Obit: Franz, Fred A. (1891 – 1970)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Franz, McMillen, Horrall, Gibson, Albert, Fravert

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 09 Jul 1970

Franz, Fred A. (27 OCT 1891 – 26 JUN 1970)

Funeral services for Fred A. Franz, 78, Sidney, Mont., were held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 1970, at Pella Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Stanley Larsen officiating. Interment was in Sidney Cemetery.

Fred August Franz was born Oct. 27, 1891 in Warner Township, near Greenwood (Clark Co.), Wis., son of Mr. and Mrs. August Karl Franz. He was reared on the family farm, attended the neighborhood public schools, and also the German speaking church school of the German Reformed Church.

Fred came to Montana in April 1917, working in the Girard Community near Sidney, and later was joined by his brother, Adolph, who also worked in that community. In 1918 both were drafted into the Army. Fred returned to the Sidney area in the fall of 1918 after discharge from the service. He began farming with his brother and they farmed together until 1942 as the Franz Brothers. On March 4, 1931 he and Ethel C. McMillen were married at Glendive. They farmed until 1958, when they retired from active farming and moved into the valley south of Sidney to make their home.

Fred died very unexpectedly early Friday morning, June 26, 1970.

He served many years on the local school board and helped build and maintain the first telephone line into the area. He was active in youth activities and a member of the American Legion Post No. 12 in Sidney.

Surviving him are his wife, Ethel; two sons, Ray on the family farm, and Robert of Bartow, Fla.; two daughters, Wilma – Mrs. Joe Horrall of Beaverton, Oregon, and Leona – Mrs. Wayn Gibson of Bozeman, Mont; three brothers, Harold of Sidney, Calvin of Greenwood, and Otto of Mesa, Ariz.; one sister, Leona – Mrs. Alvin Albert of Greenwood; ten grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Adolph, and one sister, Mrs. Otto Fravert, and a grandson, Donald Horrall.