Wanda Lythgoe

Wanda Mae Lythgoe

April 30, 1929 ~ January 9, 2021

On January 9, 2021, our beautiful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother peacefully left this earth to once again dance in the loving arms of her husband, Lee Lythgoe.

Wanda was born to George L Mansfield and Emma Lillie Naylor in Ogden, Utah on April 30, 1929.  She attended Weber High and married Lee in 1946. They lived in Ogden and later moved to Washington Terrace.

Wanda, lovingly called “Mimi” by many of her great grandchildren, was born on the move and never seemed to stop.  Whether it was dancing, cleaning, shopping, or cooking and baking she could never sit still and was always driven by a motor. She enjoyed line dancing at all of the local senior centers for many years and met many wonderful people. Clothing store employees throughout the Ogden area knew Wanda by name. She loved to shop for clothes and didn’t see many she didn’t adore.

Family far and wide appeared for the hint of breakfast being cooked at “Mimi’s”. When it came to her buttermilk pancakes and bacon, there was no equal to her gastronomic delights. Some of our other family favorites were homemade bread and scones, oxtail soup, stew, fried pork chops, pies and turnovers.

Wanda always made everyone feel welcome and loved. She especially loved to bake and would make homemade goodies at Christmas time for all of her neighbors and family. She would even ship them to Alaska.

She would often play cards, Rummy being her game of choice, and beat anyone who took the challenge to play her. Though, especially in later years, the legitimacy of her card plays occasionally became more questionable.

Wanda, throughout her life, loved the companionship of many dogs. Lucky Bruce, the boisterous bull dog, was her favorite.

Wanda’s family was her most cherished blessing. She was a second mom to her grandchildren and helped care for many of them while they were young. She is survived by her children, Trudy (Gary) Gillman of Roy and Keith Lythgoe of Ogden, along with two special daughters-in-law, Jill Higgs of Layton and Benita Oman of Chugiak, Alaska; grandchildren, Cami (Glen) Larsen, Brian (Mandy) Lythgoe, Cindy (Jason) Miner, Dusty (Nicole) Gillman, Brenda (Dustin) Lewis, Trent Lythgoe, Brad Lythgoe, Brooke (Quintin) Smith,  Katherine (Robert) Sykes, Chris (Alli) Lythgoe and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Lee Lythgoe; and son, Larry Lythgoe; brothers, Gerald, Lyman, Keith, Kenneth, Leroy, and sisters, Alta, Lillie, Ruth, and Wilma (twin sister); and step-siblings, Lela, John, Willa, and Robert (Bud).

We express our gratitude to the following for their loving care of Wanda in her later years: Trudy, her daughter and primary caregiver; Jill, her daughter-in-law and temple-attending companion; Judy, her senior companion and angel in disguise; Peggy, her friend and fellow card shark; Betty, her Chick-fil-A buddy and high school friend; Pat, her neighbor and helper at a moments notice; Cami and Glen, her grandchildren and every-day visitors; and Envision Home Health and Hospice, Theresa, Amber, and County.

A private family graveside service will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Aultorest Memorial Park. Due to Covid safety concerns, there will be no viewing.

Masks and social distancing are requested for those attending.

In lieu of flowers, please reach out to someone in need as Wanda exemplified.