Obituary: Rodello H. Hunter

Rodello H. Hunter 1920 ~ 2005 Noted Utah author, Thora Rodello Hicken Hunter, died August 19, 2005. Born in Provo, Utah, March 23, 1920 to Venus Harris Hicken. Her father, Thomas Rollo Hicken had been killed in a mine accident two months prior to her birth. She was adopted and reared by her paternal grandparents in Heber City, Utah. She graduated from Wasatch High School, and attended the University of Utah. For many years she was active in the women's auxiliaries of the LDS Church. She was the Salt Lake City Chairperson for the Last Mother's March to raise funds for polio. For several years she was one of the editors of the Utah Fish and Game Magazine. She was the author of A House of Many Rooms, A Daughter of Zion, and Wyoming Wife, all published by Alfred A. Knopf; two were translated into many languages by Reader's Digest Book Club. Her books are National Library Selections. At the time of her death she was, with the dedicated assistance of Bonnie Snow, working toward publication of Knock, a book about her spiritual guides. Her stories, articles and poems appeared in numerous magazines. She wrote a newspaper column, "Vinegar Pie", for the Jackson Hole Guide and had an enthusiastic poetry fan club of American soldiers who were serving in Germany as well as a fourth-grade class in Salt Lake City. She was made a member of the Mark Twain Literary Society for her contribution to American Literature and is listed in "Who's Who in the West." Many who encountered Rodello were touched by an indomitable spirit and a powerful presence. They will carry that presence into the future. While not conventionally religious, she had a profound and never shaken trust in a compassionate God. Rodello had a gift for friendship and was richly gifted in return. Her family expresses gratitude for the hours of loving companionship provided by caring friends. They wish to assure friends that she did "...not go gentle into that good night" but nonetheless did so with humor and grace. She bids her family and friends a fond farewell. Her family thanks the staff at Caresource Hospice for their sensitive assistance. She is survived by three daughters, Sally Wenzler (Len) of Phoenix, Arizona, Ann Hunter of Salt Lake City, Barbara Ballingham (Richard) of Salt Lake City; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her cherished malamute, Sahma. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005 at Red Butte Gardens (from Foothill Blvd go east at Wakara Way-650 S.). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Utah Humane Society or the State of Utah Library for the Blind.