Lanore "Katie" Muir Link Obituary (1917

Spunky, independent, gracious, and delightfully engaged in life all of her 100 years, Lanore (Katie) Muir Link stepped gracefully through the veil on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at her home in St. George. In the week before her passing, Katie was in her customary place at church on Sunday, with her friends playing cards on Tuesday, enjoying visits with family on Wednesday, and eating a hearty favorite meal on Thursday before settling down to the business of slipping away over the next 48 hours. Entering this world on the Fourth of July, 1917, in Sunnydale, Idaho, Katie was the second of five children born to James LeRoy and Velma Chloe Wilcox Muir. Her mother later married Robert Lindsay Burt, and Katie’s youngest sister Blanche was born. Katie’s early life was a hardscrabble existence, with her father getting work when and where he could – hauling coal and wood, farming, working in a silver mine, and riding shot gun for a stage coach. When Katie was ten, the family moved from Boise to Spokane, WA where they all worked together one summer picking fruit, sleeping in a large tent, and cooking meals over an open fire. Katie credited these tough times with keeping the family close to each other their whole lives. She attended Park School, a one-room school in Pioneerville, Idaho, then fourth grade at McKinley School in Nampa, and then Libbey Junior High and Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane. A first marriage to Lambert Peter Jansen in 1938 ended in divorce after four years. During World War II, Katie worked in the Seattle Shipyards as a welder, and her supervisor at that job was Earl Elzie Link. They were married on April 19, 1945, and enjoyed 39 wonderful years together. They bought a five-acre farm in Kent, WA where they raised strawberries, raspberries, apples, and cherries for market. The farming business successfully expanded, as did commercial and charter fishing boat ventures. Earl passed away on February 21, 1984, and Katie first came to St. George in 1999 as a “snowbird” before becoming a full-time resident in Rio Virgin Estates. A much-loved figure in her neighborhood, Katie was often seen driving around in her golf cart. Her 100th birthday was a grand celebration for the entire community, with Katie leading the parade. She was courageous, lovely, and treasured for her wit. “It’s tough to get old,” she told a niece recently, “but it’s better than not getting old.” A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Katie came from early Mormon pioneer heritage on both her parents’ sides. She had an abiding love of the Lord throughout her life and later served in the Seattle Temple, as a visiting teacher, and as parliamentarian in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Cactus Rose Camp. Katie valued hard work, common sense, love of country, self-reliance, and generosity. She was a member of the Century Club of Utah, and at a luncheon in August she was commended by Governor Gary Herbert for her wisdom, experience, and longevity. “I owe my longevity to working hard, eating healthy, exercising daily, and keeping my mind active by reading, doing puzzles, playing games of cards and Scrabble, and avidly following professional sports.” Katie wrote. “But I really believe that the real way to be able to live a long and healthy life is to learn to love everyone, for love is the secret of everything.” Katie was preceded in death by an infant son who died at birth, her husband Earl, her parents, her sisters Nola Phoebe Bradley, Mary Fern Sageser, Letta Fay Meddock, and Velma Blanche Headman; and her brother Jack Boyd Muir. She is survived by Lynn Headman (brother-in-law), Colette Moser (niece), Corey Headman (nephew), and many beloved second nieces and nephews. Sincere appreciation to Lynn and Chris Headman and Katie’s dear neighborhood friends whose tender watchcare allowed her to live independently in her home until the week of her passing. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 16, 11:00 a.m., at River Ridge Ward chapel, 2435 E. Riverside Dr., St. George, Utah, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will be Monday, December 18, 3:00 p.m., at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E. 4580 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.