Frances Viehweg Ladd

Frances Viehweg Ladd (80), died peacefully on March 26, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida due to complications from brain cancer. Fran was born on April 2, 1941 in Preston, Idaho to Herman Viehweg and Geneva Kennard Viehweg and spent most of her formative years living in Clifton in a farming community. She was the second of eight children. As a child, Fran developed a love of singing and playing the piano and these musical talents would be a blessing to her and many others throughout her life.
In 1959, Fran graduated from Marsh Valley High School in Arimo, Idaho where she was the homecoming queen. In 1961 she became a member of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and moved to Salt Lake City to participate. A highlight of her time with the choir was a trip to the Seattle World's Fair in 1962 and a musical tour of the Northwestern United States and Canada.
Following this experience, Fran became more interested in travel and was hired as a flight attendant for United Airlines. She moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1963 for training and was later assigned to Washington, D.C. as her flight hub. After a few months in the DC area, she met her future husband, Thomas E. Ladd at the 16th Street Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On May 15, 1964, Fran and Tom, were married in the Logan, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They began their married life together living in Arlington, Virginia, where Fran continued working for United until she gave birth to her first child in 1965, and Tom worked on Capitol Hill.
In 1967, the couple settled in Potomac, Maryland, where they raised eight children and would remain for 40 years. The neighbors and friends Fran associated with during these years became treasured lifelong relationships. Fran served in countless volunteer positions in her local church congregation and community. She learned to play the pipe organ and spent the rest of her life playing both the piano and organ for church meetings and events, accompanying soloists and musical groups. Fran also taught piano lessons for many years and sang in local choir groups. Music provided joy, relaxation and solace to Fran, who often played piano late at night once the house was quiet and the demands of her day were complete.
One of Fran's greatest joys was her family and she especially loved babies and toddlers. She had a gift for nurturing young children and loved reading and singing with them. Fran provided daycare services in her home for many years. She later worked for the Montgomery County Public School system and spent the majority of her time at Travilah Elementary School as a teacher's aide. Fran loved being a mother to her eight children and watching her family continue to grow through the addition of in-laws, and many grandchildren.
In 2007, Fran and Tom moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida following Tom's retirement. A few years after Tom's passing in 2009, Fran moved to nearby Jacksonville, Florida to live around the corner from her daughter, Lisa. She loved gardening and spent countless hours outdoors planting flowers and beautifying her yard. New and dear friendships were formed in Florida as Fran was very involved in her church choir, Red Hats Society, book clubs, and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
In September 2020, Fran was diagnosed with brain cancer which required emergency surgery. She was blessed with wonderful medical care and made a remarkable recovery from the surgery and elected radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatments for the next year. As a result, she could no longer live independently and her children and extended family were by her side for the next 18 months to love and assist her so she could remain living comfortably in her home. Through this experience, Fran was able to continue teaching her family that joy can be found in even the most difficult of circumstances. Her gratitude and humor, especially during painful moments, was a testament to her strength and belief that she could do all things through the help of her Savior, Jesus Christ, as she trusted God with all her heart, might, mind and strength.
Fran is survived by her eight children: Linda Shawen (Scott), Tom Ladd (Cari), Lisa Burfeind (Bruce), Lora Zarchin (Brian), Scott Ladd (Catherine), Sean Ladd, Steven Ladd, and Leanne Ladd, as well as 28 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11951 Old Saint Augustine Road. Those who wish to view the funeral service remotely may use this zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82862562493
In lieu of flowers, we invite donations in memory of Frances Ladd to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to click on the following link, https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/church/humanitarian-services/humanitarian-aid-fund.html
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Fran's Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.