Leonard Cyril Franz, 94, of Wichita, Kansas. passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2023. He was born February 23, 1929, on the family farm in Ness County, Kansas, the son of Leo P. and Katharine (Lollman) Franz.
On November 13, 1950, he married Lorita Seib in Ness City. They recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.
Leonard worked for several years for his father on the family farm prior to moving to Garden City. In Garden City, he worked for Kemper Auto Electric where he found his niche and secured his education in carburetion and automotive electronics. He founded Franz Carburetor and Electric in 1975 and owned it until his retirement in 1991.
Leonard was a Cub Scout Leader, a member of St. Mary’s and St. Dominic Catholic Churches in Garden City, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, having served as Grand Knight in the Third Degree and also very active in the Fourth Degree
Survivors include his wife, Lorita of Wichita, Kansas, two sons, Jim (Margaret) Franz of Beatrice, Nebraska, Richard (Carol) Franz of Sedgwick, Kansas, and one daughter, Kathleen (Michael) Debes of Dodge City, Kansas, one brother Maurice (Martha) Franz of Washington, Illinois, 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Katharine Franz, 5 brothers, Robert, Joseph, Gerald, Eugene and Leo Bernard, and one sister, Catherine Gonzales, one son, Thomas Franz, and one grandson, Brian Debes.
Parish Vigil will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. Mass of Christian Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Church, Thursday, March 16, 2023, 10:00 a.m. followed by burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Viewing at Fitzgerald Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Wednesday and at the church on Thursday prior to the funeral.
Memorial Contributions may be given to the Sacred Heart Church, Ness City or St. Dominic’s Church, Garden City.