Francene Hugen

Francene Hugen, 97, of Oskaloosa, passed away Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Oskaloosa Care Center. Francene Grace Hugen, daughter of William and Gertrude (Voss) De Prenger, was born March 24, 1925, at her parents’ rural home west of Leighton, Iowa. She attended country school at Black Oak and Scotts Center west of Leighton through the eighth grade and then Pella High School. She graduated in 1942. Following her education, Francene got a job with the Pella National Bank working as a secretary and teller. Francene married Robert Owen Hugen on September 26, 1945, at the Central Reformed Church parsonage in Oskaloosa. They started their life together in rural Pella, and Francene continued to work at the bank until her children were born, and then she stayed home to care for them. Over the years, Francene and Bob farmed near Fremont, Leighton, and west of New Sharon before settling on their own farm in Union Mills Township. In 1966, they sold that farm, established Oskaloosa International, Inc., and moved into Oskaloosa. Following Bob’s death in 2004, Francene moved to Pella to be closer to her grandchildren. She moved to the Oskaloosa Care Center in 2012. She enjoyed reading, golfing, bowling, and visiting friends and family. She was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church in Pella and a past member of Central Church in Oskaloosa, where she was active in numerous activities. She was also a member and past president of P.E.O. Chapter X. Francene’s family includes her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and William Parsons of Virginia, and their sons: Brian (Nancy) Parsons and Scott Parsons; her son, Richard (Kathy – deceased) Hugen of Pella and his daughters: Carrie (Jason) Blommers, Tina (Jeremy) Vander Molen, Sheri (Dan) De Nooy, and Dena (Kyle) Huelsman; her late son, Kenneth (Jan Lynam) Hugen and their children: Kate (Mike) Cisney, Laura (Chad) Beyer and Jon (Meagan) Hugen; 21 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband Bob, her son Kenneth, and daughter-in-law Kathy, Francene was preceded in death by a great-grandson, William Kenneth Marcum; two sisters: Velma Rempe and Betty Van Arendonk, and brothers, Herb and Howard De Prenger. Funeral services for Francene will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Central Church (formerly Central Reformed Church), with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. Visitation and Coffee Time will be held Saturday morning from 9-10:45 a.m. at the church. Langkamp Funeral Chapel is handling her arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to the Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House or the Pella Hospice Comfort House.

Francene Hugen

March 24, 1925 - October 24, 2022