George LeRoy Franzkowiak

George LeRoy Franzkowiak, age 91, of Schaller, Iowa, died March 9, 2026 at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake.

Born March 18, 1935 to Henry and Dorothy (Dadt) Franzkowiak in Schaller, George grew up on the family farm with his four brothers, Henry W., Frank, Raymond, and Dwayne. A graduate of Schaller High School, he earned First Team All-Conference honors as a guard in football. He was baptized in the Catholic faith and later, upon his marriage, joined the Lutheran church.

George served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960. After training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Bliss, Texas, he was stationed in Germany with the 523rd Engineer Company, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator, truck driver, and bulldozer operator, helping to build launch pads and other infrastructure. He returned home with the rank of E4 and later served three years in the active reserves.

In 1961, George married the love of his life, Darlene Schuett, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein. Together they raised two children, Kim and Kirk. A lifelong farmer, George raised crops and livestock while demonstrating remarkable skill in repairing and improving equipment, erecting grain bins and farm buildings, tiling fields, and enhancing the family farm. Even in retirement, he remained deeply connected to the land that had always been both his life’s work and greatest passion.

George is survived by his beloved wife, Darlene; son-in-law Tim Blenner; grandchildren Christine (James) Davelaar and Andy (Courtney) Blenner; two great-grandchildren, Jayden and Logan Blenner; sister-in-law Luella (Dale) Nydene; and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kim Blenner, son Kirk Franzkowiak, infant grandson Jason Blenner, his four brothers, and siblings-in-law Gary and Sandy Schuett.