Gayle Vest

TO VIEW GAYLE'S FUNERAL SERVICE LIVE PLEASE CLICK HERE

Gayle Pixton Vest, of Providence, Utah, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the age of 87.

Gayle was born in Murray, Utah on October 26, 1937 to Robert Leroy Pixton and Emma Marie Schmidt. She was the 11th of 12 children but she often remarked that she was the first child in her family of 11 siblings to be born in a hospital. Gayle grew up on a farm in Draper, Utah. Her childhood was marked by the loss of her mother when Gayle was 8 years old. Gayle was, from this early age, a hardworking and responsible girl with high standards and goals. She had a love for reading and learning that motivated her to maintain straight A’s even while working long hours on the farm. She graduated from Jordan HS in 1955, after which she attended Utah State University to study Education. 

Gayle was a dark haired, blue eyed beauty with a brilliant smile and a fun personality who loved college life and was very active in groups on campus. She served in Lambda Delta Sigma as President of the Tau Chapter and an officer on the general board. In 1957, she was selected as Lambda Delta Sweetheart. Gayle loved music and sang in the Chansonettes Choral group where she served as President for one term. She also participated in the Spurs service group. Gayle graduated from Utah State with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1959.

The highlight of Gayle’s time at USU was meeting and falling in love with Grant Vest. Gayle and Grant married in the Logan Temple on September 18, 1958. Together, they raised 5 children and lived in numerous states in the east, midwest and southwest United States. With each move Gayle worked diligently to establish her home as a loving place for her children to grow. You could count on her to be gardening, canning, sewing, supporting Grant in his many responsibilities, or serving others in some way. She spent countless hours preparing meals with fresh foods, sewing dresses for her daughters and deliberating over the next church assignment. The consistency with which she lived her life was a stabilizing force for good. 

Gayle set an example of leadership through her service in various organizations within the LDS Church. She was devoted to serving Jesus Christ and using her gifts to build the kingdom of God. Gayle’s influence was felt as she sewed roadshow costumes; planned large events like girl’s camps and youth conferences; or shared her testimony of Jesus Christ with numerous Primary children, Young Women, and Relief Society sisters. Gayle had an impressive soprano voice and could be heard above all the other voices in the chapel. She joined many choirs and shared her gift of voice often. Her favorite songs to sing were those that praised her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In 1989, Grant brought Gayle back to Utah, settling in their beloved Cache Valley. Grant bought Gayle the home of her dreams and she once again began creating a place of safety and peace there. Gayle started mentoring future teachers at USU and was actively involved with the LDS student wards on campus. She discovered the game Rummikub at this time and played numerous matches with her children, grandchildren and neighbors around her kitchen table.

After Grant’s retirement, Gayle and Grant served in the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Mission assigned to the institute in Edmond, Oklahoma. On their return to Utah, they continued active support of education and USU through Emeriti programs, establishing scholarships and going to every sporting event held on USU’s campus. Gayle and Grant enjoyed service as temple workers together in the Logan Temple. 

Gayle’s life changed forever when her sweetheart of 62 years, Grant, passed away in 2021. Gayle took great comfort from her children and grandchildren’s visits in the years that followed. She continued to find joy in attending church, reading, and playing Rummikub as long as she was able. Gayle’s desire was always to do her best with hope in Christ.

Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, 10 siblings and her husband, Grant. She is survived by her sister, Joanne Nef and step-sister, Sylvia Arterburn; children Kelly (Jeanine) Vest, Lani (Bill) Hall, Kari (Mark) England, Kami (Duane) Robbins and Kyle (Kelli) Vest; 26 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary on 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 20, 2025 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Providence 5th Ward chapel, 355 Canyon Rd. in Providence, with a viewing prior beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place in the Providence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following: The “H. Grant and Gayle P Vest Endowment” in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Utah State University, the ‘Gwendolyn and Gayle Vest Scholarship Endowment, Utah State University Advancement Services Gift Account 1590 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-1590 at Utah State University, or the ‘H. Grant Vest Family Endowment for Horticulture Fund’ at Oklahoma State University to honor Gayle’s lifelong commitment to education and research.

Funeral services will be livestreamed and may be viewed via the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/pZr5MAraa6Q?si=9Pq6t7F_FtKYqrLZ

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.

*Disclaimer: If for some reason the livestream of the Funeral Service does not work we will record the service and upload the video and/or audio recording at a later date.*