Fayrene Jessie Colburn

Fayrene Jessie Stice Colburn, 95, went home to the Lord and into the arms of her husband, Dwight; sons, Ainlee and Jack, on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Fayrene leaves behind her daughters: Annette Colburn of Monroe, Vivian and husband, Jess Travis of Clovis, CA, and Nancy and husband, Larry Morales of Monroe. She was dearly loved by her children; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She made each one feel like they were her favorite.

She was born May 24, 1915 in Antelope Flats, Texas to Jesse J. and Katherine Elizabeth Rish Stice. She had one sister and two brothers who have preceded her in death.

For a time the family homesteaded in Kim, Colorado. They moved back to the farm life of Tascosa, Texas in 1924. Mom would tell stories of growing up on the plains of Texas where she learned to ride horses, going to town riding in the back of a wagon, plowing behind a horse, the fun of a horse race with her brother and going to school in a one-room school house through the 11 ^th grade.

At the age of 18, Mom met a handsome, curly haired man named Dwight James Colburn and after several months of courting the couple eloped to Clovis, New Mexico where they married September 23, 1933. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple May 4, 1972.

After spending their first years in Texas, Mom and Dad decided to move to California where they lived up and down the San Joaquin Valley working in the crops. Dad started to work in the pipeline industry, soon moving to southern California, eventually settling in Buena Park with their five children. Mom devoted her time to her home and to her family.

Being married to an avid fisherman and hunter, Mom would travel with Dad to Utah, particularly to the Sevier valley, in pursuit of his quest. They enjoyed many years visiting Utah. After Dad’s untimely death in 1968, Mom could not get Utah out of her mind and her heart. She returned to Utah and in 1970 she established a home for her and daughter, Annette in Monroe. Mom enjoyed and found peace working in her flowers and garden and instilled the love of digging in the dirt on to her family.

Fayrene was an inspiration to her family and to all that knew her. Her strength and unique character was a perfect blend of sweetness with just a touch of vinegar. Mom loved the Lord and served many callings in the Monroe 3 ^rd LDS Ward. She was a member of the Relief Society, the Literose Club and was one of Monroe’s best quilters. Mom loved her genealogy work and was the family historian. She was proud to be a direct descendant of a signer of the California Bear Flag Rebellion. We will miss her and her welcome hugs, her stories of bear hunts and elk hunts, the way she gave each child "The curly haired test", and her California Date cookies.

Mom was a simple lady, she loved and was loved.

She is preceded in death her husband, Dwight James; sons, Ainlee James and Jack Allen; and siblings, Lafe Martin Stice, Noah Madden Stice, Lenora Karnes.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Monroe City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.