Grandma Lisonbee

My Grandma Lisonbee (obviously my Mom's mom) died last Thursday. She has been really sick for quite some time so it was actually no surprise that she passed on. She had a stroke 20 years ago and has been a little disabled ever since. Because of this, I can't even remember her in any way except how she has been the last 20 years.

The funeral was held today. It was very nice. My mom, Cheryce, Rachelle and I sang "Be Still My Soul", and Alison accompanied us. I was a pallbearer - which was a new experience, but I certainly consider it quite an honor. It was a sad day but we were the saddest for my grandpa and my mom and her siblings. Here is her obituary.

Lucille Jane Gardner Lisonbee 1925 ~ 2007 Our courageous wife, mother, grandmother and great-grand-mother lost a valiant struggle with health to return to our Heavenly Father and the open arms of her loving mother on January 11, 2007. Lucille was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, on June 11, 1925 to Verda Price Gardner and Frank Gardner. Lucille was raised in her grandparents home with her aunts and uncles as siblings. She was married to Richard Gene Lisonbee in the Salt Lake City Temple by Harold B. Lee on February 21, 1947, passing away just six weeks short of their 60th wedding anniversary.

Lucille followed in the footsteps of her mother as an elementary school teacher, teaching kindergarten and 1st grade for 17 years. After her retirement, she volunteered many years in the school reading program. She graduated from the University of Utah and received her masters degree in education from Brigham Young University. Lucille was an accomplished vocalist and would perform at churches, weddings, and funerals throughout her life until the ravages of illness took her beautiful voice away. Lucille found great joy in camping and boating with her family and traveling throughout North America and Mexico with her husband in their motor-home. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she received her Golden Gleaners Award and served in many callings throughout her lifetime. She was an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She and her husband served a full time mission to the New Mexico, Albuquerque Mission.

Lucille's greatest joy was raising a large family. She is survived by her husband, Richard Lisonbee; children, Jay (Maria), Gene (Carol), Karla (Mark) Andersen, Sheri (Larry) Adamson, Nancy (Kim) Squire, and Tammie (Scott) Rees; 28 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; her aunt Elaine Engstrum and her step-mother, Gretchen Gardner. She was preceded in death by her mother, Verda Price Gardner Flint; her father, Frank Gardner; her step-father, Donald Flint and a great-grandson, Garret Lisonbee.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 15, 2007, 12 noon, at the Springview Ward, 3151 South 900 East, where friends may call from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the service or on Sunday evening at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple from 5-7:00 p.m. Interment, Elysian Burial Gardens. Online condolences to www.larkinmortuary.com