Donald R. Franzmann Obituary

Donald R. Franzmann

Donald R. Franzmann, age 82 of Altoona passed away on Tuesday August 7, 2007 at his home.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Monday August 13, 2007 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Pastor Kurt Jacobson will officiate. Private family committal service will take place in Lakeview Cemetery immediately following the service. Friends may call at Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home on Sunday from 3-6 pm and at the church on Monday morning from 9:30 am until the time of services.

Donald was born in La Crosse on December 24, 1924 to Emil and Emma (Horn) Franzmann. He attended La Crosse city schools, La Crosse Central High School, UW-La Crosse, and graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Electrical Engineering and a minor in economics. He also attended UW-Eau Claire, earning several credits in Business Administration. His fraternity was Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
		He served in the Army during World War II and was honorably discharged. He was a member of the American Legion Post #53. He was employed in the sales office of S&C Electric Company of Chicago but spent 37 years of his career with Northern States Power Company in La Crosse, Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. He married Elfrieda Heise on February 14, 1948 in La Crosse. After 52 years of marriage, Elfrieda died in July 2000.
His career at NSP covered various engineering and administrative positions, retiring in 1984 as head of consumer affairs for NSP(W). He was active in several industry related organizations including the Edison Electric Institute and the Wisconsin Utilities Association where he served on several committees as well as chairman of the Electric Marketing section. In 1983, the Association awarded him the prestigious J.S. Mc Millen Award for his contribution to the efficient use of electrical energy in commercial and industrial applications. He was a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. He was also a member of the Society of Professional Engineers, serving as State Treasurer as well as President of the Northwest Chapter. In 1978, the Northwest Chapter named him Engineer of the Year. He was active in the United Way, the West Central Planning Commission, the Chippewa Valley Museum and the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Chippewa Valley Council Commissioner. He was a long time amateur radio operator and served as Secretary of the Eau Claire Amateur Radio Club. He was a charter member of the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club and served as its first secretary. He was a member of the Eau Claire Golden K Kiwanis Club and served as its president. He was also a member of the Altoona Police and Fire Commission serving as its Secretary and later as its President. He was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he was active on several committees. He taught Sunday school and served two terms on the Church Council. He married Irene Shiffer on August 15, 2001 in Mesa, Arizona. H. Myron Braun, retired Methodist Minister and long time friend of the Shiffer family conducted the ceremony. Don and Irene moved to the Eastridge Estates where they were affectionately known as “The Newly Weds”. Avid travelers, they toured the country from coast to coast, their favorite spots being the northeast and California, where they frequently visited Don’s relatives. Don was a lover of all types of music and the musical theater, especially traditional Broadway, Jazz and Dixieland. Don is survived by his beloved wife, Irene, one son, Robert D. of Eau Claire, one daughter, Ann (Douglas) Abere of Lakeville, MN, grandchildren Robert (Rob) Franzmann, Sean-David Franzmann, Alison Abere and Jennifer Abere, great-grandchild, Kayden Franzmann, cousin, Ron Gillmeister of Folsom, CA along with several other cousins. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Elfrieda. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Northwest Wisconsin Homecare, Chippewa Valley Museum or a charity of the donor’s choice. Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.