Born in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan to Dewey Cole Keim and Opal Rae Bralley - she married Hugo Franz in California and they had three sons: Greg Jaye Franz in 1948; Peter Keim Franz 1950-1976; and Gordon (Gordo) Kaye Franz 1956-2011.
Dena's mother, Opal Rae Bralley, was well known among family members for changing dates as well as names, whenever it suited her. Once when bringing one of her new husbands back to Texas for a visit, she scratched out birthdates in her Mother's Bible to show her birthdate as younger, not realizing her siblings were also affected by her "vanity". She also changed her own name on occasions adopting "Ramon" instead of Rae. And she called her daughter "Maudena" when she decided it was more romantic than simply Dena. US Census workers recorded whatever they were told, and were trained not to ask futher questions.
Dena and Hugo moved their family of three young sons to South Africa for several years as he worked for IBM. In order to maintain US citizenship they were legally required to return Stateside for at least 2 months every three years. While Dena and the boys were back in America fullfilling those requirements, Hugo filed for divorce on the grounds of desertion.
Dena never remarried, and as her dementia increased she became more and more dependent on others. She and her mother both died of Alzheimer's in the California Desert communities where they lived. Both were cremated.
Dena's mother, Opal Rae Bralley, was well known among family members for changing dates as well as names, whenever it suited her. Once when bringing one of her new husbands back to Texas for a visit, she scratched out birthdates in her Mother's Bible to show her birthdate as younger, not realizing her siblings were also affected by her "vanity". She also changed her own name on occasions adopting "Ramon" instead of Rae. And she called her daughter "Maudena" when she decided it was more romantic than simply Dena. US Census workers recorded whatever they were told, and were trained not to ask futher questions.
Dena and Hugo moved their family of three young sons to South Africa for several years as he worked for IBM. In order to maintain US citizenship they were legally required to return Stateside for at least 2 months every three years. While Dena and the boys were back in America fullfilling those requirements, Hugo filed for divorce on the grounds of desertion.
Dena never remarried, and as her dementia increased she became more and more dependent on others. She and her mother both died of Alzheimer's in the California Desert communities where they lived. Both were cremated.
Born in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan to Dewey Cole Keim and Opal Rae Bralley - she married Hugo Franz in California and they had three sons: Greg Jaye Franz in 1948; Peter Keim Franz 1950-1976; and Gordon (Gordo) Kaye Franz 1956-2011.
Dena's mother, Opal Rae Bralley, was well known among family members for changing dates as well as names, whenever it suited her. Once when bringing one of her new husbands back to Texas for a visit, she scratched out birthdates in her Mother's Bible to show her birthdate as younger, not realizing her siblings were also affected by her "vanity". She also changed her own name on occasions adopting "Ramon" instead of Rae. And she called her daughter "Maudena" when she decided it was more romantic than simply Dena. US Census workers recorded whatever they were told, and were trained not to ask futher questions.
Dena and Hugo moved their family of three young sons to South Africa for several years as he worked for IBM. In order to maintain US citizenship they were legally required to return Stateside for at least 2 months every three years. While Dena and the boys were back in America fullfilling those requirements, Hugo filed for divorce on the grounds of desertion.
Dena never remarried, and as her dementia increased she became more and more dependent on others. She and her mother both died of Alzheimer's in the California Desert communities where they lived. Both were cremated.
Dena's mother, Opal Rae Bralley, was well known among family members for changing dates as well as names, whenever it suited her. Once when bringing one of her new husbands back to Texas for a visit, she scratched out birthdates in her Mother's Bible to show her birthdate as younger, not realizing her siblings were also affected by her "vanity". She also changed her own name on occasions adopting "Ramon" instead of Rae. And she called her daughter "Maudena" when she decided it was more romantic than simply Dena. US Census workers recorded whatever they were told, and were trained not to ask futher questions.
Dena and Hugo moved their family of three young sons to South Africa for several years as he worked for IBM. In order to maintain US citizenship they were legally required to return Stateside for at least 2 months every three years. While Dena and the boys were back in America fullfilling those requirements, Hugo filed for divorce on the grounds of desertion.
Dena never remarried, and as her dementia increased she became more and more dependent on others. She and her mother both died of Alzheimer's in the California Desert communities where they lived. Both were cremated.
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