Sherry LaVern Wahlen

Our treasured Sister, Aunt, and Great-Aunt Sherry "Shey" LaVern Wahlen passed through the veil into the arms of her loving Heavenly Father and beloved parents, Saturday, January 14, 2023, she was 93. 
Sherry was born May 3, 1929 in Murray, Utah to Arvid Hilmer Wahlen and LaVern Sophia Stark. Sherry is the oldest of six children. Sherry grew up in Murray and Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from West High School. 
Sherry was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In 1950 she was called to serve a two-year mission in Sweden. There she learned to speak Swedish which she spoke the rest of her life. She had a great love for everything Swedish. While on her mission and several times during her lifetime she was able to visit Europe, especially Scandinavia. She developed a close and lasting relationship with family in Sweden and visited Fagersta where her father was born. 
In her 30's Sherry moved to California where she worked at UCLA. Sherry moved back to Utah and worked for Disability Determination Services until she retired. Sherry spent her life in service to everyone around her, especially her sisters, brother and beloved nieces and nephews. 
Sherry loved classical music, opera, good books, and never turned down the chance to play games with family. She was a master in the kitchen and loved to cook for her family, you never went away hungry when Shey was cooking. Sherry loved old Westerns, especially those with John Wayne. She never missed watching an episode of the Mandalorian with her great-nephew, Matthew. 
The last several years of Sherry's life, she lived with her niece Amanda, husband, Doug, their five children and sister Arva - Amanda's mother. Sherry passed away at home with her loved ones just how she hoped to. 
Sherry was Amanda's second mom, she devoted everything to Amanda and Doug -who she adored. They loved having Shey in their home and another grandmother for their children - Matthew (Candee), Maren, Emily, Katie and Becca were the joy in her life. They are Shey's little darlings and she is their Shey. 
Sherry is survived by her sisters Yvonne Quist (Paul, deceased), and Arva Janson, brother Arvid Wahlen, and several dearly loved nieces and nephews. Sherry is preceded in death by her parents, Arvid and LaVern, her sisters Mitzie Peterson, and Sandra Westbrook, Brother-in-law's, Paul Quist and Carl Peterson, nieces Elizabeth Dansie, Mitzie Rasmussen, and Kerstin Quist. 
Finally, we want to express our deepest appreciation to Inspiration Hospice, especially Morgan, Ashley and Reagan who provided kind and competent care to Sherry in her last few months. Your love and compassion for Sherry will never be forgotten. 
We will miss Shey's contagious laugh, her listening ear, and vast life experiences. We will always treasure her tight, warm hugs, laughter and the wonderful memories with her. Her life changed ours for the better, we are so grateful that we will be with her again. 
A small service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful. Family and friends may attend a viewing in the same location from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. prior to the service. The interment will follow the services at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.