Frances Tagg Holfeltz

1940 ~ 2023

Obituary Photo for Frances Tagg Holfeltz < >

Viewing

Hillview Ward, 1361 East 4000 South, Millcreek, Utah
Feb 9, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Funeral Service

Hillview Ward, 1361 East 4000 South, Millcreek, Utah
Feb 10, 2023 1:00 PM

Funeral Service - Virtual Attendance

Click "Watch Services" link below
Feb 10, 2023 1:00 PM

Beloved wife, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Frances Ann Tagg Holfeltz (age 82) passed away peacefully in the early hours of February 4, 2023. Her smile and laugh were infectious, and she loved serving others. She will be sorely missed.

Fran was the second child born on April 16, 1940, to James Francis and Verna Burton Tagg. She had the good fortune of being the younger sister to Burton Tagg, a loving tease. He was her hero! Fran and Burton loved to reminisce on their time together in their father’s shoe repair shop.

She grew up in Sugarhouse, Utah and attended Forest Elementary, Irving Jr. High, and South High School. At the age of five she began to compete with Burton to see who was going to sit on the piano bench and practice the longest. By fourth grade she wanted to learn to play the flute but was convinced to learn the cello, which turned into a lifelong passion. Fran played in school orchestras from elementary school through college and participated in community orchestras all through school. She always looked forward to playing in the Assembly Hall at Temple Square twice a year during this time.

Fran attended the University of Utah for four years and earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Foods and Nutrition. After college she participated in an internship at the LDS Hospital as a dietitian. Following her internship, she worked for the old Primary Children’s Hospital over the summer then returned back to the LDS Hospital for two additional years. She then accepted the call to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Toronto Ontario Canadian Mission.

She spent the first few months of her mission in the mission office as a recorder; updating branch information, and planning train and bus schedules for transfer days. In her own words, the first transfer she scheduled was an utter fiasco. The day of transfers the mission office was flooded with calls from missionaries wondering where their new companions were, and others asking why the trains were not on schedule. She was embarrassed when she realized that she had used the winter train schedule instead of the summer, but it worked out in the end.

After her mission, Fran went to BYU and became certified as a Home Economics teacher. After completing her certification, she taught for eight years at Jordan Jr. High in Salt Lake City before transferring to Centerville Jr. High in Davis County. She retired in June 1998 after teaching for thirty years.

Fran cherished spending time with her nephews, and niece. Grandma Tagg and Aunt Frannie spent many hours with them. From when the kids were little, and into their teenage years, each Friday night one of them would have a sleep over at their house. They would take them all to Lagoon, and on trips one by one.

In her free time, Fran would sew baby quilts and baptism blankets for her family, friends, and people in her ward. When she retired from teaching, she invested in an embroidery machine, and up until a couple years ago, would make custom baptism towels for kids in her ward. Her nephews and niece still have their baby blankets, which will be passed down through generations.

Fran was close to her mother, Verna Tagg, as she nursed her through four total knee replacements and cataract surgery. As her mother advanced in years, she became her care giver. It was a part of her life that she has never regretted and was grateful for the many things she learned.

Fran was blessed to find love and married Howard Dale Holfeltz in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1993. Though Fran never had children of her own, the day she married Howard she became the stepmom to five children (Nancy, Ruth, Alan, Jen, and Robert), and a grandmother to two grandchildren with one on the way. Fran’s mother had a difficult time at first with Fran spending less time with her, however Howard was able win her heart by assisting Fran in caring for her. Verna often told Fran the smartest thing she ever did was to marry Howard.

Together, Fran and Howard bought an RV, a couple wave runners, and loved going on adventures together. They also found enjoyment in square dancing, going to Hale Center Theater, and to the Utah Symphony. Friday night dates were important to them, and often involved eating out. They served on the Millcreek Community Council and were active in politics. They were also stalwarts at Holfeltz Family and Burton Family Reunions, working to bring the extended family together and compiling family histories. Howard was always supportive of Fran as she spent countless hours preparing lessons and assisting with The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers activities and events. They had a wonderful almost 28 years together.

Fran had a strong testimony of the Savior and the restoration of the gospel. She cherished the opportunity to serve in the Church and enjoyed the opportunity to serve in whatever capacity she was called. She served as a receptionist in the Salt Lake Temple, a stake co-chair for Young Special Interest, a pianist in the primary and relief society, and as the Relief Society President in the Winder 2nd ward.

Fran is survived by her brother Burton; her five stepchildren: Nancy Workman (Scott), Ruth Atkinson (Bryan), Alan Holfeltz (Allison), Jen Holfeltz (Jake), and Robert Holfeltz (Jessica); 10 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Joyce; her husband Howard Dale Holfeltz; a son-in-law; and one great grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, February 10, 2023, at 1:00 pm at the LDS Hillview Ward, located at 1361 East 4000 South, Millcreek, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday night from 6:00-8:00 pm and Friday from 11:30 pm to 12:45 pm at the Church. Interment will follow at the Elysian Burial Gardens.

Funeral services were recorded and can be viewed from the "Watch Services" button above.



Guestbook/Condolences

We loved Fran. She was supportive of our family and loved the community. I was the Cub Scout leader in our ward. We needed a Bicycle Rodeo for our scouts and she incorporated it into the community gathering. She was a gift to us.


- Janis and Ed Bigelow

Sist Frances and Bro. Howard Holfeltz were in the Winder 2nd family ward in Holladay. I was one of the many mid-singles that joined the ward after we moved from the young single adult ward. I remember them kindly, they were so nice to all of the singles in that ward. I had the opportunity to still visit with them after I moved out of the ward. Nanette Sorensen and Sherilyn Farnes were their neighbors at one time so when I went to visit them, I also had on many occasions, to visit with the Holtfelzs. They always made sure Nanette and Sherilyn were taken care of, even when the Holtfetzs might be in need of something themselves, they always looked after their neighbors. I also remember the wonderful service they provided in the many Milcreek festivals and community activities during the summer in the park behind their home. I am grateful for their love towards each other and the continual service they provide to all whom they associated with. I am also grateful for Fran and Howard's testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They both will be missed greatly! May the Lord have them both in his rest and glory. Love and prayers to their family at this time.


- Hafid Herrera