Margo Roper

Margo Swensen Roper left this world peacefully, surrounded by her family, after a long battle that she fought with courage, laughter, grace and humility, and returned to her Heavenly Father on June 25, 2025, into the loving arms of her Mom and Dad.

Margo was born on June 8, 1958, in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Keith and Carmen Swensen. She was sealed to her eternal companion Mark Warren Roper on May 11, 1995, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised an amazing son, Garret, who was the light of her life.

As a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Margo faithfully served in many callings, including multiple times as counselor, advisor, and camp director in Young Women's. She also held several callings in Primary, such as chorister, teacher, secretary, and president. She taught several different Sunday School classes. One of her favorite callings was as a chorister alongside Mark as the organist, and they were both blessed to teach a temple preparation course together. She was known for her simple yet unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ and her Christlike service and love which was felt by many.

Her family was her world, everything that she did was to build up and support her loved ones. She could often be found down on the floor playing with the kids and would even come prepared with homemade crafts for them to do together. Everyone loves "Aunt Margo".

For 36 years she dedicated her life to teaching her kindergarten classes. She found such joy and satisfaction in mentoring and molding hundreds of students including many multiple generations. She loved teaching and was awarded the teacher of the year award for Granite School District. Even into retirement she continued to care about "her kids".

Margo was blessed with many amazing talents. One of those talents was her lifelong love of music. She played bassoon with the San Diego Youth Symphony and played piccolo and flute with her high school marching band where she received the Elite Silver Rank award. She was always very proud of having the opportunity to play with her marching band in the Rose Bowl Parade. She moved to Utah to pursue a degree in music but soon realized she had a love for teaching. She was destined to be a kindergarten teacher. At a young age, she babysat for a family with a special needs child and learned some sign language to help her better communicate with that child. In later years she held a calling to assist another special needs child at church. She taught herself piano so that she could accompany her kindergarten students for several programs and concerts each year. She loved singing for many years with a group of friends named the Music Company Singers where they performed all over the valley and have maintained a lifelong friendship. She loved to sing in the Taylorsville 17th Ward Choir where they cut a record. (For those of you too young to know, that is referring to a record player vinyl).

She was an extremely creative person, from her talent to draw anything to her love of making Christmas stockings for most everyone in her family. She took a doll making course and is especially proud of the porcelain dolls that she made. Some of her family members might not agree, but one of her talents was singing along with her sister to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack at the top of their lungs on road trips.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Mark; her son Garret, and many (adopted) children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her angel nephews Bridger, Collin, and Brooks.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday July 2, 2025, at 10:00 am at West Jordan Park Stake Center on 7411 South 4800 West, West Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday July 1, 2025, from 6 to 8 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and prior to the service from 9 to 9:45 am. The burial will be held at Elysian Gardens at 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah.

Those who would like to livestream the funeral service may do so at the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/92125472380?pwd=DHzqndes7rW0IneZJ0qell4uqjBxU0.1

Meeting ID: 921 2547 2380

Passcode: 919937