Earleen Vest

Earleen Janice Sanden Vest

October 8, 1943 ~ January 16, 2020

It is with a heavy heart that the family of Earleen Vest announces her passing.

Earleen passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at Raintree Assisted Living Facility where she met and made many friends over the past two years. The family would like to thank the many nurses and attendants at Raintree, Thatcher Brook, and Atlas Hospice.

Earleen was born on October 8, 1943, in Muskogee, OK to Earl B. Sanden and Maxine B. Murphy. After a very short time, she moved to Spokane, WA. She lived in numerous places from Seattle down to San Diego. After her stepfather retired from the U.S. Navy, they moved to Utah, and she was in the first graduating class of Bonneville High in South Ogden, UT.

After high school, Earleen attended Utah State University where she met her devoted husband, Nathan G. Vest, of almost 58 years. Earleen and Nathan were married on March 3, 1962, and on August 2, 1977, solemnized their marriage in the Manti, Utah Temple. After their marriage in March of 1962, they moved to Alaska, where they spent 32 years together raising their family, working and being active in their church affiliation.

While in Alaska, Earleen also obtained a two-year certificate in genealogy from Brigham Young University. As many of you may know, genealogy was her passion in life. She helped many people do their family history and taught many others. Through family research, Earleen discovered she was a Daughter of the Mayflower and a Daughter of the American Revolution.

In addition, Earleen’s other passion was church service: she was in the primary presidency, relief society presidency, and her favorite calling of all, serving in the young women’s program. She loved those she taught and had a special spirit about her that let each one of the young women know they were special to her. She would search out the one that was missing from the group on Sunday and bring them back with her. She also spent many summers with her husband cooking at girl’s camp.

A fond memory of Earleen’s children was growing up in the bowling alley. Earleen was usually in two bowing leagues per season. She was on the women’s league during the day and in the mixed league at night with Nathan. She served as the secretary in the woman’s bowling leagues on many occasions.

Earleen was a dedicated mother and very supportive of her children in their activities – especially their sporting activities -from bowling, to basketball, baseball, volleyball, wrestling and softball. On some occasions, you could find her at the little league fields attending three to four games in one night.

Earleen was preceded in death by her mother, Maxine B. Murphy; stepfather, James T. Murphy, and father, Earl B. Sanden.  She is survived by her husband, Nathan Vest; her children: Neal Vest, Chris (Jessica) Vest, Michelle (Eric) Snarr, and Theron (Lori) Vest. Her grandchildren: Mackenzi Coons, Brittni (Phillip) Helms, Kimberly Spainhoward, Ashleigh (Cody) Martinez, Allison (Levi) Forsberg, Caleb Vest, and Ethan Vest; plus seven great-grand children and many nephews and nieces; all of whom she loved and only wanted the best for.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit with family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd.

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