RICHFIELD, UTAH -<! >
Our kind and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Cora Sherlene Helquist Spencer, age 71, died May 28, 2002 in Richfield, Utah of complications from a stroke and pneumonia.
She was born July 9, 1930 in Koosharem, Utah, a daughter of Alfred Leo and Laura Vest Helquist. She married Joseph Merlin Spencer, July 18, 1947 in the Manti LDS Temple. They bought a small farm in Richfield, Utah. On the 9th of October 1948, Joe Lynn was born in Richfield. On the 7th of April 1950, Mary Ann was born in Delta, and on the 4th of November 1951 Marlyn Jean was born in Richfield. Due to drought, the small farm was sold in Richfield and the family had to leave Utah and find work. A family member loaned them $50.00 and they went to Alaska. They lived in a small town named Ketchikan, Alaska from 1950 to 1956. The family then moved to the San Francisco Bay area, where Merlin worked at the airport and then became a general building contractor. They built homes in Redwood City and Walnut Creek, CA. and Monroe, UT. Mom's idea of redecorating was building something here and move a wall or two there. While living in California, Sherlene worked as a Dental Assistant and also volunteered as a Pink Lady at the local hospitals. She and Merlin were Temple Workers in the Oakland Temple for several years. In 1978 Merl and Sherl moved to Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada and became chicken farmers. They had 20 acres of land. Sherl again volunteered as a Pink Lady in the Hospital in Canada. She was an avid quilter and won many prizes for her beautiful quilts. She was well known in the Quilters Guild wherever she went. In 1995 they moved back to Utah and made their home in Monroe. They literally built a house around an older house in Monroe, and took the old house out through the windows.
In Monroe they were active in the Senior Citizens. They have seen a great deal of love and friendship shown to them since they moved to Monroe. Sherlene had a great love for her family and was an active member of the LDS Church and passed away with a firm testimony. Merl died April 12, 2001. Sherl spent the past year at the Curtis Residential Home in Glenwood and very much enjoyed living there. The family would like to thank all those at the home who loved and cared for Sherl during her stay in Glenwood.
Sherl is survived by her three children: Joe Lynn and Jerris Spencer of Alberta, Canada; Mary and Chris Loop of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Jean and James Brunk of Martinez, California; 11 grandchildren; two great-grand-children; sisters and brothers: Merida L. Huntsman, Salt Lake City; Donal and Grace Helquist, Brooklyn; Leslie and Lennis Helquist, Goshen; Leora and Jim Johnson, Payette, ID; Luella and Cal Adams, Panguitch; Lee and Janice Helquist, Richfield; brother and sisters-in-law: Garth Roberts, Antimony; Carol Helquist, Brigham City and Marva Helquist, West Jordan. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Teresa Loop; sisters and brothers: Ilene H. Roberts; Ellen Helquist; Lacon Helquist; Elman Helquist; Burns Helquist; LeEarl Helquist; Alfred Helquist; brother and sister-in-law: Karl Huntsman and Mary Helquist.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 31, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. in the Monroe LDS Stake Center, 140 South Main Street in Monroe, where friends may call for viewing Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services. Graveside services and burial will be Friday afternoon at approximately 2:00 p.m. in the Koosharem Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.