Alta Rae Wilson Tolman

Our loving mother, Alta Rae Wilson Tolman died peacefully at her home on December 19, 2009. Alta was born on June 27, 1917 in Kanesville, Utah to Alma LaVoy and Pearl Elva Bingham Wilson. She attended schools in Farmington, Utah; Ithaca, New York; and Logan. She graduated from Logan High School and Utah State University. After graduation she taught home economics at Tabiona High, Lyman (Wyoming) High, and South Cache High. She married Elden Arthur Tolman in the Logan LDS Temple on June 19, 1944. Elden died on Oct. 6, 1952. Their four children and their spouses are Ellen and David L. Haddock of North Ogden, Marie Donigan and Thomas W. and Verla Tolman of Logan, and Shirley and Patrick G. Wolcott of Barstow, California.
After her husband’s death she supported her family for a few years with various home industries, she then returned to USU and earned her elementary teaching certificate. She taught at Wilson Elementary School from 1956 to 1982. Besides her skill in the classroom, the school benefitted from her musical abilities, and for a few years after retirement she returned to play the piano for school programs.
After retirement her lifelong interests in music, gardening, nature, and travel continued. She developed long-dormant talents on the organ and served in many church callings (including working in the cafeteria at the Logan Temple). She was valiant in her church attendance and service. As long as her health allowed she faithfully attended the temple.
For more than 25 years the residents of Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center enjoyed her lunch time piano programs of old favorites. She served a mission in the Colorado Denver LDS Mission in 1986, part of the time working with Cambodians. She enjoyed her long associations with members of the Literary League book club and Delta Kappa Gamma.
She was preceded in death by her husband and two grand-children and brothers, Warren, Alma and David. She is survived by her four children, 28 grand-children, 46 great-grand-children and 5 more greats on the way. She was devoted to her family. We are all grateful for the example of testimony, strength, hard work, and service she set; and for the love of music, nature, reading and adventure she shared.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 in the Logan 5th Ward Chapel, 500 East 300 North, Logan. A viewing will be held on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan, and prior to services at the church on Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net