Marion Afton (Geiger) Child
July 21, 1918 ~ September 30, 2018
On Sunday, September 30, our incredible mother and grandmother Marion Afton (Geiger) Child gracefully passed away with so many members of her family at her side in the Pioneer Nursing Home.
Marion was born on July 21, 1918, to Julian Emmett Geiger and Elizabeth Jean (Moyes) Geiger in their home in Ogden, Utah. She was a healthy and happy little person and a blessing to everyone’s lives even 100 years ago. As a young baby she later contracted what was called the “1918 Flu” and it was extremely hard on her but as always she endured and lived a very dignified and honorable life. Grandma was the oldest of three children. As a young girl, she rode roller skates, loved ballroom dancing, and played as girls do! She attended Washington school as a girl and worked in the sewing factories doing piece work and random jobs as a young lady.
On November 15, 1940, she was married to Andrew Edison Child in the Salt Lake City temple and went on to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. On her wedding day, Marion weighed only 98 pounds and was a beautifully petite little bride. For years, our grandparents adored ballroom dancing and often danced the night away all over Ogden, including Saltair. She was often seen in high heels and looked so prim and proper. Edison and Marion endured many adventures and accomplishments in their years together. They farmed in Utah around the Roy area and then later moved (1947) north to the Nyssa, Oregon area and bought a Phillips 66 petroleum service station/ bulk plant and then later sold it in 1975. In the very early 1950s the couple purchased 240 acres of farm ground out on Enterprise Avenue in Nyssa. In 1956 they built a beautiful brick home where they would raise their five boys and create so many incredible memories for generations to come. Marion was a very dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, community member, and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She participated in numerous auxiliaries around the area including but not limited to being enrolled (for her entire lifetime) to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, president of the Malheur County Farm Bureau Women’s Auxiliary, member of the Chatter Box, and served very honorably in countless callings within her church.
Grandma Child is survived by three of five sons, Bruce (Maesa) Child of Caldwell, Idaho, Fred Child of Vale, Oregon, and Tim (Diana) Child of Notus, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edison, two sons (Dee Child and Andrew Child), two grandbabies Jason Child and Jennifer Child, as well as recently her sister Gertrude Moore. Over the years she and Edison were blessed with their five boys and 105 grandchildren (not including the very many spouses married to grandchildren that have been added to our family, 25 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and 12 GREAT-GREAT grandchildren!) As a family, we couldn’t have been more blessed and grateful for such a caring and loving women. She loved each one us unconditionally and will continue to do so for eternity. She and Grandpa raised their five boys together in harmony and then very willingly went on to help in raising four grandchildren. She would have done anything for any one of her kids and grandkids and did. She gave selflessly and would smile at every chance she could for her family. The countless bowls of ice cream, maple donuts, frosting covered graham crackers, Sunday meals trimmed with roast and potatoes, and her famous pancakes served with coke will never be forgotten. She went without to make sure we had what was needed. She was one of the most humble and kind people that could have been, a true angel. At only 4 feet 11 inches tall and a heart of gold, she could get your attention with just a look and a pointed index finger.
She lived on her own in her home from the time our grandpa passed away in March of 1991 until she was 99 years old. The last year of her life was spent in the assisted living portion of the Pioneer Nursing Home where she made so many friends and was so well taken care of. I can safely say, there were many members of the staff that shared tears with our family as we spent the last 24 hours together. She was well taken care of with even having impromptu manicures by random staff members. They loved her too! Our family sincerely thanks Pioneer Nursing Home for all the care and love that was shared over this past year. It was a relief to know that the times we couldn’t be there, she was in good hands.
Grandma’s viewing will be held at the Lienkaempers (222 Yakima St., Vale, Oregon) on Sunday, October 7, from 4:30-6 p.m. with the funeral services on Monday, October 8, at 10 a.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (135 Yakima St., Vale).
DEATHS:
Douglas R. Langley, 62, of Payette, died Sept. 24. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Payette.
Robert Burton Huffaker, 52, of Ontario, died Sept. 25 at a local care facility. Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.
Glenn Dwyer, 80, of Ontario, died Sept. 27, at his home. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Ontario.
Robert G. Cooper, of Nyssa, died Sept. 28 at a Boise hospital. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Ontario.
Violet Helsley, 94, of Ontario, died Sept. 28. Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Payette.
Richard E. Darrow, 90, of Ontario, died Sept. 30 at his home. Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.
Helen Loretta Foss, 88 ,of Fruitland, died Sept. 30 in Caldwell. Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.
LEARN HOW TO PLACE AN OBITUARY: Contact Autumn Butler, Enterprise office manager, at [email protected] or call 514-473-3377.