Frances Irene Bekkedahl died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. 

Frances was born March 16, 1930, in the Flathead Valley farmhouse of Thure David Emmanuel and Anna Amelia Holmquist. Growing up between the Stillwater and Whitefish rivers, Fran loved her parents' farm. Her ten siblings provided constant companionship and lifelong friendship. 

In order to realize her dream of a high school diploma, Fran moved into Kalispell, secured an apartment, and worked to pay her way through Flathead County High School, graduating in 1948. Thus was born the heart of an independent woman. 

Fran grew up attending the Swedish Covenant Church on Fifth Avenue West and Center Street. During the Korean War, her future mother-in-law, Sarah Bekkedahl, requested letters of support for her son, Joe, who was serving overseas. Fran began writing to Joe and their courtship flourished over the course of the next few years. 

After attending business college in Kalispell, Fran enlisted in the Air Force, serving as a WAF at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. 

During this period of time, Joe returned from Korea and was stationed in Texas. He went to visit his long-term pen pal and they married soon after on March 14, 1952, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Joe continued as a heavy equipment operator on many large-scale construction projects throughout the Northwest. Their five children were born in various cities during this time. No matter where the work took them, Frances made a loving home. Despite living in small trailers, Fran’s big heart made them seem like a mansion.   

The family returned to Kalispell in 1967, and built their house on family property near Ashley Creek. Frances was the foundation of the family. Throughout the ‘70s, Joe worked on the Alaskan Pipeline. She never missed a sports event, a musical performance or a church function. She worked part-time as a school cafeteria cook and became known for her delicious cinnamon rolls. 

Her days on the farm paid off as she continued her lifelong passion for gardening. Even after her family was grown and gone, Fran maintained two large gardens and donated her surplus food and flowers to friends and charities.  

In 1983, Fran lost her husband Joe to cancer; she never remarried, as he was the love of her life.  

Many may remember her from her days of helping her son in his cafe in downtown Kalispell, Joe's Legacy. She worked in the kitchen and was the backbone of the operation. 

She realized her dream of travel and visited her ancestral home of Sweden in the late 1980s with her daughter Linda. She enjoyed embroidering, sewing stuffed animals, caring for others, bingo, gardening, and long drives to see her friends and family. Fran was not afraid of a solo car trip across the Northwest. 

Fran was preceded in death by nine of her 11 siblings, Ted, Ester, Julie, Walt, Alice, Helen, Joe, Eleanor and Robert; as well as her husband, Joe.  

She is survived by her brother, Paul Holmquist; her five children, Roxana, Pam, Randy, Linda and Larry; her six grandchildren, Erik, Michael, Joseph, Jennifer, Brianna and Brooke; and one great-grandchild, Orion.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell. 

Fran always said that "flowers are for the living." If you wish to pay tribute to Fran’s life, the family asks that you consider sending flowers to someone you love or contributing to the charity of your choice in the Flathead Valley.