Alta Glee West DeCow

Alta Glee West DeCow, age 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 27th, 2022 from causes incident to age. She really wanted to make it to 100, but she’ll now have to take that up with God.

Alta was born on October 25, 1928, in Oswego, Kansas, to her parents Daniel Paul West and Flora May Burrows. She was the oldest of 8 children. Alta was preceded in death by 4 younger brothers: Jim West, Billy West, Gary West, and Daniel P. West Jr. She is survived by two brothers, Jesse West and Jack West, and one sister Linda (West) Keltner—who wasn’t born until Alta was already married and was expecting her third child!

At the young age of 17, she met and married the love of her life, Maurice Eugene DeCow. Even though she said she wasn’t going to marry any dumb farmer—she did! But he wasn’t dumb! Maurice adored Alta. He would buy her anything she ever even hinted at liking. They were married on November 16, 1945 in Oswego, Kansas. They joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1957. On July 18th, 1958, they were sealed together with their 5 children, for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple. Maurice and Alta were happily married for over 61 years before Maurice returned to his heavenly home on January 3, 2007. What a glorious reunion it must have been in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 27th, 2022, when Alta finally graduated from this earthly existence to be reunited with her sweetheart for all eternity.

Alta had many talents. She had an eye for color and decorating. She grew gardens full of beautiful flowers and organic vegetables. She was talented at both cooking and baking. Her chicken pot pie and apple pie were family favorites. Alta’s cakes even won prizes and were featured in the local newspaper. She made all 5 of her children’s’ wedding cakes as well as those for many friends and family. She also enjoyed an annual tradition of making and decorating hundreds of cookies which she hung on the family Christmas tree each year. For Valentine’s Day, Alta would make red valentine cookies for her children to pass out at school. They had a white frosting ruffled edge with every classmate’s name written in the middle with white frosting. Some years she made up to 150 cookies! Every Christmas, Alta would make or buy ornaments for every member of the family, representing their individual highlight of the year. They were each specifically personalized and became a cherished tradition. Alta sewed very ornate Christmas stockings for each of her children and their spouses too. They were full of beautiful little details and of course, each had their name written in red sequins at the top.

Alta was a member of the Soroptimist Club (a fancy women’s group) and was awarded “The Woman of The Year” award in 1975 for Humanity Efforts Through Quality of Life. She enjoyed being a librarian at the public library in Henderson, Nevada where she was a master storyteller. Her grandkids loved library time with Grandma. For many years, she dressed up as a scary green witch for Halloween. She loved a good joke and was very quick witted. She also liked visitors, but not during Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune and definitely not during Dead or Alive! She enjoyed living at the red barn on the farm in Missouri and often took long drives with grandpa, enjoying the scenery or looking for unique Christmas ornaments at craft stores along the way. Music boxes, flowers, and blue birds made her happy. Alta was an avid reader and loved learning too. She became extremely interested in healthy living and eating and would often have you taste test her Vitamix concoctions. She was proud of her giant birthday tree mural on the wall with everyone’s birthdays and liked to send birthday cards with $2 bills enclosed for many years.

Alta held several church callings, some of which included serving as Relief Society President, youth Sunday school teacher, primary teacher, and primary song leader. Of all her callings though, her favorite was being the youth Sunday school teacher. She made her own visual aids and always tried to make her lessons fun and interesting. The kids loved her for that and maintained contact with her throughout her life.

Alta is survived by her children, David (Roberta) DeCow, Dana Olsen, Dixie Rizzo, Debbie (Richard) Smith, and Darrell (Edith) DeCow. She has 17 grandchildren, 40 living great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Preceded in death by her husband Maurice, sons-in-law Carl Rizzo and Ardell Olsen, and 2 infant grandchildren.

Until we meet again…See you later Sis’!

A viewing for Alta will be held on Saturday, February 5th, 2022 from 9:15-10:30 am at Russon Mortuary, 1941 N. Main Street, Farmington, Utah followed by her funeral service at 11 am in the Russon Mortuary chapel.

Interment at the Farmington City Cemetery.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be streamed live at 11 am MST on Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook Page using the link below: https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327