1917-2013 Mary Helene Morley Schwendiman, 95, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 6, 2013, to be reunited with her eternal companion, whom she had sorely missed for the last eight months.

Mary was born to Astrid Johannessen and Joseph Morley on August 19, 1917, in Idaho Falls, the fifth of eight children. She grew up in a very happy, loving home -- a legacy she established in her own home.

Imagine her delight when she was 16 and a handsome, debonair young man named Rex moved from Rexburg to Idaho Falls and started attending Idaho Falls High School. A love affair began that would blossom, grow and endure more than 79 years in mortality (73 years of marriage) and into eternity.

Mary graduated from high school in 1935 and immediately went to work for the Post Register newspaper, working her way up to society page editor.

She married Rex E Schwendiman on June 14, 1939, in the Salt Lake Temple. She continued to work at the paper until their son was born in 1941. Except for a few years during World War II when they lived in Layton while Rex worked at Hill Field, they made their home in Idaho Falls until 1970, when they moved to Bountiful, Utah, where they lived until their passing.

Mary was a fantastic, wonderful wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, homemaker, seamstress, temple worker, hospital volunteer, church worker, consummate hostess (who needs an excuse to have a party!), and friend to all.

She was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life, serving as a Primary, Young Women and Relief Society president, a teacher in all of the organizations and a faithful, dedicated visiting teacher until 15 months ago. She loved good music and was actively involved in musical organizations from ward choirs to president of the Idaho Falls Music Club to holding season tickets to the Utah Symphony for many, many years.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved Rex; her parents; brothers, Maurice and Bob; and sisters, Louise Amos, Dorothy Chapin, Betty Ahlstrom and Jean Christensen.

She is survived by her son, Richard (LouAnne); granddaughters, Julie (John) McCleary, Amy (Robert) Winder and Mary (Scott) Thompson; great-grandchildren, Elder Stewart Rex Winder (Guatemala Coban Mission), Kent Richard Thompson, James Robert Winder, Anna Jane Thompson, Taylor Nicole Winder, Clara Helene Thompson, Erica Ann McCleary and Bennett Quinn Thompson; brother, John William (Carolyn) Morley; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 12, at the Bountiful Hills Ward, 1190 Bountiful Hills Drive. A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main St. in Bountiful, Utah, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Interment will be in Lakeview Memorial Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank all who tenderly cared for Mary the last few months of her life, especially the personnel at the Inn on Barton Creek and South Davis Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund, General Missionary Fund, Primary Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice .

An online guestbook is available at www.russonmortuary.com.

Family Tribute


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Published in Post Register on July 10, 2013