Our dear, sweet mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, age 99, returned home, November 3, 2018 to her Heavenly Father, eternal companion, Grant, and many beloved family members. She was surrounded by her adoring family. Lillie Belle Tidwell Muhlestein was born December 24, 1918 in Wellington, Utah to William Harvey Tidwell and Esther Milner Tidwell. Lillie had three older brothers, two younger brothers and 2 younger sisters.
Lillie graduated from Carbon High School, Price in 1936 and BYU, Provo in 1940. She taught elementary school in Standardville and Salt Lake City, Utah. She loved teaching children and they loved her back and kept in touch over the years.
Lillie married Grant Alvey Muhlestein, October 2, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple and they were an example of loyalty and devotion to everyone that knew them. Grant preceded Lillie in death in 2010. Lillie and Grant had five children.
Lillie was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She faithfully accepted every calling that was asked of her in all the auxiliaries. Grant and Lillie were called to served together on the YMMIA General Board Dance Committee and taught youth all over the world to dance. Grant and Lillie also organized and performed in many dance festivals. They spent hours together choreographing, writing, teaching and performing dances.
Lillie loved serving her husband and children. She supported her husband in all his priesthood callings and in his professional life as a private home builder and later a commercial contractor. She was also available any hour, day or night, for her children to help with homework, listen to problems, cook meals, chauffeur them to activities and open her home to their many friends. She still had time to keep up a beautiful yard, garden and home. She spent countless early morning hours working on family history and genealogy. Her family is blessed to have not only many treasured photo and history books, but also faith-building stories to pass down to the generations to come.
Lillie is survived by her five children: Gayle (Cal) Clegg, Nancy Swaner, Linda Terry, David (Paula) Muhlestein, Janet (Ken) Davis; 21 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grand child; brother Ivan Tidwell; sister-in-law Lillie Peterson.
Lillie is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son-in-law Stephen Swaner; great-grandson Joseph Coles; brothers Max, Bert, George, Clyde; sisters Charlotte, Barbara.
Funeral services will be held Friday November 9, 2018 at 11:00am at the Monument Park Stake Center 1320 South Wasatch Drive. Viewing to precede the funeral at the stake center from 9:30-10:30am. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn: 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the LDS Missionary Fund. The family would like to express gratitude to the workers at the Villas at Baer Creek for their love and kindness to our dear, sweet mother.
