A valiant daughter of God, Martha Ellen Ashby Tanner, 95, passed away after a short illness on Monday, January 16, 2012, in Bountiful, Utah, just five months after the death of her eternal sweetheart, Merlynn. She was born on July 16, 1916, in Spanish Fork, Utah to Thomas Merrill Ashby and Edna Patience Holt. She was always a "Spanish Fork girl," attending school there and then graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in education. She married Merlynn M. Tanner of Payson, Utah on August 6, 1941, in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they built their home and their life in Payson, where they raised six children.
Martha taught hundreds of Payson's children in the First Grade, a grade most crucial for later success in school and in life. During her long career, she served in both the Taylor and Peteetneet Elementary Schools. She was known for her great ability in teaching children to read and she received Nebo School District and Freedom Foundation's Outstanding Teacher Awards. She had a beautiful singing voice, which enhanced many community, church, and family gatherings. Martha found great joy in daily acts of service. The produce from Martha and Merlynn's fruitful garden was shared with family, friends, and neighbors. Their fruit room and overflowing freezer were amazing to her grandchildren and Martha's bread was always the most treasured treat of a visit to Grandma's.
Martha was born a writer and was a poet extraordinaire. In her prolific verse, she rejoiced in the simple joys of life and pondered the deepest truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was the poet laureate of the family and the Park Ward, composing for special occasions, programs, and to honor those she knew and loved. Her poems were filled with insight, inspiration, and gratitude for all the blessings of the Lord in her life:
CONTENTMENT
Oh, the feeling of contentment
If we can truly say,
"My life is full of happiness.
I did His work today."
In addition to her poetry, Martha wrote and published several family histories, including her own personal history as a legacy for her posterity. She loved music and the fine arts, as well as the art of rodeo and the joy of being in Payson Canyon with Merlynn. Among the greatest gifts she gave her children was a home filled with music, laughter, fun, and culture. At an age when others would have thought themselves too old to try, she tackled and conquered the formidable and frustrating task of learning to use the computer. A life-long learner, Martha loved to read and, up to the end, she found joy in expanding her view of the world, enriching her life, and sharing her insights and discoveries with others. She was a consummate teacher and example of the Gospel, in word and deed, and she leaves a legacy of hard work and service in all areas of her life.
Martha served an LDS mission with her husband in Seattle, Washington. She served for nearly 20 years as an ordinance worker in the Provo LDS Temple. She always loved traveling and enjoyed seeing the world with her husband. In 2002, Merlynn and Martha served as Grand Marshals of the Payson Homecoming Days parade.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Merlynn M. Tanner, her parents, a sister, Grace Bradford, and a brother, Merrill Ashby. She is survived by her sister, Lois Ellsworth, six children, Barbara (Rulon) Gibson, serving a mission in Tokyo, Japan; David (Jan), Bountiful; Glen (Kay), Sandy; Marilyn (Michael) Hunt, Springville; Don (Kris), Bountiful; and Gary (Edu), Orem; 20 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21st at 12:00 p.m. at the Park Ward LDS Chapel, 110 South 300 West, Payson. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the church. She will be buried in the Payson Cemetery under the direction of Walker Mortuary in Payson.
Martha's family would like to express their deep gratitude to neighbors and friends of Martha and the Park Ward in Payson; in Bountiful, to the staff of Welcome Home Assisted Living and its Branch and Relief Society Presidencies; and to Inspiration Hospice for the tender and loving care of our mother. Your love and service was heartfelt and extraordinary and is a treasured memory.
Martha taught hundreds of Payson's children in the First Grade, a grade most crucial for later success in school and in life. During her long career, she served in both the Taylor and Peteetneet Elementary Schools. She was known for her great ability in teaching children to read and she received Nebo School District and Freedom Foundation's Outstanding Teacher Awards. She had a beautiful singing voice, which enhanced many community, church, and family gatherings. Martha found great joy in daily acts of service. The produce from Martha and Merlynn's fruitful garden was shared with family, friends, and neighbors. Their fruit room and overflowing freezer were amazing to her grandchildren and Martha's bread was always the most treasured treat of a visit to Grandma's.
Martha was born a writer and was a poet extraordinaire. In her prolific verse, she rejoiced in the simple joys of life and pondered the deepest truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was the poet laureate of the family and the Park Ward, composing for special occasions, programs, and to honor those she knew and loved. Her poems were filled with insight, inspiration, and gratitude for all the blessings of the Lord in her life:
CONTENTMENT
Oh, the feeling of contentment
If we can truly say,
"My life is full of happiness.
I did His work today."
In addition to her poetry, Martha wrote and published several family histories, including her own personal history as a legacy for her posterity. She loved music and the fine arts, as well as the art of rodeo and the joy of being in Payson Canyon with Merlynn. Among the greatest gifts she gave her children was a home filled with music, laughter, fun, and culture. At an age when others would have thought themselves too old to try, she tackled and conquered the formidable and frustrating task of learning to use the computer. A life-long learner, Martha loved to read and, up to the end, she found joy in expanding her view of the world, enriching her life, and sharing her insights and discoveries with others. She was a consummate teacher and example of the Gospel, in word and deed, and she leaves a legacy of hard work and service in all areas of her life.
Martha served an LDS mission with her husband in Seattle, Washington. She served for nearly 20 years as an ordinance worker in the Provo LDS Temple. She always loved traveling and enjoyed seeing the world with her husband. In 2002, Merlynn and Martha served as Grand Marshals of the Payson Homecoming Days parade.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Merlynn M. Tanner, her parents, a sister, Grace Bradford, and a brother, Merrill Ashby. She is survived by her sister, Lois Ellsworth, six children, Barbara (Rulon) Gibson, serving a mission in Tokyo, Japan; David (Jan), Bountiful; Glen (Kay), Sandy; Marilyn (Michael) Hunt, Springville; Don (Kris), Bountiful; and Gary (Edu), Orem; 20 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21st at 12:00 p.m. at the Park Ward LDS Chapel, 110 South 300 West, Payson. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the church. She will be buried in the Payson Cemetery under the direction of Walker Mortuary in Payson.
Martha's family would like to express their deep gratitude to neighbors and friends of Martha and the Park Ward in Payson; in Bountiful, to the staff of Welcome Home Assisted Living and its Branch and Relief Society Presidencies; and to Inspiration Hospice for the tender and loving care of our mother. Your love and service was heartfelt and extraordinary and is a treasured memory.
A valiant daughter of God, Martha Ellen Ashby Tanner, 95, passed away after a short illness on Monday, January 16, 2012, in Bountiful, Utah, just five months after the death of her eternal sweetheart, Merlynn. She was born on July 16, 1916, in Spanish Fork, Utah to Thomas Merrill Ashby and Edna Patience Holt. She was always a "Spanish Fork girl," attending school there and then graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in education. She married Merlynn M. Tanner of Payson, Utah on August 6, 1941, in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they built their home and their life in Payson, where they raised six children.
Martha taught hundreds of Payson's children in the First Grade, a grade most crucial for later success in school and in life. During her long career, she served in both the Taylor and Peteetneet Elementary Schools. She was known for her great ability in teaching children to read and she received Nebo School District and Freedom Foundation's Outstanding Teacher Awards. She had a beautiful singing voice, which enhanced many community, church, and family gatherings. Martha found great joy in daily acts of service. The produce from Martha and Merlynn's fruitful garden was shared with family, friends, and neighbors. Their fruit room and overflowing freezer were amazing to her grandchildren and Martha's bread was always the most treasured treat of a visit to Grandma's.
Martha was born a writer and was a poet extraordinaire. In her prolific verse, she rejoiced in the simple joys of life and pondered the deepest truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was the poet laureate of the family and the Park Ward, composing for special occasions, programs, and to honor those she knew and loved. Her poems were filled with insight, inspiration, and gratitude for all the blessings of the Lord in her life:
CONTENTMENT
Oh, the feeling of contentment
If we can truly say,
"My life is full of happiness.
I did His work today."
In addition to her poetry, Martha wrote and published several family histories, including her own personal history as a legacy for her posterity. She loved music and the fine arts, as well as the art of rodeo and the joy of being in Payson Canyon with Merlynn. Among the greatest gifts she gave her children was a home filled with music, laughter, fun, and culture. At an age when others would have thought themselves too old to try, she tackled and conquered the formidable and frustrating task of learning to use the computer. A life-long learner, Martha loved to read and, up to the end, she found joy in expanding her view of the world, enriching her life, and sharing her insights and discoveries with others. She was a consummate teacher and example of the Gospel, in word and deed, and she leaves a legacy of hard work and service in all areas of her life.
Martha served an LDS mission with her husband in Seattle, Washington. She served for nearly 20 years as an ordinance worker in the Provo LDS Temple. She always loved traveling and enjoyed seeing the world with her husband. In 2002, Merlynn and Martha served as Grand Marshals of the Payson Homecoming Days parade.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Merlynn M. Tanner, her parents, a sister, Grace Bradford, and a brother, Merrill Ashby. She is survived by her sister, Lois Ellsworth, six children, Barbara (Rulon) Gibson, serving a mission in Tokyo, Japan; David (Jan), Bountiful; Glen (Kay), Sandy; Marilyn (Michael) Hunt, Springville; Don (Kris), Bountiful; and Gary (Edu), Orem; 20 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21st at 12:00 p.m. at the Park Ward LDS Chapel, 110 South 300 West, Payson. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the church. She will be buried in the Payson Cemetery under the direction of Walker Mortuary in Payson.
Martha's family would like to express their deep gratitude to neighbors and friends of Martha and the Park Ward in Payson; in Bountiful, to the staff of Welcome Home Assisted Living and its Branch and Relief Society Presidencies; and to Inspiration Hospice for the tender and loving care of our mother. Your love and service was heartfelt and extraordinary and is a treasured memory.
Martha taught hundreds of Payson's children in the First Grade, a grade most crucial for later success in school and in life. During her long career, she served in both the Taylor and Peteetneet Elementary Schools. She was known for her great ability in teaching children to read and she received Nebo School District and Freedom Foundation's Outstanding Teacher Awards. She had a beautiful singing voice, which enhanced many community, church, and family gatherings. Martha found great joy in daily acts of service. The produce from Martha and Merlynn's fruitful garden was shared with family, friends, and neighbors. Their fruit room and overflowing freezer were amazing to her grandchildren and Martha's bread was always the most treasured treat of a visit to Grandma's.
Martha was born a writer and was a poet extraordinaire. In her prolific verse, she rejoiced in the simple joys of life and pondered the deepest truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was the poet laureate of the family and the Park Ward, composing for special occasions, programs, and to honor those she knew and loved. Her poems were filled with insight, inspiration, and gratitude for all the blessings of the Lord in her life:
CONTENTMENT
Oh, the feeling of contentment
If we can truly say,
"My life is full of happiness.
I did His work today."
In addition to her poetry, Martha wrote and published several family histories, including her own personal history as a legacy for her posterity. She loved music and the fine arts, as well as the art of rodeo and the joy of being in Payson Canyon with Merlynn. Among the greatest gifts she gave her children was a home filled with music, laughter, fun, and culture. At an age when others would have thought themselves too old to try, she tackled and conquered the formidable and frustrating task of learning to use the computer. A life-long learner, Martha loved to read and, up to the end, she found joy in expanding her view of the world, enriching her life, and sharing her insights and discoveries with others. She was a consummate teacher and example of the Gospel, in word and deed, and she leaves a legacy of hard work and service in all areas of her life.
Martha served an LDS mission with her husband in Seattle, Washington. She served for nearly 20 years as an ordinance worker in the Provo LDS Temple. She always loved traveling and enjoyed seeing the world with her husband. In 2002, Merlynn and Martha served as Grand Marshals of the Payson Homecoming Days parade.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Merlynn M. Tanner, her parents, a sister, Grace Bradford, and a brother, Merrill Ashby. She is survived by her sister, Lois Ellsworth, six children, Barbara (Rulon) Gibson, serving a mission in Tokyo, Japan; David (Jan), Bountiful; Glen (Kay), Sandy; Marilyn (Michael) Hunt, Springville; Don (Kris), Bountiful; and Gary (Edu), Orem; 20 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21st at 12:00 p.m. at the Park Ward LDS Chapel, 110 South 300 West, Payson. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the church. She will be buried in the Payson Cemetery under the direction of Walker Mortuary in Payson.
Martha's family would like to express their deep gratitude to neighbors and friends of Martha and the Park Ward in Payson; in Bountiful, to the staff of Welcome Home Assisted Living and its Branch and Relief Society Presidencies; and to Inspiration Hospice for the tender and loving care of our mother. Your love and service was heartfelt and extraordinary and is a treasured memory.
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