Lela M. Frantz, of Warsaw, passed away unexpectedly at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at the age of 78.
Lela was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to Rolande Orvil Nielsen and Agnes Blanche Couture Sept. 25, 1945. She graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 1964 and from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo., in 1968.
Lela married Ronald “Keith” Musgrave on Nov. 27, 1970. They lived most of their married life (22 years) in Central City, Neb., until Keith passed away Aug. 22, 1993. To this union was born Jonathan, Verna, Andrew, Esther and Philip.
Lela married missionary Robert Adams on April 3, 2004, and moved to Livingston, Tenn. They traveled together throughout the United States until Robert’s health declined. He passed away Dec. 21, 2012.
Lela returned to Wayne, Nebraska where she cared for her mother until she passed away. From Wayne, she moved to Lincoln where she was actively involved in her church. She assisted with a pre-kindergarten class of 15-20 children each week. She would often visit them in their homes.
On July 29, 2023, she married Robert Frantz of Warsaw until she passed away from a tragic accident.
She is survived by her five children: Jonathan (Yoli) Musgrave, of Lincoln, Neb.; Verna (Chris) Harner, of Clyde, Ohio; Andrew (Amber) Musgrave, of Benton, Kan.; Eshter (John) Meyer, of Oshkosh, Wis.; and Philip (Jennifer Musgrave, of Pensacola, Fla. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Timothy (Angie) Frantz, of Etna Green; Penny (Bruce) Bautch, of Reedsburg, Wis.; Scott (Trina) Frantz, of Inverness, Fla.; and April Frantz, of Hendersonville, Tenn. She is also survived by over 30 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren with one on the way.
She is also survived by her brother, Gary Nielsen, of Phoenix, Ariz.; her sister, Linda Nielsen, of Denver, Colo.; her sister, Robin (Randy) Nelson, of Winside, Neb.; Pammy (Kent) Hanika, of Lincoln, Neb.; Wanda Nielsen, of Tecumseh, Neb.; and Wade (Michelle), of Wilsonville, Ala. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Neil (Geri) Musgrave, of Lochbuie, Colo.; brother-in-law, Gary (Lindy) Musgrave, of Lakewood, Colo.; sister-in-law, Sara Musgrave, of Archer, Neb.; and Naomi Musgrave, of Edmond, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands; her father, Rolande Nielsen; her mother, Agnes (Couture) Keenan; her brothers, Les and Rollie; her sisters, Thea and Mary; her brothers-in-law, Gordon, Howard, Ralph and Richard; her sisters-in-law, Lois and Leora; and her precious granddaughter, Lydia Harner.
Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw is entrusted with the care of Lela and her family. Friends may join her family for visitation at Hope Baptist Church, 2277 E. Pierceton Road, Warsaw, IN 46580, on Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 2 until 5 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 5 pm. Pastor Don Williams will officiate Lela's Life Celebration.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be divided between Hope Baptist Church’s Bible printing ministry, 2277 East Pierceton Rd., Warsaw, IN 46508; or Lincoln Baptist Church’s bus ministry, 2400 S. 11th St., Lincoln, NE 68502.