Alma M. Palmer

January 5, 1912 ~ May 23, 2009

Alma M. Palmer, age 97, passed away peacefully in his home in Blanding, UT on Saturday, May 23, 2009.

Alma was born January 5, 1912 in Colonia Pacheco, Chiahuahua, Mexico to William Zemira and Rebecca Stevens Palmer.

The family had to leave Mexico, along with many other families, because of the Mexican uprising. It took five years before the family reached Blanding to settle and make their home.

Alma was the fourth of eleven children. The family lived and worked in Blanding during the winter months while the children attended school. During the summer months, they lived on the family farm in Long Canyon.

Alma married Lila Barton of Monticello, UT on July 5, 1930 in Cortez, CO. They were sealed in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October of the same year.

To this union seven children were born: Margaret, Shirley, Ileene, Bart, Karma, Kaye, and Lyman. They spent 77 years together before Lila passed away in July, 2007.

Alma was an active member of the LDS Church, holding many callings. He and Lila also served a Stake Mission together.

Alma spent his life working for the San Juan County and State Road departments, Geneva Steel in Orem, owning and operating Palmers Sand and Gravel, backhoe services, also working and hauling ore for many of the mine companies in the area. He also farmed and raised hay, pigs, and sheep.

Much of Alma’s employment required him to be away from home, either in another city or camped out along job sites, sometimes even missing Christmas with the family.

Alma loved the outdoors and nature. He loved the creations of the world and was often found explaining the wonders to a grandchild. He loved to hunt and spent much time with family and friends hunting for deeer or elk.

He had a great sense of humor, was honest, kind, gentle, hard working, and dependable. He loved his family and was happy to help anyone at anytime. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by six children: Margaret Redd (Gordon), Shirley, Ileene Black (Arvid), Karma Jo Bennett (Nyle), Kaye Bradford (Jerry), Lyman (Clara); sisters Clessa Black and Betty Skinner; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Alma is preceded in death by his wife, Lila Barton Palmer; son Francis Barton Palmer; sons-in-law Gordon Redd and Arvid K. Black; three grandchildren; and eight brothers and sisters.

His funeral was held Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the Blanding Stake Center. Interment was in the Blanding City Cemetery.


Card of thanks
The family would like to express their thanks to all those who sent flowers, food, cards, and showed acts of kindness and love.

Thanks to the nurses, doctors, and caregivers during Dad’s last few weeks of his life and the Seventh Ward family for their services at the funeral and dinner.

Thanks to Danny Palmer and Patti Palmer for their kind and professional way of handling the arrangements.

Margaret Redd & family,
Shirley Palmer,
Ileene Black & family,
Karma, Nyle Bennett & family,
Kaye, Jerry Bradford & family,
Lyman, Clara Palmer & family

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