Fern Marie Aland

Forever Young

Fern Marie Loveday Aland passed away in her home in Salt Lake City on June 17, 2015.

She was born in Montpelier, Idaho on September 25, 1921, the youngest of four children of Kem Loveday and Delilah Welker Loveday.  The family celebrated many outings and holidays at Bear Lake, a short distance away from that small town.  Marie Aland’s father was an engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, which, beginning during Marie’s early childhood, provided the family with many opportunities for travel to many U.S. places of interest, including New York City, New England, Washington, D.C. and Florida.  These rich experiences instilled within her a desire for frequent travel and, throughout her life she “liked to be on the go.”

She graduated from Montpelier High School and then studied business at Brigham Young University. During WWII, while employed as a secretary for the Government Soil Conservation Service in Pocatello, Idaho, she entered into a correspondence with her high school friend, Blake Aland, while he was in England and Iceland, serving in the U.S. Air Force.  He became the love of her life and soon after returning from Europe at War’s end married her on November 28, 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Together, they had 4 children: Nancy, Jan, David, and Mary Lyn and established their home in Montpelier until 1958, when Blake began working for Caribou Four Corners Oil Company in Salt Lake City where they moved their young family and remained throughout their lives. Their life together lasted 68 years, in good health and marked by deep devotion to each other while enjoying their family, friends, church, work, travel and service. Blake preceded her in death in 2013.  

Marie’s life was one of diligently caring for and enjoying the company of her husband, children, grandchildren, parents, friends and siblings.  She was a relationship builder and was likely the person who would organize the extended family Christmas parties and boating trips to Lake Mead and Lake Powell.  Family was most important to her. She enjoyed getting together with friends in dinner groups, book groups, and study groups and continually served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Among other callings she was a counselor in the Relief Society, teacher in Primary, and especially loved her work with the Young Women.  She was a guide at the L.D.S. Church Office Building and a service missionary at the Deseret Industries. 

For many years Marie was employed at the University of Utah Book Store and Continuing Education Office. She served in the community as a member of the Utah Symphony Guild. During her early life she studied music, voice (particularly vocal quartets), piano and organ and shared those talents throughout her life.  She created many beautiful ceramic pieces which she generously gifted and which are treasured by the recipients to this day. She was an expert early on in nutrition, health, and exercise, and it paid off for her.  She was sparkly, sassy, and fun and never wanted to miss out on a party, a dinner, a birthday, a journey, or a social gathering.  She possessed an unusually youthful appearance, knew how to use to her benefit the latest, tasteful fashion, and had a reputation of being a fun person to be with. She had a kind, tender heart and served those around her willingly.  She will be sorely missed. 

She is survived by her children:  Nancy Rigby (Larry), Jan Crockett (Craig), and David Aland, 14 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her daughter Mary Lyn Wiggins.

The family wishes to thank Mark Lewis, M.D. and Sala Otuafi and Meleana Taai for their tender care and assistance during her last three months of life.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 23 at 12:00 noon at the Cottonwood 11th Ward, 1830 East 6400 South.  Friends may visit family members from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 22 or from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 23 at the Ward.  Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.  Funeral Directors Russon Brothers Mortuary.  Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com