Deon Openshaw

Our loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin and friend, Deon Abplanalp Openshaw (79) passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on April 12, 2013 in Vernal, Utah. She was born on October 20, 1933 in Vernal, Utah to Orval Ross and Elva Berneace Hatch Abplanalp. She was greeted by her brother Deloy. Her mother passed away when she was two months old. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, Pearl and Roy Simper, who she loved dearly and considered them to be her parents. She graduated from Uintah High School. She went to work at Uintah State Bank where she met her husband, Vard Linus Openshaw. They were married on September 16, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had four children: Clark ( Michelle (deceased) Vernal; VaLinn (Glade) Vernal; Brent (Joyce) Mapleton; Garth (Sharleen) Orem.

Deon was very creative and had many talents. Whatever she did was done to perfection. She was an excellent seamstress, artist, and poet. She beautifully decorated her home for every holiday. She was the secretary for the Lady Lions. She loved her rose garden, feeding and watching birds, looking for pretty rocks and watching Dancing with the Stars. She had many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which included stake and ward primary, Relief Society Secretary, ward and Relief Society Chorister, Family History Center Worker, Vernal Temple Worker, faithful visiting teacher, and Visiting Teaching Supervisor. She was a very faithful member and had a strong testimony. She is survived by her husband Vard of 59 years, her four children, her brothers Deloy and Ferron ,and sister Connie, 15 grand children: (two of whom are serving LDS missions) Jamie, Dale (Melissa), Marcy, Daniel, Marla (Shawn), Devin (Michelle), Kenneth, Brandon, Heather, Jennifer, Sharlin (Rome, Italy), Ryan (Carlsbad, California), Kristen, Larissa, and Dallin; 8 great grandchildren: Dylan, Dawson, Natalie, Makalynn, Dexton, Charity, Kaden, and Tyson. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Shirley, two great grand children, MarRay and Coda. She would tell you her greatest joy was her family and the love she received from them. Mom, you will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved you. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Glines 6th Ward Chapel, 78 South Aggie Boulevard. Viewing will be held April 18, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the chapel. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of Ashley Valley Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com