Mary L. Franzen was born March 27, 1931 and entered eternal rest June 26, 2009 at MeritCare, Fargo. Mary Lehman grew up near Lostwood , ND and moved to Lakota in 1949. She married Bernard Franzen August 27, 1949 . Mary and Bernard farmed and raised 10 children southeast of Lakota until retiring in 1981. Mary worked as a nurse aide at McVille, Lakota and Michigan nursing homes for 28 years. After Bernard's death in 2002, Mary divided her time between Michigan and Bismarck . She died of injuries sustained in a May 27 car accident at Michigan .

Mary is survived by Marie (Dennis) Pozarnsky, Carrington, John (LuAnn), rural Lakota, Susan (Larry) Richard, rural Horace, Robert, Michigan, Bernadette (Fred) Adams, Bismarck, Charlie (Kris), Dickinson, Lisa (Jim) Potts, Minot, Jessica Nelson, Michigan, Ted, Tacoma, Washington, and Joe, South Dakota. She leaves 24 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Winnie Tangen, Devils Lake, Myrtle Lehman of Portland, Oregon and brother, Jimmy Lehman of Paradise, CA, along with half-brothers, Tom, Pat, Harley, Richard and Bernard Thompson and half-sister, Janice Thompson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard and 2 sisters, Ilene and Stella and half-brothers, Jerry and John.

Visitation will begin at 6 PM Tuesday, June 30 at St. Mary's Church, Lakota with rosary recitation at 6:45 . Prayer vigil will follow at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary's on Wednesday, July 1 at 11 am . Burial will be in the Lakota Cemetery . Memorials are preferred to Michigan Ambulance Service or the First Choice Pregnancy Clinic in Fargo .