Theora Wells Kennard

Theora Wells Kennard passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on, July 19, 2021, in the Lakeview Hospital, Bountiful, Utah.  She was 96 years young. Mom was born May 11, 1925 on a farm in Springfield, Idaho. Her identical twin, Leora, was born 15 minutes later on May 12th. They celebrated their birthdays together on the 12th while they lived in their parents’ home. As an adult mom had her own birthday on the 11th of May.

The twins were always together growing up. In mom’s story she says she was asked what it was like to be a twin. She replied that it was like having your best friend always by your side. When mom told stories of growing up on the farm it was always, we. We were baptized in a stream. We rode a sleigh to school. She loved Leora and missed her in the years since she passed away.

Mom said that the first day of school she decided to be a teacher. She went to elementary in Springfield and then for high school rode the bus to Aberdeen. Mom said that those in charge chose to send them to Aberdeen instead of Blackfoot because the bus driver would be driving with sun at his back not in his eyes.

Mom attended Idaho State University in Pocatello. There, while working as a server on the meal line for Navy recruits, she met Ralph Kennard. Mom said that dad caught her interest by playing his trumpet outside her window at night. They fell in love and were married on June 25, 1945 in the Logan, Utah Temple.  

They were blessed with 7 children, one for each day of the week, mom would say. Mom taught kindergarten with a two-year certificate for a while. She continued to substitute occasionally while having and raising her children. When the youngest kids were teenagers, mom went back to school in Canada at Lethbridge University where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree. She was finally a full-time teacher and she loved it.

Mom enjoyed crocheting and made a crocheted barbie doll dress for many of her daughters and granddaughters. She did some fabric painting and made beautiful gifts for people. She enjoyed sewing and made clothes and lots of other things with that talent. Mom wrote poetry and enjoyed sharing her poems with others. She learned that short stories were a good way to write your history and she wrote many short stories about time with her family.

Mom treasured her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was active and faithful in all her callings. Mom was a great example of a faithful Christian. She served with all her heart even into her nineties. Even in church she and others were blessed with her teaching skills.

When Mom and Dad retired, they served a mission at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. While on the mission mom was asked to make a training manual to help the missionaries at the Family History Center. Mom and dad enjoyed working with the senior missionaries and being involved in the presidency of that mission.

Mom and dad loved their families and attended all the reunions and family parties they could. They also enjoy traveling, especially with family. They went on a number of cruises, guided tours and vacations with family and friends. A few years after dad died mom decided that she needed to live with someone.  Marlene and Elisa’s homes became hers. She was so grateful to be with her family.  Up to the very end we did our best to never leave her alone.  We, her children, are very grateful to Davis Hospital and Lakeview Hospital staffs who allowed us all to be with our beloved mother until she passed on. Mom loved being with her family and we loved serving and being with her. She will be sorely missed.  In the words of one great grandchild, "Jesus needs her”.

As Mom left her frail body, she was no doubt greeted by our dad and many other loved ones who preceded her in death.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Kennard; her parents, Hugh and Eva Wells; her siblings, Dallas Wells, Nelma Hall, Norman Wells, Leora Reed and their spouses; and brother Cecil Wells; her son in law, Bob Taylor; granddaughter Clara Marie Kennard; and great-grandson, Tatum Harvey.

She is survived by her 7 children and spouses:  Kathy McDowell (Garry), Pam Jense (Grant), Kim Kennard (Candy), Marlene Harvey (Mark), Terry Kennard (Cindy), Elisa Speth (Ron), and Tracy Kennard (Estela); 36 grandchildren; 96 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way; and 6 great-great-grandchildren and 1 on the way. 

There will be a viewing for Theora on July 22, 2021 at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah from 6 to 8 PM. A funeral will be held on August 4, 2021 at 9:30 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 3963 South Peachwood Drive, West Valley City, Utah. Interment will be at the Logan City Cemetery on August 4th at 3:00 PM.

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