Jenice L. Palmer

Jenice (Lower) Palmer, 89, passed away in Phoenix on June 17, 2011 as a result of causes incident to advanced age. During her nine decades, she enjoyed good health and an active life. Born to Duane and Fannie Lower in Smithfield, Utah in 1921, Jenice was the eldest of three children who grew up learning to hunt, fish, and work, as well as to excel in school and in the community. Having attended both Box Elder and Bear River high schools, Jenice went on to work as a telephone switchboard operator and later as a department manager at Ogden Supply Depot during World War II.

In 1944, she married Army Master Sergeant Donald Lauritsen and was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1949. Later, with their two children, Don and Jenice resided in several different states, as well as in the Philippines and Japan. In 1955, while in the Philippines, the Lauritsens hosted the visit of President Joseph Fielding Smith, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as he dedicated the Southern Far East Mission. Also, Jenice took her Cub Scout den to Manila where they personally met with Ramon Magsaysay, president of the Republic of the Philippines. In 1989, Jenice and her husband, Ray Palmer, retired to Peoria Arizona to be near their children and grandchildren.

Over the years, Jenice faithfully pursued her passion for family history, filling numerous scrapbooks with priceless photos and precious memories for her descendants. She is survived by her sister Sandi Tierney of Newport Beach, California; her daughter Sheila Ridell of Phoenix, Arizona; her son Ed and daughter-in-law Ann Lauritsen of Show Low, Arizona; and her seven grandchildren (Josh, Christina, Joy, Josie, Ben, Jeannie, and Lindy) and 11 great-grandchildren (Natalie, Todd, Noah, Gabby, Rachael, Ian, Tessa, Lauren, Sadie, Brock, and Anders).

Funeral services for Jenice will be held Tuesday June 21st at 9:30 a.m. at the Paradise Valley Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at Shea Boulevard and 36th Street in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sunland Memorial Park and Mortuary was entrusted with Jenice’s care. Please leave online condolence messages for the family at www.sunlandmemorial.com.