Afton Westfall

Afton Louise Westfall Diemart, 69, a resident of Wendell, died January 31, 2017, with her family in her home after a long illness.

Afton was born on February 12, 1947 in Wendell, Idaho, the daughter of James Hall and India Clarissa Westfall. She was raised in Southern Idaho, and Northern Utah, graduating in 1965 at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science and Education at Kansas State Teacher’s College in 1969. She graduated with her Master’s in Education Degree at Wichita State University in 1974. 

She married the love of her life, Roy Charles Diemart on January 28, 1967 in Hamilton, Kansas. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity on August 17, 1974.

Afton was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she was very active in Primary and with the Young Women’s program.

Afton was well known for her cooking and was able to make a masterpiece meal from humble ingredients. She was able to write any poem in a moment’s notice. She wrote inspiring pieces for her children which they cherish to this day. She created soft and beautiful quilts for each of her grandchildren for their baptism. This was to remind them of the comforting influence of the Holy Ghost. Afton was an avid vegetable gardener and enjoyed teaching her children how to preserve the fruits of their labor. She loved music and reading uplifting books. She loved to travel and enjoyed visiting family members across the continent.

She loved to teach but more importantly cared deeply about the welfare of her students. She was known to go above and beyond to make certain her students’ needs were met. She taught Elementary students for forty years, retiring in 2009.

Afton is survived by: her children, Doreen (Sam) Begay, Jennifer (Sean) Olson, Melissa (James) Thorne, Sarah (Chris) Wendell, Gregory (Anndrea) Diemart, Charles (Tara) Diemart, and Rachael (Nicholas) Havens; her sisters Dorothy, Vernelle, Janine, Cheryl, and Virginia and her brothers, Richard and William. She was also a grandmother of 20 grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Roy Charles Diemart and her father, James Hall Westfall. 

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 10:00-11:00 am at the Wendell LDS Church. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow at the Wendell Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service-Wendell Chapel.

Ken Petersen

On January 23, 2017 our Dad, Grandpa, and friend, Kenneth Kay Petersen returned to heaven to finally reunite with his Mom and Dad, whom he missed dearly. Our Dad, Kenneth Kay Petersen was born on March 11, 1947 to Ralph Petersen and Myrtle Mary Neilsen-Petersen. He was one of five children; sisters: Devola, Cora, and Carma; and his brother, Shirl. Our Dad graduated from Bountiful High School in 1965 and furthered his education at ITT Technical School where he received a degree in welding. Our Dad Ken enlisted in the Navy in 1969 and served for a brief period in the Vietnam War. He was very patriotic and loved the song “God Bless the USA.”

Our Dad Ken married his first wife Marilyn, later divorced, but together had a daughter, Wendy Petersen-Hurman. On November 19, 1969 he married Carol Bills, later divorced, but together they had David Petersen (Billie Jo), and Amber Bridges (Scott). Our Dad had six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren (three more on the way). Our Dad Ken had such a strong faith in the LDS church. He felt very fortunate to be able to go through the LDS Temple. He had such a strong faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Our Dad Ken had many passions throughout his life. As a teenager he enjoyed fixing up cars and was a member of a car club. Our Dad was also a coach for his son, David’s baseball team for many summers. He loved working with young kids. Our Dad’s biggest passion was being an over-the-road truck driver; he was a truck driver for almost thirty years. He would often tell people that he had driven close to three million miles and had pretty much covered every major city throughout the United States. He kept a map book of the United States and highlighted all areas he had been. Since retiring he has lived vicariously through his son, David who is also an over-the-road truck driver. He was so proud of David and what he had accomplished through school and now his truck driving. He loved the phone calls from David with updates of where David was going to be traveling. They would often discuss which highways would be used in David’s travels.

Our Dad was also very proud of me, Amber. I became a distance runner and have run a handful of marathons. My Dad never missed a race. He was there to attend almost every one and always met me at the finish line. He bragged to everyone about my accomplishments. My dad was giddy with all inclusions of our lives. His heart was so filled with love for us that it was hard to believe his heart fit inside his chest. We are going to miss his goofy and playful personality, his beautiful blue eyes, and his deep love for us.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 27, 2017 at Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary, 10055 South State Street, Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held on Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and again one hour prior to funeral services at the same location. Interment will be at Memorial Lake Hills Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www.MemorialUtah.com.

Vicki Lynn Higham

         

Vicki Lynn Higham Alder passed away January 7, 2017 in the arms of her loving husband Reuel Alder and into the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ. Her daughter Rachel Barnett who cared for her through seven months of Hospices was also with her when she passed.

Vicki is a kind and loving mother of seven children and 16 grandchildren many of whom she cared for when their mothers worked. She was born in Oildale, California to her mother Beverly Ann Foley who still lives. Her father Richard G Higham, step mother Ramona Busenbark and sister Lee Higham preceded her in death.

Vicki’s surviving Children are Jennifer (Clark) Walton, Christina (Todd Denman) Alder, Ammon Alder, Diana (Wes) Baker, Rachael Barnett, Eli Phoenix, and James (Jana) Alder. Surviving grandchildren are Alex Walton, Alyssa Walton, Sarah Walton, Sterling Walton, Luci Walton, Sophia Denman, Sam Denman, Rajko Baker, Andrew Barnett, Daniel Barnett, Jeffery Alder, Jasmine Alder, Jessica Alder, Jennifer Alder, and JayGolden Alder.  Surviving Brothers are Richard Higham, Gill Higham, Eric Higham, David Stitt, Brlan Stitt, Dennis Stitt, Kelly Stitt. Her Sister is Karen Witt.

A viewing will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday 13, January at Russon Brother Mortuary, 1941 N. Main St, Farmington, Utah, 84025.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday 14 January, in the South Weber Chapel located at 1401 E South Weber Drive, South Weber, Utah. A viewing will also take place prior to the funeral services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Uintah City Cemetery.