Mary Alice Franzen

Dodgeville / Highland - Mary (Alice) Franzen, age 83, of Dodgeville, formerly of Highland, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Ingleside Manor in Mount Horeb, WI. Alice was born in Highland, WI on June 12, 1934 to Stephen and Mary (McGuire) Doyle. Alice was a 1951 graduate of Highland High School. She attended Edgewood College in Madison and also worked for the Dane County Sheriff's Department and the Edgewater Hotel. She returned to Highland to marry her Grandmother's neighbor boy, Jim Franzen on October 30, 1954 at St. Phillips Catholic Church in Highland. Alice was a beautiful piano player. Her love of the piano continued after she graduated from high school. She continued to take piano lessons after the age of 17. Alice entertained her children and grandchildren with her piano skills frequently. Everyone's all-time favorite was lovingly referred to as the "Bungo Boogey." Alice also loved to sketch still life photos, which family always thought were wonderful. She enjoyed being a spectator at athletic events that her children were involved in, especially basketball. She was a Girl Scout Leader, a Den Mother and also volunteered countless hours at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Dodgeville. Alice was a fiercely devoted Mother to her five children. As a Grandmother, "Grandma Alice" was called upon many times to watch grandkids. She loved the time spent with them. Alice was a devout Catholic. Her love of God, her rosary, and her prayers, stayed with her until her last breath. Alice is survived by her daughters Jacalyn (Dennis LeCaptain) of Janesville, Ann (Edwin) Willie of Dodgeville, Theresa (Michael) Lee of Darlington; two sons Patrick (Lisa) Franzen of Middleton and Daniel (Cherry Lou) Franzen of Fall River. She is further survived by seven grandchildren Amy (Charlie) Altenbach, Nick (Katie) Willie, Erin (Cody Klein) Willie, Melissa (Michael) Sheppard, Patrick (Katie) Lee, Brady (Amber) Lee, Alexandra Franzen; twelve great-grandchildren Brenna, Charlie, Stella, Aurora, Victoria, Lakota, Davis, Diana, Demi, Alexander, Mason and Madison. She is also survived by two sisters Ruth McNeill of Sun Prairie and Judy (Jim) Meyers of Kaukauna; one brother, Jack Doyle of Camp Douglas; her sisters-in-law Nancy Doyle of Lancaster and Janet Gratz of Highland. Alice was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2013, her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law Joyce (Earl) Fecht, Eileen (Peter) Penasa, her brother and sister-in-law Ken (Kathy) Doyle, her brother Pat and brothers-in-law David McNeill, Wesley Gratz, and her sister-in-law, Ann Doyle. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the church in which Alice so loved and had received all of her Holy Sacraments, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at ST. PHILLIP'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, East Dodgeville St., Highland. Fr. Jim Murphy will officiate. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at ST. PHILLIP'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. Burial will be held at St. Phillips Catholic Cemetery. To the staff at Ingleside Manor in Mount Horeb and the Agrace Hospice Team, we thank you for the kindness and patience showed to our Mother in her time of need. We are forever grateful. "Hail Mary, full of grace….."

Mary Alice Franzen

June 12, 1934 - February 18, 2018