Duane D. Franzen, 89 of Gifford, died at 7:27 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Country Health Care, Gifford.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2025, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 108 E. Church Street, Gifford with Pastor Gary Maxwell officiating.  A private family burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal.  There will be no visitation.  Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is handling arrangements.

Duane was born February 17, 1936, in Rantoul Township the son of Heije and Esther Meier Franzen.  He married Lois Sieberns October 9, 1959, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.  She survives.

Along with his wife, Lois, he is survived by a daughter, Kathy (Franzen) and Dan Winters of Lincoln, Nebraska; four sons, Barry and Kim (Miles) Franzen of Potomac, Tom and Teri (Snyder) Franzen of Gifford, John and Kim (Streit) Franzen of Elwood City, Pennsylvania, Dan and Cathie (Fellows) Franzen of Redondo Beach, California; 12 grandchildren, Todd Franzen, Amy Bartel, Ryan Franzen, Zackary Franzen, Taylor Stebbins, Morgan Franzen, Braden Franzen, Bryce Franzen,  Emma Franzen, Hannah Winters, Kaylee Fabian, Camden Franzen; 6 great grandchildren Miles Franzen, Eloise Stebbins, Owen Franzen, Isla Franzen, Declan Stebbins, Freya Bartel and a brother, Gerry (Dian) Franzen of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Harm Frerichs and sister, Marlys Franzen.

Duane was confirmed in the Lutheran faith April 1950.   He graduated from Ogden Community High School in 1953.  He was a carpenter and worked for Rademacher Construction for more than 25 years.

He was a member of St.  Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford.  Duane had a passion for scroll saw woodworking.  He made hundreds of wooden crosses and enjoyed sharing them with family and friends. Duane was a master of puns and loved sharing that gift.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or an organization of the donor's choice.  Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.