Barbara Ellyn Franzen

Barbara Ellyn Franzen passed away on March 26, 2021, at the age of 90. She was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska on February 18, 1931, to Leonard and Lillian Brothers. Her family subsequently moved to a farm near Sabetha, Kansas where she and her sister Beverly spent their youth. She graduated from Sabetha High School in 1949. Barbara went on to nursing school graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1952 and began her nursing career at Stormont Vale hospital in Topeka, Kansas. Barb met and married Don Franzen, on April 17, 1953, in Topeka where their son, David Franzen, was born four years later. Following a devastating Topeka tornado in 1966 (the trip to Disneyland really eased the blow) they moved to Boulder, Colorado where David spent his youth and college years. After short stints living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Tucson and Flagstaff, Arizona, Barb, and Don settled in Denver, Colorado for over 30 years. Recently they moved to Silverdale, Washington to be near their son David who resides with his family in Poulsbo, Washington. Barbara is survived by her husband Don, son David, daughter-in-law Annette, granddaughter Kristan and great-grandson Malakai Tiffany. Her sister currently lives in Wichita, Kansas with her family.

Barb had many interests and was most noted for her generosity, promoting education and helping others, especially children. She also had a keen interest in literature, traveling, and genealogy creating detailed histories of the Franzen, Watts, Shackleton, Runyan, Brothers, and Fournelle families.

Barbara will be laid to rest in the Topeka cemetery with her daughter Renee Franzen who died in infancy. She will be sorely missed.

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA