Lifelong and well known Manassa resident Dorthy G. Sowards, 85, died November 9, 2013 at her home in Manassa.
Dorthy was born March 7, 1928 in La Jara to Otto Walter Gylling and Arzella Knight Gylling. She married Vaughn N. Sowards in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on June 6, 1946.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served many Wards and Stakes. She and her husband Vaughn served a mission in the Southern States from 1950 until 1952. Dorthy was an original member of the Manassa Saddle Club that lasted for 67 years. She was also a member of the Women’s Service Club in the 1950’s and helped build a tennis court located on the front corner of the Manassa Stake Center building. Sadly this was taken down when the new church building was built in 1963.
Dorthy and Vaughn entertained for many years under the name of Dot and Jimmy Vaughn. She loved and was very good at writing music and songs. Many of her songs were put to sheet and sung and recorded by the church choir. She enjoyed working with people, loved ranching and helping her husband prospect. She was a co-owner of the Red Hill Mining Company and in her earlier years worked as a teller in The Manassa Bank that was once in town. She would follow her time at the Manassa Bank working for the courthouse for many years.
Dorthy especially enjoyed her family and her many friends wherever she was at. She loved riding horses in the mountains to get the cattle out. She also enjoyed cooking for her husband, family and friends. She had a great love for her husband Vaughn and in life they were together always and will now be together for all eternity.
Survivors include her sons Kim V. Sowards & fiancée Monica of Manassa, Lee & Debi Sowards of Mesa, AZ; her grandchildren Jessica and Jeff of Phoenix, AZ, Brandon and Becky Sowards of Plain City, Utah, Kelsey & Jeff Beaty of Mesa, AZ, Auston L. Sowards and Clint M. Sowards, Amanda & David Baugh, Brianne N. Sowards, and Brooke D. Sowards, all of Mesa, AZ; her great-grandchildren Jayden, Jake, and Jace Egnew, Bryce, Nathan, Shayla and McKenzie Sowards, Piper, Rose Beaty, Violet Baugh and one angel on the way; her brothers Ivan and Nathel Gylling of La Jara, J and Jane Gylling of La Jara; her sister Lola & Curt Dana of Mesa, AZ; her brother-in-law Arlyn and Cynthia Sowards of North Port, WA, Arnold Bailey of Mesa, AZ; as well as 100’s of nieces, nephews and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, her son Ricky G. Sowards, her brothers and sisters Donna (George) Sowards, Lena Bailey, Elaine and Perry Johnson, Rudolph Helmer Gylling, Carol Wilford, Bill Gylling, Clara (Irvin) Nissen, Viola (Ray) Clarke, Clarence Alfred Gylling, Gladys (Charlene) Scheibe, Bill Burns, Luella (Hartley) Owsley, Garda (Glen) Knight, Jess Starks, Norma (Ben) Smith.
Visitations will be held Friday, November 15th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 16th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. both at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Manassa. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15th at the Manassa First Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow services in the Manassa Cemetery. Contributions in her memory are suggested to the Bayawan, Phillippines Branch Missionary Fund and may be made through the funeral home office.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Dorthy Sowards, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.