Joyce Margaret Franz
1933 - 2020
North Newton- Joyce Margaret Franz, 86,
died Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Wichita, Kansas.
She was born December 5, 1933 at
Didsbury, Alberta, Canada to John Peter and Emma (Braun) Loewen.
She was a resident of Newton, KS for 20
years and of North Newton for the last 7 years formerly residing in
rural Sedgwick.
She earned a bachelor's degree in
Education from Bethel College and a Master's degree in Library
Science from Emporia State University.
She began teaching elementary school
after graduating from college but soon stayed home to raise three
children. After receiving her Master's degree, she worked as a
librarian in the Sedgwick schools and later was the librarian at
Valley Center Jr. High for 20 years.
She was a member of The First Mennonite
Church, Halstead. She served as Chancel Choir director for 20 years,
Handbell director for 39 years, deacon and held many other positions.
On May 27, 1955, she married Donald Lee
Franz. He preceded her in death on December 29, 2012.
Survivors include son: Alan (Tim Host)
Franz, Dallas, TX; daughters: Kathy (Bruce) Graham, Topeka; Sharon
(David) Morford, Wichita; brother: Robert Loewen, Kelowna, British
Columbia; sister: Myrtle Backus, Spruce Grove, Alberta; Lois (Wilf)
Driedger, Chilliwack, British Columbia; sister-in-law: Betty Bodine,
Goessel; brother-in-law: Dr. Joseph Duerksen, Roeland Park, KS; three
grandchildren, three step grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and
five step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her
parents and her twin brother, Louis Loewen.
A private family inurnment will take
place at Halstead Cemetery.
A memorial service for family and
friends is being planned for the spring/summer of 2021 pending the
status of health and travel restrictions.
Memorials may be given to The First
Mennonite Church, Halstead or Kidron Bethel Village Health Care
Benevolent Fund in care of Kaufman Funeral Home, Halstead.
