Mary Franzen

Mary Franzen passed away August 31, 2017 peacefully at her home in Cozad at the age of 71. Mary was born July 30, 1946 at Fort Dodge, Iowa to Wilbur 'Barney' and Mary Genevieve (Butler) Nickless. Mary spent most of her childhood in Stuart, Nebraska before moving to Wausa, Nebraska her senior year where she graduated high school with the class of 1965. She attended beauty school in Omaha. In 1975, Mary married Jim Franzen in Cozad, Nebraska. The couple raised their three daughters on the family farm north of Cozad. Mary worked at Monroe Auto for 8 years, but spent most of her time working with Jim on the family farm. The couple moved to town around 2005 and continued farming until their retirement. Mary loved riding horses, especially with her siblings, when they were young. She was a member of the Cozad Newcomers Club, Mrs. Jaycees and the American Agricultural Movement. She enjoyed gardening and reading. Family was everything to Mary, her most treasured times were spent with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jim Nickless and sister, Barbara Sterba. Survivors include her husband, Jim Franzen of Cozad; daughters, Tracy Lindstedt and husband Scott of Cozad, Sheila Eich and husband Jeffrey of Elkhorn and Julia Myer and husband John of Cozad; grandchildren, Sydney Noel and Jake Nicholas Lindstedt, both of Cozad, Cooper Cole Eich of Hooper and Alynne Marie and Maddux John Myer, both of Cozad; brothers, John Nickless and wife Mary Jean of O'Neill, Jerry Nickless and wife Ruby of Florida, Doug Johnson of Hot Springs, SD, Justin Nickless and wife Jenny of Ainsworth; sister, Chrystal Mlnarik and husband Dave of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Maxine Nickless; brother-in-law, Bob Sterba; step-parents Darleen (Nickless) Mahlendorf and husband Leonard of Norfolk; step-sisters, Dranoel Fleharty and husband Bill and family of Cozad and Danielle Hatterman and husband Will and family of Tilden; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that she loved very much. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. A memorial has been established in her memory. Services will be held Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial will be at Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 5, 2017 from 3 to 8 P.M. with family present from 6 to 8 P.M. at Berryman Funeral Home.