Wilma Wyatt Andrews

Wilma Wyatt Andrews Surface, 78, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2007. Born to Willard Wyatt and Edna Mortenson Wyatt, Wilma grew up in the town of Logan, Utah, and graduated from USAM.
On August 10, 1949, Wilma married Dale Howard Andrews and enjoyed an adventurous life traveling both domestically and internationally as the wife of a U.S. Army dentist. Moving 14 times in 27 years could have been difficult, but Wilma’s zest for life made each move an exciting journey for her children and taught them to view change as a wonderful opportunity and a chance to learn and make new friends. During the Korean War, she supported her husband’s long absence and beautifully nurtured her two young children through a difficult time when only out of date letters were the primary form of communication. After Dale’s retirement as a Colonel in the U.S. Army, he accepted a position as the Dean of Prosthedontics at the University of Texas Dental School, and they settled in Missouri City, Texas. Here Wilma enjoyed using her accomplished social skills by organizing special events for the faculty and students.
After her husband’s untimely death in 1988, she summoned her strong and independent character and began a new life in Sun Lakes, Arizona, where she purchased a home and involved herself in the activities within the community. Still grieving, she discovered and purchased a bit of heaven in a mountain home near Show Low, Arizona, where she found a measure of peace and tranquility.
Eventually she met a kind gentleman, Donald Duane Surface, and they were married in Hawaii on May 15, 1993. They enjoyed traveling in their trailer home throughout the United States and visited many parts of the world, always sharing their experiences with friends and family. As a benefit to this marriage, Wilma enjoyed getting to know Don’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they fled the Arizona heat to the beautiful Montana landscape. Showing a bit of her entrepreneurial spirit, Wilma and Don began a small business creating and selling hand-made blankets at craft fairs and boutiques. As her health declined last summer, she turned to her loving stepdaughters for comfort and assistance until she could return to Arizona.
Wilma’s family occupied most of her love and her time. She raised three children who fondly remember her delicious cooking, her year-round decorating for all seasons and holidays, and her beautiful poetry. Wilma made Christmas a magical time for everyone in her family. She was the favorite mom of the neighborhood and fed, entertained, and bandaged many children with whom she had no genetic connection. As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Wilma supported her children in their church assignments and instilled in them a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility. Both sons and all of her grandsons served or are currently serving full-time missions for the Church. All of her children and married grandchildren enjoy temple marriages and are serving faithfully in their respective wards and stakes. Her eight grandchildren loved her telephone calls and birthday cards, and she was delighted when she received news of the birth of Jacob, her first great grandson on October 31.
Wilma is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dale Andrews, her sister, Joyce Smith, and her granddaughter, Michelle Andrews.
She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children: Dee H. Andrews (Debi), Gilbert, Arizona; Karen L. Barrus (Kirk), San Clemente, California; and David R. Andrews (Heidi) of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. She is also survived by her sister Renee Peterson (Gilbert), Logan, Utah and her brother Willard Wyatt of Colorado. Her surviving grandchildren and great-grandson include: Matthew Andrews, Clayton Andrews, Kristin Bryant (Kurt), Adam Barrus (Dawn), Jordan Barrus, Jason Andrews, Nicole Andrews, Melissa Andrews, and Jacob Bryant. Wilma’s surviving relatives in Montana include her dear husband, Donald Surface, her stepchildren Phyllis Salesky (Ronald), Marsha Bowman (Russell), and Gail Weitz (Michael).

Services for Wilma will be held at Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan, Utah on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net .