Frankie Nelson Whipple

January 1, 1937 - November 22, 2021

Frankie Nelson Whipple passed away peacefully Monday, November 22, 2021, at age 84. She was born January 1, 1937, to Gladys Benson and Don Giles Nelson, the second of three children. She married her sweetheart Gene Whipple September 25, 1952. Together they had six children: Terry (Susan), Randy (Lynn), Steven (Kelly), Christopher (Thong Vanh), Lillie Neeley (Patrick), David (Jessica), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frankie was a life-long learner. She loved reading and sharing books with her grandchildren. With determination she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in education, magna cum laude, while still raising her family. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa. She completed the requirements for the Honor's Program. She taught reading at Hillcrest Junior High and was very successful at it. Frankie was also a gifted writer and poet. Frankie was a talented seamstress. She made many of her own clothes, as well as several adorable matching outfits for the children. She loved stuffed animals, fairies, and anything whimsical. Her house reflected her love of color and pattern together. Frankie loved traveling. She and Gene spent their golden years traveling around the US in their motor home. She especially loved Native American art and memorabilia. Frankie was very musical, and she was an accomplished pianist and played many of the classics such as Chopin and Rachmaninoff. She taught piano to her grandchildren. She was a choir director and organist in her ward for many years. One of her greatest joys was to gather around the piano at Christmastime and sing Christmas songs in parts. Her family meant everything to her. She loved having get-togethers at her house with family around. Christmas Eve was a big event in her life, and she loved the noisy, messy event with the grandchildren’s squeals of delight with her gifts. You could always find her with the newest baby in her arms. Frankie is survived by her children, grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brother Kaye and sister Lorraine, daughter-in-law Karen, and great-grandson Jonathan Wareing. The funeral will be held on Saturday, December 11th, at 11:00 a.m., at the Premier Funeral Services (67 East 8000 South) in Midvale. A viewing will precede the service at 10:30 a.m. We would request that those attending wear masks. We would like to thank the caring staff and Copper Ridge Care Center for their thoughtful care to Mom and Dad while they were there.