Marva Manuel

Marva Johnson Casaday Manuel, 94, was born on September 14, 1927 in Richmond, Utah to Monte Leroy and Margaret “Merne” Rowland Johnson. She was raised with her older sister Dixie and younger brother Curtis in Richmond. She passed away of natural causes on January 31, 2022 in Sandy, Utah.

Marva attended BYU and there met and married her first husband, Raymond Earl Casaday, in 1947. They were later divorced. In 1949 their son Patrick Raymond was born.

Marva was a fiercely determined and independent person, accomplishing much throughout her life. She worked for many years for Christensen Diamond. She traveled extensively with Dixie and friends, seeing many corners of the world. She was organized, artistic and made legendary caramel popcorn. She had award winning penmanship. Marva and some of her friends purchased property in Beaver Dam, Arizona, a place she loved. Marva was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended the temple weekly for many years. She also volunteered at the Church History Museum.

In 1993, Marva married Tom Manuel. He was the love of her life and they enjoyed many happy years together before Tom passed away in 2009. For many years, Marva and Tom split their time between Murray, Utah and Adelaide, Australia.

Marva was dedicated to her son and his family. She would make frequent stops at her grandchildren’s homes delivering pine nuts, soup, chocolate or magazines. On Halloweens she visited them in her famous gorilla costume. She made sure that all of her great-grandchildren had Christmas and birthday gifts delivered to their homes. Even in her illness she was concerned that she hadn’t purchased the kids their Christmas gifts yet and made sure that happened.

Marva is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Adele Casaday of Sandy; her grandchildren Marinda and Mike Wessman, Tami and Kevin Fenn, Stephanie and Ben Jackson, Brian and Amy Casaday and Kaley Zenger; her great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Isaac, Abby, Jack, Miles, Briton, Conan, Hannah, Phoebe, Zariah, Elise, Brooks, Macy, Ammon, Audrey, Katelyn and Emily; and her sister-in-law, Susan Johnson.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings and two great-granddaughters, Hope and Milli.

Marva’s funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 3 at 11:00 am at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary in Murray, Utah (4760 South State Street). A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:45. Marva will be buried next to her husband, Tom, in the Murray City Cemetery.