Lynda Eileen Franzen, 84, Lyle, Minn., passed away to be with the Lord our Savior on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, Iowa, with her daughter, Lola at her side.

Lynda was born Feb.14, 1927, on a farm north of in Armstrong, Iowa, to Einer and Gladys (Brighton) Beck. She graduated from Estherville High School. On May 8, 1949, Lynda married Lorenz Franzen at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Armstrong, Iowa.

Lynda worked as a bookkeeper for 35 years at Marigold and Ankeny’s Dairy Foods in Austin.

The happiest memory she had was when they purchased the Franzen family farm on Aug. 14, 1951, where she lived from March 1952 to September 2006, then moved to Lyle. She was very active at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was on the library board in Lyle. Lynda especially loved to spend time with her family. She also enjoyed sewing quilts for the Lutheran World Relief. Lynda’s kind and gentle smile would brighten anyone’s day.

Lynda especially loved her family and her farm.

Lynda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lorenz Franzen and sister, Melva Beck.

She is survived by her sons, Lyndon Franzen of Webster City, Iowa; Lowell (Barbara) Franzen of Lyle; daughters, Londa Jones of Greenville, S.C., and Lola Vaith of Garner, Iowa; grandchildren, Lyn (Jason) Merritt, Kristen (Zachary) Knox, Kelly (Matt) Wiese, Heidi (Jade) Shedenhelm, Adam (Tara) Franzen, David Jones, Sarah Jones, Bridget Vaith, and Alli Vaith; great-grandchildren Jasilyn, Brayden and Payton Merritt, Parker and Paxton Knox, Lillyan and Izzabelle Wiese, Derek, Logan and Grant Shedenhelm, Aden and Audrina Franzen, and Olivia Jones.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2011, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ronald D. Myers officiating. Burial will be in the Woodbury Cemetery. Friends may call at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 24, and for one half hour before the service at the church on Monday.