Carl John Fransen, age 78, of Cambridge passed away October 17, 2008 at GracePointe Crossing East, formerly Cambridge Health Care Center. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 22nd at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Pastor Steve Gunderson officiating. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Isanti Union Cemetery. Following the interment service a luncheon will be held back at our Cambridge Chapel.
Carl John Fransen was born September 18, 1930 at Minneapolis, Minnesota to Carl and Ruth (Hall) Fransen. When Carl was two years old his father and sister died in the Mississippi river in Minneapolis. Carl grew up in the 7 corner area of Minneapolis and as a young boy he had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. At a young age he became involved in golden gloves boxing. He joined the US Army in 1946 and also boxed in the service. While in the Army Carl boxed in Panama and became the Jr. Light Weight Pacific Sector All Service Champion. Carl also enjoyed playing fast pitch softball and played on the Donaldson Company team after he returned from the service.
On April 25, 1954 Carl was united in marriage to Alvera LaRoque in Minneapolis. They made their home in Minneapolis until 1963 when they moved to rural Isanti. Carl worked in road construction with Bury and Carlson Company for many years and was a proud member of Operating Engineers Local 49. In 1994 Carl and Alvera moved to Cambridge and four years later Alvera passed away.
Carl was a member of the Howard McCarty American Legion Post 290 of Cambridge. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, fishing, going to horse races and shopping. Carl was also very sports oriented throughout his life. Carl measured his success not by his accumulation of things but his love of family and friends. He will be deeply missed.
Carl Fransen passed away October 17, 2008 at GracePointe Crossing East in Cambridge at the age of 78 years and 29 days. He is survived by seven children; Peggy LaRoque of Cass Lake, Carl P. Fransen of Shoreview, Thomas (Kathy) Fransen of Linwood, Jim (Linda) Fransen of Isanti, Susan (Mike) Lawrence of Cambridge, John Fransen of Isanti, and Michael (Wendy) Fransen of Zimmerman; by grandchildren Wade, Erin, Paul, Cheyenne, Sammie, Katie and Christian; two sisters, Marion and Ruby; brother, Robert; and by other relatives and friends.