Marilyn Rich Mickelson

Marilyn Rich Mickelson, 85, of River Heights, Utah, died May 2, 2017.

She was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Provo, Utah, the fourth of five children in the Lyman Holmes Rich and Ada Shepherd Rich family. Marilyn was a darling little girl who was often mistaken for Shirley Temple. Her school years were spent in Logan, and she graduated from Utah State University in Business, where she was active in campus activities and served as studentbody secretary. After finishing at USU, she was a teacher at Logan High School.

On May 6, 1955, Marilyn married Reed L. Mickelson in the Logan LDS Temple. During those early years together, she was instrumental in helping Reed establish Mickelson Construction Company. Their marriage was blessed with five daughters and two sons: Mary Ann Grover (Clifford), Kae Clark (Brent), Linda Mortenson, Carol Stark (Brett), Nancy Allen (Kevin), John Mickelson (Michelle) and Steven Mickelson (Lindsay).

Marilyn was an amazing, wonderful homemaker. In her home she created a place of beauty where family and friends gathered together and felt welcomed and loved. An exceptional hostess, she enjoyed creating delicious food that was enhanced by beautiful presentation. She had an eye for decorating and worked hard to maintain a lovely home and beautiful yard.

Marilyn pursued enriching and uplifting experiences. She particularly enjoyed reading, traveling and the arts. Her love for reading opened up the world to her, and she shared this experience with many dear friends in book clubs throughout the years. This love was extended to her children and grandchildren as she read and shared her favorite books with them. Traveling through Europe, South America, and the Book of Mormon lands helped her cultivate an appreciation for different peoples and cultures. Beautiful music could always be heard in her home and she loved attending the many musical productions available in Cache Valley. She was very encouraging and supportive of her children’s and grandchildren’s participation in the arts.

Service was a hallmark of Marilyn’s life. Her most important service was to her family, whom she tirelessly sacrificed for daily. The good deeds extended well beyond them, though, as delivering a meal to a friend or neighbor was a common occurrence. She was also a good listener and helped those who needed to be uplifted. Marilyn loved serving in the church and accepted positions in many presidencies. She was particularly fond of teaching in the Relief Society, but her favorite calling was the work she did for 25 years as a temple officiator.

Being a wife, mother and grandmother were of the highest value to Marilyn. She sacrificed in order to provide her children with every possible opportunity where lessons, athletics, and travel were concerned. Reed and Marilyn are the grandparents of 29 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Amazingly, they have a relationship with each one of them, and they are individually remembered on his or her birthday with a card and money. Over the years she compiled more than 50 picture albums celebrating all they had done. Her children and grandchildren enjoyed playing card games with her, cheering on the Jazz, and her famous chocolate syrup. Holidays and family get-togethers are treasured memories because of her efforts.

Marilyn will be remembered for the sacrifices she continually made for others, the steadfast and immovable faith she exhibited in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and her surprising sense of humor. We are confident she had a fantastic reunion with the loved ones that preceded her in death: her parents and her siblings, Joyce Rich Nelson, Morris Rich, Cleone Frischknecht, and William L. Rich.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017, in the River Heights Stake house, 800 S. 600 East, River Heights, Utah. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2017, at Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St., Logan, Utah, and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will be at the Providence City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed online at www.allenmortuaries.net .