Singleton_Hortense_6 June, 1919
Hortense Butler Singleton passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. She was born in Lewiston, Utah on June 6, 1919 to Marvin Adelbert Butler and Ines Cyrene Jackson Butler. Hortense spent her first years with four brothers: Claude, Keith, Jay and Ross, on a farm in Dairy Creek, Idaho and graduated from Malad High School in 1937. She completed two years of study at BYU. She married Paul C. Singleton of Provo, Utah on April 8, 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple, beginning a 66 year love affair that produced three children: Ronald Paul of Orem, Ross Clyde (and wife Carrie) of Tacoma, Washington and Gregory Adelbert of Portland, Oregon.
One grandchild, Daniel Paul Singleton, son of Ross and Carrie Singleton, died of leukemia at ten years of age. There are five surviving grandchildren: Graeme Christopher, Sarah Audrey, Annie Catherine, Flynn Manning and Hunter Shea Singleton and one great-granddaughter, Jaedyn Hallie Mathie.
Paul and Hortense were married during WW11 while Paul was serving in the military. Following his discharge, the couple returned to Provo, Utah where Paul earned his Bachelor’s degree in Soils. After Paul’s graduation, the family moved to Laramie, Wyoming in 1951 where Paul served for thirty years as a Professor at the University of Wyoming.
In Laramie, Hortense served in a variety of capacities with the LDS church, worked as an operator for Mountain Bell Telephone and as a medical insurance clerk for a local physician’s office. Hortense and Paul enjoyed a vibrant social life with close friends at regular dinner parties. After Paul’s retirement in 1981, Paul and Hortense moved back to Utah, choosing Orem as their new home. Starting in 1982, they became snowbirds, spending their winters in Quartzite, Arizona where they were instrumental in starting the Gold Star RV Park. In 1985, Hortense and Paul were called to the Canada Calgary Mission where they were assigned to labor in Brooks, Alberta, Canada. Hortense and Paul loved their life in Orem and appreciated the friendship and love of neighbors, friends and family.
Hortense will always be remembered as a loving wife and a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend. Her positive spirit lifted everyone around her. She looked for the best in people and delighted in helping them realize their potential. She will be forever loved and missed by her friends and family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2009, at the Aspen 10th Ward Chapel, 1546 North 1100 West, Orem, Utah. Family and friends are invited to visit Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker-Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem and Saturday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerfamilymortuary.com.