Ruth M Telford's Obituary
Ruth “Marlene” Telford: Mother, businesswoman, author died on September 27, 2022 in the company of her children.
Marlene is survived by all 12 of her children and their spouses: Heidi (Christopher) Bell, Holli Lundahl, Brigham (Noelle) Lundahl, Kelli (John) Behle, Kimball (Staci) Lundahl, Marti Lundahl, Tiffini (Jeremy) Dewolf, Christian Lundahl, Logan (Mary) Lundahl, Jared Lundahl, Kassi (David) Pontious, and Kwinci Lundahl. And her great legacy, all 31 of her grandchildren.
Marlene was born in Lewiston, Utah on October 9, 1932 to Brigham H. and Elva H. LaMont Telford. She was the oldest of four siblings: Diane, Ann, Richard and Lynne. Marlene looked on her childhood with great fondness, she cherished all her parents taught her. Brigham owned one of the largest farms in Cache Valley, Utah. Together with Elva, he taught Marlene the values of integrity, hard work, love of the land, and a sense of duty.
She had many accomplishments in her youth. Notably she won awards for art, theater and modeling. And was a runner up to Miss Utah in the Miss America Pageant. Marlene attended the University of Utah in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in Art. During this time she married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Dale Lundahl on Septemeber 5th, 1952 in the Salt Lake City, Utah temple. Ordinances were performed by Elder Spencer W. Kimball. (She was later divorced in 1977.)
Despite her husband contracting polio early in married life, and coupled with the rigors of bearing and raising children, Marlene started her own company utilizing her design and marketing abilities. She was so successful that among other achievements, in 1968 Vogue magazine did a spread on her business featuring a picture of Marlene, with her then 8 children.
And this was not all, Marlene was not only busy raising a family and running a business, but she was also called to many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a Stake Primary President, a Young Women’s President, a Relief Society President, a gospel doctrine teacher and won many awards as director of 3 different roadshows.
After all but her youngest child had left home, Marlene then decided to continue her education at Brigham Young University. She studied Interior Design and Near Eastern Studies. It was during this time her affection and admiration for the Jewish people deepened. Marlene then chose to organize and direct a variety of symposiums and activities centered on Jewish history and culture at BYU. Later, because of her expertise in the area, she was asked to teach a course at Utah Valley University on the History of the Jews. It was also during this time Marlene felt impressed to author a book showcasing the similarities between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Jewish people. This last passion kept her alive many years, until as the sun rose in the east, she took her final breath at the age of 89.
Marlene loved to learn and read, design and draw. She loved the fantasy of theater and the depth of research. She was a capable and determined woman. Her life magnifies her love and dedication to Church, home, country, education and family. Of all of her accomplishments in this life, she would say her greatest is her children.
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