Loretta Sue Franz died Saturday,
November 12, 2022, at the age of 82. Loretta was born on October 18,
1940, in Enid, Oklahoma, to Joe and Ruby Eck. Loretta Sue, along with
her twin sister, Joetta Lou, were raised on a farm between Meno and
Goltry, Oklahoma. Her dad was a custom harvester. While in Goltry
High School, the twins played basketball, were salutatorians of their
senior class, and were involved in many music events together. The
family attended Zoar Mennonite Church in Goltry where Loretta was
baptized in 1954, by Rev. J.W. Bergen. After graduating from Goltry
High School in 1958, Loretta and Joetta attended Bethel College in
North Newton, Kansas. She received an associates of art degree in
business. They both played basketball and volleyball during the two
years they were at Bethel. The twins then worked for two years at
Hesston Corporation together. It was at Bethel College that Loretta
met Kenneth Franz and they were married on June 4, 1961, by Rev.
Arnold Epp at First Mennonite Church, Newton, KS where she
transferred her membership. To this marriage was born Kent Wayne on
October 11, 1962, and Jay Douglas on November 10, 1966. When Kent was
two years old, Loretta began to teach 2 to 4 year olds Sunday School
class songs and Bible stories at First Mennonite Church. She enjoyed
teaching for 33 years. Music was very important in her life. While
growing up, she sang trios together with Joetta and their Mom. The
twins are probably singing those songs with their Mom now. Loretta?s
hobbies included keeping her yard and flower gardens beautiful. Her
huge tomato plants that she planted every year kept the neighbors
supplied. She also enjoyed her many years as Sales Coordinator at
Premier Building Products and Shipping Clerk at Sims Enterprises. She
loved watching the Kansas City Royals and Wichita State basketball
games on television.
Loretta has said that her two children
were her most wonderful blessings in life. She enjoyed attending all
the sporting events that her sons, Kent and Jay, participated in
through high school football, basketball, and tennis and going on to
college games where Kent and Jay played basketball. She especially
enjoyed attending the many events that her grandchildren participated
in softball, volleyball, basketball, cross country, and track. In
addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons: Kent of
Chandler, OK, and Jay and wife Monica of Wichita, KS: granddaughters,
Shelbey and husband Bart Estes, Blakeley and husband Randon Gregory,
Cecilia and husband Jordan Friedel, Oliva and husband Carlos Burbach,
and grandson Keelan and wife Megan Franz; four great grandsons and
two great granddaughters; brother-in-law Paul Penner; nieces and
nephews. Preceding her in death were her mother and father, Joe and
Ruby Eck, Inman, KS; and on July 8, 2010, she lost her twin sister,
Joetta, to cancer. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM, Friday,
November 18th, 2022, at Grace Community Church in Newton, Kansas. A
visitation will be the evening prior from 5:00 9:-00 PM, Thursday,
November 17th at Petersen Funeral Home. A private graveside will take
place at Greenwood Cemetery. The family expresses appreciation for
all the cards and visits. Everyone is invited to join them for a
fellowship lunch at the church following the memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Community Church, 1600 S.
Anderson Rd., Newton, KS, 67114.
