Grace Thompson

Grace was born Grace Aretta Newton in Emmett, Idaho on August 30, 1923. Her parents were William and Myrtle Newton. Her father had come straight from England and had a wonderful accent and many interesting stories from England. She has 4 sisters and 3 brothers. One of her brothers passed away at the age of 5. Grace is the second to last child.

When Grace was 6 almost 7 years old her mother was driving a car which stalled on a train track in Midvale. A train hit the car killing her mother. After her mother's death she and her brothers and sisters went to live with their aunt Elvira and uncle Nelson. While Grace and her brothers and sisters were living with their aunt and uncle, her father visited as often as possible, bringing them whatever he could. When Grace was 10 years old the family was reunited with their father in Murray, Utah.

Grace graduated from Murray High School. When World War II started she worked her way through college by washing airplanes. From High School Grace went on to Snow College and then to the University of Utah where she graduated in Elementary Education. During her career as a school teacher, she taught Kindergarten, First and Second grades.

She married Ralph Thompson on July 15, 1946, they were married by the Bishop and honeymooned in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 16, 1967.

Grace had 5 children, the first one was a girl born very premature, she lived one day and passed away. Grace is survived by her son Kendall Thompson and his wife Julia, her daughter Nancy Westenskow and her husband Robert, her daughter Kristy Hughes and her husband Keith, her son Roger Thompson and his wife Kim, and her brother Fred Newton and his wife Irene.

Family was always very important to Grace, she loved each and every one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always delighted when they visited her. Grace has 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren and counting.

Kristy's daughter greatly admired and loved her grandmother so much that she and her husband named their first daughter 'Grace' after her.

Ralph and Grace traveled all around the United States and took a trip to Hawaii. When Ralph passed away, Grace went on a trip to Alaska to visit her oldest son Kendall and his family who were living there.

Grace enjoyed reading, sewing and painting.

She loved to vacation in Island Park, at their cabin on Bear Lake and spend winters in St. George.

Funeral services Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State St., Midvale, with viewing starting at 10 a.m. Interment, Midvale City Cemetery.