Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 12:45 PM

STEVEN FRANZEN

STEVEN FRANZEN

The visitation for Steven Franzen was held from 5:007:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea, concluding with a 6:50 p.m. prayer service. Deacon Christie Meier lead the prayer service.

The memorial service for Steven Franzen will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at Highlanda Lutheran Church in rural Langford, SD. Diane Hoines will officiate the service. Inurnment will take place at the Highlanda Cemetery.

Steven Franzen was born September 26, 1951 in Britton, SD to Harold and Marian (Swenson) Franzen. He was raised on the family farm outside of Langford, which instilled in him an impeccable work ethic at a young age. He attended school in Langford and graduated from Langford High School in 1969.

On June 14, 1970 he married Wanda Liknes and they were blessed with four children. He enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard and served from 1970-1977.

Steve farmed in the Langford Area until 1987 and worked two years for Likness Brothers IH Implements. Following that he began a career at Horton, Inc. where he worked his way into a leadership role. He and Wanda later moved to Britton in 1999 where they resided until 2022 when they moved to Harrisburg, SD. He retired from Horton, Inc. in May of 2015.

Steve’s faith was strong and he was a member of Highlanda Lutheran Church in Langford and recently became a member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea, SD following their move to Harrisburg. His love for his family was immense and he cherished his children and grandchildren. In his free time Steve enjoyed God’s wonderful creation that allowed him many hunting and fishing memories. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching any sport played by his children and grandchildren, along with the Minnesota Vikings and Twins.

Steve was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2012.After a courageous fight, and surrounded by several loving family members, he passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at his home in Harrisburg. He was 72 years old.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 54 years, Wanda; their four children: Nate (Michelle) Franzen, Stephenie (Jason) Campbell, Stewart (Jennifer) Franzen and Cody (Kimberly) Franzen; his grandchildren:BaileyFranzen, Kellen Franzen, Grace Campbell, Anna Campbell, Peyton Franzen, Ella Franzen, Maeve Campbell, Avery Franzen, Vaeda Franzen, Sutton Franzen, Evan Franzen and Phoenix Franzen; brothers, David (Janice) Franzen and Rolyn (Sandy) Franzen; brothers-in-law,Monte(Carol) Liknes and Corey (Susan) Liknes; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Fagerland and Carla (Lorrie) Sanderson; mother-in-law, Marjorie Liknes and many special nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Harold and Marian; his brothers: Byron, Loren and Doug; father-inlaw, Marvin Liknes; brothers- in-law; Jesse Liknes and Jerome Fagerland.

The family requests memorials be directed to Highlanda Lutheran Church (Memorial Fund) – PO Box 165 – Langford, SD 57454.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Wanda Franzen – 808 Spruce St. – Harrisburg, SD 57032.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www. olsonfuneralchapel.com


Write your condolences
Poll: REGIONS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE? A legislative task force is considering a plan to organize South Dakota’s ambulance services into eight to 14 regions, potentially with state oversight and funding to help keep emergency medical services sustainable. The proposal comes as many ambulance services face financial challenges, low reimbursement rates and an aging, often volunteer workforce. Lawmakers say the goal is to ensure an ambulance can respond when someone calls 911, but establishing the regions and determining how they would be funded could take years. Do you support creating regional ambulance service systems with state oversight and potential state funding?