Marcia Kjar

Marcia Kjar
Gunnison, Utah

    Marcia Beth Peterson Kjar died at the age of 85 on August 1, 2023 at her daughter’s home in West Jordan after a 3 year battle with skin cancer. Marcia was born on March 25, 1938 in Ephraim, a daughter of Clifford and Beth Peterson. 
    Marcia attended Snow College where she met Richard Kjar from Manti. They dated for quite a while and then were married on May 31, 1958 in the Manti Temple. They went to Logan and both attended Utah State University and graduated in June 1960. They then moved to Gunnison where Richard was hired as the Vocational Agriculture teacher and mom raised five children. After we left home Mom was the librarian at the high school for 13 years.
    Marcia was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life. She was president of the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary, as well as numerous other ward callings. She also served a service mission for six months in the Family History Library in Salt Lake, and was a Manti Temple ordinance worker for six years. She loved to play the piano and organ for ward meetings. 
    Mom and Dad enjoyed camping and fishing, and boating at Lake Powell with their children and grandchildren. They also loved to camp up the mountains east of Gunnison.  In the summer the family went on many fun vacations to Disneyland and visited many state and national parks in the western states. Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling together visiting Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and most of the states in the U.S. 
    Marcia loved to cook, she made homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and yummy food all the types. She especially loved sweets and we always had dessert after dinner which many of us have paid for in our later years.  
    Unfortunately Dad died in an ATV accident up in the mountains over 23 years ago and mom was very lonely and sad without him. After Dad passed away Mom asked us if we wanted 
"money or memories" from her and Dad’s savings and we all picked MEMORIES. Mom then continued the tradition of planning and paying for many exotic family vacations. Thanks to her generosity our family enjoyed many more years of bonding, while playing on sandy beaches and swimming in beautiful oceans. 
    Mom was famous for her frugal ways and never a scrap of food or last slurp of drink was wasted when she was on patrol. Mom’s best quality was her generosity and treating everyone fairly. She never complained and always greeted you with a cheerful hello in person or on the phone. 
    In the last years Mom was happiest listening to her large collection of CD music and sitting on her back patio getting warm in the sun. She truly was a small town girl and loved Gunnison and her many friends. 
    Richard and Marcia were blessed with five children: Alan (Paula) Kjar, Roger (Lori) Kjar, Diane (Jordan) Nielson, Douglas (Amy) Kjar, Debra Ann Kjar (died at age 13 of cancer); 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. 
    Mom is preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister; brother; and daughter... how joyful was her reunion to see all these loved ones again! 
    Our family is so grateful for the friends who helped us "check in on" and "take care" of Mom during these past difficult months. We would like to thank both Gunnison Hospice and Alpine Hospice staff for their care and compassion during these final months. 
    Mom loved flowers, especially pink — so all are welcome. 
    Please join the family for funeral services will be held Monday, August 7, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Gunnison 1st  Ward Chapel, 80 W. Center St. in Gunnison. There will be no public viewing. Interment will be in the Gunnison City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com