Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids for the Rev. David B. Franzmeier, age 84, who passed away peacefully Dec. 11, 2024, at The Good Shepherd Community. Pastor Greg Tomhave will officiate and visitation will be at the church two hours prior to the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.
David was born Nov. 17, 1940, in St. Paul, to Arthur and Elma (Turpen) Franzmeier. He attended Concordia College in St. Paul, Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and graduated with a Master of Theology from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the ministry in June 1968, at his home church, Bethlehem Lutheran in St. Paul. That same year, David started Hope Lutheran Church, a new mission church in Dewitt, Michigan. In 1976, David moved back home to Minnesota where he spent the next 40 years serving numerous parishes, including Zion Lutheran Church (Rural Fairmont), St. James Lutheran Church (Northrop), Trinity Lutheran Church (Sauk Rapids), Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Frazee), and Joy Lutheran Church (Cambridge). David retired in 2006, but continued ministering part-time for various churches over the next 14 years. He truly loved serving all of his parishioners.
David married the love of his life, Linda Kallsen June 26, 1965, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chaska. They were blessed with three children, Martin, Deirdre, and Briana, plus four beautiful grandchildren, Alyssa, Jacob, Madison and Jahmari. He loved his family deeply and was a wonderfully caring husband, dad and grandpa. David shared his love of music throughout his life, playing guitar and singing in many choral groups. He liked to exercise and was proud to have completed 25 Grandma’s Marathons in Duluth. David also enjoyed riding horses with Linda, camping, biking and hiking. You could frequently hear him cheering on the Twins and the Vikings. His passion was people; he was a thoughtful listener and excelled in interpersonal relationships.
David is survived by his wife, Linda, of Sauk Rapids; son, Martin (Paula) Franzmeier of Sartell; brothers, Art (Mary) Franzmeier of Bayport, Ed (Sue) Franzmeier of Maplewood, Ken (Pam) Franzmeier of Wyoming; grandchildren, Alyssa (Kaeden), Jacob (Miranda), Madison, and Jahmari.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Deirdre Franzmeier and Briana Franzmeier; siblings, Stephen (Nedra) Franzmeier, Eloise (Loren) Schmalz and Melvyn (Carol) Franzmeier.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Obituary, guest ook and video tribute available online at www.williamsdingmann.com
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