Sheila Kathleen Alvord

Sheila Alvord
Kanab, Utah

Sheila Kathleen Marner Sorenson Alvord, 86,  passed away March 24, 2012 at the home of her daughter in Mayfield. She was born July 10, 1925 in Laurier, Manitoba, Canada to English immigrant parents, George and Clara Hibbert Marner.
Sheila served in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II as a bookkeeper in Halifax Harbor. At  war’s end, during a U.S. sight-seeing tour she met her soon to be husband, Maynard Sorenson in Salt Lake City. They married October 20, 1949 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and moved to Salt Lake City.  They lived there for a short time before moving to Axtell, where they raised their family and operated Axtell Hereford Ranch for 34 years. They raised registered Herefords, showing and selling their cattle all over the Western States.  Mom gained U.S. Citizenship while raising her young family in Axtell.
Sheila and Maynard were active in the community. They supported the building and growth of the Gunnison Hospital in fund raising endeavors. They were honorary members of Gunnison Valley Future Farmers of America, and members of the Gunnison Valley Lions Club. Mom was a 4-H club leader to many of the youth of the Gunnison Valley area. She worked in the local P.T.A. She was a advisor to the Gunnison Valley Young Homemakers of America. She judged county fairs in many Central Utah counties. She served on the Sanpete County Library Board, being instrumental in bringing Bookmobile services to the county. She also served on the Six County Public Health Board. She was the president of the Utah Cowbelles,  and sat on the Board for the National Beef Council Cook- Off.  A special highlight of Mom’s life was serving on the South Sanpete School Board for many years.
Maynard preceded her in death on March 13, 1981. She married Don Alvord in 1986, and moved to Kanab. He passed away in 1996.
While living in Kanab, Mom was very active in the community. She served on the Kanab Planning Commission as well as the Kanab Hospital Auxiliary, and Library Board. She enjoyed being a land steward for the geologists who protected and worked the Anasazi sites in Southern Utah-Northern Arizona. Mom served as a mentor for the Sterling Scholar Program in the local high school.
Mom was a very talented quilter. She leaves a legacy of many beautiful quilts made while a member of the Canyon Country and Utah Valley Quilt Guilds. Mom was recently voted the first honorary member of the newly organized Raising Kane Quilt Guild. Charitable donations in her name may be made to the Raising Kane Quilt Guild Humanitarian Fund, care of President Ilene Ott , 968 South Powell, Kanab, Utah 84741.
Mom will be remembered by her family for her service to others, and to her community, as a wonderful homemaker and beautiful gardener. Mom was well respected and never afraid to express her thoughts, which were always backed up by a wealth of knowledge, and above all, good common sense. She touched all of our lives in such a positive way and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by five children: Donnell (Lavon) Sorenson, Palos Verdes, California; Marnie (Bill) Clawson,  Leawood, Kansas; Bill (Debbie) Sorenson, Jerome, Idaho; Laurel (Ray) Christensen, Mayfield;  Robyn (Hal) Hendrickson, Gunnison. Sheila’s family includes 18 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren with 4 more on the way. She was preceded in death by husbands Maynard and Don; her parents; brother, Eric Marner; sisters: Eileen Gray and Patsy Avery.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 30, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.  in the Kanab Kaibab Stake Center 1435 South McAllister.  Friends may call at the stake center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial  will be Saturday March 31 at 1:00 p.m. in the Gunnison Cemetery 550 North Cemetery Road East Highway 89. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti

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