Obituary for Terry L. Fransen
Terry L. Fransen 80 of Utica passed away peacefully August 4th at the Pavilion of Ottawa. Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Private family services will be at a later date. The Burgess Funeral Home in LaSalle is handling the arrangements.
Terry was born on September 28, 1942, at Mendota Hospital to Logan and Cecil (Carney) Fransen.
He married Ellen Bacidore on November 12, 1976 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For over thirty-five years he was employed as an Operating Engineer at the local pits and quarries. During that time, he also farmed and worked as a licensed horse shoer (farrier). Upon his retirement in 2002, he worked for Utica Township Roads under the direction of his dear friend, Jerry Carey.
Terry and Ellen enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, the Virgin Islands and Mexico. The past 15 years have been spent at their favorite vacation destination, Fort Myers Beach, FL. Terry religiously made his way to the pier, every day at 5:00 am with his fishing pole in tow. His afternoons were spent dockside at Bay Village, drowning minnows, trying to catch the elusive “Big Black Drum Fish”. He relived his cowboy days traveling out West to attend Rodeo events, namely, Cheyenne Frontier Days. His other hobbies included hunting, trapping, and playing euchre.
Terry was a hardworking, quiet man that loved nature and the simple things in life. This included watching birds and squirrels from the back porch and visiting with family and neighbors.
Terry was a far better listener than talker. He was a good ole cowboy at heart, and that heart was made of pure gold.
He is survived by his wife Ellen of forty six years, Kevin (Toni) Fransen of Oglesby, Tim Waters of Hastings, Nebraska, David Waters of Utica, Kelly Goskusky of Utica, and Colleen (Glenn) Blatz of Raleigh, North Carolina, one sister: Sandy (Steve) Arkels of Princeton, 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Logan, his brothers, Gary and Mark, and his sister, Judith Fransen.
On line condolences may be expressed at www.burgessfh.com
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