Brenda Ann Stocks was born December 10, 1939, in Elko, Nevada, the daughter of Doris
(Steunenberg) Knowles and Abram Anthony Knowles.
She died surrounded by family at her home in Old La Sal, Utah, on April 3, 2018.
Brenda attended school in the old mining camp of Mountain City, Nevada, through the eighth
grade. She graduated from high school in Elko, Nevada, as valedictorian of her class.
Brenda was an accomplished piano player, having been taught by her mother. She was in the
seventh grade when she began playing for the local Mountain City dances with Turk Montrose
and his band.
She married Don Griswold in Elko, and began work as a nurse at the hospital in Elko. She was
very proud to be a nurse, as her mother was. She and Don lived around Elko and on several
ranches in northern Nevada where Don constructed reservoirs and did dirt work. Two children,
Anita Marie and Bill, were born at this time. They moved their small construction company to
Moab in 1970.
Later, Brenda and Don divorced and she acquired Southern Utah Paving, a small local asphalt
business in Moab. She rapidly learned the business and spent many long, hot days and nights
working to make the company into a success. Over the years, Brenda became a very astute
and respected business woman.
She married Fred Stocks, who was involved in the timber industry and local construction, in
1978. Brenda called Fred “the love of her life.” Together they built two sawmills, and a
planer, and ran one of the largest timber operations in southern Utah.
Brenda loved to garden, bake and can. She grew enough vegetables and baked enough to
supply all of her friends and family. Brenda was always willing to share her knowledge of
gardening and canning.
Music was always a big part of her life and she often played with old-time musicians. Family
and friends loved being entertained by her at family gatherings and parties.
Brenda is survived by her daughter, Anita (Tom) Keogh, of Old La Sal; son, Bill Griswold (Tina)
of Dickinson, North Dakota; step-children Bill Stocks (Denise) of Old La Sal; Colleen Stocks of
Olathe, Colorado; Bobbie Jean Crosley of El Cajon, California; brother Ted Knowles (Wanda) of Dubois, Wyoming; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
