Thomas Franzen

Thomas J. Franzen, age 85, resident of Lakota, ND, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center with his family by his side.

Thomas Jacob Franzen was born March 1, 1926 the son of Paul and Edith (Glenn) Franzen. He was raised in the Lakota area and attended school at Center #2, rural Mapes. Tom entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1949 and served in occupied Japan. He returned home in 1951 to farm along with his brothers, where he remained on the family farm until August 2010. Tom married Ann Marie Lee in 1968 and had one daughter, Tracey, and 2 stepdaughters also dear to his heart, Brenda and Annette. Tom loved the land, farming, and gardening, and took many road trips with his brother, Francis. He also enjoyed spending time with family.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Tracey of Lakota; 2 granddaughters, Kayla of Robbinsdale, MN and Emily of Lakota; 2 stepdaughters, Brenda (Rob) Brannan of Duluth, MN and their children, Pat (Krystal), Jessica (Lance), and Angela, and grandchildren, Tyler, Mason, Madeline, Claire, and Breanna; Annette (Glenn) Johnson of Yankton, SD and their children, Tiffany (Brad) and Amber, and grandchildren, Viktor and Gunnar; his brother, Francis of McVille; 3 sisters, Margaret Ann Getty of St. Anthony, MN, Gretchen Desautels of Houston, TX, and Virginia Anderson of Erie, CO; and 31 nieces and nephews.

He joins his parents and brothers, Paul "Buddy" and Bernard in eternal life.

The Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Lakota, on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Fr. Joseph D'Aco. Music will be provided by the St. Mary Church Choir, Barbara Johnson is the organist. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery . Casketbearers will be John Franzen, Matt Franzen, Robert Franzen, Bill Franzen, Rob Brannan, and Glenn Johnson. Military Honors will be accorded by the Rundell-Holicky American Legion Post #21 of Lakota. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home, Lakota, on Monday beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Liturgy.