Anna Marie Ward Rex

Anna Marie Ward Rex Brigham City, Utah On 14 September 2008, after a nine-month courageous battle with a cancerous brain tumor, our beloved Anna Marie Ward Rex slipped beyond the veil of mortality while at her home in Brigham City, Utah. She miraculously was able to fulfill several goals set at the time of diagnosis and in doing so exceeded medical expectations. She will be greatly missed as a mother, wife, sister, friend, and grandmother. Anna Marie was born 9 August 1939 in Pocatello, Idaho, the eldest of nine children born to LaVell George and Meryl Romney Ward. She grew up and attended schools in Bloomington, Idaho, in beautiful Bear Lake Valley. Taught by her mother, she became an accomplished pianist who entertained and inspired many throughout her life. She graduated from Fielding High School in Paris, Idaho, in 1957, as salutatorian. As a youth she was well-loved and respected by her family, neighbors and peers. She attended Brigham Young University, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Education and a minor in music. In April of her Junior year, she met Ronald Dee Rex of Randolph, Utah, in a genealogy class at BYU. They became eternal companions in the Salt Lake Temple on 22 September 1960. They have loved and adored each other ever since. To their union were born nine children. These were the joy of her life. They have also been blessed with 40 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her five sons served LDS missions and all nine children are college graduates. She was always happy to be a stay-at-home Mom. She was content with the simple things in life and appreciated the beauties of nature. She loved family, past and present, especially her siblings, children and grandchildren. She and her husband were recognized for their devotion to family by being awarded the "BYU Alumni Service to Family Award" on 10 October 2003. After graduation, she and her husband lived for five years in Washington D.C. In 1966, they moved to Brigham City, Utah, where they've resided ever since. She claims a rich pioneer heritage and has always been a devout member of the LDS Church, serving in numerous callings at both the stake and ward level. She taught Relief Society Mother Education lessons for over 11 years. She had a great love for music, which she shared with her children, and for Family History work. Blessed with 'the Spirit of Elijah' and a love of her ancestry, she did extensive research and submitted 1,000's of names to the temple. She and her husband served a part-time Family History (Extraction) Mission in SLC, a 20-month mission in the Texas Houston South Mission, and were scheduled to leave for the California Oakland Mission within a week of her diagnosis. Surviving are her husband and children: Ronald Dee Rex, Brigham City; Michael Evan (Michelle) Rex, Beaverton, Oregon; Barbara Gay (Brian) Peterson, South Jordan, UT; Sandra Kay (Todd) Gale, Parowan, UT; Kathryn Marie (Tim) Weaver, Gooding, Idaho; Alan Dee (Grace) Rex, Orem, UT; Charlene LaRae (Brian) Jensen, Springville, UT; Gregory Ward (Dana) Rex, Norman, OK; Gary Bullock (Debbie) Rex, West Jordan, UT; Dale Ronald (Judy) Rex, Provo, UT; 40 Grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters and five brothers Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Brigham City 7th Ward Chapel, located at 531 N. 100 W. Friends may call at the same location on Fri. from 6-8:30 p.m. or on Sat. from 8:45-9:45 a.m. Interment at Randolph, Utah, Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or Missionary Fund. Send condolences to the family at www.gilliesfuneralchapel.com