Lois Burgess

Lois Jane Burgess

May 23, 1930 ~ April 7, 2015

Lois Jane Burgess, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84.  She was born to Leroy Clinton and Lydia Margaret Stewart in Warrenton, Missouri.  She was an only child until the age of 12, when her sister LaVon was born; and her brother Leon came a short time later.

Her family moved to California where she went to high school, and met her sweetheart at church on Easter Sunday in 1948. She married Fenton P. Burgess on Valentine’s Day the following year in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.

Fenton’s service in the Navy took them to many locations across the United States, including the states of Washington, Florida, Maine, and California. On their 50 ^th Wedding Anniversary, they had lived in 32 residences.

During that time, they always remained active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lois served in Primary and Relief Society many times in many positions. She was also a strength and support to her husband during his service as a Bishop in southern California, a Stake President in Montana, and many other callings. The two of them served as Stake Young Men and Stake Young Women Leaders for a time, too. One of the highlights of their service in the church came when they were called to the Illinois Peoria Mission by President Hinckley, and set apart by President Howard W. Hunter. Lois had a great fear of her new responsibility for so many young people. When President Hunter set her apart, he blessed her with a special love for the missionaries which was evidenced by how much they loved her.

Lois’s family was blessed throughout her life, by her constant, unconditional love for each of her four children, and every new addition to the family. She became instant friends with the new in-laws, but she particularly enjoyed welcoming the new babies. Her career was always as a homemaker, wife and mother. At her passing, she had 23 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Her daughter Diana, and a great granddaughter, Nevaeh, preceded her in death.

During the 60’s, Lois opened her heart and home as a foster mother, and cared for several infants and young children. The only down side to this for her was how it broke her heart to say goodbye to them when the time came.

Accomplished in cooking, baking, gardening and canning, Lois also loved animals. She and Fenton had many dear pets over the years, including cats, dogs, horses, and birds. She acquired many collections over the years, of salt-and-pepper shakers, bells, and many knick-nacks and keepsakes from the various places the couple visited.

Lois loved the out of doors, enjoying camping, hiking, and the time she and Fenton spent motorcycling and traveling in their motor home. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, and was a natural at decorating her many homes to be beautiful places of welcome for family and guests. Appreciating many kinds of music, she liked musical stage plays and movies, country western, the Tabernacle Choir, and especially hearing family members play and perform. Lois was an avid reader, but her favorites were historical fiction about the history of the church, and the scriptures.

During her travels, Lois was able to see and give service in many Temples, which she loved. It was her great desire to serve with her husband in the Ogden Temple, but her health would not allow that.

Lois was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Farr West Poplar Stake Center, 1745 North 2300 West.  Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 Fairfield Rd.