Beverly Mortensen

Beverly Mortensen

Ephraim, Utah

Our amazing beloved mother, Beverly S. Mortensen, 93, passed away January 20, 2013, in Springville, surrounded by her loved ones. She worked hard at an admirable life here on earth, and has now moved on to greater callings and ways to be of service.

Beverly was born January 19, 1920, in Ephraim to Walter N. and Tressa Carlston Sparks. She married Ernell Keith Mortensen in Nephi on August 2, 1938, and they were later sealed in the Manti Temple. He preceded her in death.

She spent much of her childhood up the mountains with her parents, where her father worked for the Hansen Sheep Company. Her favorite past time was riding horses with a racehorse named "Skinny" being her favorite. They enjoyed many family gatherings at the cabin up Ephraim Canyon where they would make ice cream in the snow banks. She attended elementary school in the east end of the Snow College Noyes Building. She loved hearing stories about pioneers from her Grandma Sparks which perhaps inspired her to become an avid historian---collecting and organizing family letters, photos and histories as well many articles about local happenings.

As a young wife and mother she survived a serious case of Polio and always felt very blessed to be alive. Later in life, she had five hip replacement surgeries over a period of years.

She and Keith were the parents of four daughters, with their first daughter born prematurely and living only a few hours.

At the young age of 36, Beverly lost her companion, Keith to a massive heart attack, and was left to raise three daughters alone. She courageously attended beauty school in Salt Lake City at Darrell’s Beauty School, where she graduated at the top of her class. She was offered an opportunity to remain there as an instructor, but chose to return to her home town of Ephraim. She had already supervised the building of their home, and she resided there the remainder of her long productive life. She provided many years of service as a beautician, giving particularly loving care for the elderly.

Beverly’s interests included gardening, quilting, reading and sewing. She received the "Outstanding Yard Beautification" award for the meticulous and beautiful care of her yard, which was enjoyed by all who passed by through the years. She made many quilts, pajamas and dresses for her children and grandchildren. She was also an avid Jazz basketball fan. She loved to cook, was an excellent homemaker and was always happiest when with her family.

She is survived by daughters: Gloria (Bill) Vorkink, Springville; Sharon (Don) Nelson, Genola; Betty Jean (Larry) Cox, Manti; 17 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 1great-great-grandchild; sister Carol (Wendell) Anderson, Kearns.

She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Beverly JoAnn parents; brother, LaVon Sparks; grandson, Joshua Nelson; great-grandchildren, Austin Wright, Tyson Miller, Jared Miller and Jessica Miller.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 26,2013 at 11 a.m. in the Manti Tabernacle where friends may call from9-10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Ephraim Park Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.