Vicki Kendall

Vicki Colleen Rider Kendall, our beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, from ALS at the age of 75.  She was born on September 15, 1941, to John Leonard Rider and Alta Woolf Rider in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She married Kearn Guarnett Kendall on May 11, 1963 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Vicki’s courage and faith developed at a young age after her father passed away when she was three years old. Through this experience she learned to work hard to contribute to her family. Vicki graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1959 where she was active in many social, leadership, and dance clubs. She attended Brigham Young University where she danced with the BYU Ballroom Dancers, Orchesis and the Rockettes. Kearn and Vicki were introduced following one of Vicki’s dance performances. After their first date Vicki told her roommate, “If I don’t marry Kearn, I’ll have to settle for second best.” They enjoyed a loving union for nearly 53 years. Shortly following their marriage, she graduated from BYU with a degree in English Education.

She taught English at Dixon Junior High School in Provo, Utah where she was beloved by her students. After a short and successful teaching career, she chose to be a homemaker and begin her most fulfilling calling of motherhood. She and Kearn were blessed with seven children. She loved being a wife and mother and she truly was the heart of the home. She taught by example and was deeply involved in the pursuits and interests of her children. She was always at the crossroads and gave unconditional love to her family.

Vicki had a great love for her pioneer ancestors and researched their lives and sacrifices. She left her legacy by teaching her children and grandchildren of their priceless heritage.  On Pioneer Day and at family reunions she loved dressing up as a pioneer and gathering the grandchildren to teach them of their ancestors. She frequently sent emails to her family called “Vicki’s Vibes” where she shared her original photography, poetry and family history stories.

Vicki has a deep and abiding testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served enthusiastically in her ward and stake callings.

Vicki is survived by her husband, Kearn, and their children, Tamra Curtis (Michael), Debra Thorpe (Mark), James (Melissa), Richard, David, Kathryn Napierski (Zac), and Kristin Nuttall (Craig). She is survived by her 35 grandchildren (twenty-seven grandsons and eight granddaughters) and one great-grandson. She is also survived by her brother, Ritch Rider (Chong) and her sister-in-law Carol Rider. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John, and her older sister, Mona Ann, who died shortly after birth.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. in the Grandview South Stake Center, 1122 Grand Ave., Provo, Utah. A viewing for friends and family will be held Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sundberg Olpin Mortuary, 495 S. State St., Orem and Wednesday at the Church from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Provo City Cemetery. We appreciate the outpouring of love, support, and service that has been given to our family at this time, especially from the members of the Grandview 14th ward. Condolences may be expressed to the family here on her page.