Lillian Anthon

SMITHFIELD, UTAH - Lillian was born in Alta, Wyoming to Fred and Lena Duersch who were homesteading a 60 acre farm on the west side of the Grand Tetons near Driggs, Idaho. She, her five brothers and four sisters learned to work hard doing chores and harvesting their food from the farm and the nearby mountains. Lillian graduated from Teton High School near Driggs that to hear her tell it, was supposedly uphill, both ways from their homestead where it snowed continuously, year-round. After high school she moved to Ogden to work at the Utah Wholesale Grocery. At 21, Lillian met Arnon Anthon at the Valentine's Day Dance at the White City Dance Hall. They were married five months later on July 3, 1946. In 1947, Lillian gave birth to twin sons - Gary and Larry, followed by Arnon Jr. a year later, and Kaye the year after. Arnon was on active duty with the US Air Force and Lillian the family followed him for 21 years, traveling across the country to 26 different duty stations including a total of seven years in Germany. While in Germany, the family spent vacation time touring Europe and visiting relatives of her father and mother. After her husband retired in 1964, they settled in Smithfield where they purchased a small two bedroom home on two acres of land. Proud of her German/Swiss heritage, she taught her children to work hard, enjoy the outdoors, raise their food by gardening, raising beef and harvesting berries. She loved teaching her grand children about gardening. There are fond memories of raspberries, grandma's green beans and an abundant flower garden full of many of her favorites. Lillian loved having her children, 20 grand children and 55 great-grand children come and visit. Quilts were made and presented as each grandchild was born, a tradition they in turn have passed on to their children. Each spring Lillian would plan a Easter Egg Hunt for all of the family. Family was very important to her. Reunions were especially fun as everyone would gather at the home in Smithfield to mark life's changes. Golf was a special activity she enjoyed later in life, with her husband Arnon, her younger sister Alice, and brother-in-law, Gene Haycock. Score was of no importance since the ball eventually made its way into the hole. The game was mostly for exercise and handing out candy to the people she met, not who won or lost. Lillian was active in the LDS church all of her life, serving in almost every position possible. She was a great woman with an even greater faith who loved her Heavenly Father very much. Lillian is survived by her husband, her four children and their families and her younger sister. Funeral services will begin at 12 noon at the Smithfield 2nd Ward Chapel on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30am. Bishop Jeff Johnson will preside. Burial will be immediately following the funeral service in the Smithfield Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online through www.neslonfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lillian's name to the American Cancer Society.