Obituary of Frances Carlsen

Frances Mary Kelland Carlsen was born June 6, 1931 in Los Angeles, California to Frank Alfred Kelland and Frances Mary Watson Kelland. The daughter of British immigrants, Frances was raised and attended schools in the Los Angeles area. She enjoyed the beach, spending time in the sun and told stories of playing in the Los Angeles River. During World War II there was the threat of possible attacks along the Pacific Coast. Due to the concern for their daughter's safety, Frank and Mary sent Frances to live with her aunt and uncle, Annie and Walter Christiansen, in Salt Lake City, Utah for two to three years. She returned to Los Angeles and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1946. After graduation Frances attended Los Angeles Community College obtaining a degree as an Executive Secretary. Frances utilized her skills as a secretary while serving her mission in Great Britain as she worked as a secretary in the mission office in London. During her assignment in the mission office, she had the opportunity to take dictation for President David O. McKay as he addressed Parliament, an experience she relished throughout her life. A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Frances served a stake mission for the Glendale, California stake from 1953-1955 before being called to serve a proselyting mission in the British Mission from 1955-1957. She served in several areas in England, Scotland and Ireland meeting Ida Merle Call, the Nichols Family and Maggie Arrington. Later in life she would become reacquainted with these wonderful people when they moved to Twin Falls. While in Scotland, Frances purchased a set of bag pipes and learned to play them when she returned to Los Angeles. She joined the General Dynamics Corporation Pipe Band in Pomona performing in several parades throughout Southern California. Her children remember her practicing her bag pipes outside while the neighborhood dogs howled and barked along. Frances graduated from the Los Angeles Police Department Academy in 1959 and worked for the LAPD until the birth of her first son, Sam, in 1962. Frances worked as a juvenile officer in Blane County in the 1970s, once again using the skills she learned during her tenure as a police officer. Frances met her beloved Norman Carlsen at church, introduced by friends, and were married for eternity in the Los Angeles, California temple on August 27, 1960. Together they had six children and lived in California, the Hailey, Idaho area and settled in Twin Falls in 1979. They moved to Seattle, Washington for a few years, but retired to Twin Falls in the 1990s. Throughout her life, Frances worked as a secretary, owned a secretarial agency, police and juvenile officer, and worked for Job Service in Washington and Idaho. She dedicated her life to service, serving many years for the PTA organization and for 25 years as a Den Leader for the Cub Scouts. Frances held many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Primary and Relief Society organizations, Cub Scouts, and as a temple worker in the Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho temples. She played the piano, bag pipes and sang alto in the ward choir. She loved to do family history work, knit, sew, quilt, garden and spent countless hours preserving food, skills she taught her children which they have incorporated in their lives and families. Frances taught by example, she has instilled in her children the importance of service, love of our Savior, hard work and family. Her joys are her family and especially her grandchildren. Frances is survived by her husband of 56 years, Norman, sons Samuel (Carrie) Carlsen of Boise, Mark of Richmond, California; Paul of Meridian, Matthew (Tawni) of Seoul, South Korea; and daughters, Kathryn (Brad) Jubitz of West Linn, Oregon and April Carlsen of Provo, Utah; grandchildren Brian and Scott Jubitz; Andrew, Alex and Rachel Carlsen; Miya, Elise, Joseph and Evie Carlsen; and Isaac and Kelland Carlsen; nephew, Frank Kelland; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary Kelland; and brother, Frank Kelland. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 3rd, 2017 at 11:00AM at 667 Harrison St. LDS Stake Center with burial in the Twin Falls Cemetery. A viewing for Frances will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at Rosenau Funeral Home from 6-8PM with the family greeting at the church the day of the service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com