Marilyn Thacker

Marilyn Woodward Thacker (95) slipped through the veil peacefully, on Sunday the 4th of Sept. 2022. She was born, together with her twin sister, Roselyn, on July 13, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Ut Daughter of Robert Lewis and Loretta Thompson Woodward.

Marilyn spent most of her young life in Salt Lake City with her parents, her twin sister and younger sister, Ruth.

She graduated from South High School in 1944. Roselyn and Marilyn began their first jobs following graduation as display workers in Aurbach’s department store and then clerk typists at Hill Air Force Base.

By the end of 1944 the twins were enrolled in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps and earned their nursing certificates.They went on to graduate from the University of Utah’s Nursing School in 1947.

Marilyn and Roselyn loved to hike and they met Dale F. Thacker from Vernal on one of their hikes near SLC. Marilyn would go home that day and write in her journal; “I just met the most handsome cowboy today!” Dale and Marilyn were married in June of 1948 in the Salt Lake City Temple.

On Dale’s father’s cattle ranch in Ashley ward, near Ashley Creek was where Marilyn helped Dale raise 5 children while working full time as an registered nurse at the Uintah County hospital and as a county public health nurse for 35 years.

Marilyn loved to serve others; as a mother, a nurse, a neighbor and a teacher. “Do a Good Turn Daily” was a boy scout motto she truly took to heart. Anything that Marilyn was asked to do, she would go above and beyond what was expected of her. When she saw a need, she ministered.

She had an artistic talent and used it often in Church callings and in helping her children with their homework. She also encouraged her children to develop their talents by giving them the opportunity to take music or art lessons, enroll in 4-H, take part in sports teams or school clubs. She was a support to her children in whatever they decided to do, whether it was to be in a school or church play, serve a full time mission or to further their education.

Marilyn served in many church callings and especially loved being a scout leader in Boy Scouts for over 25 years. Many a young boy reached his next rank in scouting, thanks to Marilyn’s dedication and love. She helped boys get to their meetings and guided them to achieve the highest rank possible. Some earning Eagle rank because of Dale and Mailyn’s influence. She and Dale were awarded the BSA Silver Beaver.

 After her retirement, Marilyn joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and enjoyed her association with these good women, sharing and gathering pioneer histories, displaying artifacts at the museum, and traveling all over the valley with Dale to find and repair DUP markers.

Marilyn had an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ and a determination to be faithful to her values and beliefs. She loved the scriptures and the restored gospel. She treasured her time serving as an ordinance worker in the Vernal temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Marilyn and Roselyn loved being twins and were each other's best friends to the end of their lives. They spent the last 6 years together in assisted care before Roselyn’s death one month before Marilyn in July 2022.

We will always remember Mom’s kindness and caring for others and we are so grateful that Mom received this same kindness and love from those at Apple Tree Assisted Living and Whisper Cove Assisted Living. We’d especially like to thank Ashley, Taylor, Jaye, Mindy and Autumn from Canyon Hospice for loving and taking care of our dear mother so well.

Marilyn loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her sister; Ruth Spjute, sons: Acel (Pam-deceased), Boise; Alan (Wendy), Ogden; and daughters: Nancy (Wally) Goddard, Logan; Susan (Ed) Ham, Alpine; Lori (Phil) Hermansen, Cedar City, 20 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dale, sister, Roselyn Slade, daughter-in-law, Pam Angus Thacker, and great-grandson, Jackson Hewett.

A memorial service will be held in the Alpine North Stake center 1125 E. Alpine Blvd. Alpine, Utah on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 11am.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary, 15 E. 100 No. in Vernal. Friends and family may call from 10 -10:45 Monday morning.

Burial will be at the Maeser Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.

A live webcast will be available for the funeral on Monday, Sept. 12. https://my.gather.app/remember/marilyn-thacker