Ida Mae Margaret (Wilson) Franzen was born to Swedish parents Carl Herman and Ida Matilda (Peterson) Wilson on March 14, 1922, near Kenedy, Texas, and passed away peacefully in her home near Collegeport on February 11, 2018. She was the third of four children of this share-cropping family. Moving and working various farms, the family made their home in the Jackson County community of Deutschburg in 1932. Ida Mae attended grade schools in the Francitas, Deutschburg, and Carancahua communities, where she and her sister, Hazel often performed in school programs—both of them had beautiful voices and enjoyed singing. Ida Mae was confirmed in the First Lutheran Church of El Campo, Texas, and was a 1939 graduate of Palacios High School.

Her college career began at Texas Lutheran College, where she was a member of the TLC Choir. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree from the University of Texas, and her Master of Education degree at the University of Houston. Ida Mae taught in Houston, Texas City, Blessing and Palacios elementary schools. She drove the Deutschburg school bus route while teaching in Palacios.

Ida Mae Wilson and Gustave Albert "Goose" Franzen were married on November 22, 1952. Ida Mae enjoyed teaching, but chose instead her role as helpmate and mother. The newlyweds lived with Goose's mother, Ellen, and brother, Alex, in the family home near Collegeport for a year, while they designed and built their home nearby, where they raised their four children. Ida Mae's brother, Charles, was stricken with Bulbar Poliomyelitis on June 19, 1952. This occurrence significantly changed the lives of all of the Wilson Family, who sought the best treatment for Charles. "Goose" and Ida Mae accompanied Charles to Denver, CO for Chiropractic treatment at the Spears Chiropractic Sanitarium and Hospital. The trip was made on a Pullman Car, specially equipped with an iron lung, loaned by Fred Snite, Jr. a wealthy Chicagoan who became a polio victim seventeen years earlier. Burlington Lines' Texas Zephyr pulled the car to its destination in Denver. Hazel, Ida Mae's sister, was called to testify before a Senate Committee in Washington DC regarding the need for medical insurance coverage for patients benefitting from chiropractic treatment. Those at home modified the house to accommodate the iron lung for Charles' return home. The family provided care at home until his death in 1959.

Meanwhile, Goose and Ida Mae worked their rice farming and beef cattle operation at Collegeport and Deutschburg, maintaining generations-long tenant relationships of the Wilson and Franzen families, while acquiring their own farm and ranch land. One of Ida Mae's passions in life was cooking. The kitchen was the center of the Franzen home, where her talents for cooking, bread-making, baking, canning, pickling, processing and preparing nutritious family meals were shared with her family and any guest at their table.
Ida Mae joined The First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport and was an active member, leading Presbyterian Women's groups, Sunday School classes for youth and adults, and youth singing. Once asked if she had a favorite hymn, without hesitation, Ida Mae replied, "I like them all." She was elected and ordained an Elder on December 5, 1982, and served as Clerk of Session for a number of years. The church presented Ida Mae a plaque "In Appreciation of Many Years of Devoted Service" for her years on the Session on November 17, 2002, but she was re-elected to serve at least one more term as a Ruling Elder.

Ida Mae was also active in the Woman's Club of Collegeport, sponsor of the annual Collegeport Day homecoming the last Saturday in May. The celebration has been held each year since 1909. Gus and Ida Mae Franzen were recognized as the Collegeport Man and Woman of the Year for "Many Years of Dedicated Service to the Collegeport Community" by the Woman's Club on Collegeport Day in 1989.

Ida Mae supported the youth of the community as an organizer and adult leader of the Collegeport 4-H Club in 1968, assisting youth with various projects including Livestock, Food, Sewing, Public Speaking, and Record Books, and as an auction buyer and supporter in the Junior Livestock Show and Heifer Show, beginning in 1967. She also supported youth in the Home Economics Division as an auction buyer, sponsor and presenter of awards for High-Point Winners. She also participated in the Adult Division of the Food Show. She has been recognized by several youth organizations including the 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers of America for her involvement. In 2015, Ida Mae was presented a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for her support of the youth of Matagorda County by the Matagorda County Fair Association.

As rice producers, both Gus and Ida Mae encouraged others to "Eat More Rice." If potatoes were served at a meal, "Goose" would not hesitate to assert, "You should serve RICE! We don't live in Idaho!" Ida Mae, more subtly promoted the use of rice through her 30+ years of participation in the Rice Dish Round-up at the Matagorda County Rice Festival by entering recipes adapted to include rice as a main ingredient.

Ida Mae was named Outstanding Conservation Homemaker at the Region III Texas Conservation Awards Program in 1983. She was sponsored by the Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District #316. For a number of years, she gauged and recorded rainfall for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the Collegeport area. These records along with others from across the county were beneficial in helping local farmers and ranchers prove eligibility for Federal Disaster Programs through the Farm Services Agency.

Ida Mae Franzen was a Life Member and past director of the Matagorda County 100-Club, an active member of the Carancahua Extension Education Association Club, and the Athena Club of Palacios; She was a past participant in the Matagorda County "Relay for Life", supporting the American Cancer Society.

Ida Mae was a devoted wife, a wonderful mother and grandmother, and a tireless worker in her church and community. Upon the death of her husband, Gus Franzen, in 1997, Ida Mae continued in their rice farming and cattle operation, assisted by her family, and remained an avid supporter of the youth of Matagorda County. Many youths in the county benefitted from her generosity and kindness.

Ida Mae was preceded in death by her husband and two infant sons, Gustave Albert Franzen III and Charles Ray Franzen; her parents, two brothers, Wilford Leroy and Charles Herman Wilson, and by her sister, Hazel Viola (Wilson) Boeker. She is survived by her four children: G. W., Derril (Samantha), Terri (Franzen) Adams, Wesley (Tonya Piwonka); grandchildren: Stephanie Busby (Brian), Savannah Moeller (Jeff), Tyler Adams (Kelsey), Colt Adams (Madeleine), Dillon Franzen (Angela) and Hayley Franzen; great-grandchildren: Reese, Carter, Jake, Tate, Weston, Tanner, Addison, and a great-granddaughter and two more great-grandsons expected in 2018; sister-in-law, Ann Franzen, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City on Wednesday, February 14 from 5:00 PM to7:00 PM.

A private graveside service will be conducted at the Collegeport Cemetery. Ida Mae's sons and grandsons will serve as pall bearers; her nieces and nephews, church family, friends and neighbors are regarded as honorary bearers.

A Celebration of Life and Witness to the Resurrection Service will be 11:00 AM Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church of Palacios with Rev. Chuck Kimball officiating.
A reception will follow at Clement Hall.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport, Mopac House Foundation, or Collegeport Cemetery Association; All may be directed to P. O. Box 175, Collegeport, Texas 77428.

Ida Mae's family appreciates the compassionate care she received at home through "At Your Side" Home Care.