Ronda Virginia Walker Brinkerhoff Obituary (1921 - 2014)

Ronda passed away peacefully December 30, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born in Beaver, Utah, July 18, 1921 to John E. and Susan Burt Walker and was the oldest of six children. Raised in Cedar City, she made frequent trips with the family to Beaver and Ely, Nevada to be with cousins and forge friendships that would last her whole life. Ronda married her sweetheart, Alma N. Brinkerhoff, December 17, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised three children. Ronda was one of the "greatest generation." During WWII she worked with the Kearns Army Exchange in Klamath Falls, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. Ronda was a fierce believer in education for herself and her family. In 1948 she graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in journalism and immediately took a job at the Deseret News; perhaps her favorite job of all time. She worked as an "obit writer" North City beat writer, Education Editor, and the first Medical Editor. One of the highlights of her 10 years in journalism came in 1953 when she scooped the entire country about the success of the Salk Polio Vaccine eight months prior to its intended release. She left the "D News" after the birth of her first child. In 1958 she was enticed back to work as an editor and technical writer in the School of Business at the University of Utah. Eventually working in the Dept. of Economic and Business Research for the duration of her career. From her work at the Deseret News and the U of U Ronda met many people throughout the state of Utah. Ronda was a model of quiet service. She served in her local LDS Relief Society, as PTA president at Meadow Moor Elementary School and Cottonwood High School. She taught reporting at Meadow Moor Elementary to the students and co-founded the school newspaper. Her family and friends were the beneficiaries of her writing skills as she refined countless resumes and college essays. With her generous heart and open home, there was always room for one more at Ronda's table. Visitors to her home were greeted with "Come in and sit down." She was truly interested in learning about every visitor who passed through her door. Ronda had many dear friends, including the members of the book club she participated in for over 30 years. Her friends kept her life full and eased her lonely days after Alma's passing in 2000. Ronda's family is very grateful for the kindness and tender care-giving provided by Pat Johnson the past year and a half. Ronda's is survived by her siblings: Burt (Myrle) Walker and Wilma Bratton of Cedar City, Utah; Myna Hoyt of Salt Lake City; and her children: John (Muriel), Ann of Salt Lake City, and Susan (Chris) Mork of Delta, Utah; seven grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; cousins; nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Friday, January 9, 2015, at the Big Cottonwood Stake Center 1750 Spring Lane, Salt Lake City, Utah, visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held Thursday, January 8, 2015, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary 4760 South State Street. Interment at Memorial Estates 3115 East 7800 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Online condolences: www.jenkins-soffe.com Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 So. State Street Murray, UT