Zora Johansen Fielder

By By

Zora Johansen Fielder passed away peacefully on April 20, 2010. She was born on Aug. 9, 1930 to Byron and Udella Peterson Johansen. She and her six siblings were raised in Castle Dale. Zora enlisted in the Navy in the year 1950. While in the Navy, she met and fell in love with Richard L. Fielder, and they were soon married on Feb. 8, 1951.
After both Zora and Dick were released from the Navy, they returned to Castle Dale to make their home and raise their family. Zora helped to support the family by being employed in the local mercantile stores. Later, she was employed at the Castle Dale Elementary as a teacher’s aide working with the children of special needs. Many, many children are better in this world because of her love and special attention to them.
After 20 some years, Zora retired from the school system. But retirement wasn’t for long, as she became involved with volunteering at the Museum of the San Rafael. There she added her special touch and quenched her thirst for learning. A few years back, she “took over” the Pioneer Museum. She insisted that this was Emery County’s hidden treasure and she took great pride in cleaning, reorganizing and cataloging all those wonderful antiques. She continued to read and learn and know all about the things around her.
In the community she will be remembered as a 4-H leader. For many years, she taught kids how to ride and care for their horses. She always said that, “what’s good on the outside of a horse, is good for the inside of a kid.” Many an afternoon was spent hanging on the fence, watching and teaching kids to ride. Many a day was spent at a 4-H meet somewhere in the state. She was also involved in the Blue and Gold Riding Club for many years.
Zora was artistic. She always wanted to slap some paint on something-be it a rock or the house or a canvas. She painted everything. She was a photographer. She loved taking pictures of family, sunsets, trees, and fences. She was a gardener, always with the best tomatoes and squash. She loved her yard. Her lawn just kept getting bigger and her yard had to have more trees and bushes and flowers. She continued to plant and weed and mow, right up to her last days. Zora loved to go to Joe’s Valley where the family owns a piece of the valley. She loved the fresh mountain air and green of the valley. Her spirit will forever be there.
Zora is survived by her children: Joe (Sheila) Fielder of Castle Dale, Jim (Dixie) Fielder of Orangeville, Susan Austin of Castle Dale, David (Vicki) Fielder of Stansbury Park/Castle Dale, Jack (Maxine) Fielder of Castle Dale, and Dale (Linda) Fielder of Castle Dale; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, sisters: Inalee Magnuson, Jean Curtis, Kay Paoli, Sunny Nielsen, and a sister-in-law, Julie Johansen; and one aunt, DoraDeane Jewkes. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard, who passed away only a few months ago and now they are together again; a sister, Patricia Fenn; a brother, Kirk Johansen; and a great-granddaughter, Mikelle Bayleigh McDonald.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 26, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Castle Dale (720 N. Center St.). There was a viewing at the mortuary Sunday, April 25, from 6-8 p.m. and Monday at 10 a.m. prior to the services. Interment was in the Castle Dale City Cemetery. Services were in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guestbook and share memories of Zora at www.fausettmortuary.com.
In lieu of a lot of fresh flowers – that Mother would be concerned about going to waste – please send donations to Emery County Pioneer Museum (P.O. Box 1088, Castle Dale, UT 84513). There are some things that still need to be accomplished there. The family expresses sincere appreciation to all the many friends that loved and cared for Mother. The world is a better place because of our Mother.