Our dear mother, sister and grandma, Thalia Riggs Mickelson, age 94, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2018 in her home surrounded by loving family. She was born April 22, 1924 in Hatch, Utah to Samuel Barnhurst and Effel Harmon Burrows Riggs. She had fond memories of growing up in Southern Utah; attending a two-room school, helping her dad on the farm, and pumping gas for the first cars.
Thalia was a beloved teacher in Duchesne and Parowan during the war and received a degree from Brigham Young University. Thalia married Jay Clifton Mickelson on June 6, 1953 in the St. George Temple in a double wedding with her younger brother, Leland. Thalia and Jay had two daughters and a son, and twin girls who they lost in infancy.
They raised their family in Nephi and were proud owners of Mickelson’s Restaurant for many years. Thalia was a faithful Latter-Day Saint having served two LDS missions: one in the Northern States and the other in Rochester, New York. She served diligently in every auxiliary in the church and especially loved her calling as Stake Relief Society President, a position she held for eight years.
She had a beautiful singing voice and knew almost every hymn by heart. Queen of the catchphrase, Thalia will be fondly remembered for her many Thalia-isms (each family member has their favorite). She was quick witted and sassy, having her family laughing until the very end.
She loved reading, traveling, chocolate, visits from her family, her year-round holiday tree, and being a proud member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Thalia leaves behind a legacy of service, perseverance, dedication, commitment, and blessings upon all “little pointed heads” everywhere. Please enjoy a piece of chocolate in her honor.
Thalia is survived by her loving children Margo (Jeff) Olson, Lorie (Stephen) Fleischer, Jens (Jacqueline) Mickelson, 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Leland (Adell) Riggs and Ray (Alaina) Burrows. She is preceded in death by her husband Jay, infant daughters Jayne and Julie, her parents, and sisters Omega, Thora, Lucele, and Reva.
Special thanks to Joylyn and Bonnie from Elevation Home Health & Hospice for their sweet angel service to our mom. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 12th at 11 a.m. at 345 East 500 North, Nephi. A viewing will be held the night before on Friday, May 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, 94 W. 300 N., Nephi, UT, and on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. prior to the service.
Interment will be in the Manti City Cemetery.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
