This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Denning, Jones, Conger, Larson
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HQB.2ACE/653
Message Board Post:
Teresa Jones Denning, distinguished businesswoman, and long-time Boulder City resident,
passed away September 14, 2006, in Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois. She was 94 years of
age.
“Some people get lucky. I was born lucky.” Teresa was born March 29, 1912, in Overton,
Nevada, to loving parents, Albert L Jones and Era Conger. She graduated from Moapa
Valley High School, where she was Junior Prom Queen, Queen of the Gold and Green Ball,
Junior Class President, and Student Body President. Teresa “waited tables for over a
year” to earn money to attend Brigham Young University, where she studied accounting for
one year. Teresa valued education.
Upon returning to Las Vegas, Teresa was employed as a bookkeeper for Clark County
Wholesale. It was during this time she met and married her eternal companion, Robert H.
Denning, on April 27, 1935. Their marriage was solemnized in the St. George Temple on
October 14, 1942.
The couple moved to Boulder City, Nevada, in October of 1935. Hoover Dam was under
construction at that time, and they lived in one of the first Six Company houses on Avenue
F. Boulder City was growing rapidly. When the town incorporated , Teresa was elected to
the first official Charter Commission 1958. Along with fellow committee members, she was
responsible for writing the town charter, which prohibited the consumption of alcohol and
gambling within city limits. The prohibition of gambling still exists, making Boulder
City the only location in Nevada where gambling is illegal.
In 1941 Teresa became the first State Farm Insurance Agent in Boulder. The office, which
began in her home, eventually moved to Nevada Highway. Teresa served as an insurance
agent to many Boulder City families. She was always thoughtful and thorough, when
servicing their insurance needs. After 54 years of service, Teresa retired from State
Farm Insurance in 1995.
Teresa was a member of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce for many years. She was one
of the first members of the Boulder Dam Federal Credit Union. Teresa was an active
supporter of the youth in Boulder City. Since there was no high school in the small town
of Boulder, Teresa bought an International station wagon, and drove ten students into Las
Vegas every day for school. “Any of the high school boys riding with me could have done a
better job of the driving than I did that first trip. We drove home in second gear.” She
had never driven a vehicle with an automatic transmission. Teresa was very charitable,
and contributed toward and sponsored numerous little league baseball teams, and men’s
basketball teams, including the UNLV Rebels, for over 22 years.
Teresa was a devoted and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She served in various organizations within the Church, and was a church organist for 52
years. She will be remembered most for the Christ-like life she exemplified.
Teresa is survived by those she called children: Nadine King, Marie Gunther, Robert H.
Denning, Jr., and Albert G. Denning; 23 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and at
least 6 great-great-grandchildren. Teresa was preceded in death by her husband, Robert
H. Denning, and son, Riley C. Denning.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Boulder
City Fifth St. Chapel on Saturday, September 23, at 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit from
10:30–11:00 a.m, prior to the service. Interment will be at the Boulder City Cemetery.
Funeral is under the direction of Bunker Bros. Mortuary, Las Vegas, Nevada.