Annie Arvella Easterbrook Wilberg, age 98, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, June 30, 2022.  She was born March 6, 1924, in Standardville, Utah, a coal mine camp town in Spring Canyon near Helper.  Her father, Andrew Clarkson Easterbrook, was an immigrant Scottish coal miner and her mother Janet Williams, was the daughter of pioneer immigrants from Wales.  Two days later the mine explosion at Castle Gate devastated the mining communities.  Because of his newborn baby girl, Mom’s father was excused from the mine rescue team that searched for survivors.  Some of those rescuers also perished.

At age six, mom’s family moved to Kenilworth where she attended school, grades 1st through the 8th.  She had wonderful tales of her childhood there, and especially enjoyed the Saturday five-cent matinee movies.  A grade-school recess teeter-totter injury resulted in live-long back pain.  The cause was revealed in a 2016 x-ray that showed displaced facia of a mid-back vertebrae.  As with a lot of things, mom powered through the life-long discomfort with no complaints and only infrequent incapacitation.

In 1938, her dad bought a small farm just north of Cleveland that had cows, water, and land to till.  Mom readily adapted to life in the country and made lasting friendships that, until the early 2000’s, met once a year to reacquaint and socialize.  Their North Emery High School class of 1942 graduated under the escalating cloud of world conflict and uncertain future.  Mom met Nile Kay Wilberg in high school, where they dated, fell in love, and were married in June 1943.  Their adventure continued until Dad’s passing in 2004.  Their adventure together began with Dad’s enlistment into the Navy, birth of Dennis, and a cross-country train trip with a newborn to Lake City, Florida to reunite with Dad after basic training.  Upon discharge, they returned to Castle Dale.

They built their home on the ranch on Wilberg Wash and moved into it in 1947. Mom lived there for 73 years where she could track the changing seasons when the sunset in the Gap each April and September.  With the birth of Clark and Nancy Kay at home, and Dale in Price Hospital, the family unit was complete.  Life on the ranch was idyllic for raising a family of four with constant tutelage from Dad and loving guidance from Mom.  While raising a family of four, Mom constantly kept busy pursuing some new activity.  Her singing or humming pervaded any down time, she learned to churn butter, her knitted afghans were coveted, she pursued a life-long passion for genealogy, her baked bread was shared with neighbors, she walked regularly around the fields or down the Lawrence road with anyone she could entice, she taught herself to play the piano, she wrote a family history, and still stayed connected with her network of family and friends.

She had a quick wit and retort, amusing sense of humor, and a keen memory. She loved conversations and banter.  At family gatherings, she would hang with the night owls but was up with the early birds.  Her tireless energy was enviable, she was always doing something.  As macular degeneration diminished her eyesight, the last afghan she knitted was not up to her standards.  No matter how many times she undid and reknitted, it wasn’t square, but the recipients of all her afghan gifts cherished them anyway.  Later, as her memory faded like sand grains through an hourglass, she did one last organization of her book of remembrance and put it someplace where only she, and perhaps the giftee, knows.

Mom led by example.

She was a faithful and dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and willfully served any and all callings.  She taught us kids to look for the good in people and to be considerate of differing perspectives.  But, perhaps, it was her kindness that permeated all aspects of her life.  She was a caring and giving person, always there with visits and calls to show support to family and friends in need.  Even the last 23 months spent in care facilities at Elmo and Price, the staff marveled at the kindness Mom expressed to them and the other residents, and the love and support she received in return.

Mom’s life spanned a myriad of changes from 1924 to 2022.  The fact that she adapted, kept pace with the changes, and thrived is a testament to her belief in God and a dutiful follower of the Savior’s scripture and guidance.  Her faith was unwavering.

Arvella is survived by her children, Nancy Kay Nielsen, and Dennis, Clark, and Dale Wilberg; granddaughters, Shelley Etcheverry, Melissa Devitt, and Candace Horne; grandsons, Kyle and Chase Nielsen; great-grandchildren, Emilee and Vincent Mariano, Justin and Alisha Etcheverry, and Meredith, Lauren, and Jacob Horne.

Mom is preceded in death by Kay, her husband of 61 years; parents, Andy and Janet Easterbrook; siblings, Andy Jr. and Harry Easterbrook, Isabelle Morgan, and Barbara Ronnow; granddaughter, Julie Kay Mariano; uncles, Joseph Henry and George Easterbrook, and Harvey Williams, and aunts Fran Helsten, Gwen Seeley, Myrtle Aldous, and Gay Bradshaw; cousins Vernice Wells and Wayne Williams.

Thanks to all family, friends, and neighbors who loved and supported Mom throughout her life, and showed empathy through her last trials and tribulations. And now after touching all our lives by setting a good example, we are so happy for Mom because she and Dad are together again.
Graveside service, Wednesday, July 6, 2022, 11:00 a.m., Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.