FRANCIS, Delores

DELORES FRANCIS

SOMMERFELDT 1924 – 2019

Delores Francis Sommerfeldt passed away serenely on November 29, 2019, at the age of 95, and at the peaceful end of a full and rewarding life, focused on her family. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be dearly missed by her devoted husband of 71 years, Theron, her five loving children, Don (Susan), Drew (Valerie), Craig (Sharon), Scott (Lisa) and Tana (Jerry Buss), her foster daughter, Diana Baptiste, her 19 grandchildren, her 46 great- grandchildren, her sister Kae Jolley, her brother Jack, her sisters-in-law Dorothy Francis, Carol Francis, Joan Francis, Venice Harris, Elna Hall and Joy Chatterton, and many other extended-family members. Born (in 1924) and raised in Taber, Alberta, Delores was the oldest daughter of Edwin and Evaline Francis, with whom she is now reunited. She has also rejoined her sister Jean, her brothers Howard, Doug, Rell, Dean, Ron, Albert and Keith, and her daughter-in-law Marci. World War II interrupted her dream to attend Brigham Young University, so she went to normal school in Calgary to become a teacher. She taught school at Fawcett, Vauxhall and Cranford (where she was also the principal). She continued to teach throughout her life as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. After the War, realizing her dream, Delores attended BYU, where she studied voice and piano, graduating with a B.A. in music. At her graduation, she received the Gold Music Award, as outstanding female vocalist. A gifted soprano, she delighted audiences, and continued in her love of singing and music, with her vocal performances at BYU, Lethbridge Musical Theatre, other choirs and ensembles, and numerous solo performances. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Delores loved to serve in the Relief Society and other Church organizations, where she held a variety of callings over the years. Highlights of her church service were the 18-month mission that she and Theron fulfilled in Austria in 1990-92, and their service for many years as ordinance workers in the Cardston Alberta Temple. At BYU she was a member of the Lambda Delta Sigma sorority. Delores honoured her pioneer heritage and was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home, 703 – 13 Street North, Lethbridge on Thursday, December 5, 2019, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and at the church the next day, Friday, December 6, 2019, between 10:00 a.m. and 10:40 a.m., before the funeral service. The funeral service will be held at the Lethbridge Stake Centre of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2410 – 28 Street South, Lethbridge, on Friday, December 6, 2019, commencing at 11:00 a.m. The interment will follow at the Archmount Cemetery, 2710 Westside Drive West, Lethbridge.

To send condolences, please visit www.generationsfh.ca