Alta Andreason

Salina, Utah - Mary Alta Fox Andreason completed her sojourn in mortality on March 12, 2005 at the Gunnison Valley Hospital in Gunnison, Utah. Alta was born in Vernal, Utah, on February 4, 1916, the daughter of Charles Patton and Mary Caroline Moore Fox. She was the fourth child in a family of seven with three older brothers (Lawrence, Morrill and Lowell), two younger brothers (Leland and Weldon) and a sister (Mae). Alta was the last living member of this family. At the Vernal Elementary School, Atla was a bright and mature student. At the end of the first grade she was promoted to the third grade. She enjoyed school. She was active in musical activities. At the age of 16, she was called to be ward music director. Over the next 40 years, she was chorister in one of the organizations of the Church. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang many vocal solos. Alta graduated from Uintah High School at the age of 16. Alta worked three places: she typed for the high school, kept books for Newton brothers Harness and Saddle Company and spent several years as chief night telephone operator. Alta said many times, her life did not begin until she met Nyals Andreason. Nyals came from Salina, Utah to teach at Uintah H.S. in 1938. Alta was the stake dance director. In the preparation for the annual Gold and Green Ball, she met Nyals and taught him the dances. This was the beginning of a year and a half courtship. Alta and Nyals were married and sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, June 12, 1940. They raised three outstanding sons: Nyals A.; Aaron W. and Jon K. Alta took care of the older two sons while Nyals was a communications officer in the U. S. Navy from July 1944 to April 1946. From 1946 to 1948 Alta taught health and girls P.E. at Alterra High School where Nyals was the principal. During the summers they lived in Salt Lake City where Nyals completed a master’s degree at the “U”. They lived for two years in Berkeley where Nyals was working on a doctorate. Alta worked at Hinks Department Store. Alta and Nyals lived in Norwalk, California for 32 years where Nyals was a principal. For two years Alta was the secretary to the principal of Downey High School. For over 16 years, Alta was the assistant to the dean of admissions at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. During this time Alta served in many Church positions. Alta and Nyals were members of the Southern California Mormon Choir. For two years Alta was president of the Southern California Oratorio Society. Each year this organization presented Handel’s “Messiah” in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium with a full orchestra. In 1982, Alta and Nyals had retired and returned to Utah to build a new home in Salina. With her husband, Alta served a two year mission in the Richfield Family History Center. For 6 years, Alta was secretary to the Board of Directors of the North Sevier Senior Citizens Center. Alta was president to the Six County Senior Citizen Advisory Council for 2 years. Alta was a very loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 19, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. in the Salina 3rd LDS Ward Chapel, 87 South 100 East in Salina. At the request of the deceased, there will be no public viewing, but friends may visit with the family at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Salina, Saturday morning from 11:30 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.