Oct. 24, 1928 — July 18, 2024
Gatha Wilson, at age 95 years, passed through the veil, being greeted by her family, on July 18, 2024 in Kanab.
Gatha was the second child born on Oct. 24 1928, in Antonito, Conejos, Colorado to James Edward Bingham (known as Ted) and Cora Emily Dunn Bingham.
Gatha’s siblings in order of birth were Keith Edward Bingham, Teddy Leon Bingham, Barabara Ann Bingham, Cora LaRue Bingham, and Doris Faye Bingham. All were born in Manassa, Colorado except for Gatha.
She lived with her family in the towns of Manassa, Antonito, Saguache, and Romeo, Colorado. She called Romeo home. Before that, she lived on a ranch located two and a half miles south of Romeo and two and a half miles north of Antonito. She attended school and church in Romeo. She would attend movies and go shopping in Antonito.
Gatha’s Mother died in 1944 after being hurt in a farming accident, where an infection in her leg took her life. Gatha’s father was left to care for six children by himself, however, much of the responsibility was Gatha’s as the oldest daughter.
Gatha and her good friend Nona (Camp) Provost double-dated in high school until both were married. Gatha and Nona remained friends for all of their lives and we are sure there is some catching up in store for them.
Gatha married Donald Arlo Vance on the 30th of March 30, 1946, in the home of Gatha’s grandparents, Simeon and Annie Dunn. Arlo had returned from serving in the medical corps during World War II and spent a lot of time in the Philippines.
Arlo and Gatha’s first home was a small house owned by his older sister, Isabel. This house was next door to Arlo’s mother Rosey Verdeame (Beals) Vance. Then, they lived with grandmother Vance until Arlo went to work for Ed Guymon and lived in a house on the Guymon property outside of LaJara, Colorado. This is where Gatha and Arlo started their family.
After Gatha’s father died in July 1946, Gatha’s youngest sister, Doris Faye, 8-years old, came to live with them. Gatha moved from the Guymon home to the Ross house near Bountiful, Colorado where they lived for a year before moving to a farm near Romeo.
While there Arlo was injured, and Gatha had to move the family. She took her little family and moved to Manassa, Colorado. In Manassa, she got a job in the hot lunch system at the local school to support herself and her family until her husband returned to health.
Gatha was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had many callings and served three missions over the years. Gatha found great joy in serving and had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. She was a very talented person who helped support her family by sewing and upholstery work. She enjoyed oil painting and being in the mountains. She also figured out how to fix things around the house when necessary.
The greatest joy of Gatha’s heart has been her family. Gatha had aunts and uncles who were very close to her after her parents died. Gatha also enjoyed being with her brothers and sisters. There were times when each of her sisters, who were in need, were invited to live in the home of Arlo and Gatha.
She also entertained Arlo’s brothers and sisters and loved them dearly. Some of them also came and shared Gatha’s and Arlo’s home as well. She had several nephews come live with her at times as well. She would give hugs and kisses to family and friends.
Arlo and Gatha served a mission together to the Indians in the Holbrook Arizona Mission in 1983. Upon their return from their mission, Arlo suffered a fatal heart attack.
It was a hard time for Gatha, she worked for a time in the county library in LaJara, served on the hospital board then eventually moved to Mesa, Arizona. She took care of several elderly ladies in Mesa and served in the Mesa Arizona Temple.
She moved to St. George where she lived with her mother’s sister, Ina (Dunn) Olsen, helping her care for her husband Henry Olsen and served in the St. George Temple. While living in St George, she met and married Ward Porter Wilson on August 7, 1993.
Ward and Gatha lived in a nice home about a block east of the temple. Gatha enjoyed Ward and the kind way he treated her. It was really hard for her when he passed away on Mar. 9, 2000.
Gatha stayed in her home as long as she could, then eventually went to live with her daughter, Bonnie Lynn (Vance) Olsen in California with whom she had a close relationship. Eventually, due to health conditions Don and Gloria Vance stepped in and took care of Gatha in Kanab until she needed residential care, where she received hospice and professional medical care.
She passed away at the Skilled Nursing Facility in Kanab with Don and Gloria present at her side on July 18, 2024.
Gatha is survived by her children; Don (Gloria) Vance of Kanab, Utah, Kent (Betty) Vance of Rapid City, South Dakota, Bonnie Olsen, of Santa Maria, California, and Larry (Jeanette) Vance of Eagle Mountain, Utah, 18 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Her immediate family preceded her in death.
The family offers a special thanks for all the great people who helped care for Gatha, namely Zion’s Way Hospice, the Skilled Nursing Facility and Mosdell Mortuary, in Kanab. More history of Gatha’s life can be found at Familysearch.org under Gatha Bingham.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 311 Main Street, Manassa, Colorado.
A viewing from 9 – 10:45 a.m. will also be at the LDS Chapel. The interment will be in the New Manassa Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to leave a memory on the Spilsbury Mortuary website.