Obituary: Bessie Mendenhall

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 9, 2005

Bessie Jane R. Mendenhall 1902 ~ 2005 Our loving mother, Bessie Jane Reynolds Mendenhall peacefully passed away on February 4, 2005. Bessie was born on September 2, 1902 to Jesse Oliver Reynolds and Ellen Maria Wheeler in Springville. She was the third of five children born into this family. She attended school in Springville Utah, and graduated from Springville High School as class valedictorian.

She also attended Brigham Young University where she obtained a "normal certificate" to be a teacher. Bessie taught school for two years in the Washington School in Springville. Bessie married Vern Cornell Mendenhall on February 14, 1924 in the Salt Lake Temple. To them were born seven children: Dr. David (Linda) Mendenhall, Las Vegas, Nevada; Lucille (Kent) Huntsman, Springville, Utah; Dr. John (Pamela) Mendenhall, Payson, Utah; Mary (deceased) (Gayle) Aldred, St. George, Utah; Nida (Ardeen) Childs, Provo, Utah; Dr. Carma (Russell) Hales, Salt Lake City, Utah; Robert (deceased) (Maryann) Mendenhall, Granada Hills, California. She had 42 grandchildren, 129 great-grandchildren and 34 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband preceded her in death in 1983. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Oliver Reynolds and Ellen Maria Wheeler Reynolds as well as her brothers Jack Oliver and Earl, and her sisters Birdella Bearnson and Mildred Jamison; two of her children: Robert Mendenhall and Mary Aldred; one grandchild Barbara Childs; and one great grandchild Daniel Childs also preceded her in death. She was a devoted grandmother to her great posterity. She was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life holding many ward and stake callings. She loved good music and was active in all associated activities. She was one of the charter members of the Springville Musettes and served as ward organist for more than seventy five years in Springville and Las Vegas. Her late husband, Comell Mendenhall, a contractor, was very active in the Associated General Contractors of Utah and of Nevada. He also was a member of the National A.G.C. and as such, Bessie was active with him in these organizations. In 1953 she and her family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where her husband had established his business and she lived there from 1953 until 1996 when she moved back to Springville, Utah to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Kent and Lucille Huntsman, in the original house she bad moved into with her husband upon their marriage 72 years earlier at 163 East 200 North Springville, Utah. She lived in Las Vegas for 43 years. During this time, she served as ward Relief Society president and later, Stake Relief Society President for 11 years. She served several years as chairman of "Nevada Mother of the Year" and also served on the national committee. She had a great love and appreciation for beauty in all things and got great joy from her family and from flowers, having been an avid gardener all of her life. She loved her country and never missed voting. She looked for the good and the beautiful in all things. Funeral services will be held Saturday February 12, 2005 at 11 a.m. at the LDS chapel at 55 North Main, Springville, Utah. Friends and family may visit at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville, Utah, Friday February 11, 2005 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Interment service will be at Springville Evergreen Cemetery. The family would like to thank all who lovingly cared for our mother over the years, especially we would like to thank Dr. William LeRoy. Condolences may be sent to www.wheelermortuary.com