Frances Mary Ellis

Friday, Nov. 06, 2015

Frances Mary Elllis died Oct. 22, 2015 due to causes incident to age. 

Ellis was born Oct. 22, 1920. A bright shining light and irrepressible smile were extinguished when she passed away on her on her 95th birthday, which surprised no one.

Born in Chicago, Ill., to Frank and Mary Zimmerman, she graduated from St. Xavier College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. 

Her subsequent work with the War Department led to meeting her future husband, Frank Harner, and a marriage, which lasted 30 years and produced three children she cherished. 

After Frank’s passing in 1973, Ellis married Clyde Ellis, a 24-year union that ended with Clyde’s death in 1999.

An active member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Ellis was involved with the Catholic Woman’s League, 49er’s Club, Third Order of Franciscans, St. Ann’s Guild and she especially enjoyed helping care for the “old people’’ at St. Joseph Villa well into her 80s. If that didn’t keep her occupied, she could be found playing cards with friends, bowling and traveling the world.

Ellis is survived by brother Frank Zimmerman (Barb); sister in-law Cecil Zimmerman (Girard); sons Rick Harner (Len) and Tom Harner (Barbi); daughter Lynn Wilson (John); grandchildren Heather Haworth (Jeff), Andrew Harner (Marcella), Robert Harner (Rachael), Rebecca Wilson and Daniel Wilson (Cori); nine great-grandchildren; Clyde’s daughters Rose Ellis Renfroe (Mike) and Evelyn Ellis Gadette; granddaughter Jamie Gadette (Charlie Lewis) and dear friend Jean Prather. 

She was preceded in death by sister Loretta Kennebeck and brother Girard Zimmerman.

A celebration of life was held at Starks Funeral Parlor. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to J. E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School, 2335 Redondo Ave., SLC, UT 84108.