Ellen Elaine Keeler Thompson, age 84, of Orem, graduated from life and joined her sweetheart of 60 years on Saturday, 8 December 2018. Ellen was born 1 May 1934, in Provo, Utah, to Daniel M. and Virginia Christensen Keeler. She grew up in Provo, as a member of a close and loving family.
Ellen’s parents were her adored mentors, and her siblings were her dear friends and greatest cheerleaders throughout her life. She attended BYU, enjoying academics, performing with and directing the Cougarettes, and participating in student government. She served as student body vice president during her senior year.
After graduation Ellen worked for NBC in New York City, where she met her sweetheart, Ivan Barry Thompson. They were sealed in the Manti Temple on 3 January 1958. Over the years, she and Barry made their home in New York City, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Tulsa and Orem.
Ellen took her stewardships as a wife and a mother of eight children as her top priorities in life. Music was one of Ellen’s greatest joys from childhood until her last days. She performed in choirs and small groups, wrote music, and directed choirs.
She was a talented writer, authoring a plethora of poems, scripts, church programs, and family history pieces. She will be remembered for the countless notes, letters and cards that she wrote to encourage friends and family members. Family history and temple work were lifetime passions.
Ellen’s greatest attribute was her compassion for those in need, and desire to reach out in friendliness and kindness to people wherever she went. She collected friends everywhere she lived and served, and worked to keep those connections over the years. She was a joyful minister to those who struggled.
Ellen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her many church callings focused on music, the Relief Society, and various teaching assignments. She embraced her role as a visiting teacher.
With her sweetheart she served as a temple ordinance worker, a MTC service missionary, and a family history consultant. She enjoyed their time working with the BYU Asian Ward. Ellen and Barry served two service missions together–in La Paz, Bolivia and Toronto, Canada.
Ellen is survived by her eight children: Douglas (Michele), Kathleen (Todd Skinner), Bradford (Tami), Ginny (Scott Smith), David (Karin), Jonathan (Keeko), Margaret (Steve Willis), and Martha (Michael Johnson); twenty-four grandchildren, almost nine great-grandchildren. A special thanks to the diligence and kindness of Sissy and the caregivers at Cove Point and Brighton Hospice in caring for Mom in her last weeks. We appreciate friends in the Suncrest 5th Ward for their love and watchful care.
She really treasured her associations with ward members and everyone she connected with on her missions and callings. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 15 December 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Suncrest 5th Ward Chapel, 140 North 400 West, Orem, Utah. A viewing for friends and family will be held just prior to the service 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the chapel.
Burial will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www. SundbergOlpinMortuary.com.
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