Franz, Leonard L. (1875-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 May 19 p. 8

Birth date: 1875 Sep 3

text of obituary:

LEONARD L. FRANZ

Leonard L. Franz was born Sept. 3, 1875, in Yankton, Dakota Territory, shortly after his parents envisioned the shores of this fair land, coming from the Crimea, Russia the same year. He departed from this world on May 3, 1955, at the age of 79 years and eight months, in the Ritzville, Wash. memorial hospital where he was admitted five days earlier with a hip fracture.

He was baptized by Rev. Joseph Kauffman and joined the Salem church at Freeman, South Dakota upon his confession of faith on Sept. 13, 1898. On October 21, 1897, he was united in marriage to Juliana Ewert who preceded him in death 20 years ago. To this union of 37 years, two daughters and four sons were born.

Surviving him to mourn our loss here and to rejoice with him over his gain over there are one daughter Othielia, Mrs. R. W. Claassen of LaCross [sic LaCrosse], Wash.; four sons, Julius of Lind, Edward of Santa Monica, Calif., Arthur and Robert of Lind. He lived to the end in the old family home on the farm with Robert and his family. One sister, Mary, Mrs. C. Allert of Ritzville; three brothers, Will of Toppenish, Dave of Auburn, and Julius of Granger, Wash.; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends mourn his departure.

In 1902 the family moved to Washington to pioneer in the sagebrush and bunchgrass of Grant and Adams counties. The work was hard and often the fruits disappointing. The road to the nearest town was long, as was the road to church, but many hours of family fellowship and singing were enjoyed on the way to Church. He was always consistently in the work of the Lord. He and mother joined the Menno Mennonite church in 1903 where he served as deacon for many years.

Services were held at the Menno Mennonite church near Ritzville on May 5 with Rev. Willard Wiebe, pastor of the church, and Rev. P. D. Unruh of Colax officiating. Interment too place at the Menno Cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1955 May 24 p. 335