January 4, 2018 at the Rasmussen Mortuary in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. This picture was taken right after Gayle and I dressed my mother in her temple clothing, preparatory to her rising in the morning of the first resurrection. It was a solemn occasion and sacred experience.
January 4, 2018. Dorothy Lillywhite Noorlander right after being dressed for burial.
January 4, 2018. Dorothy Noorlander at peace and rest. Gayle and Dan Noorlander.
Graveside Service
The service consisted of prayers by Jim and Gayle Noorlander, who spoke of the event that brought us here today, and of the sacred surroundings in which we found ourselves. They remembered family who went before Dorothy, whose graves now surround her own. They also spoke of the special blessing Dorothy was in the lives of so many people on both sides of the veil.
Dorothy, I'm sure, was grateful for their thoughtful expressions of love and support, and for their examples. Liza and her children were wonderful friends to my mother during the eight years that Dorothy lived next door in the “mother-in-law” apartment provided free of rent.
It has been a special day filled with a spirit of peace, love, and joy. The mortal remains of Dorothy and Dan lie side by side as their physical bodies await that great morning when the trumpet will sound, and the graves will open, and all faithful Saints will rise to meet the Savior as He descends to rule as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords in that great millennial day.
Dedication of the Grave
Before dedicating Dorothy’s gravesite, I gave a short talk on Jesus Christ—His life, His mission, and His love for all God’s children.
I chose for my text a statement by Pres. Thomas S. Monson, who passed away January 2nd, the day before my mother. His statement, found in this month’s First Presidency Message, reads in part, “Essential to the plan [of salvation] is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God’s laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we obtain true, eternal happiness.”
As someone who knew my mother well, I can say without hesitation that she worked, learned, searched, prayed, repented, and improved. She knew God’s laws and lived them the best she could. She was faithful to the end. It is for us who remain, who are still working on the conditions relating to salvation, to go and do likewise.
January 5, 2018. Hurricane City Cemetery, Hurricane, Utah. Jim and Liza Noorlander. Gayle and Dan Noorlander. Dorothy Noorlander’s final resting spot with flowers that Gayle so thoughtfully provided.
January 5, 2018. Liza and Jim Noorlander, and Gayle Noorlander reminiscing after the service was over. There was a feeling of closure regarding a life who followed Jesus with all her heart.
January 5, 2018. It is significant that today is Gayle’s birthday, and that her daughter Shelby gave birth to a little boy, Cohen, at 4:41 this morning. Gayle provided the flowers. Thank you.
Dorothy and Daniel Noorlander Headstone
Front of the headstone
Back of the headstone
