Francene Ilene Sorensen Rex

Nov. 12, 1963-March 22, 2023

Francene Ilene Sorensen Rex, 59, passed away quietly in her sleep with her husband by her side in the early morning of March 22, 2023, in her home in Leeds, Utah, after courageously battling brain cancer.

She was born on Nov. 12, 1963, in Mesa, Arizona. Fran was the youngest of eight children born to Nyron and Elaine Sorensen. She made a few lifelong friends in Vegas before their family moved to Washington, Utah, to the area that has now become Coral Canyon. She graduated from Dixie High School in 1981 and went on to Dixie State College.

It was during college that Fran found her long-lasting love of photography. She worked as a photographer for the Spectrum Newspaper and has taken many engagement and wedding pictures of family and friends. She loved to give her favorite picture of the St. George LDS temple away as gifts.  

One of Fran’s favorite stories to tell was of how she met and married (after two short months) the love of her life Jay Rex. They were set up by Jay’s brother, John Rex, and it was love at first sight. They soon moved to Leeds, Utah, in 1992 to raise their new blended family. 

Fran’s family was everything to her. She loved being a wife, a mother and really loved being a grandmother. She loved having tea parties and doing crafts with her granddaughters and attending all the events. She made sure everyone felt included and was the ultimate hostess. She truly cared for everyone that she met and spent most of her time serving others. 

Fran was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had many callings. Some of her favorite memories included being involved with the Young Women’s program for many years on the ward and stake level. 

Throughout her cancer journey, Fran kept her spirits up by writing poems and letters and would journal often. She was never far from a pen and would write on whatever she could find. She wrote a poem which she later turned into a song with the help of her sister-in-law Joette Marie Rex, titled “Our Father’s Plan.” 

Fran will be greatly missed by her husband of 33 years Jamie Bruce (JB) Rex, son Ian (Darla) Rex, daughter Mara (Wade) Turley, son Michael (Jenny) Rex, daughter Tiffany (Dallin) Olson, son Sean (Kristel) Rex, her six remaining siblings, 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce Sorensen (brother), and Berry Michael Wilson (son). 

Fran’s family would like to thank those that showed their love through transportation arrangements, running errands, visiting with her and feeding Jay. A special thank you to Salli Kae Egbert and the team at Dixie Home, granddaughter McKel Wardell and the staff at Advanced Health Care of St George for the great care they provided.

Funeral services will be held in Leeds, Utah at 11 a.m. at the LDS Church on 75 N Main St., Leeds, Utah, on Saturday, April 1. Friends and family are invited to attend the viewing on the same day from 9:30-10:45 am.

Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.

Fran, your body is now gone but your spirit and influence will live on in the hearts of those who loved and knew you forever. 

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