Gyann Huntsman

Gyann Huntsman

Richfield, Utah

Gyann Sorenson Huntsman, 78, passed away at her home in Richfield, November 7,2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 29, 1938 in Salina, UT to Guy James and Phebe "Dickie" Murphy Sorenson.

Gyann was born the second of 2 children. Her parents and older brother, Dick, were thrilled and doted on her from the beginning. She was fortunate enough to have a childhood surrounded by many uncles, aunts, and cousins. They were a family who loved sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying life together.

Gyann married the love of her life, Ferral Dean Huntsman, on August 31, 1956, in Salina Utah surrounded by family and friends. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple a year later.

Gyann loved music and singing, and one of the highlights of her youth was performing with a trio called "The Sorensonettes". They performed all over the state and won a competition at the state fair landing them a debut on the Dan McNeil breakfast show in Chicago. Although offered an opportunity to pursue a singing career, she chose to forego her dream to stay home and raise her family. Her husband and her children were always her top priority! Gyann took her love of singing and shared it with her family whom she started performing with. They even had a family band. She enjoyed sharing her love of music with others; she not only taught her family, but she taught piano and singing lessons to many others as well.

Gyann was a supportive wife, a devoted mother, a loyal friend, and an involved grandma. She made her home a place we all loved to be. She was an excellent housekeeper. She was proficient at laundry, ironing, and even enjoyed cleaning! She loved decorating and making her surroundings a place of beauty. She was an excellent cook; no one could present a more delicious and beautifully displayed meal. She was a talented seamstress and quilter—sewing clothes, cross-stitching Christmas stockings, and creating beautiful handmade quilts for her kids, grandkids, friends and neighbors.

Gyann always wanted to look nice, and loved to go shopping for clothes— and especially shoes! She loved family camping trips, hiking in the red hills by her home, BYU football games with friends, walking in the mornings with her friend Gina, Lake Powell trips in the summer, and just having fun! She took her kids to cultural events whenever possible and participated in and directed several community musical productions throughout her life. She was involved in all of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities traveling all over the state to ball games, wrestling matches, dance competitions, plays, and any event that involved her children or grand-children. She didn’t want to miss a thing!

In her later years, Gyann enjoyed working as the court clerk for Sevier County where she met and worked with the good people in the community. She received her Honorary Doctorate Degree from Snow College. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she had the rare opportunity of hosting the Prophet and Apostles of the Church in her home during stake conferences while her husband was the stake president. She also enjoyed speaking with her husband as he served as an Area Authority. She served faithfully in both ward and stake Relief Society presidencies, as well as other beloved church callings. She was called and served an LDS mission to Australia, and had the sacred opportunity to serve in the Manti Temple—a place that is dear to her heart. She celebrating her 60 th wedding anniversary last year to her sweetheart. Her life has been full and she has been blessed with 25 amazing grandchildren and 15 beautiful great-grandchildren. Gyann’s kind confidence and charitable spirit is loved by all. We will miss her for a short time, but we know that we are part of an eternal family, and we will see her again.

Gyann is survived by her husband, Ferral; children: Ferral Don (Karen) Huntsman, Layne S (Laurie) Huntsman, Marty (Susan) Huntsman, Cyndi (Brock) Madsen; foster daughter, Henrietta (Michael) Smith; brother, Richard James Sorenson; as well as her grand and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Joyce Andersen Sorensen.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Richfield 9th Ward, 159 North 400 West. Viewings will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at the Magleby Mortuary from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and also prior to services at the church from9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Aurora City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.mablebymortuary.com