JoAnn Jeanette Franzen, 87, of Davenport; passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Genesis East Medical Center. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 4 – 7pm at Weerts Funeral Home. Funeral services to honor her memory will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 10am at Weerts Funeral Home. Burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park following the service. Memorials in JoAnn’s name may be made to the McKay Center for Breast Heath c/o Genesis Foundation.
JoAnn was born to Forest and Louise James on January 13, 1937 in Davenport, Iowa. She spent her school years in the Davenport Public Schools and graduated from Davenport High School in 1955. She remained active on the reunion board enjoying monthly breakfast meetings and annual events. JoAnn married Duane Ockerman in 1958 and gave birth to three sons: Michael, Thomas, and Ken. After their divorce in 1975; JoAnn married Norwood “Woody” Franzen in 1994; he preceded her in death in March of 2002. JoAnn and Woody dated for many years before they married; he was her rock and major part of the entire family.
JoAnn retired from the City of Bettendorf after driving bus for over 16 years. When she was young, she roller-skated orders to the cars at the drive-in at Riefe’s in Davenport. After living a short while in Anchorage, Alaska, she realized how close she was to family and moved back home, never to live more than one town away from her parents or sisters; for many years she was within blocks of all of them. In early adulthood, JoAnn enjoyed camping and spending time on the river in their boat. Later, she spent a lot of time traveling on multiple cruises and trips down south. JoAnn and Patty Dau spent many winters together in Gulf Shores, Alabama as they enjoyed activities and trips with other retirees, but mostly just liked calling home to rub it in when they were in shorts and t-shirts while the rest of the family was shoving snow. When at home, JoAnn bowled many seasons with the ladies and mixed leagues and visited the casinos when she was not watching her boys or grandchildren play sports or dance. Family was always first for her and her calendar was always marked for holiday gatherings and family reunions that she looked forward to weeks in advance.
Those left to honor her memory are her sons Michael Ockerman of Blue Grass, Thomas (Kristin) Ockerman of Davenport; and Ken (Sally) Ockerman of Eldridge; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren that she loved to see and spend time with.
She was preceded in death by her husband Woody; her parents; and her sisters Joyce Ketelsen formerly of Milan and Jean Mumm formerly of McCausland.
JoAnn will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of crossing her path and brings closure to an entire generation of her family that can be united once again with their Savior.
