Lloyd Alfred Franz

Born at home in Adair, Iowa to Nellie (Stonebraker) Franz and Alfred Franz on October 11, 1925 or October 12, 1925 depending on whether you asked his Mother or consulted his birth certificate. He was raised in Adair Iowa and graduated from Adair High School before joining the United States Navy to serve in World War II. He spent most of his military career aboard the submarine tender, the USS Euryale, and achieved a rank of Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class. At the end of the war, the USS Euryale was one of the first ships to arrive at the Japanese Harbor for the purpose of destroying the Japanese submarines.

Following his time in the service, Lloyd received a business degree from the AIB College of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. Lloyd married his soul mate, Betty Johnson, on April 17, 1947 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple was the first ever to renew their vows for a 75th Anniversary Celebration in an unforgettable service at the historic church.

Lloyd began his career in the car business at Allen Motors of Ames, Iowa in 1956. He initially served as a bookkeeper and later was promoted to Sales Manager. Following employment at several other car dealerships, he retired at age 77 from Liberty Buick in Sun City West, Arizona. He owned his own General Motors dealership, Franz Motors, from 1977 to 1982 in Guthrie Center, Iowa.

Lloyd was a lifetime member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, most recently Hope Lutheran Church in Portage Lakes, Ohio. He was a man of deep faith which shone brightly in the way he lived his life every day. The family was blessed to have such an excellent example, never even uttering a single curse word.

Lloyd loved playing cards. He learned the game of Euchre at the age of 96 because that was the card game of choice at his Assisted Living. He also liked sports and, in his younger years, enjoyed a good game of golf. He was a Caitlyn Clark fan and watched her college and WNBA games whenever possible. Prior to his wife's passing, Lloyd looked forward to watching reruns of Lawrence Welk but was it just not the same without her by his side.

Who was Lloyd Franz? Trying to capture his essence is not easy. He was a good and honorable man. He was a kind and gentle man. He was a man who commanded respect and in return showed respect to others. He was an honest man of integrity. At his retirement, his manager said he was the only salesman he had ever worked with that never tried to steal a commission from one of his coworkers. He was a funny man. If winning at cards, he would give a little smile and state that it was all about his great skill. He was a dedicated caregiver. When his wife developed dementia in her later years, he always thought about her needs before his own. He was a caring man and worried about people even for something as simple as a cold. He was a beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather. Outside of the Lord, Lloyd loved his family most of all and cherished every minute he could spend with them.

Lloyd will be deeply missed by his children, Linda (Michael) Hedden of Odebolt, Iowa, Larry Franz of Adel, Iowa, Doug Franz of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and Cindy (Ken) Mack of New Franklin, Ohio along with 16 Grandchildren, 28 Great Grandchildren, 9 Great Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The Lord sent a special blessing into his life, Rosemary Dickriede, who was his extraordinary caregiver, amazing friend and devotional partner. He will also be greatly missed by his second family, the staff and residents of his Assisted Living community, Woodlands of Liberty. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters Helen Sartor, Elsie Thomas, Marion Ballinger and Grace Schmeling and Granddaughter Christina Franz.

There are no words to express how grateful the family is for all who cared for Lloyd in his final years. Many staff and residents of his Assisted Living went above and beyond to make sure he had everything he needed especially after his health began to fail. He loved you all!

The family rejoices in the knowledge that Lloyd is now in the presence of God and reunited with his loving wife, Betty. May his memory be a blessing and may we carry forward his legacy of service to the Lord and his love for others.

The family will honor Lloyd with a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 30th at 2pm at Woodlands of Liberty 2, 1054 Freedom Drive in Wadsworth, Ohio. There will be an addition service in Iowa at a later date. Interment of ashes will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel (Van Meter), Iowa.