Frances Kay Earnhart

Fran was born in Livermore, California and spent her elementary school years in Chico, California. She moved around the West living in Whitehall, Montana, Al Tahoe California, and Fallon, Nevada, where she and her husband Vince Earnhart met and fell in love as seniors at Churchill County High School. They eloped and were married in Reno, Nevada in December 1960. Their upcoming anniversary would have marked 60 years of marriage.

Fran and Vince joined the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints in May 1961. They were subsequently sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in August 1963. It was then that the Earnhart posterity began to emerge. Due to Army assignments for Vince and frequent moves, Fran and Vince had children born in four different states: Teresa in Nevada, David in Utah, Michael in Oklahoma, Kathryn in Oklahoma, Sarah in Oklahoma, Elizabeth in Utah, and Rachael in Idaho.

Fran was ever faithful to her callings in the Church. She was called as the Relief Society President of our student branch at the University of Nevada as a twenty- year old new member of the Church. That calling was a precursor to other responsible callings requiring a tender heart and spiritual closeness to our Heavenly Father. In Oklahoma she was in the stake Young Women’s leadership. She held callings in Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women’s. She was later called as the Relief Society President of a 750-member ward (the Meridian 12th Ward) where she served for over two years, then subsequently as a counselor in the Stake Relief Society presidency. She loved to work in the temple. She was a faithful temple ordinance worker for two years in the Jordan River Temple. Fran fulfilled four missions with Vince. Two of those missions required her to leave her home and grandchildren for 18 months, which she did without complaint. Those were in the Mexico South Area as the Executive Secretaries to the Area Presidency and in Slidell, Louisiana as the Manager of the Home Storage portion of the Bishops’ Storehouse. She loved to serve the Lord in whatever capacity she was assigned. Fran loved to sing and direct music. Her sweet spirit filled the room wherever she was.

Fran was an avid artist and teacher (especially of toll painting). Her home was constantly filled with her artwork and flowers, which she dearly loved. She passed on her talents, compassion and love of creating to her children.

She passed away peacefully in Boise, Idaho surrounded by her family, after a lengthy illness from several strokes.

Fran is survived by her husband, Vince Earnhart, her siblings Jerry Vincent (Patti), Jim Vincent (Gail), Barbara Annett (Tom), and six children: Teresa Blair (Jim), David Earnhart (Kathleen), Mike Earnhart (Kristie), Kathy Earnhart, Sarah Earnhart (Kat), and Elizabeth Lantz. Her seventh child and youngest daughter, Rachael Rasmussen (Nathan), preceded her in death by less than a month. Fran has many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
We are very appreciative of the care given to Fran by her capable caregivers.

We love you, Frannie!

Fran will be interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.