Nedra Searle Robison said goodbye to us on September 7, 2021 leaving us memories of a life well lived. She was born in Delta Utah on January 31, 1923 to Charles Delbert Searle and Ruth Maxfield; the ninth of ten children. Her life began before electricity and spanned the Great Depression and WWll. She has had quite a ride!
She grew up on a farm with all the work and fun that this experience provided. She attended Delta High School and was involved in a variety of activities including Drum and Bugle Corp, cheerleader, yearbook editor, operettas, Prom Chairman and class officer. She graduated in 1941 as Valedictorian and was awarded the Danforth Leadership Award.
While a student at BYU, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered WWII. She moved to Salt Lake to work in the Federal Reserve Bank, replacing a man who went to war. Her high school sweetheart, George Almon Robison from Hinckley, Utah came home on a short leave and proposed to her. She married her handsome B-17 Pilot in the Salt Lake Temple on May 29th, 1944. She was able to accompany him as he trained before being shipped overseas. When he left for England, she returned to her parents’ home to work at the bank in Delta.
After the war ended Almon returned home. He became a student at the University of Utah and their first two children were born – Jacquelyn Robison Lambert and Lynette Robison Kinsman while they lived at stadium village. Almon graduated from the U of U and they bought a home and became happily involved in their post student lives. Mom was the Junior Sunday School Coordinator and felt that they were in need of supplies so she got permission to put on a children’s operetta, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Enough money was made to start a ward library and good enough for “Uncle Roscoe” to invite them to perform it on his KSL television show!
Two more children were added to the family – Gregory Almon Robison and Paul Searle Robison. They bought a lot and built a home and moved to the Monument Park area. Life was busy and joyful as the family worked, played, and prayed together.
Mom loved learning, and as the children grew older, she started taking classes until she completed her Bachelors Degree cum laude at the U of U and later went on to get Masters Degrees in Child Psychology with Honors and as an Education Specialist. She completed several endorsements in education including Special Ed., Remedial Reading, Kindergarten Specialist, School Councilor, Curriculum Development, and finally Administration. She used all of these in working for Granite School District. When she was named a principal in 1972, she was the third woman to be named in Granite School District which was the largest district in the state. She was selected for many leadership positions in the state including Women’s State Legislative Council, President of Delta Kappa Gamma Education Organization, and a Fellow of the Utah Principals Academy. She had the opportunity to travel the Western States in her supervisory capacities. She was a Doctoral Candidate at BYU, having completed her thesis in reading instruction, when our dad became ill and she wanted to be home with him.
Her beloved husband and companion died of cancer in 1981 leaving her a young widow. She carried forward in her usual self-reliant, industrious and efficient manner.
Mom loved the Gospel and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She supported her husband in his priesthood callings and professional life. She kept a lovely home where her family wanted to be. She served in many callings in the church including some of her favorites as Relief Society President, Jr. Sunday School Coordinator, and Gospel Doctrine Teacher. After she retired, she served a full-time mission in the Philippines where she taught refugees English, as well as setting up immunization and water purification clinics. Ever a teacher, she worked hard and accomplished much.
After her mission she filled her time as a guide on Temple Square as well as a Hostess at the Church Office Building. She enjoyed working for several years in the Salt Lake Temple. She learned computer skills and genealogy programs and worked tirelessly on genealogy. She served in the Genealogy Library sharing her skills with others. Mom loved learning of her ancestors who came on the Mayflower looking for religious freedom. Her family is blessed to have not only treasured photo and history books, but also faith building stories to pass down to generations to come.
She has explored large swaths of our planet having visited over forty-some-odd countries. She has watched the sun rise over Mt. Everest and floated on the Dead Sea at sunset. She has held her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on her knee and told them stories of the ‘Olden Days.” She has been a lifelong teacher and taught the privileged and learned as well as the destitute. She fashioned an enduring, eternal partnership with her husband and served and loved her children, who love her. She always said that the best thing that ever happened to her was to have a wonderful husband and family. It’s been a wonderful life!
Nedra is survived by children Jacquelyn (Gordon) Lambert, Lynette Kinsman, Gregory (Ann) Robison, Paul S. Robison, sister - in – laws Darleen Robison, and Beverly Robison. Nedra has 7 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband Almon, her grandson Kevin Kinsman, her parents and siblings Alta Rutherford, Nellie Searle, Charles Searle Jr., Don Searle, Maxfield Searle, Sidney Searle, Archie Searle, Arda Bywater, and Tex Searle.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, September 18th, 2021 at the Wasatch Hills LDS ward chapel 2255 South Wasatch Drive in Salt Lake City, with a viewing prior to the service at 9:45am-10:45am. The internment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
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