Marvin Lavern Mower passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 18, 2012, in Salt Lake City at the age of 94 with family by his side.
Marvin was born November 16, 1918 in Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah at the home of his maternal grandmother. He was the first of six children born to Heber Lavern Mower and Ethel Louisa Stewart Mower. His great-grandfather, James W. Stewart, served in the Mormon Battalion and entered the Salt Lake Valley with the first company of pioneers on July 24, 1847. Marvin was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his youth Marvin worked on the farm with his father and grandfather, Henry Mower. Marvin said his parents encouraged him by saying, "Now, Marvin, lead out." Along with his studies Marvin enjoyed music and sports. He went to dances, played in bands, and ran track. In 1937 he graduated from North Sanpete High School in Mt. Pleasant where he was student body president. Marvin attended Brigham Young University from 1937-40. From 1940-42 he served an LDS mission in the Northwestern States Mission.
In August 1942 Marvin enlisted in the U.S. Army, which assigned him to a reserve unit. This allowed Marvin to return to BYU, complete his studies, and graduate with a degree in music education in 1943. His reserve unit was activated (he missed the graduation ceremony as a result), and he joined 150 men who marched down University Avenue to the railroad station where they departed for basic training. Marvin went to Camp Wallace, Texas.
While on furlough in Salt Lake before leaving for the war in Europe Marvin became engaged to Elaine Newquist. Marvin reached Glasgow, Scotland in the spring of 1944. He reached France about a week after D-Day. During WWII Marvin served as a Chaplain's Assistant to John W. Reeves in the 777th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion of Patton's Third Army. He was at the Battle of the Bulge. He arrived at Buchenwald Nazi Concentration Camp shortly after its liberation. Returning from the war Marvin arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on December 17, 1945 after a rough, 18-day passage across the Atlantic. He was discharged at Fort Douglas on December 24, 1945. He was proud to serve the United States and the cause of freedom, and, like many WWII veterans, rarely spoke about the war; only sharing a few stories.
On February 1, 1946 Marvin was married to Ruth Elaine Newquist by Elder Charles A. Callis in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Initially Marv and Elaine lived in an upstairs apartment on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City. In 1948 they bought a house on 9th Avenue in Salt Lake where they raised five children. Three of Marvin's siblings lived in the same neighborhood. This made for frequent drop-in visits, backyard picnics, Sunday dinners, and summer camping adventures. There were many trips to Fairview to visit relatives and the family farm. Marvin invented great bedtime stories for his children based on wildlife he had seen on the farm and in the field. One beloved story was named "King Coyote."
Marvin served in many church callings. From 1961-1969 Marvin served as Bishop of the Ensign 3rd Ward, Ensign Stake, where he was a beloved figure in the lives of many people. Marvin was an excellent speaker, teacher and counselor. As Bishop he was often called upon to speak at funerals. His sensitive, inspirational remarks were a blessing to many families. Sometimes during regular Sunday sacrament meetings the assigned speakers finished early. Bishop Mower was famous for using this extra time by calling on one or two people from the congregation to come to the podium and speak for a few minutes. These extemporaneous talks were heartfelt. Marvin and Elaine's neighbor was the oldest skier in Utah. Bishop Mower organized The John Angerbauer Ski Club, learned to ski himself, and took caravans of young people from the 3rd Ward up to Brighton and Alta ski resorts. Marvin skied well into his 80's. At the urging of his friend, Marion D. Hanks, Marvin taught early morning LDS Seminary classes at West High School for 15 years.
Career highlights: Following WWII Marvin worked as a vocational counselor for the Rehabilitation Division, State of Utah Dept. of Public Instruction. For a time he worked as an insurance agent for the D.C. Stephens Insurance Agency on Richards Street. Marvin then worked at Stevens Henager Business College, 350 South 700 East in Salt Lake, where he was a counselor, teacher, and director of night school. The final stint of Marvin's working life was with the State of Utah, where he excelled as a Social Security disability claims adjudicator.
Marvin was an avid reader. He loved reading the daily newspaper; the scriptures; books about American history, LDS Church history, self-improvement, biographies and gospel topics. In retirement years Marvin and Elaine drove across North America and toured the Midwest, New England and Canada. They enjoyed drives around the Intermountain West. Marvin and Elaine served as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for eight years, a calling they loved. Marvin and Elaine had a wonderful marriage. They were evenly matched. Marvin said "The best thing I did for you children was to get you a good mother."
Marvin was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Elaine Newquist Mower; by his parents, Heber and Ethel Mower; by his brother and sister-in-law Royal and Marie Mower; by his brother Glade; and by his brothers-in-law Don Larsen and Glen Spencer. He is survived by two sisters, Ila Larsen of Orem; Cleo Spencer of Salt Lake City; by his brother, Morris (Annetta) Mower of Salt Lake City; and by sister-in-law Virginia Mower of Fairview. Marvin is also survived by his five children, David (Diane) Mower of Richfield, UT; Carol (Rich) Isom of Montpelier, ID; Jay of Portland, OR; Jeanene (Rod) Budge of Salt Lake City; and Janice (Dell) Barnes of Lyman, WY; by 19 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at the 21st North Ward, 2nd Avenue and K Street, Salt Lake City, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing prior to the service will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. On Friday, November 30 a viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Burial in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The family wishes to thank H. Craig Harmon, M.D., at IHC Salt Lake Clinic; the staff of The Wellington senior residence; Debi Poulsen, R.N., of Curo Hospice Services; and the staff of Larkin Mortuary. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com
This is the obituary which was written by Marvin's son Jay Mower and published in the Salt Lake Tribune and in the Deseret News newspapers.
Marvin was born November 16, 1918 in Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah at the home of his maternal grandmother. He was the first of six children born to Heber Lavern Mower and Ethel Louisa Stewart Mower. His great-grandfather, James W. Stewart, served in the Mormon Battalion and entered the Salt Lake Valley with the first company of pioneers on July 24, 1847. Marvin was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his youth Marvin worked on the farm with his father and grandfather, Henry Mower. Marvin said his parents encouraged him by saying, "Now, Marvin, lead out." Along with his studies Marvin enjoyed music and sports. He went to dances, played in bands, and ran track. In 1937 he graduated from North Sanpete High School in Mt. Pleasant where he was student body president. Marvin attended Brigham Young University from 1937-40. From 1940-42 he served an LDS mission in the Northwestern States Mission.
In August 1942 Marvin enlisted in the U.S. Army, which assigned him to a reserve unit. This allowed Marvin to return to BYU, complete his studies, and graduate with a degree in music education in 1943. His reserve unit was activated (he missed the graduation ceremony as a result), and he joined 150 men who marched down University Avenue to the railroad station where they departed for basic training. Marvin went to Camp Wallace, Texas.
While on furlough in Salt Lake before leaving for the war in Europe Marvin became engaged to Elaine Newquist. Marvin reached Glasgow, Scotland in the spring of 1944. He reached France about a week after D-Day. During WWII Marvin served as a Chaplain's Assistant to John W. Reeves in the 777th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion of Patton's Third Army. He was at the Battle of the Bulge. He arrived at Buchenwald Nazi Concentration Camp shortly after its liberation. Returning from the war Marvin arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on December 17, 1945 after a rough, 18-day passage across the Atlantic. He was discharged at Fort Douglas on December 24, 1945. He was proud to serve the United States and the cause of freedom, and, like many WWII veterans, rarely spoke about the war; only sharing a few stories.
On February 1, 1946 Marvin was married to Ruth Elaine Newquist by Elder Charles A. Callis in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Initially Marv and Elaine lived in an upstairs apartment on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City. In 1948 they bought a house on 9th Avenue in Salt Lake where they raised five children. Three of Marvin's siblings lived in the same neighborhood. This made for frequent drop-in visits, backyard picnics, Sunday dinners, and summer camping adventures. There were many trips to Fairview to visit relatives and the family farm. Marvin invented great bedtime stories for his children based on wildlife he had seen on the farm and in the field. One beloved story was named "King Coyote."
Marvin served in many church callings. From 1961-1969 Marvin served as Bishop of the Ensign 3rd Ward, Ensign Stake, where he was a beloved figure in the lives of many people. Marvin was an excellent speaker, teacher and counselor. As Bishop he was often called upon to speak at funerals. His sensitive, inspirational remarks were a blessing to many families. Sometimes during regular Sunday sacrament meetings the assigned speakers finished early. Bishop Mower was famous for using this extra time by calling on one or two people from the congregation to come to the podium and speak for a few minutes. These extemporaneous talks were heartfelt. Marvin and Elaine's neighbor was the oldest skier in Utah. Bishop Mower organized The John Angerbauer Ski Club, learned to ski himself, and took caravans of young people from the 3rd Ward up to Brighton and Alta ski resorts. Marvin skied well into his 80's. At the urging of his friend, Marion D. Hanks, Marvin taught early morning LDS Seminary classes at West High School for 15 years.
Career highlights: Following WWII Marvin worked as a vocational counselor for the Rehabilitation Division, State of Utah Dept. of Public Instruction. For a time he worked as an insurance agent for the D.C. Stephens Insurance Agency on Richards Street. Marvin then worked at Stevens Henager Business College, 350 South 700 East in Salt Lake, where he was a counselor, teacher, and director of night school. The final stint of Marvin's working life was with the State of Utah, where he excelled as a Social Security disability claims adjudicator.
Marvin was an avid reader. He loved reading the daily newspaper; the scriptures; books about American history, LDS Church history, self-improvement, biographies and gospel topics. In retirement years Marvin and Elaine drove across North America and toured the Midwest, New England and Canada. They enjoyed drives around the Intermountain West. Marvin and Elaine served as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for eight years, a calling they loved. Marvin and Elaine had a wonderful marriage. They were evenly matched. Marvin said "The best thing I did for you children was to get you a good mother."
Marvin was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Elaine Newquist Mower; by his parents, Heber and Ethel Mower; by his brother and sister-in-law Royal and Marie Mower; by his brother Glade; and by his brothers-in-law Don Larsen and Glen Spencer. He is survived by two sisters, Ila Larsen of Orem; Cleo Spencer of Salt Lake City; by his brother, Morris (Annetta) Mower of Salt Lake City; and by sister-in-law Virginia Mower of Fairview. Marvin is also survived by his five children, David (Diane) Mower of Richfield, UT; Carol (Rich) Isom of Montpelier, ID; Jay of Portland, OR; Jeanene (Rod) Budge of Salt Lake City; and Janice (Dell) Barnes of Lyman, WY; by 19 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at the 21st North Ward, 2nd Avenue and K Street, Salt Lake City, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing prior to the service will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. On Friday, November 30 a viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Burial in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The family wishes to thank H. Craig Harmon, M.D., at IHC Salt Lake Clinic; the staff of The Wellington senior residence; Debi Poulsen, R.N., of Curo Hospice Services; and the staff of Larkin Mortuary. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com
This is the obituary which was written by Marvin's son Jay Mower and published in the Salt Lake Tribune and in the Deseret News newspapers.
Marvin Lavern Mower passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 18, 2012, in Salt Lake City at the age of 94 with family by his side.
Marvin was born November 16, 1918 in Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah at the home of his maternal grandmother. He was the first of six children born to Heber Lavern Mower and Ethel Louisa Stewart Mower. His great-grandfather, James W. Stewart, served in the Mormon Battalion and entered the Salt Lake Valley with the first company of pioneers on July 24, 1847. Marvin was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his youth Marvin worked on the farm with his father and grandfather, Henry Mower. Marvin said his parents encouraged him by saying, "Now, Marvin, lead out." Along with his studies Marvin enjoyed music and sports. He went to dances, played in bands, and ran track. In 1937 he graduated from North Sanpete High School in Mt. Pleasant where he was student body president. Marvin attended Brigham Young University from 1937-40. From 1940-42 he served an LDS mission in the Northwestern States Mission.
In August 1942 Marvin enlisted in the U.S. Army, which assigned him to a reserve unit. This allowed Marvin to return to BYU, complete his studies, and graduate with a degree in music education in 1943. His reserve unit was activated (he missed the graduation ceremony as a result), and he joined 150 men who marched down University Avenue to the railroad station where they departed for basic training. Marvin went to Camp Wallace, Texas.
While on furlough in Salt Lake before leaving for the war in Europe Marvin became engaged to Elaine Newquist. Marvin reached Glasgow, Scotland in the spring of 1944. He reached France about a week after D-Day. During WWII Marvin served as a Chaplain's Assistant to John W. Reeves in the 777th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion of Patton's Third Army. He was at the Battle of the Bulge. He arrived at Buchenwald Nazi Concentration Camp shortly after its liberation. Returning from the war Marvin arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on December 17, 1945 after a rough, 18-day passage across the Atlantic. He was discharged at Fort Douglas on December 24, 1945. He was proud to serve the United States and the cause of freedom, and, like many WWII veterans, rarely spoke about the war; only sharing a few stories.
On February 1, 1946 Marvin was married to Ruth Elaine Newquist by Elder Charles A. Callis in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Initially Marv and Elaine lived in an upstairs apartment on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City. In 1948 they bought a house on 9th Avenue in Salt Lake where they raised five children. Three of Marvin's siblings lived in the same neighborhood. This made for frequent drop-in visits, backyard picnics, Sunday dinners, and summer camping adventures. There were many trips to Fairview to visit relatives and the family farm. Marvin invented great bedtime stories for his children based on wildlife he had seen on the farm and in the field. One beloved story was named "King Coyote."
Marvin served in many church callings. From 1961-1969 Marvin served as Bishop of the Ensign 3rd Ward, Ensign Stake, where he was a beloved figure in the lives of many people. Marvin was an excellent speaker, teacher and counselor. As Bishop he was often called upon to speak at funerals. His sensitive, inspirational remarks were a blessing to many families. Sometimes during regular Sunday sacrament meetings the assigned speakers finished early. Bishop Mower was famous for using this extra time by calling on one or two people from the congregation to come to the podium and speak for a few minutes. These extemporaneous talks were heartfelt. Marvin and Elaine's neighbor was the oldest skier in Utah. Bishop Mower organized The John Angerbauer Ski Club, learned to ski himself, and took caravans of young people from the 3rd Ward up to Brighton and Alta ski resorts. Marvin skied well into his 80's. At the urging of his friend, Marion D. Hanks, Marvin taught early morning LDS Seminary classes at West High School for 15 years.
Career highlights: Following WWII Marvin worked as a vocational counselor for the Rehabilitation Division, State of Utah Dept. of Public Instruction. For a time he worked as an insurance agent for the D.C. Stephens Insurance Agency on Richards Street. Marvin then worked at Stevens Henager Business College, 350 South 700 East in Salt Lake, where he was a counselor, teacher, and director of night school. The final stint of Marvin's working life was with the State of Utah, where he excelled as a Social Security disability claims adjudicator.
Marvin was an avid reader. He loved reading the daily newspaper; the scriptures; books about American history, LDS Church history, self-improvement, biographies and gospel topics. In retirement years Marvin and Elaine drove across North America and toured the Midwest, New England and Canada. They enjoyed drives around the Intermountain West. Marvin and Elaine served as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for eight years, a calling they loved. Marvin and Elaine had a wonderful marriage. They were evenly matched. Marvin said "The best thing I did for you children was to get you a good mother."
Marvin was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Elaine Newquist Mower; by his parents, Heber and Ethel Mower; by his brother and sister-in-law Royal and Marie Mower; by his brother Glade; and by his brothers-in-law Don Larsen and Glen Spencer. He is survived by two sisters, Ila Larsen of Orem; Cleo Spencer of Salt Lake City; by his brother, Morris (Annetta) Mower of Salt Lake City; and by sister-in-law Virginia Mower of Fairview. Marvin is also survived by his five children, David (Diane) Mower of Richfield, UT; Carol (Rich) Isom of Montpelier, ID; Jay of Portland, OR; Jeanene (Rod) Budge of Salt Lake City; and Janice (Dell) Barnes of Lyman, WY; by 19 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at the 21st North Ward, 2nd Avenue and K Street, Salt Lake City, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing prior to the service will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. On Friday, November 30 a viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Burial in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The family wishes to thank H. Craig Harmon, M.D., at IHC Salt Lake Clinic; the staff of The Wellington senior residence; Debi Poulsen, R.N., of Curo Hospice Services; and the staff of Larkin Mortuary. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com
This is the obituary which was written by Marvin's son Jay Mower and published in the Salt Lake Tribune and in the Deseret News newspapers.
Marvin was born November 16, 1918 in Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah at the home of his maternal grandmother. He was the first of six children born to Heber Lavern Mower and Ethel Louisa Stewart Mower. His great-grandfather, James W. Stewart, served in the Mormon Battalion and entered the Salt Lake Valley with the first company of pioneers on July 24, 1847. Marvin was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his youth Marvin worked on the farm with his father and grandfather, Henry Mower. Marvin said his parents encouraged him by saying, "Now, Marvin, lead out." Along with his studies Marvin enjoyed music and sports. He went to dances, played in bands, and ran track. In 1937 he graduated from North Sanpete High School in Mt. Pleasant where he was student body president. Marvin attended Brigham Young University from 1937-40. From 1940-42 he served an LDS mission in the Northwestern States Mission.
In August 1942 Marvin enlisted in the U.S. Army, which assigned him to a reserve unit. This allowed Marvin to return to BYU, complete his studies, and graduate with a degree in music education in 1943. His reserve unit was activated (he missed the graduation ceremony as a result), and he joined 150 men who marched down University Avenue to the railroad station where they departed for basic training. Marvin went to Camp Wallace, Texas.
While on furlough in Salt Lake before leaving for the war in Europe Marvin became engaged to Elaine Newquist. Marvin reached Glasgow, Scotland in the spring of 1944. He reached France about a week after D-Day. During WWII Marvin served as a Chaplain's Assistant to John W. Reeves in the 777th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion of Patton's Third Army. He was at the Battle of the Bulge. He arrived at Buchenwald Nazi Concentration Camp shortly after its liberation. Returning from the war Marvin arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on December 17, 1945 after a rough, 18-day passage across the Atlantic. He was discharged at Fort Douglas on December 24, 1945. He was proud to serve the United States and the cause of freedom, and, like many WWII veterans, rarely spoke about the war; only sharing a few stories.
On February 1, 1946 Marvin was married to Ruth Elaine Newquist by Elder Charles A. Callis in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Initially Marv and Elaine lived in an upstairs apartment on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City. In 1948 they bought a house on 9th Avenue in Salt Lake where they raised five children. Three of Marvin's siblings lived in the same neighborhood. This made for frequent drop-in visits, backyard picnics, Sunday dinners, and summer camping adventures. There were many trips to Fairview to visit relatives and the family farm. Marvin invented great bedtime stories for his children based on wildlife he had seen on the farm and in the field. One beloved story was named "King Coyote."
Marvin served in many church callings. From 1961-1969 Marvin served as Bishop of the Ensign 3rd Ward, Ensign Stake, where he was a beloved figure in the lives of many people. Marvin was an excellent speaker, teacher and counselor. As Bishop he was often called upon to speak at funerals. His sensitive, inspirational remarks were a blessing to many families. Sometimes during regular Sunday sacrament meetings the assigned speakers finished early. Bishop Mower was famous for using this extra time by calling on one or two people from the congregation to come to the podium and speak for a few minutes. These extemporaneous talks were heartfelt. Marvin and Elaine's neighbor was the oldest skier in Utah. Bishop Mower organized The John Angerbauer Ski Club, learned to ski himself, and took caravans of young people from the 3rd Ward up to Brighton and Alta ski resorts. Marvin skied well into his 80's. At the urging of his friend, Marion D. Hanks, Marvin taught early morning LDS Seminary classes at West High School for 15 years.
Career highlights: Following WWII Marvin worked as a vocational counselor for the Rehabilitation Division, State of Utah Dept. of Public Instruction. For a time he worked as an insurance agent for the D.C. Stephens Insurance Agency on Richards Street. Marvin then worked at Stevens Henager Business College, 350 South 700 East in Salt Lake, where he was a counselor, teacher, and director of night school. The final stint of Marvin's working life was with the State of Utah, where he excelled as a Social Security disability claims adjudicator.
Marvin was an avid reader. He loved reading the daily newspaper; the scriptures; books about American history, LDS Church history, self-improvement, biographies and gospel topics. In retirement years Marvin and Elaine drove across North America and toured the Midwest, New England and Canada. They enjoyed drives around the Intermountain West. Marvin and Elaine served as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for eight years, a calling they loved. Marvin and Elaine had a wonderful marriage. They were evenly matched. Marvin said "The best thing I did for you children was to get you a good mother."
Marvin was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Elaine Newquist Mower; by his parents, Heber and Ethel Mower; by his brother and sister-in-law Royal and Marie Mower; by his brother Glade; and by his brothers-in-law Don Larsen and Glen Spencer. He is survived by two sisters, Ila Larsen of Orem; Cleo Spencer of Salt Lake City; by his brother, Morris (Annetta) Mower of Salt Lake City; and by sister-in-law Virginia Mower of Fairview. Marvin is also survived by his five children, David (Diane) Mower of Richfield, UT; Carol (Rich) Isom of Montpelier, ID; Jay of Portland, OR; Jeanene (Rod) Budge of Salt Lake City; and Janice (Dell) Barnes of Lyman, WY; by 19 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at the 21st North Ward, 2nd Avenue and K Street, Salt Lake City, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing prior to the service will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. On Friday, November 30 a viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Burial in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The family wishes to thank H. Craig Harmon, M.D., at IHC Salt Lake Clinic; the staff of The Wellington senior residence; Debi Poulsen, R.N., of Curo Hospice Services; and the staff of Larkin Mortuary. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com
This is the obituary which was written by Marvin's son Jay Mower and published in the Salt Lake Tribune and in the Deseret News newspapers.
Bio by: David Mower
