A Crown for Granger: Marian ‘Kim’ Marchant, GHS SBO, Miss Tooele, and Days of ’47 Queen

A Local Crowned Queen in Utah’s Pioneer Celebration

With our rich pioneer heritage, it was a thrill for the Granger area when a local young woman, Marian “Kim” Marchant, was crowned the 1962 Days of ’47 Queen. The 19th annual Days of ’47 Queen contest crowned Marian Marchant as queen, with Diana Summer Hayes and Marielen Wadley as her attendants.

In an impressive ceremony, a glistening pearl- and rhinestone-studded tiara was placed on Marian’s dark hair, officially launching her reign as the Days of ’47 Queen for 1962. The coronation was followed by a grand ball where the new royalty was introduced by Master of Ceremonies Ed Winder and Lucille VanDam.

“This is a great experience in my life,” Miss Marchant said after her crowning. “I am very thankful from the bottom of my heart to my parents. I’ll try to be a good queen. I don’t know how I won over you — you’re just beautiful,” she told the other contestants.

Marian, known to many as “Kim,” graduated from Granger High School, where she served as Student Body Secretary. She was also previously crowned Miss Tooele County.

As the newly crowned royalty, Marian and her attendants presided over the Days of ’47 celebration events, which included the July 24th parade, a pageant at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, a dance program, a concert, and the famous rodeo at the Utah State Fairgrounds.

At the time of her crowning, Marian was a beautiful 19-year-old and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jay W. Marchant of Granger, Utah (4520 South 4150 West). She and her attendants opened the coronation ball with a grand waltz, escorted by airmen from the Utah Air National Guard.

For Marian and her royal court, the celebrations began on July 4 and continued for 20 days — days filled with parades, performances, and opportunities to meet many wonderful people while representing Utah’s enduring pioneer spirit.

Marian “Kim” Marchant was born April 11, 1943, and passed away on January 6, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of beauty, grace, and community pride that is fondly remembered to this day.