Mary Frances "Fran" Nelson

Mary Frances “Fran” Nelson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother earned her heavenly wings on the afternoon of July 24, 2025, at the age of 91. She peacefully passed in the loving arms of her daughter Kari Rigley, with her beloved husband Richard, her son Jed and daughter-in-law Janice by her side. She will be remembered as one of the most loving and caring women ever.

Fran was the first-born child to Francis Thompson and Mary Almana Peterson. She was born on March 19, 1934, in Spanish Fork Utah in an old adobe house on the corner of Main Street and 4th North. Growing up she learned the lessons of sacrifice. Her home was heated with wood-burning stoves and there was no indoor plumbing. Running outside in the winter to use the outhouse or to bring water in from a tap for the weekly Saturday bath was hard. Her family had a large garden and raised cows and chickens.

Fran went to Spanish Fork High School and LDS Seminary, graduating in 1952. At the time she was the first child in their family to have ever graduated from high school.

She lived and grew up in Spanish Fork until she married her eternal sweetheart Richard Hayward Nelson on September 25, 1952. They were sealed together for eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Fran worked hard all her life. As a teenager she would pick fruit and vegetables to earn money to buy school clothes. She supported the family while her husband was going to college by working at the Barbizon, sewing women’s slips. She was a grocery store bagger, pharmacy clerk, clothing and shoe store clerk, and retired in 1993 from the Bon Marche’ as a sales associate.

The family moved around a lot. From Spanish Fork, Utah to New Jersey, California, Colorado, back to Logan, and Roy, Utah and finally settled in North Ogden, Utah. Through all of those moves Fran kept things tidy and always made each house feel like a home.

She had many hard and challenging times throughout her life. She sent her new husband off to the army for 2 years right after they got married. She endured the death of two children and some of her own health problems. Even through all her own trials she was there for others.

Fran was able to travel to many different local and foreign places, including Mexico, and Europe.

Fran was a woman of many talents. She was a wonderful cook and shared her talents by baking and teaching her grandchildren to make her famous cherished yummy rolls and cookies. She was a talented seamstress. She sewed many quilts and crocheted many baby blankets. She always kept her home clean and her yard beautiful. She was always a friend to all who knew her. Her and Richard had a special group of friends they called the Couth Group. She loved her weekly card group of ladies and looked forward to their weekly games.

Fran, along with her husband Richard helped write a book in her own words about her life, titled “Fran’s Memories”.

Fran, along with her husband, raised two children, Jed (Janice) Nelson and Kari (Jeff) Rigley. She has 8 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Her legacy will live on through all of them.

Fran was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings throughout the years. Including Young Womens President, 1st Counselor in the Young Womens Mutual, Ward Librarian, Sunday School Coordinator, Relief Society Visiting Teacher, Relief Society Homemaking Activity Day Leader and Compassionate Service Coordinator. She served as a full-time missionary alongside her husband in the St George, Utah Member Location Mission. She also served a mission in the St George Bishop’s Warehouse and Cannery. Through all these callings she was able to serve many and to learn to love and depend on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fran is survived by her husband, Richard H. Nelson; children, Jed and Janice Nelson and Kari Rigley; sister, Joyce (George) Cox; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by Baby Girl Nelson; Baby Boy Blake Nelson; her parents, Francis and Mary Peterson; father and mother-in-law, Byron and Dorothy Nelson; brothers, Ervin Peterson and Wayne (Arlene) Peterson; half-brothers and half-sisters, Erval, Melvin, Lorraine Peterson, Delta Atwood, David, and Alfred Stringer; son-in-law, Jeff Rigley; granddaughter, Chrissie Taylor; and great-granddaughter, Kylie Taylor.

The family would like to send a very special thank you to Atlas Hospice Care, especially Ronal, her nurse, and Kristen, her aide. Also, we would like to express our gratitude to Sunridge Assisted Living for their love and support through this difficult time. With a very special thank you to the CNA’s young ladies and young men who helped with her last moments.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the North Ogden 6th Ward Chapel, 770 East 2100 North. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 North Washington Blvd., and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment at Ben Lomond Cemetery 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden, Utah

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