Criesta Thomas Bytheway Obituary (1930 - 2013)

It is fitting that our loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Criesta Thomas Bytheway, was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1930, to Viola Criesta Peterson Thomas and Charles Edward Thomas. She was the fifth of seven children and was raised on the family farm in Malad, Idaho where she learned the virtues of hard and thorough work. She studied business at Idaho State University in Pocatello and later moved to Salt Lake where she was employed in the magazine department of the LDS church. In 1954, she was called to serve an LDS mission in the Holland, Amsterdam Mission. With no language training, she arrived by ship and jumped into missionary work like she did everything – thoroughly! She loved the rich experiences of her mission and later introduced her family to various Dutch customs which are now part of their heritage. She returned from her mission in January, 1956, and found employment at a CPA firm in Salt Lake. Soon, she met Alvin Gene Bytheway through her sister, Gayle. She fell in love with him while dancing to a live performance by Nat King Cole. She discovered the deep quality of his character and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 10, 1957. They have been devoted to each other for over 56 years. Together they raised two sons and two daughters (Renée, Sid, Jared and Emily) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Murray, Utah. Criesta excelled as a mother, instilling in her children valuable lessons of love, faith, work, and sacrifice through her personal example. Criesta made holidays and family gatherings happy and perfect. She was a marvelous cook and could make anything taste delicious. Her talent for personalizing gifts is well-recognized by her children and grand-children, and will be missed. In keeping with her annual tradition, she lovingly prepared gift bags for every member of her family for Christmas two days before her passing. Her annual Easter egg hunt is legendary. Her children and grand-children knew she loved them by the personal interest she took in them. Tall and thin, until bowed by age, Criesta loved to be neat, clean and always looked nice when she went out. She loved family vacations in the camper or the motor home, as long as she could stay clean. She also loved to sing in the choir, read the newspaper, and share interesting television programs with others. Criesta was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. She served faithfully in a multitude of church callings including ward Relief Society President twice, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and three times as a Nursery Leader, which she loved. She loved people. Her neighbors, especially the widows, saw her faith in action through her many hours of cheerful, dedicated service. This included countless meals, treats and small gifts delivered to those in need. Her deep testimony and full commitment was also demonstrated by her devoted service as an employee in the translation department of the LDS church and later as a volunteer during General Conferences; as a hostess at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, which she loved; and by the mission she and Alvin served in the Philippines where they assisted in the Manila MTC. Criesta passed away peacefully, due to complications from pneumonia, on the morning of Thursday, December 26, 2013 surrounded by her family who sang her to sleep with Christmas carols. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her two brothers, Charles Thomas, and Marcus Thomas. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Alvin, and four children: Renee (Jon) Bronson, Sid (Trish) Bytheway, Jared (Shellie) Bytheway, and Emily (Greg) Oldroyd. She is also survived by her four sisters: Hope Price, Renee Burgess, Gayle Walker, and Polly Steenblik, and by 15 adoring grand-children and by 7 great-grandchildren. Her family believes she once again stands tall, erect and lovely in the heavenly choirs. We will "thoroughly" miss her and are the last to say, "We love you most!" Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Murray Little Cottonwood Stake Center located at 6180 South Glenoaks Street in Murray, Utah. Gatherings for friends and family will be held on Thursday, January 2nd from 6 to 8 pm at the same location and from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Friday, January 3rd. Interment will be in the Murray City Cemetery. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.