Wanda Fay George Palmer

The youngest of 8 children born to Mary Ethel Young and John William George, Wanda was born in her Grandpa George’s farmhouse in College Ward, Cache, Utah. She grew up in the farming community of Groveland, Idaho with her older sisters Edith, Ethel. Iona, Mary, Marie and brothers LaVerl and Delbert George. Wanda was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the canal that ran beside their church on August 1st, 1936 by her home teacher, as was the custom. She was an exceptional student, attending elementary school through 8th grade in Groveland, then High School in Blackfoot where she graduated as Valedictorian in 1946.

When she was 15, Wanda met Johnny Palmer on a double date with her friend who had just moved to Pocatello. Johnny was her friend’s date, but soon Johnny and Wanda found more than friendship between them. They dated on and off through high school and were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on May 7th, 1948.

The newlyweds built their first home in Pocatello as Wanda continued working as a telephone operator. In 1951 they moved to Challis and started their own Palmer Distributing Company, distributing dairy, bakery, and frozen food products from Idaho Falls to the entire central Idaho area into Montana. In 1954 they moved to Arco, a more central location, where they lived for 21 years. Wanda was the office manager and accountant for the business as well as for Shady Lawn Trailer Park, which they owned.

Wanda and Johnny were active in the lives of their children: Drue (Wendi) Palmer; Susan (Stan) Gray; Marilee (Patrick) Gallacher; Jack (Carole) Haney; Wade (Sheri) Palmer; Van Palmer (deceased); and Douglas Palmer, sponsoring little league ball teams, bowling leagues, attending football and basketball games, debate meets, dances, Girls’ Camp, Scouting activities, etc. Music was a big part of Wanda’s life, and if she was in the kitchen or driving across the desert, you could usually hear her singing with her kids. A half-finished sentence was often completed with Wanda’s song.

She was very active in community affairs, including President of Arco Cultural Arts Club, President of Arco Lady Lions, President of Arco PTA. Member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers where she served as Chaplain.

In 1975 the Palmers moved to Salt Lake City where Wanda worked at CocaCola as a Clerk. When Johnny retired from CocaCola, she again ran the office for Palmer Distributing, retiring at the age of 80.

Active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she has held positions of leadership since she was 17 years old, including Gleaner Leader where she earned her Golden Gleaner, Primary President, MIA President, Relief Society President, Stake MIA Board, Stake MIA President, Relief Society -every position, Visiting teacher over 72 years.

Wanda considered her greatest achievement and joy to be her close-knit family. She said,” It is worth any effort we can put forth to keep in touch and insure strong family ties. The older we get, the more important our family ties have become. Johnny and I make a great effort to attend each of our children’s blessings, baptisms, ordinations, and marriages which seem to occur nearly every month, in or out of state, but they are all so special to us it’s worth the effort. It has become a family tradition to spend each General Conference at our home together with as many of us as can make it. It comes as close as it can to being “Our Heaven on Earth.”

There was one place on earth Wanda truly felt like she was in Heaven- Island Park, Idaho. Of it she wrote, “I hope there’ll be pine trees in heaven” is descriptive of my feelings. I feel it is my heaven here on earth. If I am fortunate enough to live my life out with my sweetheart, Johnny, in a secluded spot nestled among pine-covered hills, I will die a contented, fulfilled person.”

After a very active life of working hard, serving others, and mostly loving Johnny for the whole world to see, respect, and emulate, Wanda became ill this spring and quickly declined. She is survived by her husband of 72+ years, Johnny Palmer, and 151 descendants.

A private family service will be held Saturday, October 24th at 11:00 am at Fortuna LDS Chapel. Extended family and friends may view the funeral and graveside services at: www.facebook.com/wasatchlawnmemorial. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park Sunday, Oct. 25th, 2020.