Helen Agnes Franz

Helen Agnes Franz, 76, of Freeport, died Wednesday October 17, 2012 at Rockford Memorial Hospital. She was born on October 2, 1936 in Stockton, IL, the daughter of Lester and Delia (Mossey) Tietjen. Helen married Charles Franz on November 8, 1958 in Stockton, IL. Helen was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church where she participated in the adoration chapel, and distributed communion for the homebound; she was also a volunteer at St. Vincent'™s. She was the photographer at every event. Not a day went by where she wasn'™t trying to help someone. She loved gardening and had the most beautiful flowers, Iris being her favorite. Humming birds were her favorite birds and seeing deer in the wild gave her great joy. But most of all she cherished her 13 grandchildren, she was the best grandma and mother. Survivors include her husband Charles Franz; two sons Steve(Karen) Franz of Aurora, IL and Joseph (Peggy) Franz of Geneva, IL; two daughters Mary Ann (Mike) Ives of Roscoe, Il and Katherine (Billy) McGinty of Suwanee, GA; her sister Mary Ann Merrill of Sterling, Il; her brother Lester Tietjen of Naperville, Il; and 13 grandchildren: Patrick Ives, Will McGinty, Alex Ives, Madeline McGinty, Nicolette Ives, Abby McGinty, David Franz, Annmarie Franz, Lucy McGinty, Genevieve Franz, Grace Franz, Delia Franz, and Molly Franz. Helen was preceded in death by her parents. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday October 22, 2012 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Msgr. William P. McDonnell officiating. Visitation will be held from 2-5 Sunday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home with a rosary service beginning at 1:00. There will also be a visitation from 9:30 until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her memory. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her guestbook and to share memories.