Margene Cox Waite

Margene Cox Waite

Margene Cox Waite passed away peacefully at Logan Nursing Home early Tuesday morning, December 18, 2012 at the age of 83.

She was born August 22, 1929, in Logan, UT, the oldest of three children, to Marion E. Cox and Lucile Schiess Cox. She attended schools in Providence and Hyrum. She grew up working on the family farm in Providence and helping her father with his beekeeping business.

During her junior year of high school, she worked at the lunch counter in the Royal Food Store on South Main in Logan, where she first met her future spouse, Vance B. Waite. He had just returned from the War and stopped in for a bite of lunch. He was immediately attracted to this vivacious brown-eyed beauty. She was teased by some of the regulars who couldn’t help but notice that Dad couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He got up the courage to ask for a date for that evening. She replied that she was busy. He continued to ask for each sequential night for five nights until she had a free night. They began dating regularly, and continued their courtship and engagement attending each other’s ballgames and enjoying a rootbeer or malt afterwards, and attending the dances around the valley. They were married on July 16, 1947 in the Logan LDS Temple, and eventually made their home in North Logan.

During the early years of their marriage, Margene worked at Culligan Soft Water, but eventually became a full-time homemaker, when they were blessed with four children. Later, when the last one went to kindergarten, she worked part-time at the USU Bookstore, where she made lasting friendships with co-workers, faculty and students.

She enjoyed gardening, singing, dramatics and family vacations. She would give readings and participated in plays.

Margene was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and had a powerful faith and testimony. She was active in Young Women’s and Sunday School. She enjoyed working with and teaching the youth. She is survived by her children, son Robert (Vinnie) Waite of LeMoore, CA, and daughters Linda (Peter) VanOrden of Salt Lake City, UT, Gayla (Barry) Foster of Hyde Park, UT and Janet (Ed) Bala of Pocatello, ID, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her brother, Duane (Margene) Cox of College Ward, and her sister, Diane (Jim) Lindley of Providence.

The family wishes to express appreciation to Logan Nursing & Rehab Center, IHC Hospice, and Legacy House of Logan, and also special thanks to neighbors: the Mulls, the Jacksons, and Lou Wilhelm.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2012, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm with the funeral following at 12:30, at Allen Mortuary, 420 E. 1800 N., North Logan, UT. Burial will follow at the Hyde Park Cemetery, 400 E Center, Hyde Park, UT.

As children, we wish to say how much we loved and appreciated our mother for her kindness, devotion and her example of strength, courage and endurance.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net