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3/18/08 ~ 5/30/03

Clara Norene Richins Thomas, age 95, passed away peacefully at home on May 30, 2003.

She was born March 18, 1908 to Jared and Ethel Ralph Richins in Echo, Utah. After graduating as valedictorian from North Summit High School, she attended the LDS College in Salt Lake City. At 19 she served an LDS mission in the Northwestern States. She married Julian R. Thomas, June 15, 1933 in the Salt Lake Temple. After living the first two years in a sheep camp, they built a trailer and lived in it on the Utah State University campus until Julian graduated in 1939. With Julian's forestry career they lived in Logan, Pocatello, Idaho, Duchesne, Monticello and Salt Lake City. At fifty-five she graduated from the University of Utah in elementary education, then taught second grade at Woodstock Elementary School until she retired at the age of 65. She and her husband served a second mission for the LDS Church, in Nauvoo Restoration Mission from 1976-1978. After retirement, she continued her hobbies of family activities, gardening, scrapbooking, fishing and creating fun with her grandchildren.

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Throughout her life, she traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and Central America.

Norene is survived by brother Lynn (Alpha) Richins; sister Norma Robinson; brother Marvin (Beth) Richins; sister Jareldean (Myron Herd); sister Ilene Richins and children: Neal (Jennie), Jay (Jan), Dian, Jared (Cherie) and Clyde (Lori); 16 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband Julian, sisters May, Leone, and Dorothy and brothers Ellis and Ralph.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2003 at 11 a.m. at the Brookshire Ward, 3487 S. 1300 E., Salt Lake City, where friends and family may call from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to services and Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Dr., Salt Lake City. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Dian Thomas, Nora Goicoechea, Rebecca Hobbs, Adriana Garcia, Scott Green, Martha Garcia, Greg Welch, Bill Geving, Brent and Karla Harmon, Sandy Morris, Gregg Mahrt, Victoria Nicholson, Helen Victor, Charla Haley, IHC Hospice workers, Gayle Patterson, Carol Marsh, Shelley White, Dr. Jane MacPherson, Jane Rosentreater and all who helped with her care in the last few years.

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