Ronald Franzen

Ronald E. Franzen, of Roeland Park, KS, died on October 28, 2026. He was 96 years old. He was the youngest son of Mathias and Marie Franzen of Minneapolis, MN.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary, his infant son, Michael, and his brother, Richard, of Golden Valley, MN.

Ron graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in business in 1951.

After a stint in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he returned to Minneapolis and started a long career in the grain business with General Mills as an assistant buyer. He finished his career with Garnac Grain Company in Kansas City as the vice president of wheat exporting.

Early on, Ron belonged to the young people’s club at St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park. This social club bowled, danced, and picnicked together, and had a great time. At one of the group’s activities, Ron met his future bride, Mary Marsee. Ron and Mary dated for 2 years and then were married in October of 1957.

Ron and Mary had a family of eight children, all who attended St. Agnes Grade School and Bishop Miege High School.

One of the greatest pleasures for the family was time spent at the cabin at Tanglewood Lakes in La Cygne, KS. Starting in 1974, the family enjoyed summer weekends focusing on fishing, water skiing and eating delicious hamburgers on the screened-in porch.

Later in life, Ron spent 11 years as a Eucharistic minister at KU Hospital. He was also a frequent daily mass participant and enjoyed spending time in the perpetual adoration chapel.

Ron is survived by seven children and their spouses. These include: Mark and Kathy Franzen of Overland Park, Susan and Dan Gittemeier of Overland Park, Tom and Terry Franzen of Lenexa, Jim Franzen and Harold Smith of Paris, France, Steve and Teresa Franzen of Lenexa, Melissa and Mark Buhr of Washington, MO, and Paul and Sasha Franzen of Overland Park.

He is also survived by 18 grandchildren. They are: Tim, Mike, Kristin, Elizabeth, Paul, Sarah, Jessica, Kenna, Brynne, John, Luke, Nick, Michael, Carol, Jack, David, Monica, and Matthew. His 8 great-grandchildren include: Lexi, Lydia, Brooklyn, Gryffin, Olivia, Aurora, Sydney and Otto.

Ron is also survived by his sister, Dolores, of Minneapolis, and his sister-in-law, Ellen Marsee, of Westwood, KS.

The visitation will be on Wednesday, November 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the Amos Funeral Home in Shawnee. The funeral Mass will be on Thursday, November 5 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roeland Park at 10 a.m., with a graveside service immediately afterwards at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas.