Gwen Packer

Anna Gwenlion Stinger Packer, age 95, died on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, in Bountiful, UT. Gwen was born on March 14, 1912 in Robin, Bannock, Idaho to John Walter and Anna Elizabeth Gill Stinger. Gwen was the second oldest in a family of 12 children. She was the oldest girl. She grew up in the Robin and Arimo Idaho area and graduated from McCammon High School. After high school she attended Idaho State College now Idaho State University in Pocatello. While attending college she worked in the drug store where she met her eternal companion. She married James Crabtree Packer from Idaho Falls, Idaho, on May 22, 1937 in Denver, Colorado. Later sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Gwen and Jim are the parents of two children, Bonnie Fern Despain, Farmington, UT and James Brent Packer, Salt Lake City, UT. Gwen and Jim lived most of their married life in the Denver Colorado area. She moved to Salt Lake City in 1997 to be closer to her children. Gwen worked for the Jefferson County Schools for many years as a secretary to the Superintendant of Schools and secretary to Arvada Junior High and North Arvada Junior High Schools for many years. She was honored with the Public Health Service Medical Self-help Humanitarian Award in 1968 for saving the life of a boy when he was stabbed by a fellow student. She was loved by her principals, other secretaries and all of the faculties and student bodies of these two schools. Several teachers have been in contact with her since her retirement until her death. Gwen was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions in the church. She worked with the children, the youth and the adult women for many years. She loved doing family history work and will long be remembered for her many hours of extraction work. She also belonged to several service organizations where she served in many capacities of leadership. Gwen loved to garden, sew, do crafts and ceramics, knit and travel. Above all she loved being with her family and doing activities with them.

Gwen is survived by her children: Bonnie Philip and James Brent Louise; 9 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; one sister, Shirley Waterson and five brothers, Ross, Dale, Keith, Addy and Dan Stinger. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 4 brothers, a sister and a great-granddaughter, Abby Packer. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 21, 2008 at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main where friend and family may call from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment at Crown Hill Cemetery, Denver, CO., on January 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. where a short graveside service will be held. A special thank you to all the people at Orchard Cove Care Center who assisted Gwen the last 2 ½ years of her life. Also a thank you to South Davis Home Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation of your choice to your favorite charity in Gwen’s name. “We Love You Mom, Sweet Dreams”.