Gretchen Louise Thomas

Our sweet Gretchen passed away on Monday evening at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT surrounded by those who loved her most. Gretchen was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming to John Cannon Miller and Mary Adell West Miller. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and Bountiful, Utah. Gretchen graduated from Viewmont High School in 1970. She furthered her education at Snow College, LDS Business College and Brigham Young University. Gretchen married her eternal companion, Cornel Wilkes Thomas on August 25th, 1978 in the Manti Temple. Cornel & Gretchen were joined by a son, Cornel Wilkes Thomas Jr. on August 16th 1985. Gretchen accused her husband of being a gypsy since they lived in so many places. They lived in: Provo, Utah; Safford, Arizona; Brownsville, Texas; Helena, Arkansas; Lamar, Colorado; Bountiful, Centerfield & West Valley City, Utah; Beatty, Nevada; Wasilla, Alaska and Duchesne, Utah.

Gretchen enjoyed being creative and working with her hands. Her many talents included making beautiful wedding cakes, tole painting, calligraphy, artwork, working with stained glass and crocheting many things including Alaskan nose warmers which she shared with family, friends and everyone she could during the Christmas season. She had a great love for family history work and researched conversion and many other stories of her ancestors. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many leadership positions & callings including: Primary President, Young Women’s President, Relief Society Homemaking Counselor & Secretary, Nursery Leader, Librarian and Ward Historian.

Gretchen is survived by her husband, Cornel; her son, Cornel Jr. (Cindy), her precious granddaughter, Ava Marie; her sister, Nancy (Michael) Thornburg; her mother-in-law, Shirley Thomas; 2 brothers-in-law; 2 sisters-in-law; 13 nieces and nephews and 3 foster sisters. She is preceded in death by her parents, John Miller & Mary West Miller and 1 nephew.

No funeral services at Gretchen’s personal request. Friends and family are invited to two viewings: Thursday, June 20th, 2013 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Duchesne 3rd Ward Chapel, 130 S 300 E, Duchesne, UT 84021 and Friday, June 21st from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main St, Bountiful, UT 84010. Interment at 3:00 pm that Friday afternoon at the Logan City Cemetery.