Blong, Paul (Theresa) Dietrich.