Helen Franzen

Tuesday, November 17, 2020 11:37 pm

Helen Franzen, age 77, of St. Lucas, Iowa, died on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa, with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Visitation will be from 2:-5 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 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 Nov. 5, 1943 to Paul and Margaret (Balk) Blong. She married Bernard Franzen on October 19, 1963.  Together they raised six 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.

She leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Helen loved her family and spending her time with them.  She enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and preserving the reaps of her garden. She loved playing games with her family.  Helen was known to be an aggressive card player and would do whatever it took to win. Her young grandson set her up so it would be impossible for to win.  He stacked the deck! Her family was everything.  Holidays of togetherness were very important to her.

Helen is survived by her husband Bernard.  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.  Seventeen grandchildren and seven 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 Franzen, St. Lucas; Michael Heins and Guenter Hagemeier. She is preceded in death by her parents: Paul and Margaret (Balk) Blong.  Her brothers: Albert and Lawrence.  Sister: Theresa (Paul) Dietrich. In laws: Mary Ann Franzen, JoAnn Heins and Dorothy Hagemeier.