Lavon Laura Sadler was born on September 26, 1925 to Zelma Lavon Nott and Clifford Dewey Sadler, Sr., in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she lived all of her life, and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Lavon graduated from West High School. Preceded in death by siblings: Clifford, Merrill, and Kent.
Survived by siblings Melvin Kay, Shirley, and Janis. Also survived by children: Laura, Peggy, Kristine, Anita and Janet. Lavon was married on October 10, 1946 to Robert Edwin Bartlett, Jr. who was devoted to her until he passed from Alzheimer’s on Thanksgiving Day in 2010.
Lavon told him before they were wed that she couldn’t cook and didn’t want any children. That didn’t stop Bob. Lavon learned how to cook, and Bob figured she would change her mind about children.
She did. Bob and Lavon were blessed with a long and happy marriage. They were delighted to have five daughters; Laura Cecilia, Peggy Lee, Kristine Ann, Anita Joy and Janet Colette.
Bob kept “trying for a boy” until after Janet’s birth, Lavon told him they would have to adopt one. The family enjoyed many camping and boating trips, inspiring a love of nature and beautiful landscape paintings by Lavon. Lavon had a lifelong career in art.
Lavon worked briefly as a secretary at an insurance company before she was hired as an illustrator at Paris Company at age 17. She enjoyed being creative in her work, and the camaraderie of fellow artists. She also did freelance artwork for several companies, including Auerbach’s, Juliettes and others.
When Lavon’s five children were all in school, she returned to work as an artist at ZCMI. She kept up with the times and learned QuarkXPress, Photoshop and other computer programs when people her age and much younger refused to have anything to do with computers. She was directing photography with Grant Heath until age 70.
When she retired, she just couldn’t stop creating art, she faithfully went to her art class at the Olympus Senior Citizen Center every Wednesday. She loved all of her friends in art. Lavon loved art, drawing as a young child and painting throughout her life.
She has won many ribbons for her watercolor paintings. Her grandchildren have asked for a painting from her instead of a check. Lavon’s patriarchal blessing says that she would be a leader among women.
With five daughters, fourteen grandchildren—seven female, fourteen great- grandchildren—eight female, Lavon has twenty direct female descendants! As her daughters will attest, Lavon is certainly a wonderfully strong leader among women. Her powerful faith has guided her throughout her life and has inspired her family.
She has been a great role model for independence, thoughtful inquiry and an insatiable appetite for learning. If a question came up, Lavon would waste no time finding the answer. We have no doubt she is continuing to learn!
We love you Mom! In lieu of flowers please donate to LDS Perpetual Education Fund or charity of choice. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm at 1160 East Vine Street, Murray, Utah with a viewing from 12:30pm to 1:30 pm prior to services at the church.
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