Dena Mecham DeLange, 86, passed away July 23, 2006 in St. George, with her son and family at her side.
Dena was born Sept. 6, 1919 in Orem, the fourth of nine children born to Earl R. and Vera E. Burr Mecham.
As an elementary student in Orem, she walked the one mile, often cutting through the orchards, to attend Sharon Elementary School, and she played a saxophone in jr. high. While she was in high school, students in the area were transferred from Lincoln High School to a school in Pleasant Grove. Dena and the other high school students in the area did not agree with this move, so they walked the three miles to continue to attend Lincoln, she graduated from there in 1937.
During the summers she picked fruit along with her brothers and sisters. This was during the depression and the family experienced some very hard times. As a result, the children were all hard workers and learned to appreciate what they had. Dena has always been concerned about her own family.
Dena was very active in sports including track, basketball and volleyball. She excelled in all of them, especially track. She added bowling in a league to her other activities later in life. She played basketball on a women's team that took on and beat a men's team. When she could no longer actively participate, you could bet that if you called her on the phone, she would be watching football, basketball, baseball or golf.
Dena married Ellsworth DeLange in Salina, Feb. 14, 1941. They had two children, Gary and Layne, both born in Koosharem. The family lived in Koosharem until the boys were high school age. They moved to Salina where Gary and Layne graduated from North Sevier High School. Dena and Ellsworth were later divorced.
Dena worked in cafes in Salina for many years. She later moved to Richfield where she worked at Ideal Dairy for 14 years. She enjoyed her association with her co-workers and the many customers she met and was acquainted with. She continued working and was a cashier at the Dollar Tree until she was 82. She was known by her many friends and associates as a very efficient and hard worker. She was a loyal and loving friend.
In addition, she was an excellent homemaker. She cared very much for the welfare of her family. She supported her children and their families in all of their activities. If there was any special occasion, she would be there.
Many family members and friends have been blessed by receiving one of the many beautiful quilts or embroidered items that she created. She made quilts for her children their spouses and for each grandchild and many of her friends.
She is survived by son, Layne (Reeda) DeLange, St. George; daughter-in-law, Sallee DeLange, Hagerman, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Burke, Kregg (LeAnne), Marlo (Paul), Shawn, Gina, Kelly and Tracy; seven great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Merrill, Garn, Zeonia and Bertie Lou. She also considered DeAnn, Staci and Susan as part of her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Gary Hagerman; brothers and sisters, Lorana, Leon, Ruby and Alene.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 29, at 11 a.m. in the Magleby Mortuary chapel, 50 South 100 West in Richfield.
Friends may call at the mortuary Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Interment will be in the Richfield City Cemetery.
Funeral directors, Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.
Dena Mecham DeLange, 86, passed away July 23, 2006 in St. George, with her son and family at her side.
Dena was born Sept. 6, 1919 in Orem, the fourth of nine children born to Earl R. and Vera E. Burr Mecham.
As an elementary student in Orem, she walked the one mile, often cutting through the orchards, to attend Sharon Elementary School, and she played a saxophone in jr. high. While she was in high school, students in the area were transferred from Lincoln High School to a school in Pleasant Grove. Dena and the other high school students in the area did not agree with this move, so they walked the three miles to continue to attend Lincoln, she graduated from there in 1937.
During the summers she picked fruit along with her brothers and sisters. This was during the depression and the family experienced some very hard times. As a result, the children were all hard workers and learned to appreciate what they had. Dena has always been concerned about her own family.
Dena was very active in sports including track, basketball and volleyball. She excelled in all of them, especially track. She added bowling in a league to her other activities later in life. She played basketball on a women's team that took on and beat a men's team. When she could no longer actively participate, you could bet that if you called her on the phone, she would be watching football, basketball, baseball or golf.
Dena married Ellsworth DeLange in Salina, Feb. 14, 1941. They had two children, Gary and Layne, both born in Koosharem. The family lived in Koosharem until the boys were high school age. They moved to Salina where Gary and Layne graduated from North Sevier High School. Dena and Ellsworth were later divorced.
Dena worked in cafes in Salina for many years. She later moved to Richfield where she worked at Ideal Dairy for 14 years. She enjoyed her association with her co-workers and the many customers she met and was acquainted with. She continued working and was a cashier at the Dollar Tree until she was 82. She was known by her many friends and associates as a very efficient and hard worker. She was a loyal and loving friend.
In addition, she was an excellent homemaker. She cared very much for the welfare of her family. She supported her children and their families in all of their activities. If there was any special occasion, she would be there.
Many family members and friends have been blessed by receiving one of the many beautiful quilts or embroidered items that she created. She made quilts for her children their spouses and for each grandchild and many of her friends.
She is survived by son, Layne (Reeda) DeLange, St. George; daughter-in-law, Sallee DeLange, Hagerman, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Burke, Kregg (LeAnne), Marlo (Paul), Shawn, Gina, Kelly and Tracy; seven great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Merrill, Garn, Zeonia and Bertie Lou. She also considered DeAnn, Staci and Susan as part of her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Gary Hagerman; brothers and sisters, Lorana, Leon, Ruby and Alene.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 29, at 11 a.m. in the Magleby Mortuary chapel, 50 South 100 West in Richfield.
Friends may call at the mortuary Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Interment will be in the Richfield City Cemetery.
Funeral directors, Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.
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