Beverly Tanner

Beverly Dean Parkes Tanner was born on August 6, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012, near Logan, Utah. She was the second of four children born to Henry and Ivy Parkes.
Her life of over 91 years spanned “the worst of times and the best of times”, times of depression, times of prosperity, times of war, times of peace, and most of all, times of freedom. She had the freedom to choose her goals, her dreams, and her passions, shaped by her circumstances.
She grew up in Los Angeles, California and attended Bakersfield Junior College in Bakersfield, California. While there she met her future husband, Rex Tanner. Before they finished school he received his orders to active duty with the Army Air Corps near Dallas, Texas. While he was preparing for overseas duty, they were married on September 13, 1942 and later sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That union of over 60 years filled her first passion—to have a large family of 14 children, who’s names all begin with ‘M’: Marion, Mike, Max, Marilyn, Marc, Morris, Milo, Melanie, Mel, Mace, Mont, Minta, Merle, and Mathew. After short residences in Dallas, Texas; Glendale, California; Sparks, Nevada; and Carey, Idaho; they settled in Boise, Idaho where they lived for the next 54 years. For the last nine years she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Sam Jones, in Youngward, Utah.
Her next passion grew out of the need to feed a big family—baking bread! She became a self-taught cook and baker using fresh whole milk and whole grain wheat. She sought out machines that helped in the wheat grinding and bread making processes. She prepared and served great loaves of bread, rolls of every kind, and peanut brittle!
Her interests and talents soon led to her next passion as a public speaker and teacher. She conducted product demonstrations and taught cooking classes. She was an early morning seminary teacher for 17 years, a substitute school teacher for 24 years, a motivational speaker, an entertainer, and a missionary! She was well known for her enthusiasm and her ability to recite poetry!
When she reached the retirement age of 65, in 1986, she did not retire! From age 65 to 84 she was a substitute school teacher; from age 68 to 82 she made many guest appearances on national talk shows (Late Night with David Letterman, Wayne Brady Show, Donny and Marie Show). From age 70 to 71 she served with her husband as a missionary in the Germany Frankfurt Temple Mission. At age 77 she published her book, Making and Baking Memories With Bev Tanner. Also at age 77 she was recognized as the gem of Idaho for her ‘Vigor and Vitality!’
She was preceded in death by one brother (Willard Parkes, Fresno, California), her husband (Rex Tanner, Boise, Idaho), and four sons (Mel, Merle, Marc, and Mace). She is survived by three daughters, Marilyn Jones (Sam) in Youngward, Utah; Melanie Hutchinson (Keith) in Twin Falls, Idaho; Minta Halling (Brian) in Twin Falls, Idaho; daughter-in-law, Diane Tanner in Boise, Idaho; and seven sons, Marion (Christie) in Washougal, Washington; Mike (Carleen) in Boise, Idaho; Max in Henderson, Nevada; Morris (Christi) in Midway, Utah; Milo in Reno, Nevada; Mont (Michelle) in Henderson, Nevada; Mathew (Jenny) in Monticello, Utah. She leaves a posterity of 14 children, 58 grandchildren and 113 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Kathryn Bradford in Orem, Utah and Mary Lou Whipple in Laie, Hawaii.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 PM on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Spring Creek Ward in Mt. Sterling (From Highway 89-91 go to 48th West 1450 South). A viewing will be held prior to services beginning at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM in the Meridian, Idaho Cemetery (895 East Franklin Road). Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net .