Our sweet, charitable mother and grandmother, Deloris Newbrand Swenson Speirs, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2017 at the age of 95. She was born November 13, 1921 in Daniels, Idaho, the fifth of seven children to John Joseph Newbrand and Ida Ruegsegger. Growing up on their Idaho farm, then moving to Avon, Utah, she graduated from South Cache High School, having set the school's high-jump record at 5'4".
She married Carl David Swenson, deceased, October 11, 1940 in the Logan Temple and had six children together but were later divorced. On September 15, 1967, she married and was later sealed to Harold Keeley Speirs. Harold passed away December 29, 2012.
Deloris was a tender, devoted wife, mother and friend. Harold was the love of her life. They did everything together. Being the perfect grandma to grand and great-grandkids, step-grands, nieces, nephews, the neighborhood children, she listened to their stories, taught them games, sent valentines, created annual Halloween spook allies and invited Santa to their Christmas parties. Her many friends, young and old, remember her always as kind, cheerful, supportive and interested in their lives, a joyful part of their lives.
Deloris and Harold were active, dedicated members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving two senior missions together in Angel's Camp, California, and Brookings, Oregon and as ordinance workers in the Provo Temple. She is fondly remembered in every ward where she served as chorister, choir director or organist.
A talented singer, pianist, and organist, music became the center of Deloris' life from a young age. She learned piano in elementary school, and in high school, took vocal lessons and played the violin that her father made. She sang solo and in duets with her sister, Lyle, on KVNU radio in Logan and was a member for 18 years with the U of U Civic Chorale, performing and recording oratorios with the Utah Symphony. She played the lead in the musical "Promised Valley" in 1961, delighted and encouraged her children and grandchildren with music and, with Harold on harmonica and her on keyboard, performed sing-alongs in many nursing homes.
Deloris is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, Lester and Delwyn Newbrand, sisters, Ruby Obray, Alice Olsen and Reah Newbrand, and her sons Christopher Danford and Gregory Lynn Swenson. She is survived by her sister, Emma Lyle Boehme, her children Jay Carl Swenson (Carolyn), NaDine Gibby (Robert), Brian David Swenson (Elaine), Dian Tucker (Sterling), 18 grandchildren, 32 great-grand and 11 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM at 9227 S Wild Clover Lane (4970 W), West Jordan, Utah. Friends and family may visit Thursday 6-8 PM and Friday 9:30-10:30 AM, both at the ward. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. For more on her life, please visit larkincares.com.
