Louise Ainsworth Ward, 88, passed away Nov. 3, 2023, at her home in St. George, Utah. She was born Jan. 25, 1935, at home in Richfield, Utah. She was an only child to Benjamin Marell Ainsworth and Elizabeth Helen Grant Ainsworth. After her mom passed and her father was remarried to Marjorie Taylor, she was blessed with two siblings: Vernis Nelson Taylor (Rex) and Robert Lewis Nelson (Lynn).
Louise was raised and attended schools in Richfield and graduated from Richfield High School in 1953. She married her sweetheart Robert Ogden Ward on Sept. 20, 1954, in the Manti Temple.
Louise received awards for her bookkeeping skills while competing with other schools in high school. She worked at the bank in Richfield from July 1953-March 1955 (this gave her an inside when Robert got a loan for her ring – nothing like disrupting a good surprise). They moved to Cedar City when Robert became produce manager for Safeway there. They lived there from 1955-64 and made many friends in Cedar and were part of a crowd that met for activities often.
Louise served in the Young Women’s and Primary while living in Cedar. They moved to St. George in 1964. Louise served in the Primary and was also the ward magazine representative. She loved this calling, she met with everyone personally and knew everyone in the Ward at this time.
Louise enjoyed sewing in her younger years and made a lot of the clothes her children wore. One of the things she enjoyed the most was family research; she could fill a house with genealogy (and she did). She could tell you how you were related and many stories about all of her ancestors. She had an amazing memory, remembering names, dates of special events, etc. of all of her good friends and their children. Louise had many wonderful friends, and she herself was a good friend. She loved the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an active member all of her life.
Louise is survived by her children: Helen Emmett, William Ward, Kasi Wendy Pelligra; daughter-in-law Lisa Ward; 17 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert Ogden Ward; son Robert Larry Ward; and great-grandson Sebastian Ryker Emmett.
The family would like to give special thanks to Summit Home Health and Hospice (especially Paula and Sherri).
Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 550 East 700 South, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Friday, prior to the services from 9-10:45 a.m. at the church.
Interment will be. on Monday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m. at the Richfield City Cemetery located at 780 North Main St., Richfield, Utah.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.