Hilda Rae Hale Anderson Thomas
Angel
Mother
Hilda Rae Hale Thomas- loving wife, angel mother and beloved grandmother and
great grandmother-returned to the arms of her Heavenly Father and Mother
December 19, 2013 after an extended illness.
Hilda was born in Oakley, Idaho, on August 30, 1928 to loving parents, Wallace
A. and Annie Penola Dayley Hale. She was the 9th of ten children. She attended
Brigham Young University for two years then transferred to Utah State
University where she received her degree in Home Economics. While teaching in
Huntington, Utah, she met Gail Q. Anderson. They were married on August 24,
1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children, whom she adored, served
and sacrificed for until her last breath; Kathryn Rae, David Gail and Anna
Colleen. They were later divorced. She was a phenomenal Home Economics teacher
for 27 years at Cyprus High School in Magna, Utah. Besides teaching foods and
sewing she received advanced training in and taught Child Development, Interior
Design and Vocational Foods. She served as the advisor for the FHA club for
many years. She loved teaching and her students.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was
faithful her entire life. She not only taught her children the Gospel but was
an exemplar in service. She served in many positions in the church and served
two missions after her retirement- one to the Denver Temple Mission and the
other to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. While serving the
second mission she met the 'Love of Her Life', Harold B. Thomas. They were
married on November 7, 1993, in the Jordan River Temple. Through this marriage
she was able to inherit seven more children whom she loved dearly. Harold
promised her 20 years and kept that promise as they celebrated their 20th
anniversary this year. Hilda loved to dance, and Harold took her dancing every
chance he could. They served as temple workers together in the Jordan River LDS
Temple. They loved spending time with their children's families. Harold loved
and was beloved of her children and grandchildren. Her greatest joy in life was
family. Kathryn says BYU sports was a close second; Dave says U of U sports was
a close second and Colleen is fine with either.
Hilda is survived by her sweetheart husband, Harold, and 'their' children:
Kathryn Anderson Minster (Reid), David Anderson (Sharon), Colleen Anderson Bean
(Tim), Dlorah Thomas Henson(Dean), Dennis Thomas (Peggy), Kaye Thomas Clayton
(Dave), Dale Thomas (Shauna), Boyd Thomas, (Danna), Lynn Thomas (Cassie) and
Rosemary Thomas Bridges (Dwight). She is also survived by 21 grandchildren and
26+ great-grandchildren as well as Harold's extended family; Siblings - Whitney
D. Hale, Murray, UT; Anna Lou Bair, Heyburn, ID; Claire Spence, West Virginia;
and Fielding Hale, Oakley, ID. Preceded in death by her parents, great-
grandson, Logan Grant; Siblings Relia Paskett, Ronald Hale, Eliphet Hale ,
Verla Martindale, and Yvonne Reed.
Goodbye, Angel Mother. Our lifelong refrain has been and will ever be,
"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother." -Abraham
Lincoln.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the
LDS Chapel, 8059 W 2700 S, Magna, UT. Viewings will be held on Friday evening from
6:00-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S Redwood Road, Taylorsville, and
at the chapel on Saturday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Interment , Valley View
Memorial Park, 4335 W 4100 S, West Valley City.
Published in Deseret News from Dec. 22 to Dec. 26, 2013
