Iva Lou Thompson Stephens, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away in her sleep on November 19, 2011 at the Terrace Grove Assisted Living Center in Logan Utah.
Iva Lou was born May 17, 1921 in Circleville, Utah. She was the youngest of nine children born to Alton Rex and Rhoda Ann Gilles Thompson.
While many of her siblings died from whooping cough, diphtheria, and other diseases, she was one of four children to survive to maturity and was the last survivor of the family. Iva Lou fondly remembered her life in Circleville and it shaped her as an adult. As her memory faded, Circleville was still vivid in her mind.
Iva Lou attended the BAC now Southern Utah University and then went on to school at Utah State University, in Logan Utah. In 1943, she enlisted in the United State Marine Corps and for the duration of the war served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
In her later years she would attend the Glenn Miller Concert hosted by Utah State University. The band would always honor service members. It tickled her, that when the band played the Marine Corps Hymn, she was the only female to stand up and be saluted.
A few years ago, Circleville City put up a monument to all of their service personnel. Iva Lou is the only women listed on the monument, alongside her grandparents and brothers.
After the war Iva Lou returned to USU to complete her education and graduated in 1948 with a degree in teaching and home economics. While at USU a man came to the campus from the University of Utah to go to a dance.
Iva Lou married Andrew Pratt Stephens on December 28, 1948 in Circleville, Utah and she was sealed to him and her family in 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married fifty-six years when Andrew passed away in 2004.
While Andrew finished his degree in pharmacy, Iva Lou took a teaching job at Jordan High School, where she taught home economics. With the birth of her second son, Iva Lou suspended her teaching career to become a full time mother.
Iva Lou was the consummate homemaker, she taught both of her boys how to cook and how to take care of themselves. She was a master seamstress and for years would make all of the shirts worn in the family and make most of the quilts used in the home. At least once a month a bus ride to Sears ensured an ample supply of sewing materials.
While Andrew struggled with some childhood issues with the church, Iva Lou was always faithful; ensuring her sons attended church and advanced in the priesthood and in scouts. Because of Iva Lou, both of her sons received their Eagle Scout Awards.
Her faithfulness convinced Andrew to become active in the church. She served in the church as a counselor in the Relief Society; she taught in the Sunday School, and served, in the later years of her life, as the Family History Librarian. In this position she learned how to use a computer and she did extensive research on the Thompson and Stephens families.
When her second son entered junior high school, Iva Lou returned to the teaching profession. She learned to drive, which she had not done to that point, recertified as a teacher, and began teaching at Highland Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City.
At that time there was a need for special education teachers and Iva Lou certified as a special education teacher and worked the remainder of her career in that position with her friend Millie Erdman at Highland Park. She helped hundreds of students to overcome home, health, and other problems as a teacher.
Iva Lou loved yard work, which was a good thing since she had a big yard. She always had roses and a large vegetable garden and each year the extra produce was canned for use in the winter. For years she watered the yard with a long hose, but finally put her foot down and insisted on a sprinkling system.
As her memory failed and her ability to take care of herself deteriorated she moved "home" to Logan and lived in the Terrace Grove Living Center. Iva Lou's family wishes to thank Terrace Grove for the care and love they offered our mother. Iva Lou had many friends in the center and developed a deep love for her daughter-in-law, Patty, who took her everywhere.
Iva Lou is survived by sons Robert (Shirley) and Alan (Patty), nine grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
Because of her and Andrew's dislike for funerals, there will be a viewing held at the Cannon Mortuary (2460 East Bengal Boulevard (7600 South), Cottonwood Heights) on Friday, November 25, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and a graveside service on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., where she will be buried next to Andrew in the Washington City Cemetery, 175 North 300 East, Washington, Utah.
Published in the Deseret News on November 23, 2011.
Iva Lou was born May 17, 1921 in Circleville, Utah. She was the youngest of nine children born to Alton Rex and Rhoda Ann Gilles Thompson.
While many of her siblings died from whooping cough, diphtheria, and other diseases, she was one of four children to survive to maturity and was the last survivor of the family. Iva Lou fondly remembered her life in Circleville and it shaped her as an adult. As her memory faded, Circleville was still vivid in her mind.
Iva Lou attended the BAC now Southern Utah University and then went on to school at Utah State University, in Logan Utah. In 1943, she enlisted in the United State Marine Corps and for the duration of the war served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
In her later years she would attend the Glenn Miller Concert hosted by Utah State University. The band would always honor service members. It tickled her, that when the band played the Marine Corps Hymn, she was the only female to stand up and be saluted.
A few years ago, Circleville City put up a monument to all of their service personnel. Iva Lou is the only women listed on the monument, alongside her grandparents and brothers.
After the war Iva Lou returned to USU to complete her education and graduated in 1948 with a degree in teaching and home economics. While at USU a man came to the campus from the University of Utah to go to a dance.
Iva Lou married Andrew Pratt Stephens on December 28, 1948 in Circleville, Utah and she was sealed to him and her family in 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married fifty-six years when Andrew passed away in 2004.
While Andrew finished his degree in pharmacy, Iva Lou took a teaching job at Jordan High School, where she taught home economics. With the birth of her second son, Iva Lou suspended her teaching career to become a full time mother.
Iva Lou was the consummate homemaker, she taught both of her boys how to cook and how to take care of themselves. She was a master seamstress and for years would make all of the shirts worn in the family and make most of the quilts used in the home. At least once a month a bus ride to Sears ensured an ample supply of sewing materials.
While Andrew struggled with some childhood issues with the church, Iva Lou was always faithful; ensuring her sons attended church and advanced in the priesthood and in scouts. Because of Iva Lou, both of her sons received their Eagle Scout Awards.
Her faithfulness convinced Andrew to become active in the church. She served in the church as a counselor in the Relief Society; she taught in the Sunday School, and served, in the later years of her life, as the Family History Librarian. In this position she learned how to use a computer and she did extensive research on the Thompson and Stephens families.
When her second son entered junior high school, Iva Lou returned to the teaching profession. She learned to drive, which she had not done to that point, recertified as a teacher, and began teaching at Highland Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City.
At that time there was a need for special education teachers and Iva Lou certified as a special education teacher and worked the remainder of her career in that position with her friend Millie Erdman at Highland Park. She helped hundreds of students to overcome home, health, and other problems as a teacher.
Iva Lou loved yard work, which was a good thing since she had a big yard. She always had roses and a large vegetable garden and each year the extra produce was canned for use in the winter. For years she watered the yard with a long hose, but finally put her foot down and insisted on a sprinkling system.
As her memory failed and her ability to take care of herself deteriorated she moved "home" to Logan and lived in the Terrace Grove Living Center. Iva Lou's family wishes to thank Terrace Grove for the care and love they offered our mother. Iva Lou had many friends in the center and developed a deep love for her daughter-in-law, Patty, who took her everywhere.
Iva Lou is survived by sons Robert (Shirley) and Alan (Patty), nine grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
Because of her and Andrew's dislike for funerals, there will be a viewing held at the Cannon Mortuary (2460 East Bengal Boulevard (7600 South), Cottonwood Heights) on Friday, November 25, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and a graveside service on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., where she will be buried next to Andrew in the Washington City Cemetery, 175 North 300 East, Washington, Utah.
Published in the Deseret News on November 23, 2011.
Iva Lou Thompson Stephens, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away in her sleep on November 19, 2011 at the Terrace Grove Assisted Living Center in Logan Utah.
Iva Lou was born May 17, 1921 in Circleville, Utah. She was the youngest of nine children born to Alton Rex and Rhoda Ann Gilles Thompson.
While many of her siblings died from whooping cough, diphtheria, and other diseases, she was one of four children to survive to maturity and was the last survivor of the family. Iva Lou fondly remembered her life in Circleville and it shaped her as an adult. As her memory faded, Circleville was still vivid in her mind.
Iva Lou attended the BAC now Southern Utah University and then went on to school at Utah State University, in Logan Utah. In 1943, she enlisted in the United State Marine Corps and for the duration of the war served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
In her later years she would attend the Glenn Miller Concert hosted by Utah State University. The band would always honor service members. It tickled her, that when the band played the Marine Corps Hymn, she was the only female to stand up and be saluted.
A few years ago, Circleville City put up a monument to all of their service personnel. Iva Lou is the only women listed on the monument, alongside her grandparents and brothers.
After the war Iva Lou returned to USU to complete her education and graduated in 1948 with a degree in teaching and home economics. While at USU a man came to the campus from the University of Utah to go to a dance.
Iva Lou married Andrew Pratt Stephens on December 28, 1948 in Circleville, Utah and she was sealed to him and her family in 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married fifty-six years when Andrew passed away in 2004.
While Andrew finished his degree in pharmacy, Iva Lou took a teaching job at Jordan High School, where she taught home economics. With the birth of her second son, Iva Lou suspended her teaching career to become a full time mother.
Iva Lou was the consummate homemaker, she taught both of her boys how to cook and how to take care of themselves. She was a master seamstress and for years would make all of the shirts worn in the family and make most of the quilts used in the home. At least once a month a bus ride to Sears ensured an ample supply of sewing materials.
While Andrew struggled with some childhood issues with the church, Iva Lou was always faithful; ensuring her sons attended church and advanced in the priesthood and in scouts. Because of Iva Lou, both of her sons received their Eagle Scout Awards.
Her faithfulness convinced Andrew to become active in the church. She served in the church as a counselor in the Relief Society; she taught in the Sunday School, and served, in the later years of her life, as the Family History Librarian. In this position she learned how to use a computer and she did extensive research on the Thompson and Stephens families.
When her second son entered junior high school, Iva Lou returned to the teaching profession. She learned to drive, which she had not done to that point, recertified as a teacher, and began teaching at Highland Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City.
At that time there was a need for special education teachers and Iva Lou certified as a special education teacher and worked the remainder of her career in that position with her friend Millie Erdman at Highland Park. She helped hundreds of students to overcome home, health, and other problems as a teacher.
Iva Lou loved yard work, which was a good thing since she had a big yard. She always had roses and a large vegetable garden and each year the extra produce was canned for use in the winter. For years she watered the yard with a long hose, but finally put her foot down and insisted on a sprinkling system.
As her memory failed and her ability to take care of herself deteriorated she moved "home" to Logan and lived in the Terrace Grove Living Center. Iva Lou's family wishes to thank Terrace Grove for the care and love they offered our mother. Iva Lou had many friends in the center and developed a deep love for her daughter-in-law, Patty, who took her everywhere.
Iva Lou is survived by sons Robert (Shirley) and Alan (Patty), nine grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
Because of her and Andrew's dislike for funerals, there will be a viewing held at the Cannon Mortuary (2460 East Bengal Boulevard (7600 South), Cottonwood Heights) on Friday, November 25, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and a graveside service on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., where she will be buried next to Andrew in the Washington City Cemetery, 175 North 300 East, Washington, Utah.
Published in the Deseret News on November 23, 2011.
Iva Lou was born May 17, 1921 in Circleville, Utah. She was the youngest of nine children born to Alton Rex and Rhoda Ann Gilles Thompson.
While many of her siblings died from whooping cough, diphtheria, and other diseases, she was one of four children to survive to maturity and was the last survivor of the family. Iva Lou fondly remembered her life in Circleville and it shaped her as an adult. As her memory faded, Circleville was still vivid in her mind.
Iva Lou attended the BAC now Southern Utah University and then went on to school at Utah State University, in Logan Utah. In 1943, she enlisted in the United State Marine Corps and for the duration of the war served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
In her later years she would attend the Glenn Miller Concert hosted by Utah State University. The band would always honor service members. It tickled her, that when the band played the Marine Corps Hymn, she was the only female to stand up and be saluted.
A few years ago, Circleville City put up a monument to all of their service personnel. Iva Lou is the only women listed on the monument, alongside her grandparents and brothers.
After the war Iva Lou returned to USU to complete her education and graduated in 1948 with a degree in teaching and home economics. While at USU a man came to the campus from the University of Utah to go to a dance.
Iva Lou married Andrew Pratt Stephens on December 28, 1948 in Circleville, Utah and she was sealed to him and her family in 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married fifty-six years when Andrew passed away in 2004.
While Andrew finished his degree in pharmacy, Iva Lou took a teaching job at Jordan High School, where she taught home economics. With the birth of her second son, Iva Lou suspended her teaching career to become a full time mother.
Iva Lou was the consummate homemaker, she taught both of her boys how to cook and how to take care of themselves. She was a master seamstress and for years would make all of the shirts worn in the family and make most of the quilts used in the home. At least once a month a bus ride to Sears ensured an ample supply of sewing materials.
While Andrew struggled with some childhood issues with the church, Iva Lou was always faithful; ensuring her sons attended church and advanced in the priesthood and in scouts. Because of Iva Lou, both of her sons received their Eagle Scout Awards.
Her faithfulness convinced Andrew to become active in the church. She served in the church as a counselor in the Relief Society; she taught in the Sunday School, and served, in the later years of her life, as the Family History Librarian. In this position she learned how to use a computer and she did extensive research on the Thompson and Stephens families.
When her second son entered junior high school, Iva Lou returned to the teaching profession. She learned to drive, which she had not done to that point, recertified as a teacher, and began teaching at Highland Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City.
At that time there was a need for special education teachers and Iva Lou certified as a special education teacher and worked the remainder of her career in that position with her friend Millie Erdman at Highland Park. She helped hundreds of students to overcome home, health, and other problems as a teacher.
Iva Lou loved yard work, which was a good thing since she had a big yard. She always had roses and a large vegetable garden and each year the extra produce was canned for use in the winter. For years she watered the yard with a long hose, but finally put her foot down and insisted on a sprinkling system.
As her memory failed and her ability to take care of herself deteriorated she moved "home" to Logan and lived in the Terrace Grove Living Center. Iva Lou's family wishes to thank Terrace Grove for the care and love they offered our mother. Iva Lou had many friends in the center and developed a deep love for her daughter-in-law, Patty, who took her everywhere.
Iva Lou is survived by sons Robert (Shirley) and Alan (Patty), nine grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
Because of her and Andrew's dislike for funerals, there will be a viewing held at the Cannon Mortuary (2460 East Bengal Boulevard (7600 South), Cottonwood Heights) on Friday, November 25, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and a graveside service on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., where she will be buried next to Andrew in the Washington City Cemetery, 175 North 300 East, Washington, Utah.
Published in the Deseret News on November 23, 2011.
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