Francis Larayne Jessop Karren

On Thursday, November 9, 1916, Francis Louisa Cummings and Joseph Albert Jessop rejoiced when Francis LaRayne was born to them. She was greeted by seven brothers. She died on August 25th at the age of 95 in Logan, Utah at her daughter’s home (Jill and Mark Porter), where she had lived for the past 10 years. She was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was born at home in Millville, Utah and grew up there with her parents, seven brothers and 1 younger sister in a three room home, which consisted of a kitchen and 2 bedrooms, no indoor plumbing and a water pump by the back door. She was born with a “feisty” spirit and could hold her own with her brothers. Small in stature, she had a strong will and much determination. At one time in her life, she played the character of “Annie Get Your Gun!!”On this November 9th, 1916,the United States had just re-elected Woodrow Wilson as President, and congress had authorized homesteading on up to 64 acres of grazing land. Montana had just elected the first woman to congress.

She had a happy childhood, playing with sister, Phebe, and swimming in the river in the summers, even though there were no family vacations, and the longest distance traveled to from home was about 60 miles – the destinations being the family-owned dry farm in Pocatello Valley. She learned to work hard where needed on the dry farm and learned to be a good cook. At home, she helped her mother with household chores and cooking, and helped her dad by taking the cows to pasture and riding the derrick horse and bossing her brothers.

She married Earl Reeder Karren on November 23, 1935, in Logan, Utah. They were later sealed in the Logan Temple on March 6, 1952. They were married for 65 years before Reeder passed away. They spent their married life in Lewiston, Utah. LaRayne loved her home and found joy in being a homemaker. The early years were Depression years, and they were followed by World War II. Through it all, their children, Nancy (deceased at age 5), Judy (Harold) Hansen, Sacramento, California, Jill (Mark) Porter, Logan and Lana (Bill) Neville, Logan, grew up with a care-free childhood and being happy in their home, loved with perfect love from loving parents.
LaRayne’s family was so important to her. She was a dedicated wife and mother, always rising at 5:30 a.m. to send her husband off to work with a hot breakfast under his belt, always willing to sacrifice for her family. She was a talented seamstress, sewing many beautiful things for her daughters. Her wardrobe was home-made, sewn over many hours from her Singer Sewing Machine. Her daughters remember the pretty curls from home-perms. She was also a talented gardener, with beautiful flowers and vegetables, bottling the harvest, perfuming her home with the aroma of chili sauce and other delicious scents, sharing produce with neighbors and migrant workers.

She was a loving grandma to 14 grandchildren, who have special memories of being spoiled with love from grandma. She was a “give me a kiss” grandma. As of date, she has 50 great grandchildren.

She was proud of her pioneer heritage. On Memorial Days at the Millville Cemetery, she would point out the grave of George Washington Cummings, her great grand-father, who was a member of the Mormon Battalion.

Her mottos were: “Great Spirit, grant that I may not criticize my neighbor until I have walked a mile in his moccasins.” Also, “Waste not; want not”, and “Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do without.” She had good advice for her daughters: “Stick up for your self!” And, “It will all come out in the wash.”

The grandma who didn’t want to live to be “old,” although living to be 95, was patient as the years went by. In spite of being bed-ridden for the past seven years, when asked, “Do you feel good?” “Well, I don’t feel bad”, or “Well, I’m still a-Kick’n” were her positive answers. Bed-ridden grandma was asked if she wanted to go for a ride. “Where do you want to go?” “Well, not to the cemetery.” Being frustrated over something while being cared for, she told the person at her bedside, “You better run!”

She bore with patience her trials and afflictions of old age. Thank you “momma” for your patience and the time you gave to us. Thank you for allowing us to care for you and love you and learn the things we needed to learn from you and repay to you your love and kindness and the service you gave to us.

“One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one.” Thomas S. Monson.

LaRayne is survived by sister-in-law, Alta Jessop, Millville, and nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her three daughters and their families and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Reeder Karren, daughter, Nancy, sister, Phebe(Oscar) Maurer, grandson, Daniel (Danny) Hansen and brothers Lee (Maxine), George (Mame), Reed (Bertha), Elmo, David (Verla), Marlow (June) and Raymer (Elma) Jessop.

There will be a viewing for friends and family held on August 30 from 6 to 8 at the Allen-Hall Mortuary at 34 East Center In Logan and on August 31 from 10:30 to 11:30, preceding the funeral, which will be held at noon at the Mortuary. Internment will be in the Lewiston Cemetery.

LaRayne’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Alpine – Encompass home-care and hospice for their kind, attentive, sincere, professional and tender care of LaRayne for the past seven years.