Our beloved Mother, Florence Ruth Fife Jones, 86, passed away at her daughter's home on Monday, June 19, 2006. She was born Nov. 11, 1919, in Providence, Utah, the last of eleven children of Calvin and Charlotte Campbell Fife. Her five sisters, five brothers, and one grandson, Norman Gene Jones, Jr. preceded her in death.

Our wonderful and blessed Mother had so many attributes and many gifts including: fortitude which enabled her to bear and endure daily pain from birth. Our Mother was self-sacrificing giving of herself to provide her husband, children, parents, and family greater happiness. She used her talents to encourage others to obtain an education and to learn more skills. She loved to read good books and to share poetry. She found beauty in God's creations, people and nature. She loved the colorful gardens of flowers especially red roses. She shared how much she loved to dance in her youth and how many young men sought her out for a dance partner.

Even though Mother seemed to enjoy working hard, she derived most of her joy simply from loving our Dad, us children and all of her grandchildren and their children. She always worked behind the scenes to help Dad with the Boy Scouts activities or his priesthood responsibilities like when he was the Ward clerk for 7th Ward. Mother shared an eternal bond for her family. She became best friends with her granddaughter, Corrine, before and after the death of our Dad.

Our Mother was a courageous, loyal, and unselfish woman. She set the example of love and service while attending to her Mother, her sisters Dorothy, Isabelle and to her husband in their final years. Her integrity and honesty to her friends and family was exemplary. She was a good manager of her home and finances. She enjoyed her mortal days and truly endured to the end. Our family was blessed to have her into our golden years. Our dear mother and grandmother hold a special place in our hearts that no one else can fill.

Mother married our father, Norman George Jones on June 7, 1937, in Idaho Falls; their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple August 16, 1963. They were married for 58 years. He died Feb. 9, 1996. Our fondest memories as a family was the times we spent together at meal time as Mother and Dad were great cooks and our trips to visit relatives in the car.

During the early forties our Father was hospitalized for a year with severe burns from a gasoline fire. Our Mother went to work for Mountain States Telephone Company to provide for her families needs. She began her almost 38 year career as an operator on the old plug-in switch boards and spent her last few years as observer and service assistant. Her favorite duty was ordering the doughnuts and the establishment of the first snack and refreshment club for her fellow telephone associates. She received a certificate of appreciation Jan. 15, 2006, as a valued member and compassionate conveyor of the true pioneering spirit. Mother was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and helped the youth with their drama presentations. She gave many narrative readings and she found joy in giving and hearing good talks.

Her two children and their spouses all live in the Idaho Falls area. Her son Norman Gene and Sharon Jones, and her daughter Sonja Ann and Milo Larsen will miss this heroic Mother.

She has 14 grandchildren. She has 30 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Thanks is expressed to her Doctors Teresa Johnson and Doug Blank for their medical attention, support and to all those that were care givers to our mother during these last few months.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2006 at the Idaho Falls LDS 7th Ward Chapel, 955 Memorial Dr. The family will visit with friends and relatives from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church prior to the services. Burial will be at the Ucon Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls.