February 27, 1949 to March 10, 2023

Florence Topanotes Wanzitz, age 74, died on March 10, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

She was born Feb. 27, 1949, in Ft. Duchesne, Utah, to Elaine Wanzitz and LeRoy Topanotes Sr. and was the granddaughter of Mary Ankerpont and George Wanzitz.

Florence worked for the Ute Tribe Head Start as a teacher, after retirement she continued onto the Grandparent Program assisting elementary students with their scholastics at Eagle View Elementary. Her passion to teach kept her enthused for life.

She was a very private person, choosing to prosper according to her personal needs. She enjoyed the family gatherings with her sister Angie and her nieces at their homes. She traveled to South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming to see Mt. Rushmore and the Dakota Access Protest with her sister, Angie, and granddaughter, China Limon.

She liked the oldie’s songs compared to today’s music. She enjoyed the numbered coloring books and looked forward to purchasing new additions and made weekly Saturday trips to Vernal.

During growing season, she joined her pastor and his wife at the Summer Market. Florence also donated funds to build the Faith Baptist Church where she attended services each Sunday and the activities sponsored. She never missed her meals at the Senior Center in Roosevelt.

She raised Evan Cuch since he was a baby until his death a few years ago.

She is survived by her siblings, Cynthia Bates, Oklahoma; Ansel Chegup, Salt Lake City, Utah; Angelita Chegup, Neola, Utah; Ferron Wyasket, Arcadia, Utah; Charma Topanotes, Vernal, Utah; her nieces, Tara Amboh, Sally Amboh, Spring Clemente and Kandra Amboh, all of Neola, Utah.

She is preceded in death by her infant stillborn son; her parents; siblings, Amelia Collins, Pearl Topanotes, Theron Wyasket, Theodore Wyasket Sr., LeRoy Topanotes Jr.; and nephew, Danny Wyasket, Temecula, California.

Services were on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the Faith Baptist Church in Roosevelt.

Burial in the Roosevelt Memorial Park.

Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com.