Wennis Franz

Wennis Gay Franz, age 90, of Mountain Lake, died on December 1, 2023 at his home in Mountain Lake.

Funeral service will be held at Lakeview Gospel Church in Mountain Lake on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Mountain Lake City Cemetery in Mountain Lake.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Mountain Lake. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Wennis was born July 22, 1933 to George and Anna (Nickel) Franz in Midway Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. He graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1952. He was drafted into the US Army in 1952 and stationed in Germany as a medic during the Korean war. Wennis was honorably discharged in 1954. On June 7, 1958, Wennis was united in marriage to Joyce Stadtlander in Mountain Lake. Together they raised two children, Douglas and Karen.

Wennis worked at the local creamery and farmed from 1955 to 1962. In October of 1962, he and his family moved to Mountain Lake. He worked for Co-op Oil (Country Pride Services) for 36 years, retiring in 1998. Wennis was a member of the American Legion, the Mountain Lake Fire Department for 23 years, 9 years a Chief and 9 years as president, Sportsman's Club, and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. In his free time, Wennis enjoyed golfing, fishing, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels.

Wennis is survived by his children, Douglas of Minneapolis and Karen Franz of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren, Rachel and Karly Franz; sisters, Joyce Lohrenz and Dorreen Borja; and a niece, nephews, and friends.

Wennis was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce in 2016; sister in infancy, Rosella; and brothers-in-law, Dennis Lohrenz and Dante Borja.