Della (Vickie) Elmer Thornwall, 83, passed away peacefully July 19, 2018 surrounded by her family. Vickie was born December 21, 1934 in Mountain View Wyoming to David Jasper and Iona Duceen Elmer. Vickie married the love of her life, Carl Edmund Thornwall, in Salt Lake City on September 15, 1956. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were married for 62 years.
Vickie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served her family and the community in many ways.
Mom fell head-over-heels in love with Dad from their very first date. They spent many of those dates dancing together and with Mom watching Dad build a boat, which would become the source of family memories, laughter, and encouragement for many years
Mom's greatest desire was to be a wife and a mother and to become an eternal family. She wore out her life serving her husband and her daughters and in Carl's last year's she tenderly cared for his every need. They have a special love.
Mom loved being a homemaker, seamstress, and serving all the people around her. She was our mentor, cheerleader, and teacher. She taught us to make something out of nothing. She always had the biggest smile in the audience. Mom knew we could do anything.
She spent hours slaving over six wedding dresses. Making them to our exact specifications. She loved her family and often brought us together with hot homemade bread and rolls.
Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was "Grammy" to 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grands. They love their Grammy!
Mom loved serving the youth of the church and spent 25 of those years at girls' camp. She loved the outdoors and loved to garden and be in the sun.
She was always working on learning something, from ways to beautify her home to developing a talent that could be useful with her family and others in her life.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to the caring and dedicated staff at the Beehive Homes of Draper, and especially to her angel sister, Irene. Thank you all for making our Mom's last week's so special.
We miss our mom and her beautiful smile, generosity, charity and kindness for others. It makes us smile to think of her and Dad continuing their love story.
Vickie is survived by daughters, Kathy (Gary) Hensley, Koryl (David) Whittenburg, Connie (Kelly) Haws, Crystal (Randy) Whipple, Kalyn (Howard) Shorthill, and Caryn (Yury) Colton; 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; siblings, Verla Winans, Allene Orr, Irene Gustaveson, David Elmer, and Doreen Everett. Preceded in death by her brothers, Jay Elmer and Leon Elmer, and by her beloved husband, Carl E. Thornwall.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Park Ward, 1050 E. Galena Dr., Sandy. Viewings will be Wednesday, July 25, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson & Goff Mortuary, 11859 S. 700 E., Draper, and again Thursday at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens.