Frances M. Nye

Frances Ann (MacPhail) Nye, 77, died of natural causes on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at her home in Emigrant, Montana.

Frances was born August 10, 1946, in Lewistown, Montana, to Charles and Lola (Richards) MacPhail. Frances married Gene Ercanbrack in 1962. They lived in Morgan, Utah, with three boys and one daughter. They later divorced, and Frances met and married Vernon Nye on October 2, 1974. Vern had two daughters from a previous marriage, and with their blended family, they added three more boys.

Vern was active military for 20 years in the U.S.A.F. During their marriage, they were stationed at several Air Force Bases around the country. Wherever they were stationed, Fran always made their military housing feel like home. She enjoyed the adventure of making new friends and learning about new places. After Vern's military retirement, they returned to Montana to be closer to family. Later, Vern took a job with Yellowstone National Park. From that moment on, Fran fell in love with the area and spent many mornings admiring Emigrant Peak. 

During her lifetime, Frances was a loving mother to nine children. She always enjoyed camping and fishing with her children and grandchildren. She will be remembered for her caring, nurturing, and loving personality.

Frances is survived by her husband of 49 years, Vernon Nye; her children: Charles (Page) Ercanbrack, Richard Ercanbrack, Holly (Bill) Best, Christie (Steve) Johnson, Ranae (Danny) Lapierre, Glenn Ercanbrack, David (Tara) Nye, Joseph (Jennifer) Nye, and Ronald (Leslie) Nye. Twenty-five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren also survive Frances.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lola (Richards) MacPhail.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home, 118 N. 3rd St., Livingston, Montana.  A graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 16th at Central Montana Memorial Gardens, 809 Sixth Ave. S., Lewiston, Montana.  

Memorial contributions in loving memory of Frances may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to The Shiner's Children's Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL  33607.

Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Frances.

Franzen-Davis Funeral Home is privileged to care for Frances and her loved ones.