OBITS: The Spectrum 1 Apr 2005; St. George, Washington co., Utah text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ut/utfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: St. George The Spectrum http://www.thespectrum.com Gena Higbee Hirschi ena Hirschi was born October 12, 1923, in Toquerville, Utah and passed away on March 25, 2005, in Tucson, Arizona. She was born Gena Higbee, and was married in 1942 to Melville Hirschi of Rockville, Utah. They had three sons, Yance, Courtland, and Brett. Her husband joined the military and Gena was transformed from a small town girl into a world traveler, and she loved it! She experienced the cultures of Europe, South America, Australia and every corner of the United States. Our mother was a lady of great compassion, courage, beauty and generosity. She stood up firmly against bigotry while the family was stationed in the South at Maxwell AFB near Montgomery, Alabama, in 1964. She personally confronted it when a posse of "ladies" came to visit one day. They told her quite rudely that she was being far too generous to her black housekeeper by "tipping" her with extra cash, clothing, and even food for the housekeeper's children. Our mother simply stood up, walked over and opened the front door, and pointedly said, "You are all invited to leave." She, of course, continued to do what simple decency demanded. Later, while at Hanscom Field in Massachusetts, she was elected as President of the Officers Wives Club. She became affectionately known as "Boss Lady" and for "rounding up the women" on base and assigning them to various committees. She accomplished the most enjoyable and effective fundraisers they ever had, all for the children and wives of military men who had died while serving their country. For decades, up until a few months before her death, she donated money and time to various organizations for children and veterans, sewing dresses and shirts for them. Many more examples could be cited, but not once did she become prideful or seek accolades for her work. She did things because it was the right thing to do. Gena Higbee Hirschi was our brave, beautiful, and loving mother. We will all miss her deeply. She is survived by her: sons, Yance (Marcia) and Brett; two grandchildren, Aaron and Niles; and two sisters, Wilma Kemp and Maree Gardner. She is preceded in death by her husband, Melville; son, Cortland; sisters, Eleen Harris and Nola Palfreyman; and brother, Lamond Higbee. Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 2, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Rockville Cemetery in Rockville, Utah. There will be a visitation Friday, April 1, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT, (435) 6732454. Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Click on the dove. Obituaries are also available at our Web site. Click on the rose. Originally published April 1, 2005 Jacob Bryan Schmutz Jacob Bryan Schmutz was born and died on March 30, 2005. He came to visit his family from heaven for one blessed day and sealed his life with the promise that he is forever ours. Jacob was born to Bryan and Amy Schmutz of Midvale, Utah, and is survived by them and by his older sister, Avalon, and by his grandparents Bob and Iris Schmutz of Midvale, and Jim and Gayle Workman of St. George. An intimate graveside service only will be held in Jacob's honor at the Midvale Cemetery on April 2nd, 2005, at 12:00pm. In place of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the Amy Schmutz, c/o Jacob Schmutz trust fund at any Mountain America Credit Union to help the family shoulder the financial costs. Our hearts are drawn out in gratitude for all of those who have offered us support during this time of loss. We wait with joy in our hearts for the reunion that is sure to come. For online condolences please see obits@larkinmortuary.com. Originally published April 1, 2005 Elva Fern Ferguson Palfreyman Scott VanWegenen Elva Fern Ferguson Scott VanWagenen passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 28, 2005, in Washington, Utah. She was born August 1, 1915 in Provo, Utah, to Earl and Fern VanWagenen Ferguson. She married Dennis Blake Palfreyman on September 15, 1933, in Provo, Utah. Blake died in a tragic automobile accident on December 21, 1935. She married Mark J. Scott on September 16, 1937, in Provo, Utah, and enjoyed forty years of life with him until he died on March 14, 1978. She married Everett VanWagenen on February 14, 1984 in Provo, Utah. Everett was deceased on March 31, 2002. Elva grew up in Provo and graduated from Provo High School in 1933. She later attended Brigham Young University. She moved to Lakeview, Utah in 1937 and lived there for over 60 years. She was a resident of Prestige Assisted Living in Provo from 1999 to 2002. The past three years Elva has been in assisted living care in St. George/Washington, Utah. Elva enjoyed spending time with her family and one of her greatest joys was travel. She was an excellent homemaker and loved hosting her family in her home for Holidays and special occasions. Elva volunteered many hours of community service as a Pink Lady at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. She was a member of the Lakeview Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is survived by one daughter and two sons: Max (Irene) Palfreyman of Santa Clara; Sandra (Tom) Carbotti of Columbia, Maryland; and Richard (Georgia) Scott of Portland, Oregon; one brother, Boyd (Elaine) Ferguson of Fresno, California; 11 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren and 21 great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2005, at 11:00 a.m., at Berg Mortuary, 185 East Center Street, Provo. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at the Provo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends that contributions be sent to the Alzheimer's Association of Utah, 1070 West 1600 South, Bldg. B, St. George, UT 84770. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the Webb family and staff of Comfort Cottage in Washington, Utah, who have provided Elva's care for the past three years. Condolences may be sent to www.BergMortuary.com. Originally published April 1, 2005