Nada Warnes Obituary (1934 - 2024)

Nada Smith Warnes, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, and friend, of Eden, Utah, passed away on January 27, 2024. She lived a life filled with kindness, service, and love. Nada was born on May 14, 1934, to Alvin John and Anna Smith in Brigham City, Utah. She and her three younger brothers spent their early childhood in Albion, Idaho, and Yost, Utah. They eventually moved back to Brigham City, where she loved to read books while sitting in the branches of her favorite tree. While attending Box Elder High School, she sang in the choir, enjoyed swimming, and graduated as a top ten scholar. In 1951, she started dating Derek Warnes shortly before he left for basic training. They continued their courtship by writing letters for two years while he served in the Army, and she worked at J.C. Penney in Brigham City. Derek proposed while he was on leave, and she accepted. When Derek returned home, they were married in the Logan Utah Temple on March 5, 1954. Their wedding reception included a band so they could spend the evening dancing. They started their life together in Brigham City until they moved to Ogden, Utah, where they welcomed five children. They built a home in Eden, where they were blessed with one more child, and Nada devoted her life to her greatest love: family. Derek and Nada loved to dance, camp with family at Bear Lake, and drive throughout the western United States and Canada on vacation. Nada, along with Derek, created a home filled with comfort, warmth, and belonging. Family and friends knew they could knock and walk in while shouting a "hello," always knowing there would be a greeting back as the screen door banged closed behind them. Nada's love of reading continued, and being in nature grew into a love for her garden, which was always filled with beautiful flowers and vegetables. She knew each and every flower and how to care for them. Often, she would tell visitors that she had too many and to take some as she headed out to the garden to help transplant the flowers. Everything tasted better when she made it: apple pie, Christmas mints, strawberry rhubarb pie, and even microwave mac and cheese. When family and friends arrived at her house, they were often asked if they were hungry and then given food regardless of the answer. She treasured holding all the babies as they joined the family and cherished every hug she received. Showing love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a specialty of hers. She frequently treated them to licorice, cheese sticks, and chocolate milk. Whether by playing games on the floor or sitting and simply listening to stories from their lives, she had a way of making them feel seen and letting them know how proud she was of them. Every family member received the best birthday cards from her each year. She loved to celebrate milestones, including baptisms, graduations, performances, and sporting events. She also loved pictures of her family and could be found at every occasion with her digital camera, and later her phone, taking pictures, which she would then print and deliver to family members, helping them to document their lives. Hearing stories and welcoming visitors were among her favorite activities. She would listen to others for hours and loved every moment. On hard days, a visit with her would almost instantly make your day better through her love and listening ear, and she always expressed her joy in the time spent together. She also appreciated many hours walking with her wonderful friends and sharing their lives with each other. She loved the Savior and valued her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her testimony of Jesus Christ and her faith served as an example to family, friends, and everyone she met. She served in many stake and ward callings. With Derek, she served in the New York Rochester Mission and Utah Ogden Mission, where they were assigned to the inner cities. Nada is survived by Derek, her loving husband of almost 70 years, and her children and their spouses: Denise Holley of South Ogden, Utah; Mylan (Sue) Warnes of Liberty, Utah; Tamara (Kurt) Ottley of Ogden, Utah; Craig (Barbara) Warnes of Millville, Utah; Paul (Lisa) Warnes of Grace, Idaho; Susan (David) Richardson of Brigham City, Utah; and a foster daughter, Sheryl Smith of Shiprock, New Mexico; along with one brother and sister-in-law, Mac (Helen) Smith, of Preston, Idaho; and a sister-in-law, Sharon Thaxton, of South Ogden, Utah. She leaves behind a legacy of 18 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. Waiting to greet her on the other side were her parents, her brother and sister-in law, Jay and Joy Smith, her brother, Lee Smith, and her son-in-law, Fred Holley. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eden 2nd Ward building (2900 North Hwy 162) with a visitation prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Eden Mountain View Cemetery. To join in the zoom of Nada's service click the following code https://zoom.us/j/91449052082#success We are all so grateful to have known and loved such a loyal, kind, faithful, patient, and selfless woman. As she would often say, "Be good to each other." Arrangements entrusted to Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, UT 84404