Passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2013 peacefully at her home at the age of 91 . She was born to Arthur J. Sperry and Ruth Worthen on July 5, 1922 in Salt Lake City, Utah and was the second of six children. Marva graduated from South High School when she was fifteen years old. Her mother had been seriously ill for several years and Marva became the mother of the house during this illness. She took care of her siblings, cooked and cleaned the home.
Marva was extremely faithful in her assignments for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Primary for over 25 years as a teacher, pianist, and member of the presidency. She also served in the Relief Society for over 55 years as pianist, chorister, member of the presidency, and secretary. She also loved singing in the ward choir.
Marva married at age 18 to Glen L. Rudd on June 5, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple. She served by his side as the Bishop's wife for 10 years. She served with Glen as his missionary companion while he presided in the Florida Mission. During this mission assignment she traveled and spoke across Florida and many of the Caribbean Islands. She later, served alongside her husband in New Zealand and Texas while he presided in those missions. Marva served as Matron of the New Zealand Temple where she found great joy. She then followed her husband around the world while he served as a General Authority and presided over the Pacific Islands. She spoke in Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, and Tahiti. She especially loved to gather the little children of these countries to sing in their native language her favorite hymn, I Am a Child of God. She also had the opportunity to speak in numerous Regional and Area Conferences with members of the Twelve Apostles and other General Authorities in Texas, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, and other states.
Upon Glen's release as a General Authority, Marva had what she called the "privilege" of sitting by the side of her husband after he had been on the stand for approximately fifty-six continuous years. They continued to sit together in sacrament meeting and Sunday School.
Marva is survived by her husband of 72 years; her eight children (Lee and LeeAnn Rudd, Matthew and Nancy Rudd, Barbara and Clark Jolley, Rebecca and Robert Lingard, Susan and Michael Taylor, Charles and Annette Rudd, Glenda and Steve Western, and David and Aimee Rudd); 41 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; brothers (Arthur and Joseph Sperry) and sisters (Annarae Ploeger and Kathleen Nelson). She is preceded in death by her parents, brother (Kenneth Sperry), four grandchildren (Annie Rudd, triplets: Spencer Dean Taylor, Samuel Glen Taylor and Sarah Jane Taylor) and two great grandchildren (Katie Andersen and Elizabeth Ann Lingard).
Marva's life can be characterized as a life full of service, faithfulness, dedication and absolute love for family and the Lord.
Friends and family are invited to a Funeral services on Monday, December 23, 2013 at 12:00 noon at the Kenwood Second Ward LDS chapel, 1765 East 3080 South, SLC, Utah. Viewings will be held Sunday, December 22nd, 6-8pm at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, SLC, Utah and Monday at the church prior to the service from 10:00am to 11:30am. Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in her name to the Glen L. Rudd Foundation at www.glenlrudd.org which assists Polynesian youth or make a generous donation to the Church's fast offering fund. Your kindness will allow her legacy of charity and love to continue.
