Marlys Franz

Marlys Franz, age 78, of St. James, formerly of the Mt. Lake area, died on Friday, September 9, 2011, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato with her family by her side. Marlys was born on November 15, 1932 in Litchfield, Minnesota, to George Benjamin and Marie (Erickson) Gunderson. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, where she later enjoyed teaching Sunday School. She received her education and graduated from the Litchfield Public Schools, and then worked as a bookkeeper for an auto dealership. Marlys was married to Willard Franz on September 4, 1960. They farmed together north of Mountain Lake until retirement in 1993 and continued to live on the farm until their move to St. James in 2009. She was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church and was active in the Worship Sew. She loved to read, travel and spend time with her friends and family, especially her beloved grandchildren. Marlys is survived by her husband Willard Franz of St. James; daughter Karen Franz of Chaska; daughter and son-in-law Beverly and Jon Lowe, and their children, Stephanie and Adam, all of Apple Valley; sisters Marilyn Judd of Litchfield and Marcy (Don) Radunz of Hutchinson; brother Wendell (Dorothy) Gunderson of Litchfield; sisters-in-law Wilma Krause of Mankato and Marcie Wiebe of Goshen, Indiana; brother-in-law Harris (Lorraine) Franz of New Ulm; nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers-in-law: Wilbur Judd, David Krause and Abe Wiebe.