Ronald "Ron" Franzen
July 29, 1950 — December 22, 2016
Ronald Franzen NOTE: FUNERAL SERVICE PLACE AND TIME CHANGE
July 29, 1950 – December 22, 2016 (66 years of age)
Ron Franzen went to be with the Lord on December 22, 2016. Ron was born on July 29, 1950, to Robert and Mary Franzen of Chicago, Illinois.
Ron attended St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago and graduated from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration. He later received a Master’s Degree in management at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.
He met his beloved wife, Cher’ie (Cher) Franzen, on October 22, 1976, in Chicago Illinois. Through the years they raised 6 wonderful children together – Curt, Peter, Kevin, Steven, William and Veronica. Ron was so proud of all of his children. They enjoyed many family vacations to places like Great America theme park, Kentucky Dam Village, the Boundary Waters, and more.
Ron had a successful and rewarding career in health care, including the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, St. Anthony’s Hospital in Chicago and St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. He also built a rewarding daycare business with Cher over five years; one of the results was the publishing of a manual entitled, “The Guide to Operating a Quality and Profitable Family Day Care Service.”
Ron was a tireless advocate for St. Luke’s during his 21 years of service as the Vice President of Support Services. He oversaw several departments including pharmacy, hospitality services, physical therapy, lab, x-ray, facility development, volunteer services and chaplaincy. He was integral to tremendous growth during his tenure, including helping acquire Mariner Medical Clinic in the mid-1990s, making it the first clinic in what is now a comprehensive health system. He also led the way for creating many new services, including the development of St. Luke’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit and the addition of a PET scanner.
Also at St. Luke’s, he was central to planning and overseeing countless building projects including construction of several neighborhood clinics, St. Luke’s Medical Office Pavilion, St. Luke’s Lakeview Building and St. Luke’s Building ‘A’. His vision for St. Luke’s was never limited by what was; he always focused on the potential for growth. The most recent example of his vision is the expansion of St. Luke’s Surgical and Procedural Care.
Ron and Cher loved to travel and enjoyed many trips on their “bucket list,” including Arizona; yearly trips to the Grand Canyon; Churchill, Canada; Devil’s Tower; Mt. Rushmore; California; New York; the Alamo; the River Walk; Albuquerque Balloon Festival; Sedona and many more destinations.
Ron was an active member of his community, serving on many boards and committees, including the Duluth Superior Symphony Board of Directors. He was active in the Duluth Rotary Club. He also received awards including the Health Care Auxiliary of Minnesota’s “Heart of Minnesota Award for Outstanding Support,” and recognition from the Greater Downtown Council of Duluth for his commitment toward the building of a stronger downtown. He was honored by St. Luke’s Hospital for his many years of service and unwavering dedication to the needs of their patients and staff.
Ron’s favorite hobbies included collecting model trains and boats, sports, movies and gardening. He was an avid baseball fan and cheered on the Chicago White Sox.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Chuck Mandel and his nephew, Chris Mandel.
Ron is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Cher’ie, his six children: Curtis, Peter (wife Colleen), Kevin (wife Ayanna), Steven, William and Veronica; four grandchildren: Josef, Elizabeth, Samantha, and Madyson; a sister, Rita Franzen; nieces and nephews: Megan (Chris) Janusz, Katie (Joe) VanderVeen, Michael (Roxanne) Mandel, Brian (Erin) Mandel; and Ron’s loving dog and walking companion, Sadie.
Visitation will beThursday December 29 th beginning at 11am with services at 12pm in the Cathedral of Our Lady Catholic Church, 2801 E 4th St Duluth MN . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron’s memory to the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation and Animal Allies Humane Society in Duluth. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral home, 600 E 2 nd St. Duluth, (218) 727-3555.