Aleen Mower Riser

Aleen Mower Riser, our precious mother, aunt, friend and caretaker, passed peacefully from our arms to our Heavenly Father on March 31 following a brief illness at age 94. She was at home in the care of her daughter, family and friends.

Born March 1,1930 in Mt. Pleasant Utah, Aleen was the beloved and only daughter of William Dodd and Reva Scovil Mower. She led a joyous, simple rural-town life until tragedy struck when she was 14 years old. Her knee was broken in a car accident, but became infected, and gangrene set in, threatening her life and requiring amputation. After nearly a year of hospitalization, overcoming harrowing medical complications, she finally returned home. Following high school graduation, Aleen moved to Salt Lake City, staying at the historic Beehive House, then used as a boarding house for young women. She attended Steven’s Henager business college, graduating with certificates in secretarial and business administration. She had a successful career working for General Electric, Dr. R.L. Tingey’s practice, Shriners Hospital, Grand Central Main Office, and Utah Power & Light, from where she retired.

Aleen met and married CWO William (Bill) Riser, (ret.,deceased), who served several tours in Korea and Vietnam. Together they had a daughter, Kathy. Aleen’s loving dedication to Kathy and the extended family of nieces, nephews, and network of friends never wavered. In spite of the burden of ongoing health complications due to her prosthetic leg and eventually breast cancer, Aleen and Kathy together fostered a rich life filled with loving, life-long relationships with extended family, friends, much-loved neighbors, and several ridiculously over-indulged dogs. The family will always remember Aleen’s abundant laughter, sweet smile and listening ear at every party and dinner. We will miss her cooking and baked treats. In addition, Aleen and Kathy’s relationships with friends that “adopted” them into their families —including the Hansen’s, Schafbuch’s, and others—now spanning generations. Their collected memories and lives now woven together have produced a love that is sacred and eternal.

Over time, Aleen’s health slowly declined, but Kathy’s undaunted devotion to the care and comfort of her mother through many years has been an inspiring example of charitable love that friends and family who know these two will hold in their hearts as the standard of devotion, loyalty and love, forever. We recall these words from the Book of Ruth:

“Intreat me not to leave thee or return from following after thee: for wither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and my God, thy God.”

Aleen leaves behind her daughter Kathy and sweet dog Peaches along with nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Bob Mower (wife Annetta) and Owen Mower (wife Peggy).

A viewing will be held April 11 from 6 ~ 8pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1930 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South); Sandy, Utah; 84092. Funeral Services will be on April 12th with viewing from 10-10:45am, Funeral 11:00 am at The Eaglebrook Ward LDS Church; 8060 South 615 East; Sandy, UT; 84070. Internment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Saturday April 13 @ 11:00 A.M.