Loretta Mae Fransen

Loretta Mae Fransen passed away at Peace Hospice on October 13, 2022, with her daughter by her side.

Loretta was born to Vincent and Rose Karsky in Dickinson, North Dakota, on July 19, 1932. She was raised in Dickinson and graduated from Dickinson High School. Upon graduation, Loretta and a friend left North Dakota in search of adventure and employment in Spokane, Washington. When they stopped in Great Falls, however, Loretta was introduced to Leroy (Lee) Fransen, and she sent her friend on without her. Loretta and Lee were married on July 6, 1957, and they were constant companions until his passing on April 11, 2017.

She worked for Mountain Bell Telephone until the company left Great Falls. In 1959, she and Lee were blessed with a daughter, Susie, who, in turn, blessed them with three grandsons. These boys were the lights of their lives during their golden years, and they traveled to virtually every one of their school and sporting events.

Loretta was feisty: full of life and energy. She loved dancing, especially the polka. Only on holidays, she would join her family in having a shot of her favorite whiskey, Jack Daniels.

She has spread her wings to join her beloved husband, Lee; parents, Vincent and Rose Karsky; siblings, Georgia Ann Karsky, Jeanette Cookson, Rosella Cash, Darlene Karsky, Donald Karsky, and Roger Karsky; and her partners-in-good-times, Marsha, Rick, Pat, and Ed Fransen.

Loretta is survived by her daughter, Susan (Tracey) Somerfeld; grandsons, Vincent, Travis, and Gus (Holly); sisters, Patricia (John) Phelan, Linda Luptak, and Colleen Karsky; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral liturgy for Loretta will be held at St. Ann's Cathedral, where she was a faithful member and part of the “Cleaning Angel” crew for many years. The service will be held October 27, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.