The funeral for Donald Ralph Franz will be at 11:00am, Wednesday April  10, 2013 at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Harry Jewison officiating.  Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 92.  Casket Bearers will be Justin Theel, Jason Theel, William Theel, Mark Theel, David Theel and Marty Franz.  The visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Donald passed away on April 7th, 2013 at Zumbrota Care Center at the age of 87.

Donald was born on October 21, 1925 to Lora (Holst) Franz and Robert William Franz in Welch Minnesota.  He moved a short time later to Hammond and then Rochester where he graduated from Rochester High School in 1943.  He immediately enlisted in the US Navy, completing basic training he was  assigned to serve aboard destroyer escorts, the USS Johnson and USS Rockaway.  He was in the south Pacific during this time.  A short time after WWII ended he was discharged.  On July 31, 1948 Donald married LaRayne Reige at St. Francis Catholic Church n Rochester.  Don was recalled to the Navy when the Korean War started and served on the USS Fulton which was a sub tender.  In 1951 this was the first sub tender refitted with gear to tender to nuclear submarines.  After the Korean War was over Don and LaRayne, settled in St. Paul where Donald worked as a union painter.  They moved to Rochester in 1963.  Donald and LaRayne separated in 1988 and she passed away on April 9, 2007.  He resided in Rochester until August of 2012, until moving to Zumbrota to be closer to his nephew, Bill Theel and family.

Donald is survived by one sister Helen Reynolds of Rochester; many nieces and nephews; great and great-great nieces and nephews.  Donald was preceded in death by five brothers, Arnold, Robert, Harris, Emery and Vernon.  He was also preceded in death by two sisters Marion Becker and Dorothy Theel.

Donald's interest were camping, gardening, reading and watching Will and Kathy Theel's family grow; Don always enjoyed seeing Justin and his girls and Jason & Rachel (Rebecca) and their two little ones.  He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Eagles, Local Union 681 and International P.A.T.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com