Wanda Stewart Thorpe Bown

Wanda Vee was born on July 31st, 1925 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah to Clarence and Stella Stewart. She grew up in a large family and loved everything about her home and enjoyed summers at the ranch. Their life was one of hard work, a regular schedule, frugality and singing and dancing in the evenings. In high school, Wanda was in plays, the school paper, pep club and was the class president. After high school, she attended BYU where she met Thurman Thorpe, the love of her life. They were married in 1949 and spent 55 wonderful years together and raised five children. After Thurman’s death in 2004, Wanda reconnected with a college beau, Ralph Bown, who had also just lost his spouse. Wanda and Ralph were married and loved and supported each other until his death in 2014.

Wanda loved being a wife, a mother and creating a wonderful home for her family. When her children were small, she enjoyed sewing dresses for every occasion, sewing lace trim on socks and ironing pillow cases. For her, it was all the small things that took a house and made it into a home that was brimming with laughter and happiness. Wanda and Thurm’s love, support and example became the floor for her children to learn to dance and grow. She loved getting together with family perhaps the most.

Wanda and Thurman joined a study group after they were married and they all became lifelong friends as they enjoyed monthly study gatherings, New Year’s Eve parties, and family vacations to Sun Valley, the Seattle World’s Fair, and Oceanside. In 1967, they built a cabin together in Midway that provided many years of joyful get-togethers.

Wanda and Thurman were also avid BYU fans and attended most BYU football games. They enjoyed playing bridge and Wanda beat everyone at her favorite card game ‘Oh Pshaw’.

Wanda was an active member of the LDS Church where she sang in choirs, held many different positions, and gave inspiring relief society lessons. Wanda and Thurman also went on a mission to Montana for eighteen months.

Wanda is survived by her children, Robyn Davis (Craig), Kathy Thorpe (David Scrimgeour), Sheri Wille (Ross), Ty Thorpe (Lanette), and Tracy Folsom (John); 17 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brother, Earl Stewart; and sister-in-law, Neva Cambareri.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 11 am at the LDS Chapel at 13th East 134th South, Draper, Utah preceded by a Viewing at 9:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Diabetes Association or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in memory of Wanda Thorpe.