Marion Franzen

Monday, August 12, 2019 4:49 pm

Marion Franzen, 94, of Fort Atkinson, passed away Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Aaron Junge officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel in Fort Atkinson, and also after 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning at the funeral home. Scripture readings were (Old Testament) Proverbs 31; (New Testament) 2 Timothy. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Soloists were Lynette Wheeler and Don DiLaura. St. John’s Choir also sang. Hymns were “Here I am Lord,” “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagles Wings,” “ Go Rest High” and “Let there be Peace on Earth.” Casket bearers were Marion’s grandchildren. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fort Atkinson Fire Dept, PO Box 66, Fort Atkinson, IA 52144.

Marion Marie Franzen was born Feb. 18, 1925, the daughter of Martin and Leta (Fedeler) Deetz, at their home near Waucoma. She attended Fayette County Country School (Stapleton Township No. 8) through eighth grade. Marion was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waucoma. She married Raymond Franzen April 22, 1941, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma. They farmed together near St. Lucas from 1941 until 1945, and 1945 until 1978 in the Ossian area. After retirement in 1978, they moved to Fort Atkinson. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. She moved to Wellington Place in Decorah in 2002. Marion enjoyed embroidery and other handwork, flowers, gardening and spending time with family. When asked what her favorite thing to do was, Marion replied, “squeezing my grandchildren.”

Marion is survived by her children: Mary Ann (Don) Witt, Ossian; Roger (Janet) Franzen, Fort Atkinson; Ron (Jean) Franzen, Fort Atkinson; JoAnn (Darrell) Wagner, Calmar; Bruce (Lois) Franzen, Ossian; Gary (Danette) Franzen, Ossian; and Clair (Christine) Franzen, Coggon; 20 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, in 1991; parents, Martin and Leta (Fedeler) Deetz; sisters, Corrine Hirsch and Lorene Thompson Johnson; brothers: Vern, Arnold and Leo Deetz.