Francisco Chapa Saldaña

HEYBURN – Francisco “Frank” Chapa Saldaña, an 81-year-old resident of Heyburn, returned to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

Frank was born May 1, 1943, in Uvalde, Texas, to Francisco Mendoza and Eva Galvan Chapa Saldaña. He was the sixth of nine children – six sons and three daughters. As a young man growing up, his family traveled to many states for work. He learned from an early age about the meaning and importance of hard work and commitment to family and faith.

In 1962, when Frank was 18 years old, his family moved to Burley, Idaho. He, along with his brothers, helped his father with the small farm their family had purchased.

In March of 1963, Frank married the love of his life, Lois Marie Boswell. They would both tell you that it was love at first sight, and that love spanned 61 years of marriage and commitment to each other. They bought their home in Heyburn and raised three children, Tina, Frank Jr., and Mashell, who all still reside in the area.

Frank was a wonderful provider for his family and he became employed with a local Burley farmer in 1963 and then later at Ore-Idaho Foods. A few short years later he went to work for the State of Idaho, USDA Potato Inspection Service, and worked for them for 40 years. He was very dedicated and he also ran many of the seasonal crews during harvest for them. He was very proud of his accomplishments as a USDA Potato Inspector.

Frank loved fishing and camping with Lois and his three children. During the summers they enjoyed their many trips to Lake Cleveland. Frank also loved fishing at Oakley Reservoir, Minidoka Dam, and Alturas Lake. In his early 70s he bought a boat so he could get out there where the big fish were. He and Lois also planted a bountiful garden of vegetables each summer and worked on it together. They enjoyed working side by side in their yard and garden and they kept both looking so nice.

You could find Frank in one of the local coffee shops on any given day having a few cups of coffee, which he loved, with his coffee buddies. He made friends easily and enjoyed the company of the people he encountered there. He enjoyed telling jokes and making people laugh. He loved life and wanted others to as well. He had the respect and love of so many people because of his honest and caring nature.

There are no words to express how much he will be missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Saldaña of Heyburn; his children, Tina Saldaña Hanssen of Rupert, Frank Saldaña Jr. of Heyburn, and Mashell Saldaña (AJ Wolf) of Twin Falls; his brother, Adolfo (Eloise) Saldaña of Burley; his grandchildren, Jaime Hanssen, Tyler Hanssen, and Justin Pederson; and a great-grandson, Jeffrey Bernabe Diaz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Eva Saldaña; his brothers, Saul Saldaña, Abel Saldaña, Adam Saldaña, and Florencio “Frez” Saldaña; his sisters, Eva Saldaña, Rosie Saldaña, and Mary Saldaña; and his son-in-law, Jeffrey Scott Hanssen.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to the staff and CNAs of Minidoka Memorial Hospital, Countryside Care and Rehabilitation, Rosetta Assisted Living, and Hospice Visions. Thank you for the wonderful care given to our loved one.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 5, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley, where family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, October 4, and one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday. Officiating will be Pastor Travis Turner. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/yiVO-Gts6w0.