Viola Lillywhite Thurber

Lillywhite and Alta Brinkerhoff. She was the third of 12 children. She graduated from Brigham

Young University with a Bachelors of Science. She married Karl Garner Thurber in the Manti

temple on March 1, 1956. Together they raised 10 children. They have been married for 63

years, with a brief 4 year separation, which is now at a joyful end. She was preceded in death

by her husband Karl, her “annexed” daughter Marilyn Bingham Eyre (Darrell), and her daughter

Shanna Shapiro (Ethan). She is survived by her children Nila “Jane” Autry (Chuck), Ranae

Broderick (Ernie), Merlene Shettell (Mark), Ronald (Julie), Dale, Spencer (Lorena), Alan (Kala)

and Amy Bateman (Byron). Also survived by her siblings; Fern Andersen, Bob Lillywhite (Ofa),

Francis Jones (Boyd), Kenneth (Kathryn), David (Edie), and Shirley Mayo (Garry).

On Saturday, April 27 at 7:05 pm, Viola Lillywhite Thurber took her last breath in the home of

her loving daughter, Merlene Shettell. Present with her was one of her daughters, Ranae

Broderick, and her son Dale Thurber. She lived 87 plentiful years full of service, laughter,

challenge, and love. After a severe stroke, leaving her half-paralyzed and unable to swallow,

she was asked if she wanted medical heroics and she said “I just want to go see Dad.” Well,

she is with him now.

Before she departed she expressed her love and concern for nearly all 106 of her posterity as

they visited, saying things like “You’re great. I love you. I’m so glad I got to see you”. Her

words were specifically designed to meet each person’s need. Even though she was very

physically limited at the end, she gave the last of what she had to show love to each individual;

especially the little ones.

When she found out all of her children were present in the room with her, she repeated all of

their names with wonder, and then cried with joy that all of her living children were present. It

meant so much to her. Though she was somewhat forgetful towards the end, she said “I will

never forget my own children.”

Some of her last advice to her children was to treat each other with love and kindness, and to

always say your prayers. She left a great legacy. She made possible many family units, filled

with responsible, hard-working people like herself, which will contribute amazing things to

society. She taught her children to work hard, and worked even harder herself. A thriving

garden, a clean orderly house, well-dressed and well fed children, and 9 missionaries are just a

few of the fruits of her labors.

She had a testimony solidly built on the rock of her Redeemer. Viola loved 3 Nephi chapter 11

about the Savior visiting the Nephites. She also loved Helaman 5:12 -- if you build on the Rock

of Christ you cannot fall. She faithfully attended church her whole life, worked to keep the

commandments, and taught her children to do the same. Although she couldn’t hold a pitch,

she always sang in church; the epitome of “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord

and not unto man.” (Colossians 3:23). However she believed in always improving and

becoming better, so she continued to learn and grow. She took singing lessons with her

daughter Merlene in her later years with a singing teacher whom she loved and admired,

Gioconda Vaca, otherwise known as Yoko. What a surprise it was to her children who lived far

away when she visited them, attended church with them, and sang in a beautiful voice,

completely on pitch, as if it were the voice of an angel.

She wove service into the fabric of her life. The threads included, but were not limited to: a loyal

wife, a devoted mother, many callings in the church, welcoming into her home many souls in

need of a mother’s love, and taking care of her own declining mother for 21 years.

Viola was always the first to forgive and the last to condemn. Her devotion to, and love for her

husband was a great example to her posterity. Oh that all children had such a unified and

loving mother and father who truly understood and lived the principles of repentance and

forgiveness. She was mother to more than just her own children, helping to raise Marilyn,

babysit many children, and take in foster children, many of whom show sincere gratitude for her

efforts in their behalf.

We mourn and rejoice at the passing of a goodly, tenacious, duty-oriented, loving mother and

grandmother, and wish her well in her future endeavors, singing with the voice of an angel along

with Karl their theme song; “Forever and Ever.” She has earned her rest along with the loving

words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Church house

located at 381 South 300 East American Fork, UT. We invite all to be in attendance. Her

interment will be on Tuesday, April 30 at 2:00 at Valley View Memorial Park located at 4335

West 4100 South, West Valley City UT. Her body will be placed alongside the grave of her

loving husband.