Nan Franzoi

Nan was welcomed into the family by her older brother James Daniel O’Grady who lovingly gave her the nickname of “Chickie.” Although times were difficult Nan and Jim lived a blissful life with their parents until their mother Pauline passed away. Nan was six years old when her mother passed and shortly after, Nan and Jim moved to Marinette, Wis. to live with their Aunt Viola “Vi” and Uncle Aretus”Miller” Miller and their three daughters Joyce Kehoe, Ruth Reinke and Barbara Schinert.

Vi and Miller raised Nan and Jim in a loving home, teaching and nurturing them to help them grow into the wonderful people that we love. Vi and Miller instilled in Nan faith and religion through the teachings of the Catholic Church. Nan, honoring the teachings of the Catholic Church, praised her faith and raised her family by those teachings and beliefs.

Nan’s dad Ted remarried and added two sons to his family, Nan’s siblings, Douglas O’Grady and Dennis (Kathleen) O’Grady.

Nan excelled in school, graduating from Marinette high school in 1950. Earning scholarships, Nan went on to further her education at Mercy Medical School of Nursing in Oshkosh, Wis., graduating as a registered nurse in 1953.

Nan’s first job as a registered nurse was at the Veteran Administration Hospital in Iron Mountain, there she met and fell in love with Perry Louis Franzoi. Nan and Perry married on Oct. 2, 1954, and celebrated 52 years of marriage before Perry’s passing in 2006. Nan and Perry raised three children, Perry Michael Franzoi, Ted Daniel Franzoi and Pauline Franzoi DePetro.

Nan cherished her family and friends she built relationships that lasted her lifetime, from her friends in high school to her beloved nursing school classmates she made sure to keep in contact with them all through annual get togethers, trips and vacations throughout the years. Nan leaves behind one of her closest friends, Armine Mattia.

Nan was an engaged parent, she was a Den mother for Perry and Ted’s Cub and Boys Scout troops, she was a 4-H leader for years and also “vacationed” at Camp Molinare as the 4-H Camp Nurse. She continued to work as an RN at Dickinson County Healthcare over the years in various departments beginning in OB and then retiring as the charge nurse from the medical floor.

She worked with the local hospice program caring for those in their time of need and building relationships with those family members left behind. Nan also worked at Oconto Hospital for several years, traveling for long weekend shifts. Nan loved nursing, which was demonstrated everyday as she cared for her patients, her family and any injured animal brought to her for nursing care.

Nan loved to knit, cook, read, animals, her Irish Heritage and travel. Many of us were lucky to receive and treasure one of the sweaters, socks or Afghans that Nan knitted for them. Many delicious meals were prepared for family and friends, Nan didn’t want anyone to go hungry. Nan loved to read and could finish reading a book in a day, it was very difficult to keep pace with her when exchanging books. Saint Patrick’s day was always celebrated and one of Nan’s favorite days, wearing shamrocks and kelly green. Nan and Perry traveled during retirement, visiting family, taking part in elder hostel programs and joining in the bus trips to the nearby casinos.

Nan loved animals, she taught her children to care for and respect all living things. Nan shared her life with many pet companions from her first kitten to rabbits and dogs. She loved them all so very much.

Nan suffered numerous losses in her life, her mother passed in 1938, her father passed in 1981, her beloved brother Jim passed in 2004, her cherished husband Perry passed in 2006, but her most precious loves, her sons, Perry and Ted passed in 2016 and broke her heart. Nan’s extended family who have also passed include, brothers and sisters-in-law, Betty O’Grady, Louis and Joyce Franzoi, Edwig and Chester Koll, Hyacinth and Henry Bell and Deloris O’Grady. Cousins Joyce Miller Kehoe, Ruth Miller Reinke and Barbara Miller Scheinert and their husbands Edward Kehoe, Harry Reinke and Russell Scheinert.

On Wednesday July 10, 2024, Nan took her last breath and peacefully slipped away, while holding her daughter’s hand and in the wonderful care of the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls.

Nan leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Polly and Scott DePetro who will miss her every day. Nan also leaves her brothers Douglas O’Grady and Dennis (Kathleen) O’Grady. Numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and cared for.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, July 17 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, 901 Carpenter Ave.. Father Janusz Romanek will be officiating the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

We would like to thank the staff of Iron County Medical Care Facility, particularly Mom’s friends on Trillium Trail, for the excellent care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Almost Home Animal Shelter in Nan’s name.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Nan Leslie Franzoi online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.