Reta Dexter

Our angel mother, Reta Robbins Dexter, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday morning, August 7, 2022 at the age of 100 years and 11 months. She was born on September 4, 1921 in Pleasant Grove, Utah and was the first child of Charles Albert Robbins and Zola Eleanor Adams Robbins. Her father worked in various mercantile stores in Idaho, Wyoming and Utah, where Reta made many enduring friendships and wonderful memories that she treasured throughout her life.

The family moved back to Utah in 1938 and established Robbins Market on State Street in Orem. It was truly a family business and Reta loved helping her dad stock and run the store along with her siblings Clyde, Dale and Betty.

Reta graduated from Lincoln High School in 1938 with a scholarship to Henager’s Business College in Salt Lake City. In 1940 she met the love of her life, James Baird Dexter, who she married on September 19, 1941. Shortly thereafter, James was drafted and served in the Army. Upon his return they purchased a home in Orem and started their family with their first son, Wayne followed by James R. (Jimmy) and Dan. Together they built a wonderful life and family. After 31 years of marriage, James died of a heart attack in 1972. Reta was an amazing mother to Jimmy and Dan as they navigated their lives without their dad, James. This is also when she began a twenty-year career at ZCMI in Orem where she made many long-lasting wonderful friends.

She always enjoyed close relationships with her children and their families which brought her great joy. She enjoyed many gatherings, celebrations, and fun travels with immediate and extended family members. She was also very close to her siblings and felt a great love and support from her brothers Clyde, Dale, best friend and sister Betty and their families. Reta had beautiful hair and loved having it done by her dear friend Evelyn Hilton every week for over 60 years. Outside of the family-perhaps by being a “Robbins” herself-she was a dedicated admirer of all birds that she loved and fed daily throughout her life; at last count, her house contained a collection of over 325 bird gifts, souvenirs, and ornaments.

She was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great, great-grandmother. Family was her life and light. She made hard things look easy, was never one to complain, was fiercely loyal, had a keenly sharp memory; and never forgot a birthday or an act of kindness shown to her. Gratitude, charity, and service were hallmarks of her long life. Many will sorely miss her.

Reta is preceded in death by her husband, James, her father, Charles, her mother, Zola, and her brother, Clyde. She is survived by three sons, Wayne (Donna), Jimmy (Janine), Dan (Nancy); two siblings, Dale Robbins and Betty Carter; 12 grandchildren; 28 great–grandchildren and 8 great, great-grandchildren, and 4 more on the way.

Friends may call at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, 495 S State Street, Orem, Utah 84058 Monday, August 15, from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be at the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Sundberg-Olpin 801-225-1530. Please visit the website at www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com  for condolences, complete obituary, and listings.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person you may view the Live services below

PART 1 HERE

Part 2 HERE

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