Tola States

After 84 years of living, and laughing, Tola Moonyene Stratton States left this life. Born on July 18, 1938, in Revanna, Ohio to Lucius and Treva Stratton. She married Duane L. States, from Sheridan, Wyoming in 1961 in Phoenix, Arizona and were sealed for eternity in the Tempe, Arizona Temple. They raised six children, John, Perry, Mathew, Luke, Anna and Sarah. Over the years she lived on two cattle ranches (Wyoming and Montana), a timber ranch in Oregon and moved to Sandy Utah in 1993. Wherever they lived, she worked side by side with her husband. From running a video store in Oregon and branding cattle in Wyoming and Montana. They worked as a team.  

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in multiple callings over the years. Her favorite calling, which she held several times, was serving in the Young Womens. She loved teaching young ladies and acted as a mentor and support for many. After retirement, she and her husband served several missions, including three to the Mormon Hand Cart Center in Wyoming, Canada, Louisiana, Promontory Point, Utah, and countless service from home missions. She spent endless hours researching family history and taking names to the temple. 

Tola loved her family and neighbors. She was constantly looking for ways to serve and lighten the load of others. One of her favorite activities was camping. She and Duane would camp for weeks at a time. Mirror Lake, Utah was high on the list, although they also camped in the Bear Paws, Montana, and Wyoming. The last outing she enjoyed was a car ride to see the fall leaves. She loved everything about nature and could not get enough.  

Her oldest son John passed away in 2011, and Duane in 2014. It must have been a joyous reunion with many practical jokes, hugs, and laughter. She leaves behind 5 children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all love her and will miss her.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Ogden City Cemetery, 1875 Monroe Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401.