Rhoda Gurena (Robinson) Allen Obituary (1934

Rhoda Gurena Robinson Allen, the second of triplets born in Junction, Utah on April 12, 1934 to Harold Blake and Mary Gurena DeLange Robinson, passed away peacefully on the Sabbath, April 30, 2017, at her home. Her miraculous birth is only surpassed by her marvelous life. She is preceded in death by her triplet siblings, Juana Staples and Blake D. Robinson, her daughter, Traci, and her grandson, Chris. She is survived by her husband, Joseph L. Allen, her three sisters, Renee Porter, Ruth Baugh, and Beth Jacobson, and her children and their spouses, Blake Joseph (Marion) Allen, Brent Jimmy (Pauline) Allen, Troy Robinson (Rita) Allen, Todd Berry (Taunya) Allen, Juana Jo (Matthew) Badger, and Tawni (Taylor) La Salle. In 1958, Rhoda met Joseph Allen of Grover and Provo, Utah, who had recently returned from an LDS mission to Argentina. They were married on March 19, 1959 in the Manti Temple. They met during deer season, were engaged on Christmas Eve, and were married during the spring equinox. Upon graduating from Escalante High School, Rhoda and her twin sister, Juana, enrolled in and completed a degree at Stevens-Henager College of Salt Lake City in secretarial and bookkeeping services. Rhoda's typing and business skills were utilized in behalf of her family throughout her life. She truly enjoyed the eighteen years her husband was in the Church Education System, living in Idaho, Utah, Texas, and Arizona. She assisted in the family travel business for forty years. For her work and travels on Book of Mormon tours to Mexico and Guatemala and her dedication to the Book of Mormon, she was awarded the prestigious Mother Sariah award by the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum in 2011. Rhoda cherished her mission to Spain from 1993 to1995 with her husband as well as the two years they spent in Chihuahua, Mexico. Her favorite place to live was Guatemala. Her favorite callings in the Church were Primary President and, you guessed it, ward librarian. She also enjoyed cooking and home canning, especially peaches. Her favorite musical artists were Luciano Pavarotti, Nat King Cole, and Elvis Presley. Her favorite hymn was "I Believe in Christ." Rhoda had a passion for reading, especially the Book of Mormon, which she read every year, and the Ensign, which she read every month. She enjoyed traveling, having visited thirty-one countries. In the year 2000 she and Joseph directed a tour called Lehi's Trail, which included Israel, Jordan, Yemen, and Oman. Everybody loved Rhoda. She was a great listener. Her greatest love was her family. To her, there was no difference between her children and their spouses; they were one and the same. Her twenty-seven grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren, until recently, could expect a card with a $5.00 bill on their birthdays. She had all of their birthdates memorized. Rhoda will be missed immensely, but the thought of her being with family members who have passed before her and have now welcomed her with open arms of love brings solace to the soul and gladness to the heart. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 11:00 a.m. in the LDS Cascade 3rd Ward Chapel located at 1051 East 200 North in Orem. Friends may call at the ward chapel Friday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the day of the funeral, Saturday, May 6. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery. Funeral arrangements and services are provided by Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove, Utah. The family expresses deep gratitude to the staff of First Choice Home Health and Hospice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.