LaWanda Marie Franz 1936-2026

   Mrs. LaWanda Marie Franz peacefully stepped from this life into eternity with Jesus on September 16, 2026, just two hours shy of her 90th birthday. Born September 17, 1936, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Christian parents George Emil and Estella Vera (Martens) Franz. LaWanda would have been quick to point out that, according to Central Time, she actually made it to 90!

   LaWanda was the second of four children and the only daughter. She grew up in Buhler, Kansas, where she was active in the Mennonite Brethren Church and received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. LaWanda loved sports and had a wonderfully competitive spirit! She loved the game of ping pong and was tough to beat. She enjoyed basketball and set the high school record for long jump. She played flute in the school band, learned to play the marimba, was a homecoming court member, honor student, and was one of two students selected to represent Kansas at the National FFA Convention.

   During her sophomore year, LaWanda caught the eye of Roger Franz at school and church. Roger was smitten with the strawberry blonde in the yellow sweatshirt. Their courtship continued into college, however marriage was forbidden for nursing students. The day after her graduation, they were married on September 7, 1958.

   LaWanda joined Roger in Oklahoma City and worked in an allergy clinic while he completed medical school. They moved to the Panama Canal Zone, where he completed his internship and government service. LaWanda and Roger served in their church choir and participated in medical missions among the indigenous San Blas and Cuna peoples, bringing physical and spiritual healing.

   Their son Timothy was born in 1962. The family moved to Bakersfield in 1964, where Roger completed his surgical residency, and Cynthia was born in 1965. In 1966 they moved to Sanger, California, where they established their medical practice. Patricia was born in 1970. LaWanda assisted Roger in his office as needed for 37 years while devoting herself primarily to raising their three children and creating a home filled with warmth, hospitality, laughter, music, and love.

   Music remained a treasured part of LaWanda's life. She sang soprano in the choir at every church they attended and continued playing the marimba for family, church, and special events. Even when she could no longer hear the pitches clearly, she continued to sing with joyful enthusiasm, worshiping her Lord with the same wholehearted spirit that characterized her life.

   LaWanda served her Butler Church family faithfully for 60 years, teaching Sunday School, serving on the scholarship committee and deacon board, singing in the chancel choir, and serving as chair of the Women's Missionary Service of the Mennonite Brethren Conference. She taught Child Evangelism Fellowship's "Good News Clubs" for years and served her community as Jackson PTA president, the Sanger Seals Swim Team, Sanger Christian Friendship Brunch, the Sequoia Guild, the Peach Blossom Festival, and the Sanger High School graduation committee. She was recognized as Sanger's Mother of the Year in 1990.

   LaWanda was also a woman of remarkable perseverance. On July 30, 1988, she and Roger were struck in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in Clovis. Roger suffered critical injuries requiring major interventions while LaWanda suffered serious injuries. The Lord brought them through the trial with a renewed focus on eternal matters and a new passion for living the life God had entrusted to them.

   Throughout her life, LaWanda faced numerous physical challenges, including multiple surgeries and deformed feet. She joked in later years that she had only one gear—"S L O W"—then proceeded to race with her walker. She didn’t complain, instead focusing her conversations on Christ and others. Her hubby called her a real trooper.

   Their 57-year marriage was a partnership of love, friendship, faith, music, and service.

   After Roger moved to heaven in 2015, LaWanda moved to The Vineyards at the Armenian Home in Fresno in 2021. She loved her apartment, her many windows for her many plants, and her new and longtime friends. Even at 90, she continued sharing her faith, often talking with people about Jesus and giving them Daily Bread devotionals.

   LaWanda was preceded in death by Roger, her parents George and Estella Franz, and her brother Harold and his wife, Eleanor.

   She leaves behind her children, Tim Franz (Laurie), Cindy Kochevar (Robb), and Patsy Wetzel (Paul); grandchildren Lindsay Panttaja (Nathan), Courtney Glaser (John), Jared Franz (Sara), Kaitlyn Wetzel-Lett (Noah), Samuel Wetzel (Kyah), and Annelise Wetzel; great-grandchildren Heidi Glaser, Tessa Glaser, Emmett Franz, and Crew Lett; brothers Leo and Mike Franz; and countless friends and others whose lives she touched.

   Her family will miss her laughter, humor, stories, hugs, prayers, determination, marimba music, singing, and the simple comfort of knowing she was there. Most of all, they will miss being loved by her.

   She lived well, loved deeply, served faithfully, worshiped joyfully, persevered through every trial, and finished strong. And now she sees her Savior face to face.

Services: Visitation -Thursday, September 24 5:00-7:00 pm Wallin’s Sanger Funeral Home 1524 9th St, Sanger, CA 93657 

Graveside Service - Friday September 25 11:00 amSanger Cemetery - 568 S Rainbow Ave, Sanger, CA, 93657 

Memorial Service - Saturday September 26 10:30 am Butler Church - 4884 E Butler Ave, Fresno CA 93727Streamed live at: youtube.com/butlerchurch 

Memorial donations “In honor of LaWanda Franz” may be directed to:CEF NorCal (Child Evangelism Fellowship)1322 E. Shaw Ave. #110Fresno, CA 93710 

Give online: www.cefnorcal.orgOur Daily Bread MinistriesPO Box 2222Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2222 

Give online: www.odbm.org click the green “Donate” box on the rightTabor College Franz Family ScholarshipTabor College Office of Advancement400 South JeffersonHillsboro, Kansas 67063 

Give Online: tabor.edu/alumni-friends/give-online/click Gift Designation -> Other then type in: FRANZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIPFresno Pacific Biblical Seminary Give Online: https://www.fresno.edu/ click GIVE on orange barDesignation -> Other: FRANZ FAMILY SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP