HOWARD FRANCIS

1915 - 1999

Howard Edwin Francis, beloved husband of Viola Francis of Taber, passed away on Friday, June 11, 1999 at the age of 84 years.
Howard was born at Taber on April 18, 1915 and was the son of Edwin Neils Francis and Evaline Larsen. He received his schooling at Taber and in December of 1935 was called to serve in the Canadian Mission with his church. He married Viola Hansen on November 9, 1939. Howard farmed in the Taber area and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His passions in life included family, photography and golf.
Cherished memories of Howard will be remembered by wife Viola, six of their seven children, Lowell (Colleen) Francis of Spruce Grove, Larry (Lee) Francis of Airdrie, James (Kellie) Francis of Lethbridge, Paul Francis (Ruth Wilson) of Lethbridge, Margaret (Terry) Stewart of Lexington, Kentucky and Kelly (Bill) Jordanov of Calgary; son-in-law Bob Hamshaw of Calgary; eighteen grandchildren Jody Francis, Jill Kuchik, Jan (Greg) Tajcnar, Kim (Peter) Glosli, Tara (Kelly) Morrison, Cori (Darin) Leffingwell, Shane (Tara) Lypkie, Michelle (Kelly) Kerr, Shawn (Mickyla) Francis, Russell Francis, Lloyd (Angela) Hamshaw, Carol Hamshaw, Cary (Valerie) Francis, Scott (Angela) Francis, Terry O. Stewart, Garet Stewart, Jasmine Stewart, Regan Stewart and thirty-two great grandchildren; four brothers Rell (LaRue) Francis of Taber, Dean (Carol) Francis of Springville, Utah, Keith (Joan) Francis of Taber and Jack (Norine) Francis of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina; three sisters Delores (Theron) Sommerfeldt of Lethbridge, Kay Jolley of Provo, Utah and Jean (Reed) Jensen of Barnwell; sisters-in-law Dorothy Francis of Taber, Edith Francis of Lethbridge and also by numerous other relatives. Howard is also survived by Viola’s family, Patricia (Ken) Cutts of Winnipeg, Melba Birck of Lethbridge, Jeanette (George) Forchuk of Vauxhall, Phyllis (Jay) Anderson of Medicine Hat, Lorraine Hansen of Taber and Evelyn (Bill) Lutes of Brooks.
He was predeceased by his parents, daughter Dianne Hamshaw, brothers Doug, Ron, Albert and also by his brother-in-law Deloy Jolley. He was also predeceased by members of Viola’s family including Mildred and Howard Pearson, Lucille Parks, Tage Birck and Norman Hansen.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family in the Relief Society Room of the church prior to the funeral service from 1:00 P.M. to 1:45 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, June 16, 1999 at 2:00 P.M. with Bishop Jerry Haslam conducting. Interment followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.