Elmer and Norma Franz had a love story that played out over 65 years.

At the end, Dr. Franz didn't take long to join his wife. She died Feb. 7 of complications of Parkinson's at age 89. He followed 16 days later at age 91.

Dr. Franz's official cause of death was complications of lymphoma. But his daughter, Marilyn Holder of Larkspur, has another view.

"They just couldn't live without each other," she said. "That's what caused my dad's death. My dad died of a broken heart."

Dr. Franz was born Dec. 6, 1915, in Mountain Lake, Minn., to Peter J. and Regina Miller Franz.

Norma Freese was born May 6, 1917, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Fred and Sophie Matthies Freese.

Dr. Franz earned a basketball scholarship to Augustana Lutheran College in Sioux Falls, where the future Mrs. Franz also was a student. They were in the same English class.

"They were talking to each other so much, the teacher put them in alphabetical order," Holder said. "But Franz and Freese are together. So they were still next to each other. And they still kept talking."

They were married June 20, 1941, in Sioux Falls.

Mrs. Franz had graduated from college in 1937 and taught school four years before marrying Dr. Franz the week after he graduated from the University of South Dakota medical school.

He began an internship in Denver.

In World War II, Dr. Franz became a major in the Army and was stationed in the South Pacific two years. While there, he decided to become an orthopedic surgeon. So after the war he did a residency in Boston and then moved back to Denver in 1948.

He worked at several Denver hospitals, including as chief of orthopedic surgery at the old Presbyterian Hospital. He also taught at the University of Colorado.

In 1991 he received an award for 50 years' service from the Denver Medical Society.

Mrs. Franz set aside her teaching career to be a stay-at-home mom to the three children she and her husband adopted - Cheryl, Marilyn and Rick.

The couple even named their retreat in Estes Park after their children - "Chemarick."

"My father was very active in charity work with Crippled Children's Clinic and Children's Hospital," Holder said. "My mom was a professional volunteer."

After Dr. Franz retired in 1981, he and his wife traveled the world, living winters in Arizona and summers in Estes Park.

"He was highly principled and imparted his work ethic to each of us," Holder said. "No job was too small or too big. He was a brilliant man, down to earth, gentle, humble and frugal. He was always large and in charge."

At their 50th wedding anniversary, Mrs. Franz passed on a few tips for a lasting marriage.

"Have mutual goals, perhaps a solid family background, keep your sense of humor no matter what happens, base your life on faith, love and trust," she said. "Look for the bright side in everything."

In addition to Holder, other survivors include two children, Cheryl, of Fort Lupton, and Richard, of Lakewood; a son-in-law, Doug, of Larkspur; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

massarog@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5271