Frank F. Jones, 87, died December 22, 2010, at St. Peter’s hospital following a six-month struggle with heart failure. Frank was born December 17, 1923, in Great Falls. He grew up there, met and married the love of his life, Lois Bennett, on Feb. 4, 1945. Together they moved to a ranch near Wolf Creek, where they lived, worked and raised their family. Dad was a hard worker. He supplemented the ranch working as a contract mail carrier for 43 years. In 1995, Frank and Lois sold their ranch and moved to Helena, where they spent 15 years in retirement. They moved to The Waterford in December 2009.
Dad’s hobby was his ranch. It left little time for anything else. He was an avid reader and loved visiting with friends. He was very smart and could discuss just about any topic. Whenever we needed advice on something, Dad was the person we went to first. He could fix just about anything and was a huge help to all of us as we built our own homes and families. He loved his grandkids and great grandkids and enjoyed having them around. He always kept his bread box stocked with their favorite cookies. He would spend hours reading to them when they were young–until they got old enough to catch him skipping pages!
Frank was preceded in death by all of his siblings and on June 10, 2010, by his wife of 65 years, Lois. He is survived by three daughters: Sandy (Bruce) Barnes, Helena, Bev (Steve) Holnbeck, Helena, and Cathey (Keith) Cone, Spokane, Wash.; seven grandchildren: Robyn (Eric) Lund, Ross (Amber) Barnes, Katie Holnbeck, Sarah Holnbeck, Mariah Holnbeck, Whitney (Travis) Franklin and Alex Cone; two great-grandchildren: Braxton Lund and Jaydon Lund.
Private family burial will take place, Monday, December 27, 2010 at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at a later time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Retz Funeral Home. To offer condolences to the family or to share a memory of Frank, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
judith williams says
I enjoyed seeing Frank on the mail route out of Wolf Creek for years. Enjoyed visting him and Lois at their ranch and at their condo in Helena. They will both be missed.
Judith Williams
Susan and Douglas Brown says
Sandy and Bruce,
I do keep you in my heart during this time. May peace come to you and guide you. You have raised a wonderful family in part to your parents. Blessings to you all.
Susan Brown