George LeRoy Franzkowiak, 91, of Buena Vista County Dies March 9

George LeRoy Franzkowiak, a Schaller farmer who spent part of his Army service operating plants to make fuel for Redstone Missiles before being deployed to Germany, died March 9, 2026, at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake. He was 91 years old, born March 18, 1935.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 13, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 402 E Third Street in Schaller, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service. Burial followed at Schaller Cemetery. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home, 306 S Main Street in Schaller, handled arrangements.

Before returning to farm life, Franzkowiak was drafted into the United States Army on April 8, 1958. He trained in engineering at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, spending 12 months there with one month at Fort Bliss, Texas. During that time he operated Lex plants making fuel for Redstone Missiles. In April 1959, he was sent to Germany and served with the 523 Engineer Company, working as a heavy equipment operator, truck driver, bulldozer operator, and plant operator. His duties included building launch pads. He returned to the United States in February 1960, earned the rank of E4, and was discharged on February 24, 1960. He then served three years in the active reserves.

Franzkowiak is survived by his wife Darlene; son-in-law Tim Blenner; grandchildren Christine (James) Davelaar and Andy (Courtney) Blenner; great-grandchildren Jayden and Logan Blenner; and sister-in-law Luella (Dale) Nydene, along with extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Kim Blenner; son Kirk Franzkowiak; infant grandson Jason Blenner; brothers Henry W. (Phyllis) Franzkowiak, Frank (Rose) Franzkowiak, Raymond Franzkowiak, and Dwayne Franzkowiak; and siblings-in-law Gary and Sandy Schuett.