Marguerite Josephine Franzel, of Wiggins, Colo., and Sumatra, Mont., died Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in Greeley, Colo. She was 84 years old.
Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, and vigil with recitation of the Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, 245 Westwind Lane, Forsyth. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 509 N. 12th, Forsyth. Burial will follow at Forsyth Cemetery. Services will also be held in Wiggins, Colo., on Monday, April 13.
Marguerite was born Jan. 18, 1931, in Gurley, Neb., to Ruth and Joseph Ernest. The family lived in Nebraska, Washington and Colorado before finally settling in Wiggins. Marguerite graduated from Wiggins High School in 1949, one of the first classes to graduate from the new high school.
She first met a young man named Robert Franzel through a pen pal program with the Catholic Church. They were married Jan. 19, 1953, at the Cathedral Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Denver.
The couple spent the first few years of their marriage at the family ranch near Sumatra, Mont., before returning to Wiggins to be closer to Marguerite’s aging parents. After their children were grown, they moved back to the ranch, splitting their time between the two homes. Following Robert’s death in 2004, Marguerite moved back to Wiggins to be near her family.
She was a devout Catholic woman and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Wiggins. She enjoyed being outdoors, especially hunting for arrowheads at the ranch. She was an avid reader and loved animals.
Marguerite held many jobs during her life including secretary and insurance processor at Rose Memorial Hospital; agricultural assistant; and cook at many local restaurants. But her most important and treasured job was that of mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; her daughter, Peggy Koubek; her son, Joseph Franzel; and son-in-law, Ron Deihl.
She is survived by her children, Mary Meyer of Arkansas, Paul Franzel of Montana, Linda Howell (Melvin) of Wiggins, Joanne Deihl of Denver, Mike Franzel of Wiggins, Shannon Young (Will) of Wiggins, and Carol Franzel of California; grandchildren, Joshua Howell, Sheldon Franzel, Amanda Koubek, Chrissy Hopf, Erin Koubek, Joseph Howell, Heather Franzel, James Franzel, Felicia Franzel, Alexandria Franzel, Emily Franzel, Renzdale Franzel and Christopher Young; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Fort Morgan Humane Society in care of Heer Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4 PM to 6 PM
Thursday April 16, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln
Forsyth, MT 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 AM
Friday April 17, 2015
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Forsyth, MT
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday April 17, 2015
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
4 PM to 6 PM
Thursday April 16, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln
Forsyth, MT 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 AM
Friday April 17, 2015
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Forsyth, MT
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday April 17, 2015
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT
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Sandi Van Pelt says
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Elaine Buck says
Wayne and I both are so very sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. You are in our thoughts and prayers.