Kate Spade’s beloved father has died the night before the iconic designer’s funeral in her home-town of Kansas City in Missouri.

Earl F. Brosnahan Jr, known as Frank, was 89 and surrounded by family at home when he passed. His family have not specified the cause of his death.

A statement from the family said Frank, “had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter.”

Frank was the proud father of six children and eight grandchildren, and worked in construction most of his life.

His death comes just three weeks after daughter Kate died from suicide at her home in New York on June 5.

She was laid to rest this morning in a private service in Kansas City, at the same church where her grandparents were married.

Mourners gathered under rainy skies at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Redemptorist Church, many clutching their Kate Spade bags in tribute to the talented designer.

The church held 1,200 mourners, and about 70 more huddled outside in the rain near the doors.

The service opened with the Christmas carol “Noel”, which was Spade’s middle name.

Program notes show a beautiful photo of Kate and her daughter in a loving embrace.

Instead of flowers, her family asked for donations to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or a Kansas City animal shelter, paying homage to Spade’s passion for animals.

Her husband Andy Spade said the designer suffered depression and anxiety for more than 15 years and in a statement released earlier this month explained his wife was taking medication for her condition.

The couple had separated 10 months before her death but were still on good terms and spoke every day.

Kate and Andy Spade founded the legendary namesake brand, Kate Spade New York in 1993. They stepped away from the company in 2007, selling their shares a year prior, to spend more time with their daughter.

They later opened Frances Valentine, an accessories brand named after their daughter.