Dennis P Franzen

Celebration of Life Service for Dennis P. Franzen will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Darrel Wissmann officiating.  Interment will be held in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Gosper County, Nebraska with military honors provided by the Bertrand Veterans Organization in conjunction with the United States Army Honor Guard.

Dennis Paul Franzen, 69 years of age, of Grand Island, Nebraska (formerly of Smithfield, Nebraska) passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Grand Island.  Dennis was born April 12, 1947 at Gothenburg, Nebraska, the eldest of five children born to Paul Henry and Ruth Anna Marie (Fastenau) Franzen.  Dennis received his primary education at Smithfield and then graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1965.  During his school years, he was active in 4-H and participated in football.  He then pursued higher education at the University Of Nebraska School Of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska.

In January of 1968, Dennis was inducted into the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge in August of 1969.  Dennis was a proud member of the 7 ^th Squadron of the 17 ^th Air Calvary and was awarded the Purple Heart for his dedication and sacrifices to his country.  He then returned home to Gosper County and engaged in farming on the family farm with his father and worked at the Bertrand Hay Mill.

In January of 1971 he was united in marriage to Donna Price at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield.  In the years to come, Dennis operated a tree service with his brother, Barry.  In November of 1988 he was united in marriage to Carol Peterson.  The couple resided in Amherst, Nebraska until returning to the family farm a mile south of Smithfield, where Dennis enjoyed raising livestock.  Besides his passion for the farm, Dennis enjoyed hunting and was very active in motocross.  He had a love of flying and built ultralight airplanes.  He also enjoyed the time spent with Carol at their cabin at Johnson Lake fishing and boating.  Following a brain injury in June of 2010, Dennis began to make his home at the Grand Island VA Community Living Center.

He was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church and the Bertrand Veteran's Organization, where he was active with the honor guard.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents.  He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Carol of 30 years of Grand Island; three brothers:  Barry Franzen and his wife, Tammy of Conch Key, Florida, Ricky Franzen of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Randall Franzen of Omaha, Nebraska; one sister, Lori (Franzen) Kuck of Smithfield; nieces:  Kelli Marshall, and Christina and Torrie Franzen; nephews:  Eric Kuck, Greg, Jacob, Derek, and Joshua Franzen, and Andrew Kuck; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Dennis' honor and kindly suggested to the Bertrand Veteran's Organization.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.