Marlene Wilding

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Marlene Hurst Wilding joined her parents, her two brothers, Larry and Glade Hurst, her daughter-in-law, Jodi Wilding and her grandson, Tyson David Wilding, on the other side of the veil on December 23, 2022, after living a life full of love and service to others. Marlene was born to Clarence Ray Hurst, Jr. and LaVarda West Hurst, March 18, 1937, in Pleasant Grove, Utah on her grandmother’s couch. It did not take her long to meet her future husband and the love of her life, Dr. Gregg Harry Wilding. Marlene and Gregg first met at a ward fireside when she was only 15 and Gregg was only 16 years of age. Marlene had just moved into the ward from Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Gregg had just moved into the ward from Sugar City, Idaho. It was love at first sight. They were inseparable from that day forward. Gregg and Marlene attended Granite High School and later Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 7, 1956. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Renton Washington where Gregg worked for Boeing as an electrical engineer. Gregg and Marlene affectionately referred to each other as “Jo.” It was only after Marlene’s children matured that they learned that "Jo” literally means “sweetheart”. Sweetheart is a perfect description of their special loving relationship and how they treated each other on a daily basis. Gregg and Marlene were constantly at each other’s sides and family was everything to them. They acted like newlyweds their entire marriage. They constantly held hands and sat next to each other at every opportunity. They would only leave each other’s side briefly for Gregg’s fishing and hunting trips and Marlene’s pursuit of a bargain. She had an uncanny ability to find the very best deals in the various department stores. Although she taught her children the value of saving a penny and later a dollar, her true calling in life was that of a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Marlene served her family and others for decades before her mental decline in the last few decades of her life. Marlene’s life was truly dedicated to the service of others. Marlene served in various Stake and Ward callings, but her true love was teaching the primary children about her Savior Jesus Christ. A visit to her home would leave no question about her love for her Savior Jesus Christ. Her living room is full of statues of Christ, families, and children. She has various reminders of her special calling as a mother of seven children. On one pillow she cross-stitched a fitting motto: “A MOTHER HOLDS HER CHILDREN’S HANDS FOR A WHILE…THEIR HEARTS FOREVER.” A truer statement was never made. She was an example to her children of living a Christ-like life. Marlene never preached to her children. Instead, she led by example. She had a deep and loving relationship with her Savior Jesus Christ. One of her favorite things to do was to read the Church News and the Church magazines. Up until her death, Marlene was always within arm’s reach of a Church publication. That is how she lived her life always within arm’s length of her husband Gregg and her Savior Jesus Christ. During her youth Marlene briefly worked various jobs including Utah Poultry, Woolworths, and various department stores before she began her family and her life of dedicated service to others. Marlene was an incredible cook which inspired her children to follow in her footsteps in the kitchen, but her truly magical gift was in the baking of rolls and especially cookies for which she is truly famous. Grandma Jo’s cookies are that of legend and will sorely be missed, but not nearly as much as she will be missed. We love you Mom. Marlene is preceded in death by her parents Clarence Ray Hurst, Jr., LaVarda West Hurst, and brothers Larry and Glade Hurst, as well as her grandson Tyson David Wilding. Marlene is survived by her brother Brent Hurst, her husband of 66 years, Dr. Gregg H. Wilding, her seven children, Dr. David G. Wilding (Jodi [Deceased]), Linda (Lynn) Garrett, Brian G. (Becki) Wilding, Scott G. (Carolyn) Wilding, Karen (Barry) Toone, Julie (Beattie) Dustin and Kevin G. (Tori) Wilding. A viewing will be held at the Brigham City 11th Ward, 506 South 200 East, Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will immediately follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery. Click this link to view additional details about Marlene's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/marlene-wilding