Harvey E. Franzen

Harvey Edward Franzen of Oshkosh, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at the age of 84.

He was born February 18, 1938, to Edward and Cordelia (Lefeber) Franzen of Fond du Lac, WI. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Fond du Lac, Roosevelt Junior High School in Fond du Lac, and graduated from Goodrich Senior High School in Fond du Lac in 1956. On May 23, 1955, during his junior year at age 17, he enlisted for eight years in the naval reserves being honorably discharged on May 23, 1963, from the Navy.

After graduation, Harvey worked at a tire shop, several gas stations and Ahern’s Clothing store. He opened and managed two Consolidated Gas stations, one in Sheboygan and one in Fond du Lac, before starting to work for UPS for nearly 30 years.

Harvey married Judith Ann “Judy” Meyer on October 2, 1965, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Dotyville, WI. They were married 56 years. They moved to Oshkosh in May of 1990 as UPS had moved their business location from Fond du Lac to Oshkosh. They became members of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church.

Harvey and Judy loved to travel. They took many road trips, 15 bus trips and traveled to Germany with Sheryl and Kurt.

As a young boy, Harvey learned to trap, hunt and fish with his dad. As a young man, Harvey and his friends made trips to other states to hunt. Harvey, in turn, taught his son to hunt and fish. After retirement, with these memories of the outdoors, he taught himself to paint with watercolors and acrylic. Harvey could remember many of these scenes and his fondness for the outdoors was the inspiration for many of his paintings.

Harvey is survived by his wife, Judy, and two children: Sheryl (Kurt) Cowling of Richfield, WI, and Steven (Cathy) Franzen of Oshkosh, WI.Harvey is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Linda Meyer of Centennial, CO; and Patsy Meyer of Highlands Ranch, CO; and four brothers-in-law, Jim Meyer of The Villages, FL; Dick Meyer of North Fond du Lac, WI; Paul Meyer of Albuquerque, NM; Mike Meyer of West Bend, WI/Panama City Beach, FL.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, David Franzen of Fond du Lac, WI; and one sister, Joan Guell of Oakfield, WI. In addition, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Orville and Georgianna (Penning) Meyer.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 3:00 PM at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Dr. with Fr. Tom Long officiating. Visitation will  be held at the church from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Eternal Lights section of the mausoleum at Ledgeview Memorial Park, N6250 County Road K, in Fond du Lac.

The family would like to thank all the personnel at Eden Meadows for their excellent care and compassion. The family is also grateful for the hospice services provided by Compassus.