Althea Yardley

Ephriam, Utah - Ruth Althea Yardley, age 95, passed away October 30, 2019 in Ephraim, Utah. She was born December 23, 1923 in Christianburg, Utah, a daughter of Russell and Ethel Gill Yardley. She graduated from Gunnison High School, Class of 1942. In 1948 she graduated from Freed-Hardman College in Henderson, Tennessee and in 1950 from Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas, where she graduated Cum-Laude. She also took some classes from the University of Utah. In 1965 she received her Masters of Arts Degree in Education from Arizona State University. When she got her Master’s Degree, her main professor gave her an A+++ and said “Miss Yardley, I would give you a higher grade but it is as high as it goes.” The then asked if he could have a copy of her thesis so he could incorporate it into his teaching curriculum to be used by other professors in teaching other teachers, all from a young woman who never wanted to leave her beloved farm and parents. For a young girl who didn’t want to leave the farm, she was well travelled, from Anchorage, Alaska to New Zealand, Australia and New York City, where she lived during WWII doing radio repair work. She was the only women with 12 men. She had to find her own residence. When she was in her mid twenties, she really was a ground breaker. She traveled from Utah to Tennessee and Texas all alone at a time when women did not travel alone. Althea was one of the most humble and sincere people you would ever meet, never looking for the lime light or for praise, but always giving credit to others and her God. About the time she was getting her education, Althea found the Church of Christ and became a member. The church became her mainstay, a pillar and foundation that she based the rest of her life on. She taught Bible Classes and supported the local Church in their missions to South America. Althea eventually ended up in Chandler, Arizona where she taught 3rd Grade for 30 years. The students and the parents were always her #1 focus. She arrived early, went home late, doing extra for the children she loved so much. Being so busy with her teaching and her church, she never forgot her many nieces and nephews and other relatives. Her door was always opened to her nieces and nephews. Some stayed days, months or even years with this wonderful woman. At 92, Althea decided to move back home. She moved in to Golden Skyline Assisted Living in Ephraim. A special shout out to Russell and Cindy Yardley, who undertook the huge task of moving Althea back to Utah. Also, thanks to Vicky Gurney and her Hospice Staff, Dr. Wade Anderson and especially to Bonnie Nielson and her son Cameron, for the outstanding service they provided at Golden Skyline. Also a special thank you to all the members of the Chandler Arizona Church of Christ for their support and love they have extended to Althea, since she has been here in Utah. Althea is survived by her many admired and loved nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings: Thomas Yardley, Berdell Yardley, Howard Yardley, Gill Yardley, LaRue Hone and Beth Schurtleft. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 12 Noon in the Gunnison City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. After the short graveside services, everyone is invited back to the Mayfield LDS Ward Chapel for the Real Celebration of Althea’s Life, where everyone is welcome to get up and tell their individual stores of Aunt Althea.