Doris Bertha (Johnston) Franzen of Glasgow died peacefully on January 6, 2024, at the age of 87, at Valley View Nursing Home with family at her side. Doris was born in Middle River Village, Minnesota, on July 15, 1936, to Clifford Jerome Johnston and Ida Elizabeth (Anderson) Johnston. She was the oldest of ten children.
The family moved to Flaxville, Montana in 1938. From there they moved to Poplar for a short time before moving to the Fort Peck Dam project. In 1942 the family moved to Glasgow when Doris started school. In 1944, the growing family moved to Opheim where Doris’ Uncle Red had purchased a farm northwest of Opheim. In 1948, the family made the permanent move back to Glasgow.
Doris graduated from Glasgow High School in 1954 and married the love of her life on July 1, 1954. She had to get permission from her parents to marry Albert George Franzen. Eight children were born to this marriage of 65 years.
Once all those kids went to school, Doris started in the workforce with the Glasgow Police Department where she worked for 25 years. She spent many years volunteering in the community with Friends of the Pioneer Museum, research and publication of Footprints in the Valley, the Heritage Wall project, and the annual mass mailing to raise funds for the museum.
Mom was always thinking of others by sending out cards and letters of support and well wishes.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Albert, her parents Clifford and Ida, brothers: Bud, Dick, Gary, and Allen; and sisters, Betty, and Judy. Doris is survived by her sisters: Shirley, Faye, and Penny; sister-in-law, Rita; children: Rollie (Lorie) Franzen, of Cape Coral, FL, Brenda (Butch) Leckie of Glasgow, Ann (Tim) Potter of Glasgow, Sharon (Nick) Thelen of Kenmare, ND, Louise (Clem) Lemieux of Glasgow, Linda (Jimmy) Kuich of Spanaway, WA, Bridger (Thelma) Franzen of Monarch, MT and Theresa (Allen) Sevareid of Belgrade, MT; grandchildren: Albert (Brittney) Franzen, Tom (Melissa)Leckie, Tim Jr (Saralyn) Potter, Marie (Jeremy) Donaldson, Katie Potter, Fred (Katy) Potter, Jerad Thelen, Britney Thelen, Nicole (Dan) Cole, Christopher Remus, Sabrina (Chris) Coyne, Amanda (Jose) Cruz, Jay (Aundrea) Jones, Roman Franzen, Sam Franzen, Adam (Kayla Meyer) Gilbreath, Ashleigh Knaff, Raymond (Kaitlin) Monterde, Mateo Monterde, Kayla (Travis) Haxton and Ryan (Bridget) Sevareid; 33 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Doris would often look at her legacy and say, “I am so blessed.”
Pallbearers – Albert Franzen, Tom Leckie, Tim Potter Jr, Fred Potter, Jerad Thelen, Christopher Remus, Sam Franzen, Ryan Sevareid and Adam Gilbreath.
Honorary Pallbearers – Police Chiefs Tom Grewe, Emery Brelje, Bob West, and the rest of the law enforcement community; Butch and Deb Heitman and Craig and Julie Lawson.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Doris’ favorite charities: The Friends of the Pioneer Museum, Valley County Hope Project, Valley County Sheriffs Dept, Glasgow Police Dept, Long Run Fire Dept, Glasgow Fire Dept or Montana Special Olympics. A rosary will be prayed on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Glasgow, Montana. Funeral Mass will at be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church with burial following in Highland Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday January 15, 2024
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 16, 2024
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 16, 2024
St. Raphael's Parish Center
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday January 15, 2024
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 16, 2024
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 16, 2024
St. Raphael's Parish Center
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Myrt Bamford says
Sad to hear the News of Doris❤️. Your kindness and big heart will be missed. RIP and you leave many memories to us all🙏🏻🙏🏻
!
Gary and Donna says
Dear Franzen’s,
We are heart broken. What an amazing lady! What an amazing family she raised. She’s finally home with the love of her life!!!! We are thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort.
Love always,
Gary and Donna
Rhea Nelson says
So sorry to hear of the passing of Doris . Always enjoying visiting through the years . Always a smile and kind word . She will be truly missed . Thoughts and prayers to her family . Glasgow will miss this sweet lady .
Bill Dirkes says
Some of my best memories are of Christmas Eve at Grandma’s house. Her and Albert made me feel like one of the big family. It was a great tradition
Sharon Wemmer says
So sorry to hear of her passing . What a sweet woman she was and I know you will all be comforted in her sweet memory.
My sympathies to you all
Sharon Wemmer
Tammy Chapman says
Sharon. So sorry for your loss
Tammy
Betty and Tracy Stone says
We were sorry to hear of Doris’s passing. She was such a nice, friendly, and giving lady. She blessed the lives of many.
David and Jamie Holmes says
A great servant of the community of Glasgow has been lost. She has left a great legacy in her family. May you all keep her memory alive by sharing the wonderful memories you have with each other. May you gain comfort from God in your time of great loss.
Doris and Jim Tollefson says
We are so sorry to hear of Doris’s passing. She was a remarkable lady, always ready to visit, and always with a smile on her face. We would laugh as one Doris would greet the other Doris. She will be missed. May God grant you peace and comfort during this sad time.
Alicia Hoyt says
With my deepest heartfelt sympathy in the loss of a wonderful woman. I will miss our chats and her hugs when at the post office. She will be greatly missed in the community and by many people whose lives she touched. May you find comfort in God’s love during this most difficult time. He blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4.
Candy Dahl says
To the entire Franzen family and all that knew Doris and loved her, I’m so sorry. She was a huge delight walking into any room with those kind eyes and beautiful smile! I will always remember her as a kind, sweet gem! My sincere condolences to you all, we’ve lost a legend for sure! We will meet again to see those kind eyes, beautiful smile and gem of an amazing lady! 🥰🤗 Prayers and love 🙏❤️
Gloria and Paul Ashenbrener says
Doris always welcomed everyone into her heart and family. Doris was the best hugger ever. Her smile, hug and kiss on the cheek made your day. We will miss you dearly
Gwen Murr Hawkins says
So sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. She was a blessing to everyone she met. I will cherish the many memories I have of your mom. Lifting you all up in pray❤
payton nicole rogers says
love and prayers to my aunt Doris love you hope you have a great time in heaven love baby p