Kenneth Franson
December 15, 1922 — January 21, 2014
Kenneth Franson, 91, of Coggon died at home on January 21, 2014 of cancer. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. at Zion Presbyterian Church, Coggon, Saturday, January 25, with Rev. Leonard “Doc” Ranson officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until services. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Central City.
Charles Kenneth Franson was born on the family farm near Edgar, Nebraska on December 15, 1922 to Edward and Hulda Smith Franson. He graduated from Edgar High School in 1940. The family moved to a farm at Coggon, Iowa in 1944 and Kenneth married Doris Wilma Gunderson in 1945. They were wed until her death in 1969. In 1945, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Japan until 1947. He then began farming in Linn County, Iowa, most recently near Coggon. Kenneth retired from farming in 1987, but continued his insurance business with West Side Mutual Insurance for several years.
Kenneth enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting, trap shooting, fishing, vintage farm machinery, snowmobiling, and playing cards. He developed an interest in horses, as draft and companion animals, while growing up and kept horses for much of his farming career. He enjoyed seeing wildlife and natural attractions when vacationing with family and friends to national parks and scenic areas, particularly in western states, Canada, and Alaska. Kenneth was proud of his military service, maintained life-long friendships with his Army buddies, was a long-time member of Coggon American Legion Post 36, and traveled to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight in 2012 accompanied by son John. He was a member and Elder of Zion Presbyterian Church in Coggon, where he enjoyed fellowship with neighbors, friends, and pastors. Kenneth was a good neighbor and friend, an example of independence and determination, and a believer in the adage, “You can’t learn any younger.”
In 1972, Kenneth married Arloa Lorena Everett, who survives. Kenneth is also survived by his children, Chris, Madison, Wisconsin; Diane, Ferryville, Wisconsin; and John (Tina) of Coggon; grandchildren Laura (Frank) Boroch, and their daughters Isabel and Katherine; and Jenna, Chad, and Jessica Franson; stepchildren Joel (Diane) Everett, and their son Justin (Erica); Cyndi Thomas, her daughters Latoya and Davina, and Davina’s daughter, Akira; nieces Janet Hughes, Joyce Jones, and Darlene Poffel; nephews Richard and Steven Manning; and sister-in-law Pearl Franson. In addition to wife Doris, Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, brothers Clair and Harold Franson, sisters Helen Swanson and Aldine Manning, and nephew Wilbur Swanson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or donation of your choice.
Charles Kenneth Franson was born on the family farm near Edgar, Nebraska on December 15, 1922 to Edward and Hulda Smith Franson. He graduated from Edgar High School in 1940. The family moved to a farm at Coggon, Iowa in 1944 and Kenneth married Doris Wilma Gunderson in 1945. They were wed until her death in 1969. In 1945, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Japan until 1947. He then began farming in Linn County, Iowa, most recently near Coggon. Kenneth retired from farming in 1987, but continued his insurance business with West Side Mutual Insurance for several years.
Kenneth enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting, trap shooting, fishing, vintage farm machinery, snowmobiling, and playing cards. He developed an interest in horses, as draft and companion animals, while growing up and kept horses for much of his farming career. He enjoyed seeing wildlife and natural attractions when vacationing with family and friends to national parks and scenic areas, particularly in western states, Canada, and Alaska. Kenneth was proud of his military service, maintained life-long friendships with his Army buddies, was a long-time member of Coggon American Legion Post 36, and traveled to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight in 2012 accompanied by son John. He was a member and Elder of Zion Presbyterian Church in Coggon, where he enjoyed fellowship with neighbors, friends, and pastors. Kenneth was a good neighbor and friend, an example of independence and determination, and a believer in the adage, “You can’t learn any younger.”
In 1972, Kenneth married Arloa Lorena Everett, who survives. Kenneth is also survived by his children, Chris, Madison, Wisconsin; Diane, Ferryville, Wisconsin; and John (Tina) of Coggon; grandchildren Laura (Frank) Boroch, and their daughters Isabel and Katherine; and Jenna, Chad, and Jessica Franson; stepchildren Joel (Diane) Everett, and their son Justin (Erica); Cyndi Thomas, her daughters Latoya and Davina, and Davina’s daughter, Akira; nieces Janet Hughes, Joyce Jones, and Darlene Poffel; nephews Richard and Steven Manning; and sister-in-law Pearl Franson. In addition to wife Doris, Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, brothers Clair and Harold Franson, sisters Helen Swanson and Aldine Manning, and nephew Wilbur Swanson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or donation of your choice.
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