Orval Frandsen
March 26, 1934 — June 24, 2015
St. George, UT - Orval Leon Frandsen, 81, died from complications of Multiple System Atrophy on June 24, 2015 at his home in Washington, UT. He was the oldest child and first son born to Roy and Opal Frandsen on March 26, 1934.
Dad was raised in Mt Pleasant, UT, where he developed a strong work ethic on the family farm. He attended North Sanpete High School, graduating in 1952. He served in the Navy from 1953-1963, the Army in 1968 and the Air Force from 1972-1990. While in the Navy he served in the Korean war in 1953. He retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1994.
He married Mary Sandra Mower on December 17, 1958, in Ely, Nevada. They raised five children in Kearns, UT. He was employed at Hill Air Force Base for many years, retiring in 1994. He also worked for Harper Excavating, Rasmussen Equipment and Washington City.
Dad was down-to-earth, no-nonsense and pragmatic. He loved animals and had several cats and dogs as companions throughout the years. He enjoyed feeding his backyard birds. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. Dad assigned everyone their own special nickname.
In 1997 he lost his spouse of 38 years. He later married Ginger Nelson on November 15, 1997. They settled in Washington, UT.
Leon is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Opal Frandsen, wife Sandy Frandsen, brother Elvin Frandsen, and good friend and brother-in-law, Richard Dixon. Chihuahua and best friend, Blondie.
He is survived by his second wife, Ginger, two daughters and three sons, Jeanine Bartunek (Jeff Schmidt) of Kearns, UT; LeeAnn England (Kevin Northrup) of West Valley, UT; Steven Frandsen, of Boise, ID; Ben Frandsen (Lisa Barton), of Minneapolis, MN; Eric Frandsen (Lari) of Layton, UT. He is also survived by stepchildren, Alex Grover and Heidi Grover; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren (with one more on the way). He is survived by two sisters; Karen Dixon of Wendover, UT & Valoy Smith (Mitt) of Orem, UT.
The family would like to thank LeeAnn England for her compassionate and tireless care of dad during the last few weeks of his life. We'd also like to thank Dixie Hospice nurses Kim, Vanessa, Cindy and Georgia.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 1st @ 11 a.m. at the Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah 84065. Dedication of the grave and honor guard will follow. Cremation services were provided by McMillan Mortuary in St. George, UT.