Obituary: Pat Halgren Rupper

Pat Halgren Rupper 1937 ~ 2007 "Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me." Julia Patricia Halgren Rupper passed away in the security of her home in Payson on January 13, ending an increasingly difficult struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Pat was born and raised in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School. She attended the University of Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University where she was named the outstanding graduate majoring in English. She served in the Central German Mission between 1961 and 1963. She returned to BYU for graduate school, and was given the Clark/Thomas Award as the outstanding teaching assistant. During this time she met William Rupper on the golf course, and they were married in 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple. She became only a marginal golfer, but was a loving and dedicated wife. "Frau" Rupper loved being a teacher, she worked at West High School, BYU, and later at Payson High School. When asked what subject she taught, she would reply "students," but she loved both English and German. She felt her most important teaching was done within her family. She was engaged throughout her life as a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pat lectured for Weight Watchers, but near the end of her life, she decided to eat as much ice cream as she wanted. She enjoyed the friendships made through the Junior Cultus Club. She felt brief bouts of hay-fever were a small price to pay for horseback rides into Payson Canyon to sing around the campfire with the Madsons. Pat was tricked on multiple occasions into caring for family dogs. She was preceded in death by her mother, Thelma Ringwood Halgren, her stepmother, Lucy Kirchoff Halgren, and her father, Dr. Levon Halgren. She cherished her lifelong associations with the extended families of all of these parents and with the Ruppers. For the past seven years since his death, she has longed for the hopeful enthusiasm of her husband, William Rupper. She is survived by her brother Robert (Virginia) Halgren, her daughter, Lavon (Dr. Brett) Heath, and her son, Dr. Randall (Laura) Rupper. She wants you to know that her seven grandkids are truly amazing. She appreciated the personal care of Dr. David Bennion. She was the grateful beneficiary of the daily practical expression of love and service from her neighbors and friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 19, 2006 at 11 a.m. in the Payson Mountain View Stake Center, 75 South 600 East. Friends are welcome to call Thursday evening 6-8 p.m. at Walker Mortuary, 587 South 100 West, Payson, or at the Stake Center on Friday morning from 9:45 to 10:45.