Maurine Hess

Maurine Smith Hess, precious mother and beloved wife, passed from this life into the next on June 4, 2006, from complications resulting from a fall. She is the eldest daughter of Lewis Walker Smith and Erma Jane Smith. Maurine was born in Riverdale, Idaho on November 17, 1919, where she enjoyed a typical childhood full of exploration in the surrounding hills and vales and adventure on the Bear River. Maurine moved with her family to Bountiful in 1934 and has been a life-long resident except for a short stint in Farmington. Maurine worked for a year and a half to earn enough to attend Weber College for one year. Much of that work was at Lagoon where she met her husband, Jess. They danced their way into romance and marriage to the beautiful music of the big bands that played there in the Forties. They were married March 5, 1942. One daughter was born to them, Eileen. Maurine was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities. Perhaps of most note because of their longevity were her service as ward librarian and then as appointment secretary for the youth through six bishops. Maurine had a wonderful faith that never wavered, and a testimony that sustained her through many trials. Maurine was quite shy and quiet but had an inner strength that supported her badly wounded husband when he returned from serving in the Pacific in WWII and upheld her daughter in every way. Her love was and is unconditional. Maurine loved flowers and gardening and was noted for her dependability, meticulous attention to detail, and wonderful memory. Maurine is survived by her daughter, Eileen Ostler LeRoy and one sister, LaPriel Wheelwright. Preceding her in death were her husband Jesse W. Hess, sister Ione Petersen Bob, brother, Cecil, and her parents. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Val Verda Stake Center, 2651 South 500 West, Bountiful. Friends and family are invited to a viewing Tuesday evening from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and Wednesday morning from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.