Leroy Franzen

     LeRoy Franzen, age 78, of Festina, IA, died on June 14, 2014.      Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa, with Rev. Nick March presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.      Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, with rosary at 7:00 p.m., and an hour before mass, on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA.        LeRoy Edward Franzen was born on April 11, 1936, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bruening) Franzen on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA. 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 Greg   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, IA. Fourteen children: Deborah (James) Shults, Grand Junction, CO; Kathy (Scott) Steffen, Carroll, IA; Marilyn (Richard) Nesbitt, Coal Valley, IL; Timothy (Connie) Franzen, Festina, IA; Patrick (Kendra) Franzen, Luana, IA; Keith (Robin) Franzen, Riceville, IA; Jean (Michael) Everhart, Cedar Rapids, IA; Daniel (Sarah) Franzen, Fort Atkinson, IA; Dean (Nancy) Franzen, Fort Atkinson, IA; Michael Franzen, Festina, IA; Scott (Denise) Franzen, St. Lucas, IA; Beth (Graeme) Sandlin, Port Townsend, WA; Julie (Joshua) Nolte, Waucoma, IA; and Gregory Franzen, Festina, IA. LeRoy is also survived by numerous grandchildren.      LeRoy’s surviving siblings and in-laws: Carl Franzen, Ossian, IA; Irvin Franzen, Hawkeye, IA; Helen (Ronald) Palmersheim, Greeley, IA; Marion Franzen, Decorah, IA; Eleanora Franzen, Ossian, IA; and Janet Franzen, Ossian, IA. Shirley (Edward) Morris, Cedar Rapids, IA; Donna Mae (William) Davis, Cedar Rapids, IA; John (LuAnn) Lutkenhaus, Cedar Rapids, IA; Karen (Bernard) Busta, Waucoma, IA; LaVonne “Bonnie” (Dean) Patrick, West Union, IA; and Mary Jo Wharton, Denver, CO, 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.