Valene Flemmer

We welcome you to join us in celebrating the beautiful life of Valene Geddes Flemmer.  She passed away

peacefully on August 7, 2014 -- the way she hoped she would--in her home, surrounded by her daughters.

Mom lived a vibrant and rewarding life filled with family, travel, business adventures, friendships, love and meaning.  She was the second of six children born March 5, 1932 to Vanona and Stewart Geddes on a stormy winter night in Preston, Idaho.  She was raised with her five siblings on a farm in Banida, Idaho where she learned the value of hard work, the importance of education, an appreciation for literature and music, and the joy of a supportive and faith-filled family.  These virtues formed the foundation for how she would conduct her life, raise her family, and serve others. 

Her education included a one-room schoolhouse, graduation from Preston High and four years of college at Utah State and the University of Utah where she studied geology and education.

Between her college years, Val worked at Hill Air Force Base where she was set up on a blind date by a friend. Mom remembers peeking through her window watching her date “bound up the stairs two-at-a-time to pick her up.”   His name was Bill Flemmer, the man she would elope with to Las Vegas on April 2, 1954.  They were later sealed with their five daughters in the Logan Temple in 1975 with great fanfare.  Val and Bill were married 49 years, before his death in 2003. 

Together they have five daughters whose lives began in their cute little Salt Lake house with a pool and a pink slide.  They later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where the girls completed school and the family created a lifetime of wonderful friends and memories together. 

Valene was always the favorite Mom in the neighborhood – the one that welcomed all friends and was ready with an extra bed and an extra plate at the table for anyone who happened to drop by.  Ever the consummate social butterfly, she was strong, generous, well-read, slightly opinionated… and steadfast in her faith.  Valene served valiantly in numerous leadership callings in her wards and stakes throughout her life. 

After relocating with Bill to Salt Lake City in 1984 as empty-nesters (sort of), she dedicated the majority of her time formally serving others, including over a decade as a missionary on Temple Square at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and at the Conference Center.  She loved these callings and the opportunity they provided for her to meet people from all over the world and to share her passion for LDS church history and her testimony of the gospel.

She is survived by her five daughters, Cynthia Flemmer, Linda Benson (Robert), Penny Hutchison (Gary), Kristine Stewart (Terry) and Leslie Flemmer (Grace).  She also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 8 grandchildren spouses, and 20 great grandchildren; a brother, Lynn Geddes and wife Carolyn; sister, Cheryl Johnson; and two brothers-in law, Tom Cattani and Mark Hart, along with dozens of wonderful nieces and nephews.  

Services will be held on Saturday, August 16^th at 11:00 am at the Willow Canyon 8^th Ward Chapel, 1600 E Buttercup Drive in Sandy, Utah.  A viewing will be held at the Church on Friday, August 15^th from 6-8:00 pm and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the funeral service.  The burial will be at 4:00 pm at the Preston Idaho Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Webb Funeral Home of Preston, Idaho.

The Flemmer Family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the BMT Clinic at Huntsman Cancer Institute who provided the care that helped give Val five additional years of life.  If you would like to make a donation in her honor, please contribute to The Huntsman Cancer Institute or to the LDS Mission Fund. 

 Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com