Kenneth Franson

KENNETH FRANSON

Coggon

Kenneth Franson, 91, of Coggon, died at home Jan. 21, 2014, of cancer. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Zion Presbyterian Church, Coggon, with the Rev. Leonard "Doc" Ranson officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until services. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Central City.

Charles Kenneth Franson was born on the family farm near Edgar, Neb., on Dec. 15, 1922, to Edward and Hulda Smith Franson. He graduated from Edgar High School in 1940. The family moved to a farm at Coggon, Iowa, in 1944 and Kenneth married Doris Wilma Gunderson in 1945. They were wed until her death in 1969.

In 1945, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Japan until 1947. He then began farming in Linn County, Iowa, most recently near Coggon. Kenneth retired from farming in 1987, but continued his insurance business with West Side Mutual Insurance for several years.

Kenneth enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting, trap shooting, fishing, vintage farm machinery, snow-mobiling and playing cards. He developed an interest in horses, as draft and companion animals, while growing up and kept horses for much of his farming career.

He enjoyed seeing wildlife and natural attractions when vacationing with family and friends to national parks and scenic areas, particularly in western states, Canada and Alaska.

Kenneth was proud of his military service, maintained lifelong friendships with his Army buddies, was a longtime member of Coggon American Legion Post 36 and traveled to Washington D.C., with the Honor Flight in 2012, accompanied by son John.

He was a member and elder of Zion Presbyterian Church in Coggon, where he enjoyed fellowship with neighbors, friends and pastors. Kenneth was a good neighbor and friend, an example of independence and deter-mination and a believer in the adage, "You can't learn any

younger."

In 1972, Kenneth married Arloa Lorena Everett, who survives.

Kenneth is also survived by his children, Chris of Madison, Wis., Diane of Ferryville, Wis., and John (Tina) of Coggon; grandchildren, Laura (Frank) Boroch, and their daughters, Isabel and Katherine; and Jenna, Chad and Jessica Franson; stepchildren, Joel (Diane) Everett, and their son, Justin (Erica); Cyndi Thomas, and her daughters, Latoya and Davina, and Davina's daughter, Akira; nieces, Janet Hughes, Joyce Jones and Darlene Poffel; nephews, Richard and Steven Manning; and sister-in-law, Pearl Franson.

In addition to his wife, Doris, Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister; brothers, Clair and Harold Franson; sisters, Helen Swanson and Aldine Manning; and nephew, Wilbur Swanson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice, American Cancer Society or a donation of your choice.

Please sign the online guest book for Kenneth at www.murdochfuneral

home.com under

obituaries.