Mom Extraordinaire
LaVeta Coleman Wall, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died Wednesday, April 7, 2004 in Salt Lake City.
She was born January 28, 1912 in Springville, Utah, a daughter of William Hyland and Sarah Cadelia Binks Coleman. LaVeta was raised in Thistle and Manti, Utah. She graduated from Manti High School, Snow College and earned her B.S. degree from the University of Utah in Education.
She married her teacher at Snow College, Charles A. Wall, on May 26, 1934 marriage later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they had three sons, William Charles (deceased), Edward Carl (Merrill), and Kelly Coleman (Karla). Charles preceded her in death.
LaVeta taught at Canyon Rim Elementary from 1954-1977. Mother had unconditional love for her family. She served as a beacon of love, determination and strength for us. She could be firm, yet loving and understanding, both for what we were and what we were not. We are all richer for having known her. She is forever in our hearts. She loved life and was a remarkably optimistic and happy person. She was a consummate teacher in the home and in the school.
LaVeta was deeply patriotic. During World War II, she monitored broadcasts by the Japanese on her short wave radio, recording and forwarding P.O.W. information to hundreds of U.S. Servicemens families throughout the United States. In 1967, LaVeta was awarded the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation Gold Medal for Patriotism in education. LaVeta was also very generous. In the early 1950's, she began "Coins for Cribs". She sought donations via radio from all over the U.S. Enough nickels, dimes and quarters were collected from thousands of donations to pay for all the cribs and beds in one wing of Shriners Childrens Hospital in S.L.C. LaVeta also raised money to secure, train, and donate Guide Dogs to needy blind children.
LaVeta was "Mom Extraordinaire." The family is very grateful for Rulon Swenson, her devoted, caring, exceptional companion for the past 10 years.
Funeral services will be held Sat., April 10, 2004, 11 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S., where friends may call Friday 6-7:30 p.m. and Sat., 10-11 a.m. Interment, Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, UT.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in her name to the Shriners Childrens Hospital or Primary Childrens Medical Center. Funeral Directors, Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary.
Email condolences to the family at: lbm@lindquistmortuary.com