Gwendolyn Frei

Gwendolyn Kemp Frei, age 94, passed away peacefully at home on July 4th, 2025. She was born February 1, 1931 in St. George Utah, to William Arthur Kemp and Wilma Lorine Higbee. Gwendolyn was born and grew up in a house built by her father on the corner of 700 E. St. George Blvd, that faced the Red Hill. Many happy hours were spent with her sisters and friends playing and exploring on and around the Red Hill.

Right from the start of kindergarten, Gwendolyn loved going to school. This began a lifelong love of learning. In college, Gwendolyn learned and became proficient in short-hand and used that skill in the recording of patriarchal blessings for Patriarch Oscar Hulet in the Cedar City Stake.

She met the love of her life, Victor Frei, when she was still in high school and they were married in the St. George temple on December 27, 1948. She finished high school in Cedar City where Vic was attending Branch Agricultural College. After graduation, they relocated to Santa Clara, where they remained the rest of their lives. Her greatest achievement and joy was her family. She loved being a Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother more than anything else, and everyone knew by the way she treated them that she loved and accepted them unconditionally.

She had an unshakable faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and as a demonstration of her faith, she labored unceasingly in his kingdom here on the earth, encompassing 73 years of service. Some of her church callings included: Stake Relief Society President, Stake Young Women's President, Stake Cultural Arts Director, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and she was particularly known and remembered by many children as the primary chorister in the Santa Clara Ward. Victor and Gwendolyn served an LDS mission in the Georgia Atlanta mission from 1996-1997. They also served as ordinance workers in the St George LDS Temple for seven years.

Gwendolyn enjoyed all holidays because it brought her family together, but Christmas was her favorite. For decades, she hosted the family Christmas Eve party in her home where everyone enjoyed her delicious food including homemade chocolates, the nativity story portrayed by her grandchildren, Christmas music, a visit from Santa, and a pinata. It was always the highlight of everyone's Christmas. She also began the tradition of hosting Sunday dinner for the entire family each week. Gwendolyn and Vic even put an addition on their home that would accommodate these large gatherings. Regardless of numbers, there was always room for more people, as everyone was welcome in her home. She truly welcomed, accepted, and loved everyone.

Vic and Gwendolyn built a cabin on Kolob Mountain, which was the central gathering place for the family for decades. Many happy memories were made at the cabin. The highlight of going to the cabin with Gwendolyn was waking up to the smell of her legendary pancakes with homemade syrup and sausage. Time at the cabin was spent going for walks, playing games, and picking raspberries from the bushes she grew in front of the cabin. The whole family also enjoyed the annual easter weekend trip to Lake Mead, where they enjoyed fishing, camping, and Gwendolyn's big easter egg hunt.

Gwendoyn excelled at many things and had countless talents and hobbies. She loved music, played the piano, and sang in many different groups and especially loved singing with the Santa Clara Friends. She showed love by being an incredible cook and baking everything from scratch, you never left her home hungry. During her child raising years, she made all their clothes and made countless quilts over the years. She made each grandchild the traditional family quilt pattern when they became adults or were married. She enjoyed making gingerbread houses from scratch and in her later years hosted all the great grandchildren at a gingerbread house decorating party each December. She was a passionate photographer of wildlife and nature, and of course her family, leaving behind a legacy of over 65 photo albums. She loved playing games with her family and doing challenging puzzles. She made porcelain dolls for each child and grandchild and sewed each doll their own elegant outfit. She was an avid reader her entire life and loved looking through cookbooks and blueprints of homes.

Gwendolyn lived a life of service and loved taking care of grandchildren when needed. She also cared for her father-in-law, VJ Frei, for 36 years until he passed away at the age of 98. In this way, she led by example, teaching her posterity how to selflessly serve with love and a positive attitude.

She is survived by her four children; Daniel (Pat) Frei, David (Debi) Frei, Randy (Karen) Frei, Sally (Stan) DeMille, 14 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and her two sisters; Karma (Jack) Wasden, and Ellen (Gary) Cameron. She is preceded in death by her parents Aruther and Wilma, and her 2 sisters, Carol Tobler and Gloria Bowler. Her family would like to express appreciation to Brighten Life Hospice for their loving service, Maybel's Angels with special thanks to Anna and Loretta, who helped with her care with great respect, love, and kindness, thanks to Advantage Medical Supply and to the Santa Clara First Ward relief society for their compassionate services.

Visitation will be held at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, Friday July 11th from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held at the Santa Clara Valley Chapel, 3040 Santa Clara Dr., Saturday July 12th at 11am preceded by visitation from 9:30-10:30am.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454

Friends and family are invited to sign Gwendolyn's online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com