Gwenaver Longhurst Obituary (1923 - 2013)

Gwenaver (Gwen) Hall Longhurst "Together Again" click here to listen to Funeral Recording Gwenaver (Gwen) Hall Longhurst (90), former Ogden resident, passed away April 26, 2013 at a hospital in Provo, Utah. She had recently been living at Summerfield Manor in Orem, Utah since the passing of her husband in October 2012. Gwen was born January 21, 1923 in Portage, Utah to George Ellery Hall and Philene Jane Gibbs Hall. She spent her first 4 years in Portage until her family moved to Brigham City. When she was 15 her family moved to Shelley, Idaho where she completed her high school education and met her future husband, Leonard Longhurst. They were married March 28, 1941 in the Logan LDS Temple. Shortly after they were married Leonard was drafted into the Air Force which took Gwen and Leonard many places throughout the United States. After his discharge from the military, Gwen and Leonard made their home in Shelley, Idaho where they started their family of 4 daughters: Jacqueline (Jackie), Linda, Shelia and Susan (Sue). They lived in Preston, Idaho for a short time before moving to Rexburg where they finished raising their family. In addition to being a wife and mother, Gwen also worked outside the home. She was a civilian employee on several Air Force bases while Leonard was in the military. While living in Shelley she and Leonard co-owned and operated Myrt's Drive Inn Restaurant. After moving to Rexburg she worked many years at First Security Bank as their Operations Officer. She worked at Ricks College and also for many years at Rexburg Medical Center. She was a member of the Rexburg Business and Professional Women's Club. She was an excellent seamstress and could sew almost anything, including all four of her daughters' wedding dresses. They always raised a beautiful garden and did a lot of canning in the fall. After their retirement Gwen and Leonard moved to Ogden, Utah, which was a central location between their children and extended family. They also spent eleven winters in Yuma, Arizona where she loved playing cards, games and crafts in the clubhouse. She was an avid reader and a member of two book clubs. She also enjoyed playing sports while growing up, especially basketball, and she was a loyal Utah Jazz fan. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held many positions including Primary Teacher, Stake Young Women's Counselor and Relief Society President. Gwen was a great example of hard work, generosity, love and service to her family and everyone who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Leonard Longhurst, her parents, a brother, Donald Lamar Hall, and sisters, Glaya Thorpe and Helen King. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Jackie and Bill Cushing of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Linda and Kent Wickham of Orem, Utah, Shelia Norman of Ogden, Utah and Sue and Craig King of Nampa, Idaho, 16 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 4th at 11:00 a.m. at the Canyon Hollows LDS Ward at 1550 Rushton Street, Ogden, Utah. Family will meet with friends one hour prior to the services. Interment will be at the Portage, Utah Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. VisitationCanyon Hollows Ward 1550 Rushton Street Ogden, UT 84404 May 4, 2013 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM ServiceCanyon Hollows Ward 1550 Rushton Street Ogden, UT 84404 May 4, 2013 11:00 AM CemeteryPortage Cemetery Portage, UT 84302 May 4, 2013 3:00 PM