Vonda Hess

Vonda Belle Tolman Hess beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grand mother, and great-great-grandmother passed from this life on Jan 16, 2012 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born 15 December 1922 in Thatcher, Utah to Benjamin Hewitt Tolman III and Emily Louise Knowles Tolman. She attended Bear River High School. She married Quintin R. Hess on 28 April 1941. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan temple. They lived in Salt Lake City, Logan and settled in Fielding after purchasing the family farm from Quintin's father in 1946. As the smallest kid in her class in school she would routinely be called pee wee and other names like that but, it had little effect on her determination to be the fastest runner in the county track meet where she beat all the boys and girls. You could say dynamite does come in a small package. With a heart made of gold and spirit made of platinum she was the kindest and most loving mother and grandmother the world has ever known. She loved her children and devoted every ounce of her energy to making a happy and prosperous home and created an environment of respect and love where the spirit could dwell in abundance. That was no small task when considering all the problems that arise daily on the dairy farm and the many years she exhibited long-suffering hoping to persuade her teenagers to be obedient. Her entire life was dedicated to helping her family to become more Christ-like, and as a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints she served diligently throughout her life and set a wonderful example for her posterity on how to live and be happy. Vonda spent her entire married life as a devoted housewife and mother and loved to cook and eat good food. A good portion of her time was spent in the yard where she would cultivate and grow some of the most beautiful flowers that even God would be proud of. She would spend her summer months working in the vegetable garden and fall months each year canning the produce from the garden. She developed a unique talent in canning some of the best pickles that you could imagine. About 2 weeks before Christmas she would start to make candy, cookies, pies, chocolates, and wonderful caramels. She loved to make birthday cakes and all kinds of pastries. She once said that her favorite food was her mother's Vegetable Soup and Homemade Ice Cream. Vonda always provided a good word of encouragement for everything that her kids would try to do. Even when things did not go as well as they wanted, she always tried to find the positive side and build on it. In spite of being small in stature she has left a legacy as large as the Universe and will be greatly missed by her posterity. She was very proud and loved every one of her 11 children, 53 grandchildren, 117 great-grand children, and 5 great-great-grand children. She is survived by her children Judy (Dennis) Richards, Lehi; Charles (Marlean) Hess, Merced Calif; Harold (Jane) Hess, Farr West; Mary (Mike) Perry, Cedar Rapids, IA; Tim (Karen) Hess, Providence; Dave Hess, Brigham City; Vaughn (Tonya) Hess, Fielding; Barry (Joelle) Hess, Fielding; Becky (Jeff) Ewing, Logan; sister Emily Louise Tolman (Joe) Corbett; brother Edward Smith (Joy) Tolman. She is preceded in death by her eternal companion Quintin R.; daughter Gaylene; son Quintin R. Jr.; grandson Nathan Andrew Hess; 6 brothers, Ralph Wheatley, Benjamin Austin, Gerald Hewitt, Don Carlos, James Rex, Jackie David, and 1 sister, Twila Jane (Forsgren). We wish a very special thank you to all the people at the Williamsburg Retirement Community and Hospice for the many hours of devoted care they provided for Vonda. We also offer a personal thank you to Scott Monson, Lance Hill and Kathy Hall for the extra special care and comfort they offered during her final months. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday 21 January 2012 at the Fielding Stake Center, 4375 W 15600 N Fielding Utah. Family and friends may call at the Fielding Stake Center Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:45 am.