Obituary: Theressa O. Frandsen

Theressa O. Frandsen 1919 ~ 2007 Theressa O. Frandsen passed away on July 3rd, 2007, one day after her 88th birthday, at her home in Price, Utah, surrounded by her family. She was born in Ferron, Utah on July 2, 1919, one of seven children of James L. and Ruth Oviatt. The Oviatt family was raised in Emery County and Hiawatha, with the majority of their family life being centered in Price. Theressa married Garth Frandsen and together they raised Laurel (Robert) Browning of Alpine, Utah; and Neil (Bonnie) Frandsen of Price, Utah. Garth and Theressa's son, Ralph, died early in life at age 20. Garth and Theressa's life was centered around their family, their church and the Price community. Garth and Theressa were sealed in the Manti Temple. Together they owned and operated Mountain View Landscaping and Nursery. Theressa ran a catering business, serving the needs of Eastern Utah for over 21 years. Theressa claims that over the years of catering weddings and family events, she baked over eighty thousand cakes and sandwiches and prepared untold gallons of punch. Theressa checked the census records and discovered that there were numerous children in Price with special needs that were not being schooled. She was instrumental in starting a school for these children. Theressa and Garth would wake up on cold winter mornings at 4 a.m. to start a fire and make sure the little house that served as the school for their son Ralph and his classmates was warm and comfortable. This school was later named the Ann Self School and then was named The Castle Valley Center. Theressa served several terms as a member of the Price City Council and was the first woman to be elected to the council. One of her responsibilities on the council was the beautification of the city and its streets. The city won many state awards for her efforts in this area. She was selected as Woman of the Year for Price on one occasion and in 2004 she was selected as Woman of Achievement in Carbon County and later that same year, she was awarded Utah State Woman of Achievement. Theressa and Garth served several years as workers in the Manti Temple. She was ward organist for years in the Price First Ward. She served as ward and Stake Relief Society President. She and her family took every opportunity for gatherings and holidays at the family cabin in Scofield. They loved the mountains and the desert of Eastern Utah. She is survived by her son Neil and daughter Laurel. She has eight grandchildren and 18 great-grand-children who rise up and call her blessed. Viewings will be Sunday, July 8th at the Fausett Mortuary between 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the Price 6th Ward Chapel, Monday, July 9th at 11 a.m.