Christina "Nina" Franz
July 06, 2014
Christina, or Nina, as many people knew her, died instantly in a horrible car crash Sunday afternoon. Her brother, Trevor, was with her. Her last act on this earth was to swerve the car, saving Trevor's life. That was the kind of person she was.
Christina lived her 26 years, 1 month and 20 days to the fullest. She loved pulling pranks, playfully teasing people, doing anything to make people smile. She was a faithful friend to all who knew her. She loved traveling, playing sports, playing guitar, and she loved, loved, loved Christian music. She went to many concerts and personally knew many of her favorite musicians. More than anything, though, Nina loved her family. She came home most weekends just to spend time with her parents, brother, aunts and uncles, and cousins. She wasn't just a family member to all of us ... she was our best friend. Words can not describe the loss we feel.
Christina proudly accepted Jesus as her personal savior on June 1st 1996. She lived her life as a true example of what a Christian should be. She once said that the biggest compliment that she ever received was when a co-worker, upon learning that Christina was a Christian, said that she already figured that out because of the way Christina acted and treated other people. Now my baby is in Heaven, rocking with the angels.
Christina graduated valedictorian from Bondurant High School. She went on to earn two B.S. degrees from Grace University graduating Summa Cum Laude with both degrees. Christina worked at Children's Hospital in Omaha. Her dream was to work full-time in Christian music management.
Christina is survived by her parents, Larry and Melinda Franz, brother, Trevor, Grandpa David Krueger (Judy), Grandma Pat Krueger, Grandpa and Grandma Lloyd and Betty Franz, Uncle Trent (Deb), Uncle Troy (Noelle) Krueger, Aunt Linda (Mike) Hedden, Uncle Doug Franz and Aunt Cindy (Kenny) Mack. She had many cousins but was especially close with Kylie Krueger, Jade Krueger, A.J. Krueger, Autumn Krueger, Cael Krueger, Matthew Hedden, and Timothy Hedden. Please keep our family in prayer as we adjust to this incredible blow.
Visitation will be 5 PM to 8 PM Thursday and the funeral will be at 11 AM Friday, both at Westchester Evangelical Free Church, 4919 Aurora Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310.
Condolences for the family may be offered online at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Sandi
07/15/2014
I had a pleasure of working with your daughter at Children's! She was always so happy and had a smile for everyone. Her bubbly personality is greatly missed. She once almost had me looking for a Pomsky puppy! You probably already knew this was one of her favorites! I miss seeing her and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing your daughter with us. She is an angel above! Until we meet again Nina.
Diana McCullough
07/12/2014
Larry and Melinda, so sorry to hear about your daughter. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing her but it sounds like a very special daughter and one to be very proud of. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you through this difficult time.
Kati
07/10/2014
NEEE-NAHHHH!!! I had the pleasure of working with Nina at Children's. I would wait for her every morning to come off the elevator with her hoodie on and her backpack......we loved to tease one another!! She would always get up and say "I'll be right back!" I fell for it everytime. She was planning when and how to knock me out of my chair!! We sat next to eachother on the 4th floor SPC and we were constanlty joking around and making it a fun environment. Nina was the most caring, passionate, giving person I have ever met. I miss you Nina. Although I recently just left Childrens to pursue other adventrues, we still communicated via email. It is so wierd to not get emails from you anymore about how your day is going at Children's or you always correcting my spelling errors!! You were one of a kind NEEE-NAHHH...... :) You have touched so many hearts. Thank you for teaching me so many things in the short time that I knew you. You brought my faith back, you helped me get through some personal obstacles...and you didn't have to, you just did because that is who you were...always helping others. i have been listening to the CD's you made me and I have been enjoying some christian rock music on pandora while I work to get me through these rough days!!! Prayers to everyone affected by this tragic accident...your mom and dad, and Trevor, thank you for sharing Nina with all of us, she will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her. Rest in Paradise Nina, till we meet again :)
Barb J
07/10/2014
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family. I had the pleasure of working with Nina, she always made my day with her bright smile and loving, caring ways. She always had time to be friendly and to share a kind word. She will be grealy missed by each and everyone of us. I know in my heart though that she is looking down on us and smiling, waiting for us someday to join her. She is one of the beautiful angels among us.
Audrey J Bayer
07/10/2014
Ms. Nina I miss you. I know when you opened your eyes up you were in the arms of Jesus. I am here with all your friends from work. They miss you so much and I get to see what a legacy you left on their hearts. Jesus had a purpose for you and girl you lived it. You glorified our Savior by how you loved each and everyone one of us. You were on mission for His kindgom and gathering treasures for our Savior eternaly is what happened. To Ninas Mom, Dad, and brother your daughter and sister finished the race. And our heavenly father is holding Nina in his arms welcoming his faithful servant. Well done Nina. I love you. I will hug you when I go home to my sister in Christ.
Laura
07/10/2014
Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your family. Nina was a lovely person to work with, and I always enjoyed talking to her. I will never forget Nina and will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Jennifer
07/10/2014
I had the privilege of working with Nina on several occassions. I always went to her with any questions I had, because I knew she had the answer! Nina's smile and infectious, bubbly personality will certainly be missed at Children's. I am terribly sorry for your family's loss and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Morgan
07/10/2014
Although I didn't know Nina too well on a personal level, I got to work with her a few times. Just by being with her for a few hours and seeing her at the end of the day, she always put a smile on my face and everyone around her and showed me how kind hearted and caring she was. I see how many people are grieving for her loss here at Children's Hospital. We are a family at work, and we aren't without Nina. Her heart will forever be with us and she will be missed by many and many. She impacted very many lifes and she still will continue to impact people. I know she's in a safe place in Heaven watching down on everyone. My prayers and thoughts are with everyone through this difficult time. May God give everyone peace and rest.
Kassie
07/10/2014
I was blessed to have Nina as my friend. She was an amazing person and left a positive impact on so many people's lives. I am praying for comfort for your family.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lords word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Alyson Walker LaMastres
07/09/2014
Larry and Malinda:
I am soo sorry to hear about this! Just know that mom and dad and I (al and Janet walker) are thinking of you all. I won't be able to make it up Friday but know that we love you!
Al Walker
07/09/2014
Larry an Malinda I`m sorry to here this so sorry an God Bless
Prayers ur way
Valerie
07/09/2014
I am so very sorry for your family's loss. Having the pleasure of working with Nina, and having her as my friend meant very much to me. The Children's Hospital family will never be complete without her warm smile, kind words, and caring heart. She will be deeply missed each and every day, and never be forgotten. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time.
The Bishop Family
07/09/2014
Words cannot express the sorrow and pain of losing someone so young and so tragically. May you find comfort in God's arms. I always think of this saying when I think of a loved one in Heaven:
As you live on in Heaven, You live on in our hearts. God give you peace for the hours and days ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Donna Maurer
07/09/2014
Larry and Malinda, I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you.
Dawn
07/08/2014
I want the family to know that Nina left such an impression on everyone she came in contact with at Children's. I had the pleasure of working with her everyday and enjoyed our conversions about which concert she was going to next.
She will be thought of and missed each and every day.