Juanita Allen

Juanita Allridge Allen, 89, of Manti, Utah passed away on June 4, 2015 at the home she shared with her daughter Anita Geloff in Manti.  She was loved by her large family as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt.  She cherished her friends and they felt lucky to be a part of her life.   She was receiving hospice care from Gunnison Valley Hospice.

Juanita was born on October 15, 1925 in Ferron, Emery County, Utah to Raymond Charles and Pearl Larsen Allridge as the 5 ^th daughter.  Another daughter and two sons later joined the family.  When she was only eight years old her father was killed in a mining accident and she was raised to find joy in the simple things of life and cared little for material things.

In 1945 she rode a bus to Texas to marry her sweetheart Glen Joseph Allen who was serving in the U.S. Airforce.  They were married on August 7, 1945 in Lubbock, Texas.  Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti, Utah Temple on January 2, 1946.  They were blessed with six children and had been married 59 years when Glen passed away.

Juanita was always an example of faith and righteousness to her family and those that knew her.  She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout her life and served a mission with her husband to the Nashville Tennessee Mission from 1983 to 1984.  Their mission was one of the highlights of their life.  Juanita served in the Primary, Cub Scouts, Relief Society, and loved to sing in the choir.  She followed her Savior’s example by serving those in need in quiet ways and without assignment.  Her testimony was her most prized possession and she shared it with others not only in words but in the way she lived her life.

She was involved in her community and served as president of the American Legion Axillary and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.  She owned and operated the Temple View Lodge in Manti with her husband for many years and loved taking care of her guests.  She and her husband later moved to the pioneer home belonging to Pearl Anderson on 2 ^nd West and 4 ^th South in Manti.  They were very happy in their cozy home and loved the large garden and yard.  They were especially proud when presented the “Tidy Bug” award by Manti City for having the prettiest yard in Manti.  Juanita moved in with her daughter, Anita, after her husband’s death.

Juanita loved to quilt and specialized in making baby quilts.  Each one of her great grandchildren received a baby quilt as well as many of the new mothers in her ward.  It was really hard for her when she lost her eye sight to macular degeneration and had to give up quilting.  She was grateful for the services provided by the Services for the Blind and for Dixie and Jim who visited her regularly.  She loved to learn and spent most of her time listening to the scriptures, church magazines, conference talks, and educational/uplifting books.

Juanita is survived by her children: Richard Glen (Janette) Allen of Lehi, Utah; Tom Lee (Paula) Allen of Kaysville, Utah; Anita Geloff of Manti, Utah; Nadene (Bryce) Anderson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sister Norma Shumway of American Fork, Utah and brother Keith Allridge of Pleasant Grove, Utah.  She leaves her legacy of love with 23 grandchildren and 80 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four sisters, one brother, son-in-law, John Geloff and her two sons David Keith Allen and James Brian Allen.

Funeral services were held in the Manti 6 ^th Ward on June 8, 2015 at Noon, viewings were held on June 7 in the evening and prior to the services.  Interment was in the Manti City Cemetery.  Funeral Directors:  Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.  Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com