Vera Lavina Winget Richards, age 93, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2009 in Provo, Utah.

She was born August 28, 1916 in Monroe, Utah, the fourth of eleven children born to Luther Winget and Thirza Lavina Anderson.

She married David Carl Richards, Sr., of Parowan, in the Manti Temple on October 9, 1940.

Vera graduated from the LDS Hospital School of Nursing in 1937 and worked until her first child was born in 1943. From that point on she devoted all her time and energy to her family, church, and community. Moving to Texas in 1944, Vera and Carl were instrumental in the early growth of the LDS church in Dallas.

While Vera supported her husband in his role as Bishop, Stake President, and Regional Representative, she also served faithfully in a wide variety of callings. After years as loyal Texans, they moved to Provo in 1990 to be near family while Vera nursed Carl through his battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Vera was alwaysoptimistic and energetic: active in book and bridge groups, Symphony Guild and ElderQuest, as well as humanitarian and temple service. The highlight of every year was a Winget Women retreat held at her cabin up Hobble Creek Canyon. She loved to travel, to try new things, and to be included in every activity. At age 81 she went para-sailing, snorkeling,and horseback riding while on vacation in Mexico. She cruised the Caribbean at age ninety-two and won at pinochle fourdays before she died. By the calendar, she was ninety-three years old, but she was truly young at heart with an ever present twinkle in her eye.

Vera is survived by her five children: Patricia R. Nelson (Glen) of Payson; David Carl Richards Jr (Lynda Kimball) of Midvale; Anabel W. Richards of Provo; Claire E. Richards of Salt Lake City; and Jonathan W. Richards (Jennifer Davidson) of Salt Lake City; one sister (Glenda Smith of South Jordan); one brother (Oscar Winget of Monroe); twenty-six grandchildren; and forty-six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Pleasant View Ninth Ward Chapel, 2445 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo. Friends may call on Friday morning one hour prior to the services. A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Berg Mortuary, 185 East Center Street, Provo.
Interment will be in the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery.
Published in the Daily Herald on December 6, 2009.