Bryce & Edith Finlinson

Edith Anderson Finlinson, age 88, and Bryce R Finlinson, age 89, returned to their heavenly home together on Dec. 21 and 22, 2016. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past September. Edith passed away the evening of Dec. 21. She had been on hospice care for over six months and was lovingly cared for by Bryce, daughter Jina Harris’ family, and the nurses. Bryce passed away eight hours later, early in the morning of Dec. 22, after recently contracting pneumonia. They were surrounded by all their children and many other family members at the Harris home in Perry, Utah, where they lived for the past three years.

There will be a viewing Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Leamington LDS Church at 90 S Center, Leamington, UT. There will also be a viewing Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Oak City LDS Church at 35 E Center St, Oak City, UT, prior to the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Oak City Cemetery.

Edith was born in Oak City, Utah, on Sept. 11, 1928, the second of four children born to Mason Eldon Anderson and Alice Brown Dean. She spent her childhood in Oak City working alongside her parents and siblings on the family farm. Edith began taking piano lessons at age 6 and continued her music education throughout her growing up years and into college. She was a talented performer and teacher and taught hundreds of piano students in the area, including her children and grandchildren. Edith attended high school in Delta and continued her education at BYU and the University of Utah. She became a Registered Nurse and used those skills throughout her life. At age 22, she contracted bone cancer in her left knee and her leg was amputated. She learned to cope well with this situation and lived a full, active life. She married Bryce on her birthday in 1951 in the Manti Temple. Edith cherished her ten children and her testimony of Jesus Christ. She was a loving, diligent mother who expected her children to work hard and play hard. Each of her six boys achieved the Eagle Scout rank. She served diligently in the LDS Church in many assignments including Relief Society teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, organist, and choir director. Edith was preceded in death by her parents, and all of her siblings, Dean, Genevieve LeFevre, and Fred, and her twin daughters, Jenne Lyn and Julie Anne.

Bryce was born in Oak City, Utah, on Apr. 21, 1927, the seventh of ten children born to Ray Finlinson and Frankie Roper. He spent his childhood in Oak City and enjoyed working with his parents and siblings on the family farm in Fool Creek. He attended high school in Delta and Richfield. He especially enjoyed night games, Rook parties, and dances. He joined the Navy in 1945 and attended basic training in Chicago at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. The war ended while he was still in basic training. While he was in the Navy, Edith wrote to him every day. Beginning in 1948, Bryce served a 2.5 year mission in Uruguay. He and Edith exchanged weekly letters. They were married three months after his return. He lovingly and willingly supported her following the amputation and they worked together to have a productive, joyful, family centered life. Bryce graduated from BYU in agriculture and continued working the farm in Fool Creek. He later worked as a contractor and truck driver. He was hardworking and friendly. Bryce was a big supporter of Oak City dances and was the designated quadrille caller for many years. He passed the love of dancing to his children and grandchildren. He was good natured and playful. He came up with unique nicknames for many family members.

Bryce was preceded in death by his parents and eight of his siblings, Burnis, Reece, Norine Shipley, Raymond, Georgia Whatcott, Phil, Paul, and Julian, and his twin daughters. He is survived by a brother, Garth.

Bryce and Edith raised their children on the family farm at Fool Creek, always maintaining a beautiful yard with many varieties of flowers. They also had a large, productive vegetable garden and enjoyed preserving and sharing the produce. Bryce and Edith served an 18-month mission in Nauvoo at the same time as Edith’s sister, Jenne, and her husband, John LeFevre.

They are survived by children Jon (Rita), Jay (Cindy), Jodi (Randy) Johnson, Jerry (Ann), Julian (Lisa), Joel (Elizabeth), Jina (Guy) Harris, and Jan. They are also survived by 45 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren with several more on the way.

“Keep pullin’ Ralph!”

The family is very grateful to Jina and Guy Harris for their loving care of Grandma and Grandpa for the last three years. We also appreciate the tender care of the hospice nurses and medical personnel from Integrity Home Health.

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