Obituary of Frances Marie Miner

Frances Marie (Logan) Miner Fran passed away peacefully in her sleep due to natural causes at her home in Lacey, Washington on November 22, 2009 with her daughter Beth by her side. She was 85 years young and will be forever missed by all who knew her. What a beautiful woman with a love for life and a love for her family! Fran was born September 18, 1924 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Oscar B. Logan and Okla Belle (Selken) Logan. She discovered a love of the dramatic arts while attending Capitol Hill High school which inspired her to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She later continued her passion for acting in Billings, MT at the Billings Studio Theater in plays such as Tobacco Road, Bus Stop, and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. She also loved doing the makeup for BST and other area productions. Fran was very proud of her work during WWII at Fitzsimons Army hospital (Aurora, CO) where she cared for our boys in the tuberculosis ward and also worked on B-29s at Lowry Air Force Base. Soldiers have always had a special place in Fran’s heart. Later at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Fran started a Soldiers Prayer Chain where prayers, letters and care packages were sent to soldiers in Iraq. Fran married Norton R. Miner on October 22, 1949 and was married for 23 years and together had three children. Fran would do anything in the world for her family whom she cherished more than anything else in life. She encouraged and supported her children to pursue their dreams and the determination to never give up. They treasure Fran’s gifts of independence and love of life and regard them as some of her greatest accomplishments. Fran had four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren she truly adored and was very involved in their lives. They could talk to her about anything! She helped mold and shape them into the wonderful people they are today. She brought the love of the arts, poetry and storytelling to life for us all and words cannot express how much she will be missed. Fran lived in Billings, MT for 45 years and was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for 30 years, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church for 15 years. She was very active within the church in the choir, vestry, OSL and church school. She retired from Midland National Bank (now US Bank) after 15 years of hard work as manager of the bank’s credit card department. After retiring, she had her own secretarial business for many years. She was preceded in death by her two brothers Nick and Bert Logan and her son Randy Miner. She is survived by sister Dorothy Ann Baumwoll (Dennis) Lewisburg, PA, two children; son Kevin Miner (Fernley, NV), daughter Elizabeth Miner (Lacey, WA) and daughter in law Marie Miner of Billings, MT. Four grandchildren: Joel Miner (Trina), Chad Miner of Loyalton, CA, Shannan James of Fernley, NV, and Jessyka Williams (Dave) of Lacey, WA. Three great-grandchildren Christian and Henry James of Fernley, NV and Snoquoia Williams of Lacey, WA. You were our mother, grandmother and great grandmother and our best friend. A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal church in Billings on Saturday, January 9 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. You may leave condolences for the family by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.