Jeanette
Marie (Coffey) Franzen was born in Friend, NE to Leonard and Reta Mae
Coffey on October 8, 1950. She passed away at Bryan West Hospital in
Lincoln on May 4, 2021. Jeanette was the 4th of 5 children and loved all
her siblings more than life itself. She graduated in 1969 from Exeter
High School. Raymond and Jeanette were married on June 22, 1973 and
would have celebrated 48 years together this June.
Together,
Jeanette and Raymond raised 3 daughters, Brenda Ann, Denise Marie, and
Corinne Elizabeth. Jeanette spent the majority of her life being a
homemaker and also did babysitting in her home for many years. Those
children are now grown adults, and continue to have fond memories from
Jeanette’s house to this day. Jeanette also spent more than 20 years
working at Gator’s Pub in Exeter. She made many lifelong friends while
working there. Jeanette and Raymond enjoyed many fun and memorable trips
while married, some top picks were an Alaskan cruise, Hawaii, New York,
and Branson. The length of the trip was never an issue as Jeanette also
enjoyed frequent road trips which often were with extended family or
close friends. Another memorable trip for her was her 60th birthday trip
to Las Vegas with her 3 daughters and her sister. If any of these
places included a slot machine that made the trip even better for her.
She was a lifelong member of the St. Stephens Catholic Church and an
active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Exeter. Jeanette was
very fond of angels, and her collection multiplied over the years. She
also thoroughly enjoyed playing cards, both 5 and 10-point pitch were
her favorites to play. Many fond memories of card games will be
cherished by both family and friends.
Outside of her daughters, her
pride and joy were her 6 grandchildren, 5 grandsons and 1
grand-daughter. She enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren
and enjoyed watching them grow, attending their activities and keeping
in contact with them with the wonderful technology of texting and
Facetiming. Our dear mother surprised all of us when she embraced the
use of Facebook, and really came to enjoy using it. Jeanette was also
promoted to Great-grandmother in December of 2019, when her first great
grand-daughter Emmarie arrived. She also was looking forward to the
arrival of her 2nd great granddaughter due in August of 2021. In her
years of retirement, she was a devoted and dedicated caregiver of her
own mother and visited her faithfully. Jeanette will be fondly
remembered for her smile and her ability to have a fun time with family
and friends. She also took great pride in helping and taking care of
others whenever she had an opportunity.
All the angels in Heaven have welcomed her with open arms.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Reta Mae
Coffey, her in-laws Arnold and Rose Franzen, brother Richard Coffey,
brother John Coffey, brother-in-law Ernest Christensen, sister and
brother in laws Ruth and Jim Kellum, and brother-in-law Dencil Janes.
She is survived by husband Raymond Franzen, Exeter; daughters Brenda
(Mike) Motis of Geneva, Denise (Pericles) Gabriele of Pennsylvania;
Corinne (Paul) Downey of Omaha. Grandchildren Thane (Megan) Motis,
Caroline, Gatlin and Travien Motis, Dante and John Downey, and great
granddaughter Emmarie Motis. Sister Sylvia Christensen, Columbus;
brother Bob (Peg) Coffey, Grand Island; sisters in law Barbara Coffey,
Beaver Crossing, Shirley Janes, Exeter, Anna Griese, Washington State;
Frances Nelson, Valparaiso; Sandi (Ron) Jones, Lincoln; brother-in-law
Leonard (Don) Franzen, California. She is also survived by a host of
nieces and nephews and many cousins and other extended family.
