Denise Wamsley

SMITHFIELD -- Denise Rae Wamsley, 58, died early in the evening of Jan. 6, 2014, after fighting a four-year battle against lung cancer and several subsequent and related health issues. Taken too soon, her family was caring for her in her Smithfield home when she returned to be with her Heavenly Father and departed family members. Denise was born July 23, 1955, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, daughter of Ronald Ray and Barbara Wynn Midkiff. Denise and her siblings were able to live in many different locales across the nation as they followed her father's military career. Dear to her heart was the time Denise was able to spend living with her family in northern Italy as a teenager. She graduated from Olympus High School and Olympus High Seminary in 1973. She received an associate degree in secretarial science from the College of Business at Utah State University in 1975. While at Utah State, she began a 38-year journey through life with her husband Jay, whom she married in the Logan Temple on Sept. 4, 1975. Denise is the mother of four children: Daniel Clayton, Adam Jay, Sheena Marie and Carianne Elizabeth. Additionally, she opened her home and heart to grandchildren whom she helped raise, including Kason, who was cared for as a son by Denise for more than 10 years. She is grandmother to nine grandchildren, all of whom were a treasure to her. She loved her one-on-one time with each of them and large family gatherings did not come often enough for her liking. Denise was a woman of many talents and ambitions. She was an executive secretary to the Bear River Association of Governments and the Community Action program. For many years while living in Logan, Denise offered day-care services out of her home, loving and caring for dozens of toddlers as special guests in her life. Before her health declined, Denise was an instructor at Bridgerland Applied Technology College, teaching medical transcription, medical coding and medical office procedures. She loved her time with the students and other faculty there. Denise had and frequently bore a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved giving compassionate service and teaching her sisters. She was a Primary president, Relief Society counselor, secretary and instructor, as well as being ward historian for several bishops. In 2010, she wrote and published a book, "The Christmas Experiment," in which she was able to share a part of her special relationship with and feelings toward her Savior and his birth. Throughout much of her married life, Denise struggled with chronic health issues, meeting each one with a desire to improve her knowledge, to help others with similar struggles, and to never be a burden. She bore many pains and ailments with a smile and hard work. Denise is survived by her husband Jay, Smithfield; children Daniel Cindy of Austin, Texas; Adam Nicole of Soda Springs, Idaho; Sheena, Logan; and Carianne Bolton Brandon of Twin Falls, Idaho. Services will be held Friday, Jan. 10, at noon. in the Smithfield 18th Ward meetinghouse, 625 E. 600 South, Smithfield. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, Logan and at the church on Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Smithfield Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .