Mary Franzen

Mary Beatrice Franzen, age 85 of Fredericksburg, Iowa died Wednesday, November 12, 2025 unexpectedly at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner, Iowa. 

Friends may greet the family from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 6:00 p.m. Scripture Service.

Mary was born on July 28, 1940, in Lawler, Iowa, the daughter of James and Lois (Schuman) Hurley and was their only child. She graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic High School in 1958 having found memories from then. After graduating Mary went on to be a waitress at Crystal Grill in New Hampton and the Whitehouse in Fredericksburg. She was a CNA at different nursing homes in the county. She then became a house cleaner for a company and loved it that was right up her alley. Lastly, she was an ambulance driver for Chickasaw County Ambulance working for Jim Cook and loved being able to help people in their time of need!

Mary met Larry Franzen through mutual acquaintances, and the two quickly formed a deep connection. They were united in marriage on April 30, 1976, in New Hampton, Iowa.They welcomed 2 daughters Laura Lea November 22, 1972 and Traci Ann March 18, 1974. Following their marriage, Mary and Larry made their home in Fredericksburg, where they raised their family and built their lives through hard work, faith, and love. Mary and Larry were inseparable—they did everything together and cherished the simple joys of their life in Chickasaw County. 

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be remembered as someone who would help anyone she could, always putting others before herself. Her kindness, warmth, and willingness to lend a hand will forever be cherished by those who knew her. She loved to play Solitaire, clean (everything was always spotless), visit with family and friends, play pull tabs, watching cooking and game shows with Larry and the grandkids, spending time with her grandkids and Larry making priceless memories, going for drives with Larry, strawberry shakes, salt water taffy and funnel cakes during Dairy Days, dancing, music and singing. 

Mary bravely battled Chronic Kidney Disease for 10 years. She did dialysis for 9.5 years roughly which healthcare providers often commented how amazing this was as the average dialysis time was 5 years. She quickly made amazing friends at Davita in West Union, Iowa. The nurses and techs she fondly referred to as her girls that she loved dearly! She never complained about anything about having to do dialysis and minded her restrictions adamantly. She looked forward to seeing everyone there and catching up with them. Our family truly appreciates everything the girls there did for her!! 

Mary is survived by her daughters, Lauri, Sherri and Denise; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Linda Schaufenbuel, Lorraine (Ray) Armbrecht and LeAnn Franzen. Brother-in-law Fred (Diana) Murray; many nieces and nephews. 

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Larry, a son Daniel, a daughter Traci, a grandson in infancy, her parents James and Lois Hurley, her in-laws Arnold and Elsie Franzen, sisters-in-law Geri Randall, Leona Murray and brothers-in-law Lyle, Laverne, Leo and Lennie Franzen, Bob Randall and Kenny Schaufenbuel.