Rena Wallin

Melva Rene Woodard Wallin, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother, died of natural causes at the age of 94, on January 15th, 2021 at home with her family. She was born on May 8th, 1926 to Maud Samantha Roundy and David Wilson Woodard in Cedar City, Utah. She married Rune Gunnar Wallin on November 3, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Rena graduated from Dixie High School and Dixie College prior to going on an LDS mission to Stockholm, Sweden for 24 months. On the first day of her mission, she met the love of her life (although she didn’t know it at the time), Rune, while he was serving a local mission at the same time. They knew each other five years before marriage. During that time, she was on her mission, attended BYU, and worked, while Rune immigrated to the United States, was drafted into the military, and served in Korea.
Throughout her life, Rena raised a family of five and was still able to keep the house clean, tidy, and organized. She also served in various church callings. She enjoyed cross country skiing, roller skating, traveling, and sewing. She was an amazing cook and managed to keep a growing family well fed. After raising her family, she worked for 20 years as a secretary for the Utah National Guard, where she retired. She volunteered for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games, working as a time keeper at the finish line of the biathlon competitions. Together, she and Rune served three 18-month temple missions to the Stockholm, Sweden Temple. She loved working with people and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her children; Gary (Faith) Wallin, Kathryn Wallin, and Nancy (Gene) Smith, daughter-in-law; Caroline Wallin, 6 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years; Rune Wallin, children; Bryan Wallin and Duane Wallin, granddaughter; Alex Wallin, and great-granddaughter; Hadley Jones.
Funeral services for family and close friends will be held Friday, January 22nd, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, located at 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights. A viewing for the public will be held two hours prior from 12:00-2:00 PM at the same location. Interment will take place at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.
Due to covid restrictions, masks will be required and please adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Services will be live streamed via Zoom using this link: https://zoom.us/j/8019430831
Service Information
Viewing January 22, 2021 at 12:00-2:00 PM
3115 E 7800 S, Cottonwood Heights





Funeral Service
January 22, 2021 at 2:00 PM
3115 E 7800 S, Cottonwood Heights