Sybil Matheson Tanner passed away at her home in Yerington, Nevada, on Thursday, March 8, 2012. She was 86.

Sybil was born to Kenneth and Bertha deWinter Matheson on January 29, 1926, in Parowan Utah, and was the second of six children. Her early years were spent growing up in a large family in Parowan during the Depression era, with meager means but with an upbringing emphasizing strong character and family values. Upon graduation from high school in 1944, she set out on her own and found work with various retail stores, as well as the Utah Parks Company. She often fondly recalled her experiences working at Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon Parks, and Sun Valley Idaho. She always enjoyed her visits back home to where the "red dirt" was.

Sybil married Alma Merl Tanner on March 25, 1951, and shortly thereafter, they moved from Parowan to Nevada where Al was hired at a new copper mine opening at Weed Heights. They were among the first people at the new mine near Yerington, and Sybil was among the last of the survivors that were originally present for the opening of that operation. She affectionately recalled the years living in company housing at "the Hill," surrounded by young families, many of whom became lifelong friends. She and Al moved their family to a new home south of Yerington in 1968, and she resided at that location until her death. She had been married to Alma for 54 years at the time of his death in August, 2005.

Sybil was employed as a telephone operator in Yerington for many years, working for a number of companies that owned the Yerington telephone operation.
She was a board member and volunteer at the Lyon County Museum.

She was a devoted lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in countless callings. Sybil was a very special person who was born to serve, and she did so admirably and without complaint. She was the family matriarch with a vivid recollection of people, events, and history, and she made special effort to ensure that her genealogy was up- to -date, recorded, and shared with her family. She was a loyal friend to her neighbors, fellow church members, and many long- term residents of the community. Her family was her focus, particularly her grandchildren. Even though her physical condition challenged her in her final days, her mind was sharp until the end, and she was always more concerned about others rather than herself.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers Bruce, Clyde, and Robert, sister Joyce, husband Alma, and son Raymond. She is survived by her son Gregg (Joanne) of Fallon, daughter Katherine Arigoni (Robert) of Yerington, brother Jack Matheson (Vionne) of Parowan, Utah, sister-in-law Mary Matheson of Fallon, daughter-in-law Rebecca Tanner of Gooding Idaho, grandson Nathan Tanner of Fernley, granddaughters Summer Kay of Fernley, Amber Kay of Reno, Erin Tanner of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Jennifer Tanner of Gooding Idaho, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Sybil's funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 13 at the LDS Church, Yerington Ward, 600 N. Oregon St, Yerington. Burial will be next to her husband at Valley View Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to sign her online guest book at www.FRFH.net, sympathy cards may be sent to the family from this site.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911.

Donations in honor of Sybil may be made to the Lyon County Museum, 215 S. Main St., Yerington, NV 89447.