Obituary of JOSEPH LAWRENCE FRANZ

JOSEPH LAWRENCE FRANZ Peacefully on October 13, Joseph (Joe) passed away at Lion’s Manor Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. Joseph was born on September 29, 1920 at Berlo, Manitoba to parents Johann and Apolonia (Marks) Franz. Joseph valued education and so made a great effort to attend high school in Gimli. After a brief stint in the army he worked for the CPR then returned to Berlo to farm. In the early 1950’s he began work at the airbase in Gimli working there for twenty odd years. He eventually moved the family to the town. In Gimli Joseph was very active in St. Michael’s Parish, was the scoutmaster of the Boy Scout Troop and served two terms on the town council of Gimli. He was the first chairman of the Evergreen Regional Library Board and was very proud of his part in its formation. With the closure of the airbase he transferred to Environment Canada in Winnipeg where he worked until his retirement. What followed were twenty happy years at the cottage he built in Arnes where he gardened, fished, and enjoyed each and every day to the fullest. Family was always important and he spent all his free time with his children, grandchildren and assorted family always willing to lend a hand. He is survived by his beloved wife Helen, their children Larry (Lorraine), Adrienne (Allan) Ko-blun and Mark; grandchildren Melanie (Richard) Arndt, James Franz, Andrea (Greg) McDonald and Christopher (Lori) Franz.; great grandchildren Kelby and Aimee Arndt, Jack, Logan, William and Benjamin McDonald and Hailey Franz; also his sister-in-laws Anne Franz and Tillie Franz, many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, all his siblings – Emily Dick, Kate (Malcom) MacDonald, Anton (Vera), Mary (Harry) Stephenson, Anna Warren, Adam, John, Michael (baby), Elizabeth (William) Moore and his grandson Dale Koblun. The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Lion’s Manor for their kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the bursary fund at St. Paul’s High School, 2200 Grant Avenue or the charity of your choice. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18 at St. Michael’s Church in Gimli. Interment to follow.