Frankie Saul

Frankie Lea Montgomery Saul was a gem. She was born in Neola, Iowa in 1927 to Charley Montgomery, a barber, and Mary Montgomery, a schoolteacher. She received a 2-year teaching degree from Peru State Teacher’s College in Peru, Nebraska at the age of 18. Upon graduation, she began a long teaching career with her first classroom being a one-room schoolhouse in rural Nebraska. She met her future husband, William (Bill) Saul, in Peru, where he was attending a V-12 Officer Training Program during WWII. They married in June of 1946 and remained in Peru until 1948, when Bill completed his undergraduate studies. They then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Bill received his Master’s and PhD degrees in Botany. Bill & Frankie’s three children were born during that time. Ever the teacher, Frankie opened a preschool out of their home in married student housing at the University of Utah.

In 1955, the family moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where Bill began his career as a professor of botany at Idaho State College (which later became Idaho State University) and Frankie resumed her teaching career in the Pocatello Public School system. When a Bachelor’s degree was required for her to continue teaching, Frankie went back to school. Upon taking her first French course, Frankie fell head-over-heels in love with foreign languages and switched her focus from English to French and Spanish. She received her Bachelor’s degree in French Language with a minor in Spanish from Idaho State University. She later earned a Master’s Degree in French Language from the University of California, Santa Barbara, completing courses over the summers while retaining her full-time teaching position during the academic year.

Frankie was instrumental in the development of the Pocatello Public Schools’ foreign language program. Thanks to her sustained efforts, Pocatello students were able to complete 4 full years of language education in French and Spanish. Some of her best memories were of taking groups of high school students on trips to France and Spain, and of working with students in a French immersion camp in Sun Valley, Idaho. After a thirty-five-plus year teaching career, Frankie retired. Post retirement, Frankie supervised foreign language student teachers at Idaho State University and then worked as a tour guide for French tourists visiting the National Parks of the American West.

Frankie was gifted with boundless energy, kindness, patience, and love of young people. She was a world traveler who cherished world cultures, languages, and cuisines. She had friends of all ages and from all walks of life.

Ten years ago, due to failing health, Bill and Frankie moved to Logan to be closer to their son, Bill. Bill Sr. died in 2010. Frankie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011.

Frankie is survived by her son Bill (Beth) of Logan, son Michael (Michelle) of Monroe, WA, son-in-law Morgan of Marin, CA, six grandchildren, six great- grandchildren, and sister Mary of Salt Lake City. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband and daughter, Lorilea. Her family has honored her wishes to be cremated and to have her ashes scattered on Scout Mountain in Pocatello, Idaho.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Bob Nash and the staffs of Terrace Grove and Legacy House of Logan for their caring support of both Frankie and our family through the hard times of Frankie’s final illness. Memories or condolences can be sent to the family at memoriesoffrankie@gmail.com