Zelpha Jeanine Franzmann, age 66, entered her heavenly home on August 31, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. She was a beloved wife, mother, Zha Zha, sister, and friend.
Zelpha was born June 29, 1957, in Hutchinson, Kansas to Harold Q. Johnson and Geraldine Victoria Elizabeth (Smith) Johnson. Zelpha married Chris L. Franzmann June 10, 1989 in Carrollton, Texas. The couple had five children: Katie Quinn Franzmann, William Caleb Franzmann (Jess Ackerman), Hallie Elizabeth Deschamps (Joseph Deschamps), John Merritt Franzmann (Rachel Franzmann), and Caroline Grace Franzmann.
Zelpha graduated from Haven High School. From there, Zelpha completed a two-year program at St. John’s College of Winfield Kansas and finished at Kansas State University majoring in Accounting. She began her accounting career as a field auditor and later became a staff accountant while earning her CPA. In 1986, Zelpha moved to Dallas to become a Controller for a hotel management company. She began to attend Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Carrollton where she met Chris at an adult singles Bible study.
Zelpha was a piano and organ player as well as a choir member. She became chief logistics officer and advocate while carting our five kids to baseball, soccer, swimming, basketball, plays, mock trial, and many other events. After first sending her kids to private school, Zelpha switched gears and dove into becoming a homeschool mom, pouring her heart and skills into her kids and various homeschool groups in both the Dallas and Houston areas. Zelpha led the high school section of Faith COOP of Northwest Houston as a board member; later she led as the board President and self-imposed dress code enforcer. After homeschool life was over, she became an Accountant for Northwest Anesthesia where she enjoyed a reprise on her accounting career. Zelpha was many things: a beloved wife, wonderful mother, great chef, stellar hostess, creative quilter, deep friend to those in all of her orbits, always found by her infectious laugh and zest for life. Zelpha poured her love into everyone she came to know. Underlying all of the above, Zelpha was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and the power of His love, as well as a tremendous prayer warrior.
Zelpha is survived by her husband, Chris; children, Katie Franzmann, Caleb Franzmann (Jess Ackerman), Hallie Deschamps (Joseph Deschamps), Merritt Franzmann (Rachel Franzmann), Caroline Franzmann; granddaughter, Charlotte Noelle Deschamps; mother, Irma Alpers; siblings, Sherry Waggoner, Iver Johnson, William Newton (Jann Newton), Mark Johnson (Colleen Johnson), Jeanne Miles (Kent Miles), Thomas Newton (Jeannie Newton), Starla Stoppel (Mark Stoppel), Garth Johnson (Sherri Johnson), Adola Stocker (Kirk Stocker), Theresa Higbie (Heath Higbie); brother-in-law, Andrew Stephen Franzmann (Ilene Franzmann), along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Zelpha was preceded in death and welcomed into heaven by her parents, Harold and Geraldine Johnson; niece Geraldine Johnson; and sister-in-law, Nancy Johnson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Salem Lutheran Church, Tomball, Texas on Thursday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will be Saturday, September 9, 11:00 a.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Haven, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Zelpha to some of her favorite organizations:
Love 146 journeys alongside children impacted by trafficking today and prevents the trafficking of children tomorrow. www.love146.org 1800 Camden Road, Suite 107-273 Charlotte, NC 28203.
The FiveTwo Network is a network of Christian leaders who use entrepreneurship to create eternal impact in communities. www.fivetwo.com P.O. Box 644 Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609.
Camp Lone Star is a Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas transforming lives through adventurous Christ-centered experiences. www.camplonestar.org 2016 Camp Lone Star Rd La Grange, TX 78945.
The American Cancer Society’s mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. www.cancer.org P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Cards and condolences can be sent to Ott Funeral Home PO Box 217 Haven KS 67543.