Marie O. Draper

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PRICE/ST. GEORGE-On Sept. 23, 2011, we lost the matriarch of our family. Our mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, Marie O. Draper was the rock of our family and we could always count on her.
Marie was born in Sunnyside, Utah, on March 25, 1923, to Henning B. and Minnie C. Olsen. She was the sixth child and the baby of her family of three brothers and two sisters. Zelila Morley, Arlene McCrae, John, Lloyd and Forrest Olsen all who preceded her in death.
On June 11, 1941, she married Boyd A. McKinnon and he passed away on Dec. 21, 1957. They had one daughter, Connie M. Gragg of Mesquite, Nev.; two grandchildren, Sandra M. (Steve) Alderson of Mesquite, Nev., Damon R. (Lisa) Gragg of Livermore, Calif.; four great-grandchildren, Michael Millring, Matthew Gragg, Morgan Millring and Scott Gragg; and their son-in-law, Damon R. Gragg who preceded her in death.
After Boyd’s death, Marie moved from the ranch and began a career in banking. She retired from Zions Bank in Price, Utah. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an active member of the community. She loved to play bridge, belonged to several clubs and loved her bridge friends.
Marie met and married Alvin Swasey on July 16, 1960. They were married for 15 years, when Al passed away. They loved to camp and enjoyed many outings in their camper.
Just before her retirement, she met and married a wonderful man, Thomas J. Draper. Tom and Marie had six years together and enjoyed traveling before Tom’s passing. Through that union Marie gained a step-son, James (Marie) Draper of Silver Springs, Md.; and three grandchildren, Julie, Lori and Mike. She loved them as her own and until her death they were an important part of her life.
She has many nieces and nephews whom she loved and was always available to help with what ever they needed.
In 1995, Marie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and since then it’s been a long journey. During this time she lived at the Heirloom Inn in Price and the Beehive Home in St. George. Her family is so grateful for all the loving care that she received.
It has been a long goodbye, but now we know you are at peace and in the arms of those family members who were waiting for you.
Funeral service, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, 11 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family was at Mitchell’s Friday evening from 6-7 p.m. and Saturday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are welcome to share memories of Marie online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.