Madge Stoddard

Madge W.C. Stoddard

August 12, 1934 ~ March 13, 2020

Some of the last words Mom uttered before she passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020 were, “I’m a happy camper”, and, “Let’s get this show on the road”.  These “momisms” sum up her 85 years of life.

Mom was born on August 12, 1934 in Ogden, Utah to George Allen Wangsgard and Dora “Dottie” Sager. She was always very determined to accomplish her many goals. As a child, mom was fascinated with airplanes and flying. She made very intricate large-scale models of balsa wood biplanes and airplanes; saved her money, rode her bike to Blue Ribbon stables (across from Rainbow Gardens) and took horseback riding lessons; roller skated; and learned to twirl the baton, performing in parades and at school events.

Madge married Darrell Amos Stoddard on March 18, 1955, Darrell passed away in 1994. They were blessed with 4 children. Together they created a family based on love of the gospel. Family vacations and camping trips punctuated a life filled with family home evenings, church attendance, sports teams, boating, Bear Lake, and …. chores.

Her lifetime of learning was highlighted by graduating from Ogden High School, Weber State College, and Utah State University. While attending college, mom was active in many sports.  Madge garnered trophies in archery, badminton, softball, ping pong, and others. She received a BS in Physical Education, going on to teach high school and was an advisor to the cheerleaders at Box Elder High. Later on, she also taught PE at Central Junior High. She loved working as a lifeguard and swim instructor at Deseret Gym in Ogden. After raising her children, she graduated from Ogden LDS Institute of Religion. Mom was always reading up until the last year of life.  Daily scripture reading grounded her testimony in Jesus Christ.

Aside from scripture study, she was passionate about studying church history. Some of her favorite travels were to church history sites, including Nauvoo, Independence, Palmyra, Kirtland, and the pioneer trail. This passion went hand in hand with her love of genealogy. Mom’s passion for traveling included several BYU study tours to Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Central America.  Serving a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Carolina was the culmination of a lifelong goal.

Mom lived for her family. Each one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren felt a special connection with, and an unconditional love from mom. Having sleepovers, going on hikes, baking cookies, wrestling on the floor, boating, and picking raspberries were some of our favorite memories. She loved to tease the littles of the family with “You’re full of peach juice!” Where she got her momisms remains a mystery. “Hugs not slugs!”, “Off like a dirty shirt!” are just a few oft-used lines.

Most of all we learned by Mom’s example about giving service, unconditional love, kindness, integrity, hard work, lifelong learning, grit, and living according to your convictions. She lived the epitome of a Christ-like life…always giving, always serving, always loving.

Nothing was more important to mom than her family. Madge is survived by her children, Scott (Dianne) Stoddard, Christie (Rex) Lammers, David (Suzanne) Stoddard, and Lew (Joanne) Stoddard; 13 grandchildren, Adam, Melanie, Amy, Mark, Tyler, Jessica, Alex, Kyle, Morgan, Daren, Shannon, Cari, and Natalie; 12 great-grandchildren, Stephen, Ruby, Gordon, Emma, Cal, Lucy, Covey, Sydnie, Boji, Amber, Indie, and Nora. Her surviving siblings are Tana Thurgood, Max (Rita) Curran, and Kim (Craig) Faulkner. She is beloved by her nieces and nephews, grand-daughter and son-in laws, step grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many friends, and all who knew her. She loved everyone that she met.

The family would like to give a shout out to the residents and staff of Treeo Senior Living for providing warm friendship and care for mom.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family from 1to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Roy City Cemetery.

Due to the Coronavirus, there will not be hugging or hand holding...elbow bumps and smiles!

Please leave any stories and anecdotes of mom on the Lindquist’s website.

In lieu of flowers, mom would love to have donations made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund.

Order Video Slideshow