"Dear family, Please know that you are in our thoughts and in our prayers. Cherish the wonderful memories. Lovingly, Charlie and Beverly Hovey Trimble"
In loving memory of
Gerald M. Franzen
December 20, 1932 - March 27, 2020
Gerald "Jerry" M. Franzen, 87 of Maquoketa, IA passed away on March 27th at his home. Burial will take place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. During this time, there will be no visitation or Mass due to limitations on gatherings. A Celebration of Life will be held later.
Jerry was born on Dec. 20th, 1932 in Zwingle, IA son of Math and Mary (Dwyer) Franzen. He married Lois Manders on Aug. 2nd, 1955 at Sacred Heart in Maquoketa. He was in the Korean War. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Eagles Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, playing cards and pool, and farming.
Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, 3 sisters- JoAnn Reiter, Patsy Wagner, Rita Hughes, 6 brothers- Jim, Leonard, Butch, Marvin, Martin, Wayne, 8 children- Neal (Marji), Carol (John) Reed, Donna (Jim) Miller, Randy (Jill), Mary (Mark) Ambrosy, Sue (Lee) Cook, Paul (Kris), John (Lisa), 18 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters- Marie Wagner, Marcie Eganhouse, and Margaret, brother Vince, son Thomas, grandson Travis, and great-grandson Dylan Andersen.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Hospice of Jackson County and Dr. Gus Harb, Iowa Cancer Specialists, and the specialists and nurses at the Cancer Care Institute radiation therapy department.
A memorial fund has been established in Gerald's memory.
The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family. Please feel free to call or stop at the funeral home with notes of condolence or leave words of comfort on the funeral home website at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Sue & Lee Cook & entire Franzen Family, We just wanted to send you our sympathy as you face this tremendous loss! Sending you prayers for comfort and peace! Mark & Michelle Hughes"
"Lois and family, We were so sorry to hear of Jerry?s passing. I have so many fond memories. He had a great sense of humor and many stories to share especially at the safety meetings. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, Steve and June Flynn"
"Family. Nancy and I send our prayers to Jerry\'s wonderful family. We \"toasted\" Jerry tonite and can not wait til we can celebrate together. PrYers to you all! Phil and Nancy Tabor"
"So sorry for your loss. Great guy, funny too. Also a good neighbor. You are all in my prayers."
"My dear Lois and family I am so sorry for your loss during this time! I never fail to think of you when I drive by your farm on my way to Andrew! God blessings and may he give you peace during your time of sorrow. "
"To Donna, Carol and the rest of the family I\'m sorry to hear about your loss. You have my simpathy"
"To Carol, Donna and the rest of the family I'm sorry to hear about your loss. You have my sympathy. Steve eggers"
"Randy, jillibean and family of Gerry's,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
love, Sonny and Kim Goble"
"Thinking of all of you as you grieve the loss of someone so special. It's never easy but may it provide some great comfort in knowing all chains are gone and Gerry is totally enjoying being home! May you sorrows turn to joy as you reminisce and share the many memories you have. With our hearttfelt sympathy~ Sue & Mike"
"Lois and family, Our condolences to you all, Jerry's humor had a special gift that would chuckle anyone, memories everlasting, glad to of been a friend, thoughts and prayers! "
"Franzen family our thoughts and prayers are with you all.Jerry was fun to be around when i was at an establishment and he was present.He raised a fine family! Our deepest sympathies Jerry Jillane & Family"
"Our sincerest sympathies to all of the Franzen family.Jerry can go back to cigar smoking and telling stories!!!!!"
"Our sincerest sympathies to the Franzen family. Jerry's iconic look with his cigar in mouth and great smile will be forever remembered. "
"Our sincerest sympathies to the entire Franzen family on the passing of Jerry. His iconic look with his cigar in mouth and his great smile will be forever remembered. Dave and Alice Koob family. "
"Lois, Neal, Marji, Carol and Donna, My sympathy to you all. Jerry was such a hoot! I always enjoyed his company-he'll be entertaining you all from above! I will honor his memory with a cold one!! Prayers to you all. Nina (Kilburg) Bahl"
"My sympathy to the Franzen family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time! "
"Very sweet man, and going to be missed by many! "
"To Lois and the Frandzen family, So sorry for your loss. Jerry and your family has always been such apart of my family's life. Such an amazing man who will be missed by many. Sorry for your loss and I will be praying for the whole Frandzen family. "
"Lois and the whole Frandzen family, I am so sorry for your loss. Jerry and your whole family has been such apart of my family?s life. Such an amazing man, he will be missed by many. Sorry and praying for each of you. "
"Dear Franzen family, we are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Shady's"
"Sympathy to the Franzen family. "
"Sympathy to the Franzen family. "
"Franzen Family, So sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. What a great fellow! Always enjoyed his input with the coffee guys. Him with that cigar hanging out of his mouth, he always hurried putting it out and in his pocket when he realized he still had it in his mouth in the store. He will be greatly missed. Our thought and prayers are with you."
"My sympathy to the Franzen family. So sorry for your loss. "
"My thoughts and payers are with you all during this difficult time."
"Our sympathy to the Franzen family"
"Franzen Family !! Jerry U Left Us 2-Soon !! R I P- Our Friend !! Such Great MEMORIES We Have Of-U !! Harry Shady "
"Lois and family, our prayers and condolences to you and your family! I can still see the Franzen family coming into our restaurant Honey Bears after Sunday church! We were forever teasing Jerry with the birthday horn..Pne Sunday John Wagner honked it at him ! Oh My! We all had such fun teasing him! What an amazing man! He left foot prints in so many of our hearts!! Please know that he will not be forgotten!! Dennis and Gay Storlie"
"So sorry for your loss! Thinking of you all during this difficult time. "
"I'm sorry for everyone loss he was a great man and my best memory is playing dominos with them. He will be greatly missed love Angie Brewster "
"Franzen Families I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your loved one. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace ."
"Our Deepest Sympathies to the Family. Jerry was always smiling and making people laugh. He will be deeply missed at Family Gatherings. Steve and Marilyn Ruggeberg "
"I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember playing cards with him at the Eagles. What a great guy. My God help you through this tough time. He always made me smile and laugh."
"roy and deb wilhelm Gerry was a great man always willing to help. Our prayers are with the family . Rest in peace Gerry"
"We are thinking of your family - Gerry was a wonderful man and so kind. He will be missed by many..."
"Thoughts and prayers to your families, these are difficult times. Keep your faith and cherish the memories?"
"The world lost a good man yesterday. Jerry worked hard, played hard and loved his family. Our mother Marcy loved Jerry. He was a great brother to her. Mom was there to welcome him home! Time to celebrate his life. Roger&Sue"
"Dear Carol and Family, We?re so sorry to hear about your Dad and will be praying for your wonderful family. God Bless You. Pat and Linda Reed"
"Dear Franzen family, It is very sad to hear of Jerry's passing. We cherish many great memories. Prayers to all. Jim & Julie"
"Dear Franzen family, it is very sad to hear of Jerry's passing. We have many great memories to cherish. Prayers to all. Jim & Julie"
"To the entire Franzen family, I am so very to hear about you dad. Prayers to you all and keep all of your memories alive. "
"To the Franzen family,
Praying for you during the days and weeks ahead. I hope the memories that each of you have help you during this sad times. His smile lit up each person he came in contact with. Hugs and the love of Jesus to each of you. Lynda "