Mary Louise Franken

Mary L. Weiking was born June 21,1939, to George and Lydia (Asmus) Weiking in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She spent her childhood in West Salem and graduated as the valedictorian of the class of 1957. She then went on to graduate with a B.S. degree in Home Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a M.S. degree in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin. Mary earned her Doctor of Education from Drake University.

She married Robert Franken on June 25, 1966, in her hometown of West Salem. Mary and Bob lived in Sac City, Iowa, for two years before moving to Cedar Falls and adopting their daughter, Kate. Mary joined the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, teaching family studies and later serving as the Chair of the Department of Home Economics. She retired from UNI in 1998.

Mary was active in her community. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, a volunteer for Cedar Valley Hospice, and served on the boards of the YWCA, Family Service League, Family and Children's Council, and Lutheran Services of Iowa.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Kate Castells; grandsons, Christopher (Kara) Castells and Cameron (Katherine Clark) Castells; great granddaughter, Sophia Castells; brother, Bob Weiking; nephews, Alan (Ellen) Franken and Paul Franken; cousins, Cindy (Dan) Parkin and Lorna (Alan) Parmenter; and many other close family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Following a family graveside service, a Celebration of Life will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls on January 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with the family present an hour before the service. A luncheon will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation (Robert & Mary Franken Endowed Scholarship) , St. John Lutheran Church , or Cedar Valley Hospice . Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences with the family.