Valene Brown Tolman

LOGAN, UTAH: Valene Elizabeth Brown Tolman, beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend, died February 4, 2008, in Waldorf, MD. peacefully in her sleep. She was born October 11, 1919 in her mothers' home, Afton, WY. She spent most of her childhood in Fairview, and graduated from Star Valley High School, June 1937. In the fall, she began attending the University of Wyoming, graduating in 1940. In her own words, "I did very well in student teaching receiving my teaching certificate in three years". In the fall of 1940, she taught school in Bedford, WY. for one year. In June, 1941, she was called on a mission for the LDS Church and served in the Northern States Mission for eighteen months. She served honorably and was released in December 1942.
Valene and her future husband, Edwin Osborne Tolman, grew up together attending the Fairview Ward and living two miles apart. After both served Missions for the LDS Church, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, December 29, 1943. On January 10, 1944, the newlyweds were separated by World War II. Valene continued teaching school in Afton, WY. After the war, they moved to Logan, UT where Valene began teaching in the Logan School District and taught for 31 years. She was involved with the Association of Childhood Education International and served at the state level as the Chairman of public affairs and publicity. She also served on the board of directors of the Logan Cache Rich Credit Union. She was also a member of the Utah Board of Retired Teachers. For about 20 years she taught the 55 Alive classes in Logan and also participated in the Legislature for Senior Citizens.
She and Ed taught dancing for the LDS Church and took many young dancers to the Church Wide Festivals in Salt Lake City. They served as Ward, Stake and Area Dance directors. They were also involved in organizing dances for the Special Interest Group for Cache Valley. For 12 years she taught ballroom dancing with her husband for Logan City Schools. Valene and Ed were in high demand for floor shows at local dances. She was also a leader in the Utah 4H Clubs for ten years. In her free time she liked to read, sew, crochet, travel and be with family. Always active in the Church, she served as Relief Society President in her home ward on two occasions and for a period of time at the Logan Valley Nursing Home.
Valene is survived by her three children: Scott Tolman, Spokane, Washington, Judy T. Waite, Waldorf, Maryland; Janis T. Newton, Sandy, Utah, 16 grandchildren, 23 great­grandchildren and her sister Lou Jean Erickson, Salt Lake City, Utah. She was preceded in death by her husband Edwin Osborn Tolman in 1991; her brothers Mack W. Brown, Loraine Junior Brown and sister June Barrus.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 11,2008, in the Logan 29th Ward, 500 E. 800 N. Friends may call from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 10, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary and at the Church preceding the funeral. Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be expressed to the rfamily at www.allenmortuaries.net