Margurita Fowler

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Margurita "Rita" Fowler

RIVERDALE - Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Margurita "Rita" Evelyn Jefferis Fowler passed away peacefully at her home in Riverdale, Utah, on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in her 90th year, from causes incident to age.

Rita was born on August 25, 1920 in Pocatello, Idaho to Edmund Jefferis and Geneii Smith. She had two brothers and two sisters. She moved to Ogden, Utah as a child and attended Ogden area schools. She was in the first graduating class at the new Ogden High School in 1938, and upon graduation, she received a scholarship to Weber College.

She married her sweetheart, Ben Earl Fowler, on May 18, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on July 21, 1950.

She worked as a secretary at DDO while her husband was a Naval Aviator during World War II. Following the war, they lived in California where they built and owned two Laundromats. Her husband was then called back into active duty as a flight instructor to Pensacola, Florida where they lived for four years. Together they moved to Pinedale, Wyoming to homestead a ranch. After that great adventure, they moved to Roy, Utah, and built the Burgar Bar in 1956 and it is still going strong.

Rita''s greatest joy in life was her family. She was our greatest advocate and devoted her entire life to serving us all. Because of her tremendous love and her powerful prayers, we were all strengthened and strived to do a little better.

Rita loved the Savior, Jesus Christ, and followed His example. She truly lived by His teachings. She taught her children and grandchildren to do the same. She provided a loving home where the spirit of the Lord was present and where everyone that entered felt loved. She served two missions with her husband in the California San Jose Mission and the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission. They also served a Church Employment Mission, a Genealogy Mission, a Temple Mission, and two stake missions. She faithfully served in numerous stake and ward leadership and teaching positions, including Ward Relief Society President and Stake Young Women''s President. She always inspired everyone with her wonderful talks.

She loved to learn and to work. Rita served well her entire life. In 1990, she was named Weber County Mother of the Year. She volunteered in the Ogden City Schools with her husband for many years.

Rita is survived by her loving husband, Ben and their eight children: Toni (Lynn) Smedley, Kaysville; Mickie (Warren) Johnson, Kaysville a€" currently serving a mission in Chile; Bob (Rhonda) Fowler, Lander, WY; Ginger (Mark) Peterson, Hooper; Debi (Greg) Haws, Hooper; Dave (Connie) Fowler, Taylor; Jyl (McKay) Marsden, Bountiful; Jeff (Therese) Fowler, Lander, WY; 50 grandchildren, 97 great-grandchildren, and her sister Bettie (Ralph) Jones, California; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Fowler, Ogden; and Beth Fowler, Murray.

Rita had a wonderful sense of humor and she never, ever lost it. She loved Ben and her family with all her heart and we love her dearly and look forward to a joyful reunion.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Riverdale 8th Ward Chapel, 4000 South 1150 West (Parker Dr.), with Bishop James Aurich officiating.

Family will meet with friends at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday at the Ward Chapel from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Interment, Hooper Cemetery.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com