Jean M. Frischknecht
Our beloved mother Jean M. Frischknecht passed away at her home in Ogden, Utah on November 24, 2024 due to natural causes. She was born November 16, 1930 in Manti, Utah to Andrew Lamont and Mary C. Henrie Miller. She grew up in Manti, two blocks from the Manti Temple which she loved. She remembered going there when very young to be sealed to her parents. She was grateful to see the temple from her bedroom window and grateful to walk there frequently with her twin sister June to do baptisms for the dead. She even loved sledding down the temple hill. She often recalled the very difficult years of living through the Depression and World War II, when people sacrificed to support family, friends and countrymen in the war effort. She was rationed only 2 pairs of shoes per year, but one went to the men working on the farm. She was always valiant through difficult times. She loved her heritage of early Latter-day Saint ancestors. She taught tapdancing, was an outstanding student, including valedictorian at Manti High, and a Snow College graduate. She was also the editor of the Manti High and Snow College newspapers.
Jean married her sweetheart Clair Frischknecht on September 14, 1950 in the Manti Temple. She loves Dad, so very much, so very perfectly, as he does her. They moved to Logan where she supported Dad in finishing his bachelor degree by working as a secretary, rather than finishing hers. She was outstanding in shorthand and typing. They were assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia where she supported him on active duty during the Korean War.
Jean loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many callings, including Stake and Ward Relief Society Presidents, Ward Primary President, Stake Missionary, magnificent visiting teacher and many others. Jean and her husband also served as supervisors of the baptistry in the Ogden Temple. Their family prayed before every meal and never ever failed to have evening family prayer together. They had family nights before family home evening was formally instituted by the Church. She served weekly in the temple until she was unable for lack of mobility. She has an unfailing testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before there were Primary songs with these titles, Jean taught her children to keep the commandments and follow the prophet.
Jean lived to serve others, particularly her family. She continued to send birthday cards and money to her children, children-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren even when she could not see to address the envelopes. Not being able to serve in her final months because of her lack of sight and mobility was perhaps her hardest trial in mortality.
She supported her children’s education as room mother and in the parent teacher association. She traveled extensively to see their sporting events and dance performances. She was so very proud of her children, often over-praising and exaggerating their least accomplishment. When we would tell her not to overdo it, she would simply say, quoting baseball broadcaster Dizzy Dean, “it ain’t bragging if it’s true.”
Jean was a talented cook and candy maker. Her cookies, sweet rolls, butter mints, spare-ribs, Sanpete Turkey, and gravy were beyond description. At Christmastime, she hand-dipped thousands of chocolates, increasing the number of flavors and quantities each year. She, with help from family and friends delivered chocolates to countless grateful people near and far. She loved to see the joy in others’ receiving them. She freely gave candy demonstrations.
Jean was a talented seamstress with expert tailoring skills. She often sewed late at night because it was her only available time.
After the children were grown, Jean became an Avon representative. Her hard work and kindness resulted in much success, earning President’s Club status yearly and saving money for special occasions.
Jean enjoyed walking outdoors in the morning air and seeing neighbors along the way. At age 93, she walked 3 miles a day on the treadmill.
Jean was a self-taught gardener. She grew all kinds of beautiful flowers and plants inside and out. We often commented that she could grow anything and nothing she grew ever died.
Jean participated in and led community groups including Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Child Culture Club, and sewing and literary clubs.
She was a perfect wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She is survived by four children, Scott (Kaye) Frischknecht, Centerville, UT; David (Nancy) Frischknecht, Fruit Heights, UT; Kathie (Tom) Lee, Logan, UT; Roger (Lori) Frischknecht, Brigham City, UT; 19 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren with 4 on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband Clair, her parents, twin sister June Schofield, and brothers Earl and Henrie Miller.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 10am at the Ogden Malan’s Peak Ward Chapel, 1647 26th Street. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, or Saturday prior to the service from 9:00 – 9:30am. Interment, Saturday at 3pm Manti City Cemetery.
The services will be live streamed, to watch go to Jean’s obituary page on Myers website, click on the live stream connection below https://MyersMortuary.livecontrol.tv/60834bec
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.