Delores Rose Franzen
July 7, 1936 ~ November 19, 2025
Born in:
Little Turkey, IA
Resided in:
New Hampton, IA
Delores Franzen, 89, of New Hampton, Iowa, formerly of Lawler passed away peacefully on November 19, 2025, at Accura Health – Linn Haven Rehab & Healthcare in New Hampton surrounded by her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, with Rev. Chris Podhajsky celebrating the Mass.
Interment will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Lawler, with Dustin Franzen, Derek Franzen, Joel Franzen, Justin Franzen, Travis Gebel, and Jeremy Oxendine serving as pallbearers.
Friends are invited to greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2025, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 7:00 p.m. scripture service. Visitation continues one hour before the Mass at the church in Lawler on Saturday.
Delores was born on July 7, 1936, in Little Turkey, Iowa, to Victor & Mary (Jirak) Berst. At the age of 3, her family moved to Lawler, Iowa, where she attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic School, graduating from the 8th grade.
Delores met the love of her life, Cletus Franzen, and they married on November 21, 1953. They made their home on the family farm east of Lawler. Together, they worked side by side on the farm until they moved to Lawler in 1973. During this time, they raised six children, five boys and one girl.
After moving to town, Delores began cleaning houses and businesses in the area. She continued that career for over 50 years, working into her eighties. Delores had a deep love for her family. Following Cletus’s death in 1993, Delores found a passion for dancing and playing cards. She enjoyed helping out with weddings and events at the Starlite Ballroom. She was very outgoing. She could talk to and become friends with anyone.
Delores was a proud member of the Lawler American Legion Auxiliary for 60 years. She was also a devoted member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.
Delores is survived by three sons, Dennis (Deb) Franzen of Waterloo, IA, Ronald Franzen of West Union, IA, Curtis (Anita) Franzen of Lawler, and one daughter, Debra (Steve) Oxendine of New Hampton, along with 12 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Delores is preceded in death by her husband, Cletus, and sons, Richard and David.
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My deepest condolences to all of Delores’s family. Such a sweet and funny lady. So glad I had the opportunity to meet and work with her and her family. Thoughts and prayers to everyone.
Delores was a very special woman. Her son David was my classmate. She always had a smile on her face. Her memories will live on forever. Rest In Peace my sweet lady!
My sympathy to the family. I have a lot of good memories of Dolores . May she rest in peace.
I lost a very dear friend today, God called her home in His own special way.
No words were spoken, for there was no need. He knew she was waiting and would follow His lead.
She was so very happy to see His face, to know she was saved, by His loving grace.
For loving her Lord and serving Him well, forever with Him, in Heaven she’ll dwell.
Yes, I lost a very dear friend today, but God gained a loyal follower.
A forever friend ~
Caroline
Lyn ( Meissen) Bailey
Sorry to hear about Delores passing. What a sweet ladies, always loved visiting with her. Thoughts and prayers to all.
Mary Jane & Randy Leach
My sympathy to the entire family.
My sympathy to Delores’s family. What a lovely and fun lady. Rest in peace.
Delores was one of my favorite friends in NH. I always appreciated our monthly get togethers and conversations. She was a strong person of faith and had obvious integrity. She is a real loss.
My sympathy to the family. A beautifully written story of Delores’s life. Described her to a tee. A dear soul.
We send our sincere condolences to the Franzen family.
Deepest sympathy to the Franzen family.
My sympathy to the Franzen family.