Francis Harding

Francis Harding Sievers, 91, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at his home in Pocatello. He was born August 18, 1918, in Ucon, Idaho, to Melba Nelson Sievers and Leo Pope Sievers, the third of seven children. He grew up in Ucon, where he had happy memories of a boyhood spent on a farm; riding in a horse-drawn sleigh in the winter with the sleigh full of friends, playing ball, swimming and camping. He and his brother, Art, played guitar and sang, providing entertainment at parties and reunions. Grandparents and many uncles, aunts and cousins added to the enjoyment of life. There was always plenty of farm work, chopping wood, milking cows, irrigating, cutting hay, threshing grain, picking potatoes, thinning beets, and working at neighboring farms. Frank never forgot the Depression years when a person could work an 11-hour day for $2 and buy a shirt, pair of pants and shoes for $5. On September 20, 1940, he married Mary Barrie. They made their home in Pocatello, where he worked for Clark Concrete. A year or so later, on December 7, 1941, World War II began for America. Frank took a machinist training course, at ISU, then with this new skill, moved to Bremerton, Washington, to work in the Bremerton Navy Yard repairing ships, mainly those damaged at Pearl Harbor. In 1944, he enlisted in the Sea Bees, the construction branch of the U.S. Navy. Frank and three of his brothers all served in World War II. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Pocatello, where he worked as plant foreman at the Idaho Concrete Production Company. Then he decided to go into business for himself as a brick mason, later forming the Pocatello Masonry Company. He did this for over 40 years, until his retirement. Frank served in many capacities in his Pocatello ward, including many years in Scouting, then in the high council and bishop of his ward. He found satisfaction in every calling he had. He and Mary had one son, Dale Francis Sievers. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Dale; two brothers, Joe Sievers of Rigby and Marley Sievers of Shelley; one sister, Jean Reinhold of Springfield, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur (Art) and Merrill, and one sister, Emma (Emile) Ball. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the 26th Ward on Hawthorne and Eldridge (West Stake Center). The family will meet with friends on Friday evening, October 23, 2009, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. Fourth Ave., Pocatello and again for one hour prior to the services at the church Saturday. Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery.