Franz, Rudolph J. (1911-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Oct 13 p. 5

Birth date: 1911 Nov. 3

text of obituary:

. . .

● A coronary attack suffered at his farm home on Route 2, Whitewater, last Sunday claimed the life of Rudolph J. Franz, 55. He had farmed in that vicinity since his marriage to Elizabeth Ratzlaff in 1938. She survives with two married daughters, one grandchild, one sister and three brothers, the latter all living in the Newton community. The funeral was to be held Wednesday afternoon at the Grace Hill Mennonite Church, with Rev. E. J. Miller officiating.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Dec 22 p. 12

text of obituary:

RUDOLPH J. FRANZ

Rudolph J. Franz, son of J. J. and Eva Frey Franz, was born near Goessel, Kan., on Nov. 3, 1911. In his early boyhood he moved with his parents to a farm near Colby, Kan. where he received most of his elementary and secondary education.

After returning to the Goessel-Whitewater community he was baptized upon his confession of faith by Rev. P. H. Unruh and became a member of Alexanderwohl Church on Pentecost Sunday 1912.

On April 3, 1938 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ratzlaff. The young couple established their home on a farm northwest of Whitewater where they spent their entire married life. Two daughters, Carol and Nancy, were born to them.

In 1953 he and Elizabeth transferred their membership from the First Mennonite Church in Newton to the Grace Hill Church. He loved his church and took an active intrest [sic] in it, serving on the Sunday school and church boards for a number of years. Also actively interested in his community, he considered it a real privilege to work with his neighbors.

As a great lover of nature, he enjoyed working out-of-doors. Always fond of music, he played an accordion in his younger years in an instrumental group known as the Franz Brothers Quartet.

Rudolph suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack in his home on Sunday morning, Oct. 9, 1966, at the age of 54 years, 11 months and six days. His kindly spirit and sincere convictions, humbly expressed, revealed his devout Christian life. He had a cheerful disposition and keen sense of humor.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth; two daughters, Carol and husband, max Patterson of Kansas City, Mo., and Nancy and husband Orville Schmidt and daughter Jennine, of Goessel, Kan.; one sister Lydia, Mrs. Andrew Bush of Denver, Colo.; and three brothers, Marvin, Adolph and Walter of Newton.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 12 at 2 o'clock at the Grace Hill Church with Rev. E. J. Miller officiating. Burial was in the Grace Hill cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1966 Nov 1 p. 666