Martin J. “Mart” Franzen, 84, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Sunday morning, March 19, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Martin John Franzen was born on June 24, 1938 in Bernard, Iowa, to Mathias and Mary (Dwyer) Franzen.  He attended country school and was a 1952 graduate of Richland Township.  After graduation, he worked for area farmers including Harlan Tonderum as a farm hand for a couple of years until he found a job working for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad of Clinton until being laid off.  He then took a job as a machine operator with International Paper in Clinton until retirement.

“Mart” loved playing cards, pool, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family.  He especially enjoyed socializing with friends and family and having an adult beverage from time to time.

Those left to honor his memory include brothers, Marvin (Barb) Franzen of Maquoketa, IA, Wayne (Julia) Franzen of Maquoketa, IA, and Edward “Butch” (Marie) Franzen of DeWitt, IA; sisters, JoAnn Reiter of Anamosa, IA, Patsy (Orville) Wagner of Delmar, IA, and Rita Hughes of Maquoketa, IA; over 50 nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Bev Sherwood of Maquoketa, IA.  He was preceded in death by his parents,    brothers Vincent, Gerald, James and Leonard, and sisters Anna Marie Wagner, Marcelene Eganhouse and Rosalia Franzen.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:30 A.M., Friday, March 24, 2023 at Carson Celebration of Life in Maquoketa, Iowa.  Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 A.M. to 11:15 A.M at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Maquoketa.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Martin J. “Mart” Franzen memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.