Brendi C. Akins

Brendi Chrystel Akins August 19, 1974--December 6, 2020 It is with deep sorrow that the family of Brendi C. Akins, age 46, announce her untimely passing on December 6, 2020. She was a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend to multitudes, and a self-proclaimed“autoimmune disease warrior”. Complications from this disease, that she fought until the end, ultimately took her life. Brendi was born on August 19, 1974, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Dave and Raedine Frantz and would become the older sister to Zakari, Daysha, and Bethani. Brendi graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1992 and continued her education at Boise State University. She received her degree in Health and Human Services and her life of always giving to others began.Throughout her life, she worked with organizations such as Health and Welfare, Magic Valley Rehabilitation Services, and Magic Valley Youth Services. Always willing to listen, Brendi connected with many people from all walks of life. Her goal was the same with every person she encountered, that each would thrive and succeed in everything they did.Although short, Brendi’s life will be like the ripples created when a pebble is thrown into a pond. She was a giver, server and lover of all, and the ripples of Brendi’s journey will reach far into the future. Although losing touch for many years after high school, Brendi married her soulmate and best friend, Mark Akins, on June 26, 2009. Together, they continued to raise Brendi’s son, Bennett, and daughter, Emmary. She lived each and every second for her children and was fiercely loyal to her family. They were her world, and she was theirs. Always concerned for others, her wish was that her children would continue to have a wonderful life and succeed. Brendi’s inspired legacy will continue through the strong values and caring perspectives she instilled in them. She was known as a warm and generous soul and set an example of courage and compassion, inspiring everyone who knew her. These attributes can easily be seen in how she raised her children. “It’s not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts,” Mother Teresa. Brendi’s life was a living example of this. When you think of her, celebrate the good memories you have of her, remember the smile and the love she offered to you, asking nothing in return. Brendi said, “remember that life is fragile and short, and that life should be lived to its fullest, always. Love and love hard.” Her siblings say that as the eldest of four, Bren was a natural leader and full-time champion for them. That her life was spent protecting and supporting them and that there was nothing she would not do for her brother and sisters. She worked hard, daily, teaching them that they must grow from each experience, even the bad ones. Her nurturing nature and compassion were enduring and she influenced their lives as well as the lives of their children, her nieces and nephews. They say, “Brendi had a way of knowing what words needed to be said when, and when no words were needed. She was real, straightforward, genuine, compassionate, kind, funny, and truly knew how to love the moments and the people in her life”. Zak, Daysha, and Bethani agree that she “reminded us to learn more, grow more, say sorry more to those we have wronged, to mend more relationships, but most importantly, live more. To always appreciate life to its fullest the way Brendi did.”They remember her love of music and how that love brought them even closer together. “The hole this has left in our hearts will remain until we are together again.” Brendi is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Art and Betty Frantz, her maternal grandparents Wayne and Bethine Bates, and a niece Makennah Anderson, all of Twin Falls, Idaho. She is survived by her loving husband Mark, her son Bennett, and her daughter Emmary all of Twin Falls, Idaho. She is also survived by her parents Dave and Raedine Frantz of Twin Falls, Idaho, her brother Zakari(Alison) Frantz, Stittsville, Ontario, Canada, and her sisters Daysha (Les) Anderson, Rathdrum, Idaho, and Bethani (Eric) Frantz-Studebaker, Meridian, Idaho. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Cremation is under the direction of Parks Funeral Home, Twin Falls, Idaho. Due to Covid restrictions at this time, a Celebration of Life is planned for early summer - a time of year Brendi loved and would have wanted for people to come together. To assist in medical and funeral expenses, memorial donations can be made at the following: GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brendi-akins-memorial-fund?sharetype=teams&member=7278376&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=f4f63435a8aa4bcc9dccce91abfcda0d and Venmo: www.venmo.com/brendi_akins_memorial_fund