Marlene Monson Wood Obituary (1938

Marlene was born on March 16, 1938 in American Fork, Utah to Alvin and Electa Monson. She grew up enjoying a small town life, surrounded by a wonderful community of family and friends. She graduated from A.F. High School and then attended Brigham Young University. In the summer of 1958 she met her future husband, Richard Eugene Wood, when he introduced himself on the top of Mt. Timpanogos (they had both hiked up with different groups) and asked her to a dance. They were married on November 26, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple and had the unusual pleasure of sharing their wedding reception with Marlene’s two living sisters: Nadine Nibley (Richard) who was also married on the 26th and Mary Briggs (Walter) who was married a few days prior. Richard and Marlene welcomed their first child, Deborah, while living in Ely, Nevada, where Richard taught school for a couple of years. They then moved to Orangevale, California, where Richard continued to teach and they added four more children to their home: David, Rebecca, Paul, and Kevin. In 1973, Marlene began a decades-long career as a veterinary hospital office manager. She enjoyed the lifelong friendships she developed with many of the people she worked with. The family moved into a new home in Newcastle, California in the fall of 1975 after having worked hard all summer contributing much labor to the construction process. They lived in this home until, having both retired, they moved to Provo, Utah in 2003. Marlene loved living near her beloved siblings again. Marlene was a wonderful helpmeet to her husband as she worked hard alongside him as he developed yards and gardens, and built ponds and greenhouses, and raised pigs and sheep and goats and cows and various fowl. And she sowed and weeded and harvested and preserved the fruits of their labors. She was wonderfully talented in many areas and had an artistic flair that was evident in the wonderful props she created as a Primary chorister. Marlene was best known for her beautiful smile and beautiful soprano singing voice. Both of these attributes she used to brighten other’s lives. Her love of music was demonstrated through the many choirs both church and community that she participated in throughout her life. She often served as a chorister for various organizations within her wards in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One Sunday in a ward Relief Society testimony meeting she stated, “I wish I could sing my testimony”; I believe she did just that as she always loved to sing the hymns of the gospel. That was her favorite way to express her love of her savior, Jesus Christ, and her Heavenly Father. Marlene will be missed by her husband, Richard E. Wood; her children: Debbi John (Ernie), David Wood, Rebecca Bell (Chad), Paul Wood (Heather White), Kevin Wood (Carol Ingram), and by 10 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth W. Monson (Jolene Bowen). She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Eugene and Electa Toone Smith Monson, and five of her six siblings: Nadine Nibley (Richard, deceased), Calvin Eugene Monson (Claudia Sedgwick), George Toone Monson, Mary Alice Briggs (Walter, deceased), and Linda Monson. Private funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.