Franjo Sicanica

Franjo Sicanica, 83, of West Des Moines, IA passed away peacefully in Lutheran Hospital on Sunday April 19, 2015 at 3:21 am.

Franjo was born on April 27, 1931 in Zenica, Bosnia to Nikola and Marija Sicanica. He had 2 siblings; a sister, Veronika, and a brother, Vjekoslav. Remaining to cherish his memories and sense of humor, are his wife, Rajka; son and daughter-in-law, Željko and Azra Sicanica; stepdaughter and step son-in-law, Snežana and Obrad Živic; and his five grandchildren, Melinda, Dino, Miroslav, Jelena, and Aleksa.

For most of his life, he held many well respected positions within the teaching community in his home country of Bosnia. Upon his immigration to America, he enjoyed the retired lifestyle and put most of his focus into his family and his hobbies. His primary hobbies were writing a history book and creating art. His works of art were focused on landscape and the symbolism around him. Franjo and his daughter-in-law would engage in a daily card game of Remi. Prior to his passing, their yearly match was tied. Franjo enjoyed coin collecting, watching boxing, soccer, and football. Franjo was a passionate chess player; playing as often as he could and as often as he could convince someone to play with him. Franjo's love for reading was unparalleled. He would also participate in the yearly american football pool with his son and grandson; always rooting for the Packers.

Franjo loved people and was a consummate jokester; especially the inappropriate jokes he would ask his family to translate to complete strangers. Franjo had a way of invading your heart and your space.

If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone,
Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must,
Parting is hell,
But life goes on,
So sing as well.

- Joyce Grenfell

Online condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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