Fern Alta Thomas
SNOWVILLE, UT - Fern Alta Nielson Kirkham Jensen Thomas, beloved mother,
grandmother and matriarch, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday,
November 7, 2003 - one month short of her 98th birthday. Fern was the third of
11 children born to James Franklin and Josephine Johnansen Nielson. She was
born in Ephraim, UT, December 14, 1905.
She married Denzil W. Kirkham in the Logan Temple July 28, 1926. He passed
away December 22, 1945. She married Sylvester Jensen in July, 1947. He died
April 22, 1951. She then married Steven G. Thomas August 11, 1967. He died
October 5, 1996.
Fern was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She enjoyed doing needlepoint, quilting, sewing, gardening, dancing, and
working with the public. She belonged to the Civic Club, Dance Club, and
American Legion Auxiliary in Tremonton, UT. During World War II she devoted
many hours of service to the patients at the Tremonton Valley Hospital.
She was an excellent homemaker and a dedicated worker. She had many jobs such
as, clerk and co-manager of the Gephart Store in Ephraim, UT, manager of the
Gephart Hotel in Tremonton, UT, and cashier at Maddox in Perry, UT. She cared
for her parents for several years before they passed away.
Fern is survived by her daughter, Sally (Joe) Larkin, Snowville, UT;
grandchildren: Shauna (Oleen) Godfrey, Garland, UT; Bill (Carolyn) Larkin,
Snowville, UT; Bruce Larkin, Brigham City, UT; Dean (Vicki) Larkin, Malad, ID:
Shelly (Dan) Nielson, Tremonton, UT; Scot (Cathy) Kirkham, Gilbert, AZ; Cheri
Peden, Mesa, AZ; Lynn Kirkham, Mesa, AZ; 23 great grandchildren - six great
great grandchildren; one brother, Dale (Bonnie) Nielson, Salt Lake City, UT.
She was preceded in death by her son, Ronald D. Kirkham, her parents, four
brothers, and five sisters.
Memorial service will be held November 22, at noon at the Stake Center, 400
East Center Street, Ephraim, UT, under the direction of the Larkin Mortuary of
Salt Lake City, UT.
Interment will be in the Ephraim Cemetery.
Our thanks to Kim, Mavis and Sarah of IHC Hospice for their loving care for
mother the last few months of her life.