James Franzenburg

JAMES "JIM" FRANZENBURG

Cedar Rapids

Jim Franzenburg, 72, passed away March 7, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his family.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be Sunday, March 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Van Horne Community Center. Services with military rites by Post 148 of Van Horne will be at 3 p.m.

Memorial donation may be directed to the family in lieu of flowers.

Jim was born May 6, 1944, in rural Keystone, Iowa, to Howard Franzenburg and Norma (Pickering) Franzenburg-Parizek. Jim married Dorothy Walter from Watkins, Iowa, on May 28, 1966; they later divorced. They had four children.

Jim served his country in the U.S. Army and National Guard for six years. He lived in California for 26 years and loved nothing more than to ride his motorcycle through the mountains and across country until he was forced to stop due to his illness. He had a special place in his heart for all animals, especially his. When not on his motorcycle, Jim could be found on a dance floor or shooting the breeze with anyone who would laugh at his jokes!

Survivors include his four children, Cari (Terry) Jones of Swisher, Jeff (Shelly) Franzenburg of Van Horne, Jason (Angie) Franzenburg of Davenport and Jessica (Chad) Lohrer of Atkins; 11 grandchildren, Mallory, Reece, Jensyn, Patrick, Sidney, Kaile, Jackson, Jordan, Delaney, Kennedy and Brynley; brother, Gary Franzenburg of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; sister, Faye (Bill) Nolan of Van Horne; and sister-in-law, Dorothy (Franzenburg) Teslik of Swisher; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gene Franzenburg; and stepfather, Charles Parizek.

Jim's family would like to extend a sincere heartfelt thank-you to St. Luke's ICU and inpatient Hospice staff for their kind, attentive care and support of Jim and his family.