Charleen Briggs Vest, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family in Salem, Utah on October 5, 2024, after a long journey with dementia. She was 81 years old.
Charleen was born on July 16, 1943, to Junior O. and Kathryn Money Briggs in Spanish Fork Utah.
On May 18, 1960, she married her sweetheart Larry D. Vest in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with 5 children: Cynthia, Brian, Christine, Jason, and Bradley. Together for 64 years, they built a wonderful life, residing primarily in Salem for the past 55 years. Living near the pond was something Charleen loved, and spending time with her family was her greatest joy.
Charleen was a beautiful homemaker and created a warm and welcoming home to all who entered. She loved reading and learning new things and had various hobbies over the years including oil painting, porcelain doll making, ceramics, sewing baby quilts for each new grandbaby, and in her earlier years sewing much of her children’s clothing. She was a skilled seamstress and did beautiful needlework. Her family is blessed to be the recipients of her heirloom quality “Father Christmas” dolls, and many other special gifts.
Charleen was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving all her life in various auxiliaries, including as Relief Society and Primary Presidents, and as a temple worker in the Provo Utah Temple for 8 years. She loved the friendships she made through the years as she served in various capacities. She had a firm testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and committed at a very young age to live a life that reflected that.
One of her lifelong blessings was her “Club”. Charleen organized the first club in September of 1961 and she and her high school girlfriends have gathered once a month for dinner ever since. They have laughed, cried, traveled, and experienced many ups and downs over the years. Even when she couldn’t remember what club was, someone would pick her up for “club” night. Thank you, Nadene, Ann, Claire, Karma, Jan, Loa, Corliss, Delores, Kaye, Kathleen, and Jerri (deceased). She loved you very much.
She worked at Mt. View Hospital as a Unit Secretary for 23 years before retiring in 2004.
She is survived by her loving husband Larry D. Vest, her children: Cynthia (Sterling) Rees, Salem, UT, Brian Vest, Spanish Fork, UT, Christine (Tim) Beardall, Salem, UT, Jason (Amber) Vest, Iona, ID, and Bradley Vest, Salem, UT, 16 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren, Brothers: Garry (Mary) Briggs, Shirl (Sharon) Briggs, and 1 sister, Susan (Danny) Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Salem 3rd Ward chapel, 695 South 300 West, Salem, Utah. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main, Spanish Fork, Utah and from 9:30 – 10:30 am on Thursday prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in the Salem City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Monique and Adrianna of Symbii Home Health for their loving care over the past few months.
3 Condolences for Charleen Briggs Vest
Condolences(3)
Bonnie Ballard says
October 8, 2024 at 12:12 pmSweet Charlene so sad to hear of her passing. She was so kind when we worked together at the hospital together. God Bless you all. Bonnie Ballard.
Sharon A. Creer says
October 9, 2024 at 12:28 pmCharleen was my favorite primary/Beehive teacher ever. She and Larry were newlyweds and she was so creative her home was a showpiece. My Larry and I looked forward to sharing the ChuckaRama friday dinners. I was blessed to be one of the people she still remembered.
Kay Ream says
October 10, 2024 at 4:56 pmLarry and family. Charleen was a dear friend to me. I loved her intellect and her dry humor. She always had good advice and a stellar example. She loved Larry and was loyal and supportive. She loved her children and stood by them, truly a fierce momma bear to be reckoned with. I pray for blessings as you mourn her loss, but know this, she isn’t far away.