Kate Kristin Franz passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on December 26, 1974 and grew up on the near east side of Indianapolis. Kate graduated from Harmony high school in Bloomington Indiana. She lived in Seattle Washington for twelve years where she studied at a community college with an interest in environmental science. Kate was one of the first people to serve coffee as a barista when the Abbey Coffee House opened in Indianapolis. She worked at several other coffee houses before becoming a baker. Her most recent job was as manager for the bakery at Earth Fare Grocery in Carmel, Indiana. She also worked for Amazon for several years where she met Jonathan Wayland who became her best friend and partner. Kate was appreciated by those who knew her for her honesty, intelligence, courage, and love of animals.
A Celebration of Kate’s life and tree planting will take place on April 8, 2017, with a time and location to be announced.
Please visit www.albertsonsmortuary.com to view a tribute to Kate and leave a condolence for Kate’s family.
Carol, you and I go back to Area Youth Ministry Days. A long time–so you may not remember me, but my heart was so pierced when I saw Kate’s obituary in the paper today. John, my husband and I have seen you a couple times strumming in Brown County. I remember you mentioning then to us how special Kate was to you, What a loss. May God give you peace in His love for you. Praying for you both right now,
Mel and Ronna Ristau Brown
I will forever remember K,K, K, Katie as a sweet young child who called me KK! Such a wonderful young child who grew into a young adult with a mind of her own! You died way too soon Katie, and your parents are heartbroken as well as many of us! Rest in peace dear lady, and hope our souls meet again! 💞💞💞
On behalf of Carol Franz and myself….thank you so much for all of your heartfelt thoughts and prayers concerning the death of our daughter…Kate Kristin Franz 42…..Kate died of Idiopathic Interstitial Lung Disease…..(No known cause and fatal ). Kate died with dignity, courage, grace and peace knowing she had only hours to live. The manner in which she faced death inspired myself and those around her beyond words…I am immensely proud of Kate…..Thank you all……xoxoxoxo
so sorry for this loss of a beautiful life. she was a very loved girl. Her smile will always briten this world and our hearts. To jothan I did not get a chance to meet you but so happy you had the time together and the love yoi shared. I kmow ypur jeart is broken but she is there with you in your heart.Carol and John when I tjink of Kate i remembet the neet tree in the corner of her room what a sweet loved little girl. love you. Debbie
I always liked Kate. She was direct, smart, gutsy, spoke her mind. But in these last few years, she was not interested in talking with me. Kate had strong opinions and that’s just the way it was. I’m glad that Kate and Jonathan found each other and seemed to be happy. With all the physical changes she’s gone through, it’s impressive that she found a way to connect with someone. She has always had a strong spirit and I think that has been a magnet for people. When she was dying she spoke about her belief that her spirit would continue to exist in some form and I hope she’s right.
Kate and Carol had their challenges, as lots of mother/daughter relations do. But as John observed them interacting in the hospital, there was also a bond between them. I saw it too. Kate could also be protective of Carol. When Carol was getting taken in by rip-off alarm people, and had already agreed to pay for a bogus deal, it was Kate who stepped in with her air of authority and told those alarm people where to go, and they went. And Carol listened to her. Carol ignored me, but Kate had a way about her – assertive, to the point. You didn’t mess with Kate.
The day before Kate died, Carol and John were with her. She made it easier for them by being so direct and herself. They laughed about her telling Carol not to make John sing at her service.
I hope she knew that she made an impact and was loved, as messy and imperfectly as love can be. That’s what’s painful. I think many of us struggle with not feeling loved, and also not being good at expressing love until it’s too late. I’m glad she died while in a loving relationship with Jonathan. Sometimes it’s only when the game is over that the tensions ease and you can truly appreciate someone. That’s something I appreciate you for John. You are good at expressing love and that is not easy or common. It’s made a difference in my life, and I would guess it made a difference in Kate’s.
carol , i for one can feel your Pain it seems backwards for God to take a Daughter or Son before the Parent only God can know the reasons its so hard to lose a daughter , or in my case a son Raymond III or Kate for you Im only hoping they are together in heaven Amen
I remember Katie as a very independent soul….
Foemost, my sincere condolences to Carol & John & Jonathon.. I cannot imagine the grief you are experiencing..and to everyone else who knew and loved this bright soul…
This is one of my favorite poems…
High Flight
John Gillespie Magee, Jr
Oh,.. I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, –and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of –Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
John, although I never met Kate, I know that I would have loved her. Parents should not have to witness the death of a child but it happens. I am so sorry that you and Carol have had to experience this. Trusting that the loving memories that you share will sustain you as you open this new chapter in your life without your beloved daughter. Peace.
Prayers from Barbara and me.