1930
Dolores
2023
Dolores Sarai France Thurman
January 1, 1930 — February 21, 2023
Dolores Sarai France Thurman, 93 of Midvale, UT, passed away peacefully in her home of over sixty years on February 21, 2023.
Dolores was born January 1, 1930, to Viona Kemp and Lee Kent France in Salt Lake City, UT. They lived near 600 N and 300 W near downtown. Spending her early years in the heart of The Great Depression, Dolores learned to make beauty from very little. She loved to host parties even as a young child. She once treated her mother’s friends to a tea party and proudly served them water from her tiny toy tea set.
After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, UT, Dolores married Wallace L. Baker on June 18, 1948. Dolores and Wally welcomed two sons, Dennis L. Baker in 1949 and Randy K. Baker in 1950. Dolores and Wally later divorced but as was characteristic of their big hearts, they worked hard to be wonderful co-parents to their boys.
Dolores went on to marry the love of her life and sweetheart Ivan LeRoy Thurman. They eloped to Elko, NV on January 5, 1958, where young Dennis stood as the best man. Dolores and Ivan welcomed daughter Debrah C. Thurman in 1960 and son Wayne M. Thurman in 1964. Dolores and Ivan loved having their home full of their combined children as they blended their families together.
Dolores was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On April 19, 1971, Dolores and Ivan were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. We know their joy was full as Dolores and Ivan reunited again upon Dolores’ passing.
Dolores filled her life and home with all her many talents and hobbies. She was rarely idle and had many things to keep her hands busy. Dolores loved creating ceramics, even teaching classes near the kilns in her basement to help others make beautiful ceramics for their homes. She loved Artex painting, sewing and quilting. Always creative and always organizing, Dolores wanted to make every birthday and holiday a special occasion. She would often decorate beautiful birthday, holiday or wedding cakes as just one more way to make an occasion special and help her family feel of her love for them.
Dolores was an active member of the local chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She made life-long friends among her sorority sisters. She loved to socialize, learn and serve alongside these sisters,
Dolores and Ivan always loved to travel. Road trips and camping trips with their pop-up trailer were common in the summer. As years passed, Dolores and her daughter Debbie were not only best friends, but they were also excellent travel companions. Even celebrating their 60th and 90th birthdays together in 2020 on a Disney Cruise.
More than anything, Dolores loved her family and spoke to anyone who would listen of her children, 15 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
During the last three months of her life, Dolores received hospice care. Many thanks to the staff of Elevation Hospice and her nurse Melinda for their loving care and support.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents Viona Kemp and Lee Kent France and her husband Ivan L Thurman. Also preceded in death by Kenneth Thurman (stepson), Valerie Baker (daughter-in-law), Ralph France (brother), Bobbie France (brother), Sandra Ankra (sister), Emmanuel Ankra (brother-in-law) and two grandsons.
Dolores is survived by her children and stepchildren Dennis L. Baker, Randy K. Baker (Ronalee), Debrah C. Thurman, Wayne M. Thurman, Dale Woodfield (Jeanne), Dean Thurman and Connie Biesner. She is also survived by her siblings Gwen Christiansen (Frank), Duane France (Holli) and Dan France.
Services for Dolores will take place on Friday March 3, 2023, at Memorial Mortuary, 5850 S 900 E, Murray, UT 84121. A viewing will take place for friends and family from 10:00-10:45 AM, followed by funeral services at 11:00 AM. Interment at Memorial Redwood Mortuary 6500 S Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84123.Service Information
Viewing March 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah 84123
Funeral Service
March 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah 84123
Dolores was born January 1, 1930, to Viona Kemp and Lee Kent France in Salt Lake City, UT. They lived near 600 N and 300 W near downtown. Spending her early years in the heart of The Great Depression, Dolores learned to make beauty from very little. She loved to host parties even as a young child. She once treated her mother’s friends to a tea party and proudly served them water from her tiny toy tea set.
After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, UT, Dolores married Wallace L. Baker on June 18, 1948. Dolores and Wally welcomed two sons, Dennis L. Baker in 1949 and Randy K. Baker in 1950. Dolores and Wally later divorced but as was characteristic of their big hearts, they worked hard to be wonderful co-parents to their boys.
Dolores went on to marry the love of her life and sweetheart Ivan LeRoy Thurman. They eloped to Elko, NV on January 5, 1958, where young Dennis stood as the best man. Dolores and Ivan welcomed daughter Debrah C. Thurman in 1960 and son Wayne M. Thurman in 1964. Dolores and Ivan loved having their home full of their combined children as they blended their families together.
Dolores was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On April 19, 1971, Dolores and Ivan were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. We know their joy was full as Dolores and Ivan reunited again upon Dolores’ passing.
Dolores filled her life and home with all her many talents and hobbies. She was rarely idle and had many things to keep her hands busy. Dolores loved creating ceramics, even teaching classes near the kilns in her basement to help others make beautiful ceramics for their homes. She loved Artex painting, sewing and quilting. Always creative and always organizing, Dolores wanted to make every birthday and holiday a special occasion. She would often decorate beautiful birthday, holiday or wedding cakes as just one more way to make an occasion special and help her family feel of her love for them.
Dolores was an active member of the local chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She made life-long friends among her sorority sisters. She loved to socialize, learn and serve alongside these sisters,
Dolores and Ivan always loved to travel. Road trips and camping trips with their pop-up trailer were common in the summer. As years passed, Dolores and her daughter Debbie were not only best friends, but they were also excellent travel companions. Even celebrating their 60th and 90th birthdays together in 2020 on a Disney Cruise.
More than anything, Dolores loved her family and spoke to anyone who would listen of her children, 15 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
During the last three months of her life, Dolores received hospice care. Many thanks to the staff of Elevation Hospice and her nurse Melinda for their loving care and support.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents Viona Kemp and Lee Kent France and her husband Ivan L Thurman. Also preceded in death by Kenneth Thurman (stepson), Valerie Baker (daughter-in-law), Ralph France (brother), Bobbie France (brother), Sandra Ankra (sister), Emmanuel Ankra (brother-in-law) and two grandsons.
Dolores is survived by her children and stepchildren Dennis L. Baker, Randy K. Baker (Ronalee), Debrah C. Thurman, Wayne M. Thurman, Dale Woodfield (Jeanne), Dean Thurman and Connie Biesner. She is also survived by her siblings Gwen Christiansen (Frank), Duane France (Holli) and Dan France.
Services for Dolores will take place on Friday March 3, 2023, at Memorial Mortuary, 5850 S 900 E, Murray, UT 84121. A viewing will take place for friends and family from 10:00-10:45 AM, followed by funeral services at 11:00 AM. Interment at Memorial Redwood Mortuary 6500 S Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84123.Service Information
Viewing March 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah 84123
Funeral Service
March 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah 84123
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