Obituary of Guenter Franz

Guenter Franz (91) passed from this world November 29, 2019 from complications of dementia. Surviving are Eva his wife of 67 years and his two sons and their spouses Butch (Piper) and Peter (Becky), 7 grandchildren, 10 great- grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilhelm and Hanna Franz and his 3 siblings Horst, Kate, and Wilhelm.

Guenter lived most of his childhood in the city of Neubrandenburg, Germany which was in founded in 1248. After WWII, along with his parents and 3 siblings moved to Hamburg. At that time, food was scarce. Guenter said that working in a bakery provided daily bread.  This was the beginning of his life-long career in the baking industry ultimately obtaining a Master Baker qualification.

There he met his future wife – Eva Hannemann. Eva said that within two weeks they knew they were going to get married. The wedding ceremony was on July 5, 1952.

During the first 3 years of their marriage, they lived in a tiny one room house that they built on community garden plot in the city of Hamburg. While Guenter worked for the bakery, they were able to grow their own vegetables.  Their first son Rainer (affectionately nicknamed “Butch” by Oma Franz) was born during this time. They felt blessed and had loving memories of their time in the garden. 

Wanting a better life for his family, he, Eva, and Butch sailed across the ocean in April of 1954 to the United States. Shortly afterwards, Guenter’s parents and siblings followed them. They all settled in the Chicago area creating a new way of life in a new country.  It was in the early years while living in Chicago that their second son, Peter, was born.

In Chicago, Guenter was able to continue with his chosen profession as a baker.  He worked at Dinkels - a bakery famous for their Christmas stollen.  Wanting to expand and challenge his abilities, he started working at Jewel – a grocery store chain in the Midwest.  Because he was an ambitious young man, he took the opportunity to move to Charlotte and work for Harris Teeter. Guenter introduced the city of Charlotte to the cosmopolitan style of displaying deli and bakery products. Afterwards, Guenter worked for several grocery stores in the Southeast region.  He found his niche working 20 years with Maplehurst a company that sold bakery equipment.  By this time, he had experience in every aspect of the baking industry. HIS experiences allowed Guenter to become a Certified Master Baker.

Guenter and Eva shared a love for the ocean beaches.  They took several trips to the Bahamas and to the coast lines of Georgia and Florida.  When at home, he enjoyed taking the grandchildren to the pool and the local playground.  On Sundays at coffee time, they sons’ and their families would visit and recall old stories and tell new ones.

He also loved listening to his German polka tapes. When the music started playing, his fingers began tapping the arm of the chair and his feet would move with the beat. Occasionally, he would sing along.  Perhaps, he was thinking of those days he and Eva danced at the German club.

Guenter and Eva attended St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Charlotte. Guenter was an active volunteer with the Drop In Program at the church.  Eva would send a cake with Guenter to share with those who came in for a meal.  Guenter, always the people person, chatted and joked and shared a laugh with the folks around him.

Later in his years at the Dorchester, Guenter liked going into the courtyard with Eva during Yappy Hour, a time when the dog owners let their dogs run free.  He and Eva enjoyed going out for lunch at one of their favorite restaurants: Trios for the BLT Pizza, Walhorn for the Pork Schnitzel, and Great Wall of China South for their Cashew Chicken. 

Even with his progression into dementia, Guenter did his best to face it with strength and courage.  Eva was his selfless caregiver.  Even in his advance stages of dementia, Guenter knew how lucky he was to have her by his side.  We will miss him, but we are happy for Guenter to be free from pain and surrounded by God’s love.

For those able to attend the memorial service is at:

St Luke’s Lutheran Church                                                                                                                                  

3200 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC                                                                                                                               

December 11, 2019 (Wednesday) at 1:30pm in the Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Humane Society of Charlotte                                                                                                                        

2700 Toomey Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203