Mary attended primary and secondary schools in Fairfield, Cedar Fort, and Lehi, Utah. Her days as a child in Fairfield included making mud pies, playing house among the sagebrush, swimming in the springs, and finding other fun things to do with friends and cousins. Long bus rides to and from school in Cedar Fort and Lehi were part of her daily life as she got older. Mary was popular with her high school classmates. She was the Future Farmers of America (FFA) sweetheart at Lehi High School her senior year and one of ten finalists in the state FFA competition in Salt Lake City. She later attended Brigham Young University.

Mary met her husband, Melvin Vern Frandsen, in high school, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1951. They established their home in American Fork, where they raised their children and lived throughout their lives.

After marriage, Mary was a homemaker, wife, and mother. She was very organized and kept an immaculate home while raising five children. She ensured chores were done, cut her boys’ hair, served in the PTA, attended band concerts and ball games, and did all else that a model mother would do. She was committed to all that her husband and children were involved in. As her children got older, she worked part-time at Robinson’s Sporting Goods store in downtown American Fork, and she later worked at the state capitol building as a legislative clerk for the Utah State Legislature. For three decades she enjoyed her interactions and associations with her coworkers and legislators at the capitol.

Mary was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and used her many talents to bless the lives of others. Her service in the Church included ward Primary president, ward and stake Young Women president, and ward and stake Relief Society president. She had a beautiful singing voice and was a member of the ward choir for most of her adult life. She sang numerous vocal solos in sacrament meetings. In 1988­-89 she and Mel served a full-time mission in the Florida Tampa Mission.

Mary was adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she hosted many sleepovers, parties, and an annual “grandkids’ day” — along with lunches at local fast-food restaurants and Sunday evening visits. She always insisted on generously paying her grandchildren when they helped around the house or yard.

Mary was a blessing to all her knew her and will be greatly missed. Mary is survived by her five children and foster son: Marsha (Brent) Skidmore, George (David) Frandsen, Bruce (Nyla) Frandsen, Ted (Kathy) Frandsen, Dan (Dana) Frandsen, Floyd (Kathryn) Nelson; her 23 grandchildren; and 49 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mel, her parents and siblings, and a grandson, Brett Skidmore.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Latter-day Saint chapel at 600 S. 100 W. in American Fork. Viewings will be held at the same chapel on Thursday from 6:00­8:00 p.m. and Friday at 10:00 a.m., prior to the funeral. Zoom link for the funeral: https://zoom.us/j/92110226353

She will be interred at the American Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Primary Children’s Hospital.