Saturday, January 19, 2008

Grandma Mairs

Uberta Adele Mairs, 90, Topeka, passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2008. Uberta was born November 5, 1917 in Salt Lake City, UT, the daughter of George Morgan and Annie Laurie (Bjork) Barrett. Uberta lived in Salt Lake City until about the age of six when her family moved to San Bernardino, where her dad went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad. During the depression when hours of work were cut back, her resourceful father found ways to earn a little extra. He collected olives, taught himself to cure them and when ready the children would sell them to neighbors to earn Christmas money. Uberta also remembered walking through lemon groves & orange groves to get to her school. She lived in Topeka from 1951 to 1957 and then moved to California where she lived until 1987 when she moved back to Topeka. She was employed by the JC Penneys at White Lakes when it opened and transferred to the Fontana, CA. store where she worked until retiring. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lake Shawnee Ward and served in many capacities during her lifetime. She especially had a love of the Visiting Teaching program and served as a Visiting Teacher until her death. Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting, bowling and reading. Uberta married William J. Mairs on July 5,1941 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He died December 16,1978. Survivors include sons; William G. Mairs (Lorraine) Arcadia, CA; Allen Mairs, Hemet, CA; Dr. Michael Mairs, Ballston Lake, NY; daughters, Linda Eldridge (Jack), Topeka, KS; Nancy Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 21 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; brother, Louis Barrett, Big Bear, CA; and a sister, Marie Bowers, Lewiston, ID. She was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2008 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3611 SW Jewell, Topeka. Burial will take place in the Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino, CA. Uberta will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Viewing at Mountain View on Wed. 11a.m., graveside services 12:00 p.m. San Bernardino, CA.