Longtime resident of St. Anthony, Idaho Frances H. (Mada) Pentz age 92 years 359 days, died on May 3rd 2025 in Driggs, Idaho.

Born May 9th 1932, Pocatello Idaho, to Elijah and Mary Frances Thompson. Mada grew up in Pocatello Idaho. During her younger years she spent time with her sister Wanda, visiting her grandfather George W. Armstrong and Grandmother Etta Frances Woodson Lawrence Armstrong on their dry farms at Robin Idaho where she enjoyed all the adventures and experiences that can be discovered on a family farm.

Mada developed a love and passion for skiing during her teenage years, she spent as much time as possible at Skyline and Bald Mountain ski hills, she later frequented Alta Utah and many other Western ski hills. She competed in ski racing, won medals and had a very competitive spirit on the mountain.

After graduating from Pocatello High School, she worked in Sun Valley Idaho as a telephone switchboard operator and lived at the Challenger Inn. Mada applied to Western Airlines for the position of stewardess, she was accepted as one of 17 out of 140 applicants, she then attended 5 weeks of training at the Los Angeles International Airport which was the beginning of her airline career. Mada flew routes from Salt Lake City to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and later bid the route Salt Lake City to Edmonton, Canada. Mada often reminisced about an engine failure in Edmonton on takeoff and how she commended (damn good pilots) for bringing the DC-3 ? DC-6, back around for an emergency landing. She had many stories of flying in bad weather from Salt Lake City into Pocatello, Butte, Great Falls, Lethbridge, Edmonton Canada and Minneapolis St. Paul with her career at Western Airlines.

Mada married Dr. Ernest B. Pentz in December 1958, settled in St. Anthony Idaho and raised their family, including several loyal English Springer Spaniels. Mada enjoyed climbing, backcountry skiing and hiking in the Local Mountain Ranges and had a great appreciation for outdoor activities. Mada took great pride and love in raising each of her three children and some of their earliest memories came from camping, usually where Ernie could cast a fly. Mada was always warm and welcoming, whether it was apple pies, cookies, loaves of french bread or more importantly her sourdough waffles which she continued to prepare for breakfast through her 92nd year of life. Mom's sourdough starter lives on. You could always count on a home cooked meal or a delicious lunch packed in her famous wicker picnic basket in tow to the Ski hill and many other outdoor adventures, or wherever Ernie's favorite fishing hole was. Her home became a hunting and fishing lodge for family and friends, she always looked forward to hosting and preparing meals that were ravenously devoured by all.

Mada organized and hosted a family reunion which became a tradition carried on for nearly 35 years at Signal Mountain Lodge on Jackson Lake surrounded by family, sailing, fishing and exploring Jackson Lake. Mada planned and organized an annual treasure hunt for her grandchildren along the shores of Jackson Lake. A good time was had by all.

Each season of the year she looked forward to the sporting events of that season and cheering for her grandchildren and their teams. Fond memories indeed.

The highlight this year for Mada was traveling to her granddaughter's wedding in Bozeman Montana in March, she was the life of the party surrounded by hugs and lots of love, she will be greatly missed.

Mada was an active member of the St. Anthony Presbyterian Church with her family. She enjoyed being a member of PEO, (Chapter L), was President of the St. Anthony Women's Club and served on the Committee for the Art and Poetry contest, also, served as Chairwoman of the Musical Heritage Committee that produced an oral and video history of Fremont County as a resource for the local library.

Mada devoted her life to her family which at the time of her passing, included six grandchildren, three beautiful great grandchildren and many close friends . Wonderful memories and feelings that can only come from selfless devotion to family and being a homemaker.

Survivors include daughter Kristen (Joe) Weitz of Caldwell, son Eric (Ginger) Pentz of Eugene Oregon, son Brian (Crista) Pentz of Driggs Idaho, six grandchildren, Katherine Pentz, Olivia Weitz (Sean McSpadden) Sydney (James) Nederend, Luke Pentz, Alexander Pentz, Madeline Pentz and three great grandchildren; Ailish, Audrey and Lucille Nederend. Nephew Dereck Schwabe, nieces Heidi Hill and Ashley Schwabe.

Mada was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Ernest B. Pentz, her father Elijah and mother Mary Frances Thompson, sister Wanda and brother Eugene.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hillsdale College.

[email protected];

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, 11:00 am, Presbyterian Church, 47 West 3rd N. St. Anthony, Idaho. There will be a Celebration of Life for Frances H. Pentz following the service from 12:00 - 2:00 PM with food and beverages at 2393 Airport Rd. St. Anthony, Idaho 83445.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Post Register on May 22, 2025.