Francis Ernest Wanner

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Francis Ernest Wanner

July 10, 1935 ~ May 3, 2022

Francis Ernest Wanner, 86, of Bountiful, passed away May 3, 2022, participating in what had become one of his favorite activities: going to the gym with his beloved Cecile.  

Frank was born July 10, 1935, in Bismarck, North Dakota to Ann (Hoffart) and Fred Wanner, the second of six children. He graduated from Marquette High School in Yakima, Washington. After high school, Frank joined the Air Force, where he served with distinction for four years in Fairbanks, Alaska. Frank took full advantage of his GI Bill and attended North Dakota State University and graduated with a degree in industrial engineering. Upon graduation, Frank took a job as an engineer with Hercules in Salt Lake City. Shortly thereafter, the Department of Defense recruited Frank to work at Hill Air Force Base, where he worked upon key defense initiatives until his retirement in 1991.

It was in Salt Lake City where Frank met Cecile (Potochnik) of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Frank and Cecile were married in 1966 and spent the last 55 years together. They moved to Bountiful and raised their three children:  Ann, Tim and Francine. Frank was a devout Catholic and active parishioner throughout his life. For the last 49 years he attended St. Olaf Parish in Bountiful, where he served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist and on the diocesan committee. After his faith, and likely because of it, Frank was totally devoted to his family as a husband, father and eventually a grandfather.  He was proud of his service to the nation and instilled in his family a true commitment to service.  

After he retired, Frank loved to travel, and he and Cecile had many tales of their experiences all over the world. He especially loved traveling to see family in Wyoming, Washington, Massachusetts, Minnesota and across the nation. Frank loved hiking in the mountains, walking his family’s many dogs and as previously mentioned, exercising in the gym with Cecile.  

Frank is survived by his wife Cecile Wanner; his sister Kathleen (Norman) Macleod; children Ann (Rob) Holder of Stillwater, Minnesota; Tim Wanner of Woods Cross; Francine (Michael) Galvin of Cohasset, Massachusetts and grandchildren William Holder, Kathleen (Victoria) Holder, Emma Holder, Morgan Galvin, Elizabeth Holder, Maxwell Galvin and Harrison Galvin.

A private family service was held. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the St. Olaf school building fund.