Merlene Thompson Braegger Jones
February 5, 1932 — December 14, 2023
On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Merlene Thompson Braegger Jones passed away peacefully at the age of 91 at her home in Willard after battling cancer. Merlene was born in Bethesda, MD on February 5, 1932, to Merlin Axel Thompson and Zina Woodland Thompson. She was the oldest of 4 children and she was a great example to her brothers and sister. Her father passed away when she was 12 and shortly thereafter her family moved to Utah to be closer to her grandparents. She called this move “Going across the plains.” She attended school in Brigham City and graduated from Box Elder High School in 1950. After high school she worked for a short period of time for an accounting firm in Brigham City. She met Wayne H. Braegger on a blind date and said that she knew he was the one the first time she saw him. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 9, 1951. They had 4 children: Michael Wayne, Neil Lynn, Duane H, and Kathleen.
Later on, Wayne and Merlene started their trucking business, Tramcor, and ran it out of their home with the trucks parked in the back of their property and Merlene as the bookkeeper. They were happily married for 45 years when Wayne suddenly passed away in April of 1996. In January of 1998 she served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Morristown New Jersey. After returning from her mission, she met Gordon Q. Jones, and they were married in November of 1999. Gordon was the father of 9 children, and she loved them as much as they loved her. She enjoyed Gordon’s companionship for 18 years. Gordon passed away in October of 2017, and she moved back to her home in Willard.
Merlene was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. She had a strong testimony of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a great example of loving without judgement.
She loved gardening, genealogy, and anything historical, which included her beloved rock house. She has written several historical books about the Willard floods and the pioneer cemetery, which she cared for for many years. If you wanted to know anything historical about Willard, she was the one to ask. She enjoyed being a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She lived a wonderful life and relished every moment that she spent with her family. She never missed a birthday of any of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Michael Wayne Braegger (Jackie) of Willard, Neil Lynn Braegger (Colleen) of Liberty, ID, Duane H. Braegger (Lori) of Willard, and Kathleen Garza of Willard. Two brothers and 1 sister: Stanley Thompson of Perry, UT, Martha Joyce Reese (Joe) of Henderson, NV, and Merlin Thompson (Suzanne) of Washington, UT.
She’s the loving grandmother of 14 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Grandma was a great influence in all their lives. Grandma’s last words of wisdom were to “Carry On, Carry On, Carry On” from the well-known LDS Hymn.
She is preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Carilee Hartley Braegger (Lynn).
The family would like to thank ALL of the caregivers and friends who have helped our Mom in any way. You mean the world to our family!
In lieu of flowers, mom has asked to please donate to Primary Children’s Hospital.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Willard 4th Ward, 80 North 100 West, Willard, Utah. Viewings will be held the night before on Friday, December 22, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah and prior to the service from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Willard City Cemetery.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.myers-mortuary.com.