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Brigham Young University Idaho Brigham Young University

Kathryn Eller Obituary

Kathryn Eller"FavoriteAunt " Kathryn Eller passed away suddenly the morning of December 30, 2004 in Salt Lake City after a brief battle with leukemia. Kathy was born July 20, 1951 in Provo, Utah and miraculously survived an accident at the age of two weeks. She attended school in Casper, Wyoming, Santa Rosa, California and then graduated from Ricks College in Idaho. She received her Bachelors Degree in Education from BYU and then received her Masters Degree from Utah State. She taught school in Phoenix, Arizona, Davis and several Salt Lake valley school districts. She dearly loved all her students and was a dedicated teacher. She was loved by her students and instilled in them a great love of literature. Her last teaching assignment was teaching 9th grade English at Fairfield Junior High in Kaysville. She was lovingly known in her family as "the favorite Aunt". She survived a seven year battle with bone cancer and was very grateful to the doctors and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for their care. Kathy was chosen as a torch bearer in the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics due to her valiant fight with cancer while remaining a dedicated teacher. She lovingly cared for and nurtured all those around her, including her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. She is survived by her parents, LaVon and Margaret Rae Eller; her brothers, Robert (Kris), and Steven (Ralene); her sister, Nancy Andrew; and 18 nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Marks Hospital for the compassion and kindness they showed to Kathy. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake 11th Ward Chapel, 951 East 100 South, Salt Lake City. Friends may call Monday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main and Tuesday morning from 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment- Ben Lomond Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News on Jan. 2, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathryn Eller

32 Entries

Taylor Reeder

January 28, 2005

I didn't know Miss Eller very well but I did enjoy the few moments that I had with her I'm sure I will miss her as a teacher and I'm sure her family will miss her much more than I do. I WILL miss you Miss Eller

Kelsie Craghead

January 27, 2005

Ms. Eller was one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life, and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to have her as a teacher. She gave me student of the month in October of 2004, (this school year) She has inspired me in many ways and has been the person who has made me want to become an English Teacher. I will never forget Ms. Eller! She was an amazing lady!

Emma Morgan

January 23, 2005

Ms. Eller was one of the greatest english teachers Ive ever known. She was kind and helpful to all of her students and everyone else. I was privaledged to have her as my teacher for such a short special time. I know her students will miss her and always have a place for her in their hearts.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING MS. ELLER

~Emma

Phillip Taft

January 20, 2005

Ms. Eller was a great teacher. She loved everyone. Even though she wasn't one of my teachers she said hi to everyone. Luv you Ms. Eller.

Catelin Tingey

January 15, 2005

Ms. Eller was a huge impact on my life and the life of many others. She was always kind and caring, and she was very generous to everyone. She has been a teacher to many students, but she loved them all. We will always miss and remember our "Master Bullfrog!"

Megan Craghead

January 14, 2005

Hello My whole family pretty much had you for a teacher and i am going to to 7th grade next year and i am sad because i don't get to have you.

Julie Newman McDonald

January 10, 2005

Dear Ellers,

Kathy and I were each other's "first friends," as you know. Though we didn't see each other a lot when I was dealing with my five young children, we saw and talked with each other a lot more after I moved to Sandy, when my kids got older, and when I went back to teaching part-time in junior high English. I've always loved Kathy. When we were younger, she shared part of her patriarchal blessing with me. During her funeral, I couldn't help but realize that the things I remembered from it really did come to pass; how she would accomplish many things, and that people with whom she associated would be amazed at the things she was able to accomplish; her ability to organize and get things done; her work on teaching materials for the church.

Thank you for allowing me to play the piano at her funeral; it meant a lot to me.

I'll miss Kathy very much. Just writing this is making me cry. Please keep in touch.

Love,

Julie Newman McDonald

Sami Postma

January 7, 2005

I personally didn't know her,but everyone here at Fairfield School who DID know her misses her terribly. May her kind, funny soal rest in peace and know that her students love and miss her terribly.

Cindy Smith

January 6, 2005

To Kathy's Family and Friends,

I am thankful to have known Kathy and will miss her greatly. I have known her for just over five years, and I wish I had known her for ten times that amount of time. When I started teaching at Fairfield Jr. High, I was assigned to teach 9th grade English after not having taught it for 9 years. Kathy got me through the first two years of teaching English and answered my thousands of questions. I learned so much from her about literature and teaching English. I had a lot of fun with her during the Shakespeare Dinner Theater and Green shows we used to do.

I learned more about life from her through her example. She never complained, except about ridiculous meetings and requirements, and was always happy and smiling no matter how sick she felt. I learned even more watching her get so excited about service projects. I will really miss her humor and wit. I will miss talking about books and just visiting with her.

She was a one-of-a-kind, wonderful person.

Heather Breitenbuecher

January 5, 2005

I will miss Miss Eller,she helped me and my friends in alot of ways. We always laughed and had alot of fun in her class. She had a great sense of humor, and always had a great joke or comment that made everybody laugh. She helped me to figure alot of things out in my life, and helped me alot with English! I'm sad that I didn't get to say goodbye,but she will always have a special place in all hearts who knew her. She was such a great person; I will miss her greatly. I remember when she told our class that she would miss class a few periods, because she had to do her therapy. My friends and I worried, and we always hoped she would be okay. I'm glad she had such a great attitude about everything, and even though she was going through all the struggles and hardships, she still came to class and made us all laugh. We will all miss her so much!!

Tracie McEwen-Watts

January 5, 2005

My sincerest sympathies are extended to Kathy's family and her husband. I know what it is like to experience the loss of a spouse early in life. I only knew Kathy for a year and a half...and it has been a pleasure to be a co-worker of hers. She was the ultimate example a caring, dedicated educator. She will be missed and fondly remembered.

Dawn (Echols) Farr

January 5, 2005

Like my brother Andy said,"Miss Eller" has been a part of our family for many years--she is kind of like the big sister that I never had. I can definitely understand why she is "Favorite Aunt Kathy". I have many wonderful memories of her and am glad to know that my experience with her was the same as everybody elses.

I don't remember how old I was when she first arrived on the scene, but I will always remember the way she made me feel--valued, important, special.

I remember once we took a trip in the motorhome to California. Along the way there was a sign that said "We Ship Dates". I (being the smart alec that I was...THEN) said "Look, Miss Eller...They'll ship you a date!" There have been some good laughs over that over the years.

I also remember my mom making this extrememly yummy lemon cheesecake dessert. We all got a good laugh because everytime Kathy would walk by the fridge she'd grab a spoon and take a bite. I think that eventually she quite getting a new spoon and just left a spoon in the dish. My dad always joked about getting her a Golden Spoon just for eating that particular dessert.

I also remember coming up to Utah for EFY and making arrangements with her to come a visit after EFY was over. For as busy as she was running a bed and breakfast she still made time to take me around and show me the sights. She took me to the cemetary and showed me where President Kimball is buried and took me to the Brigham Young's gravesite and to the Lion House.

When I got older and moved to Utah I was always confident that I would be ok because I knew that she wasn't too far away!

When my husband and I were trying to get selected to adopt our kids we sent out a plea for letters of recommendation--Kathy was the first on the respond and her letter nearly made me cry! She even went out of her way to send gifts to my kids (some new clothes) when they finally moved in. She IS the most generous, compassionate, kind and FUNNY person I have ever known.

I have had a lot of time to think about her since I got the news, and especially after the wonderful funeral service and to reflect on her life. I was very shocked to hear that she even had cancer. I have seen her a few times over the past few years and she NEVER let on that there was any trouble. It does not surprise me in the least that she never complained about pain...I don't think that I have ever really heard her complain about anything! What a wonderful example she IS for me! I hope to someday be the kind of person she IS!

I will miss her very much but I know that she's not really gone. I will think of her everytime I see the beautiful picture of the Salt Lake Temple that she gave to my family the day our kids were sealed to us.

Thank you Kathy for the impact you have made on my life! Til we meet again (and what a party that will be! I'll bring the lemon cheesecak!)

Adam Van Orden

January 5, 2005

Mrs. Eller was my 9th grade English teacher and she made things so wounderfull in my classes that I had he in. It was great to know her and I miss her.

Chris Earl

January 5, 2005

Dear Eller Family,

I completely understand the loss and emptyness that you are feeling at this time having recently lost a member of my family. Kathy was the first person to walk into my classroom with flowers and asking what she could do for me.

I've worked with Kathy for 11 years and am having a difficult time picturing life at Fairfield Junior High School without her friendship and sense of humor.

We became close just after she finished her first round of radiation and I was beginning my radiation treatments. She would bring me a small gift daily to help get me through to the next day. One of these gifts was a can of Spit Pea Soup. She told me that while receiving radiation treatments, people will somehow not be able to eat their favorite foods anymore. They will always associate that food with the side-effects of being sick. She said, "I don't know anybody that likes Split Pea Soup. Save the things you like for later."

There is a hole at Faifield without her. I'm sure that hole is unmeasureable in comparison to the one felt in your family right now. She touched some many people's lives in such a positive way. It is not possible for her to be completely gone. I cannot walk into a room at school without some memory of Kathy.

I will miss her greatly.

Peta Corbett

January 5, 2005

I last saw Kathy in June 2003. I was in the Salt Lake area and wanted to visit the 11th Ward, hoping I would meet up with old friends made when Brian and I were ward members as newly weds. I arrived a bit late and the chapel was packed, so I found room in the lobby and began listening to the meeting over the speakers. I recognized young men passing the sacrament who were once Primary children and a baby was blessed by a young father who had been in Young Mens when I had last attended there. I pondered how time marches on and then the voice of Kathy Eller came over the speaker. She gave a beautiful, informative talk on the founding of America. Her voice took me to that wonderful place Kathy Eller made for you, where you feel loved and appreciated. I wanted to run into the sacrament meeting and let her know I was there and so happy to see her. When the meeting ended Kathy and I met up and it was so nice to visit with her. She was the same lovely woman I had learned so much from as I served in the Young Womens years before. She natrually inquired of my life and informed me of all the goings and doings of the young ladies we had once served together.

Now she has passed from this life and things have changed for her, just as they must for all of God's children. I hope that when I too leave this life Kathy Eller will be available for another enjoyable visit.

I love Kathy. She will always hold a special place in my heart. By her example, she taught me service is love. I am thankful to have been privileged to have time with her in this mortal life.

My prayers and thoughts go out to her family. May you find peace at this time in our Savior, Jesus Christ who made it possible for families to be forever.

Sincerely,

Peta Corbett

Sara Hess(Figgins)

January 5, 2005

Miss Eller is greatly missed by all. I had the opportunity of knowing Miss Eller when I was in the 9th grade at Central Davis Jr. High. She was our student government advisor . I only found out about her death yesturday after the funeral. I wanted to let her family know I loved her also as a teacher I have great memories of riding in "Old Betsy", and just joking around with her, We had went to lunch 2 years ago with some other students from junior high and I am glad I had that time to see her again. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Spencer Clegg

January 4, 2005

Dear Friends and Family of Kathryn Eller,

My heart goes out towards all of you as I have experienced one of my close friends pass on. Words cannot describe the emptinest felt when a loved one dies. My thougts and prayers go out toward you, and Mrs. Eller will be remembered by thousands of people who she has helped along not only in English but in life. I'm a ninth grader and earlier this year I had the opportunity of being Ms. Eller's student. She has benefited me in ways I cannot explain. She will not be an easy person to get along without, especially to those who were closest to her. I wish all of you comfort, and will remember you in my thoughts and prayers. We will meet her again someday, where we know she is impacting more and more spirits constantly. We will all miss Kathryn Eller, she is a great person. . .and will be in the hearts and minds of many for a long time.

Angie Holbrook Stewart

January 4, 2005

I was priveledged to have Ms. Eller as an English teacher at Fairfield Jr. High. Even though we were just students Ms. Eller made us feel like we were more than that, she made us feel like we were her friends. Ten years later I can still see her face when she laughed or when someone made her blush. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. Over the years I have thought about her often and wanted to thank her for the love of books that she passed on. I wish I could have been there today but I just found out about her passing this afternoon. I am so grateful that I knew her and I am so glad that this is not the end!

Lucas Tometich

January 4, 2005

Eller was my 9th grade english teacher. She was one of my favorite teachers because she was the first english teacher of mine to actually make English interesting.

Kim Woodbury

January 4, 2005

My heart is simply breaking...at this very moment you are all gathering at the church to say good bye to such a wonderful person and I am here in St. George wishing I could be there.

I met Kathy as we served in Young Women's together. As I got to know Kathy I was drawn in by her Spirit, her smile and her infectious laugh! She was such a stong woman of faith. She helped me many times when mine would falter. She taught me to never settle for anything less than I deserved. Her relationship with her Savior was one that I truly admired and because of her example, I strenghtened my own.

Kathy and I had many quiet discusions while attending countless Youth Conferences. Those quiet moments taught me so much and made me love and admire Kathy even more.

To her family, I love Kathy and I honor her this day. May we all live lives worthy of returning to her presence one day. And to Sweet, Wonderful, Beautiful Cadie, I love you so much. I am so proud of the woman you have become! Kathy is so proud of you! I am always here for you.

Emily Godfrey Benton

January 4, 2005

Kathy was such an amazing influence on my life. I'm sure I wouldn't half as well as I did without her leadership and friendship. Her wonderful spirit was infectious and I will miss seeing her on my visits to Salt Lake.

My heart goes out to the Eller family in this difficult time. I am grateful for the friendship I have with your family and with Kathy.

Love,

Emily

Andy Echols

January 3, 2005

My family has known Kathy for a long time. She was a wonderful person and my family and I will miss her dearly.

Nicole Fowler

January 3, 2005

Ms. Eller was an amazing teacher, and a great friend. I was in Ms. Eller's ninth grade english class last year at Fairfield, she had such a large impact on me. Not only in english, but on life. She had a way about her that just made you feel compfortable. Her quick witted sense of humor always kept me on my toes during that fouth period class. Ms. Eller has surely touched and influenced many lifes, mine is such a life. A great author once said "In every life, there is person that so touches ones life and they turn trajedy into triumph, and can even create a miracle...!" She has surely done this in the thousands of students that she has taught, not only at Fairfield Junior High, but at all the schools in which she has beeen a teacher. I will deepely miss you Ms. Eller. The Eller family, you are in my heart and in my prayers.

McKenzie Tingey

January 2, 2005

I was in Ms. Eller's 9th grade english class and she was one of my favorite teachers. She was so awesome! I don't know of any student that had her as a teacher that didn't like her. We all knew her as "Master Bullfrog". I absolutely loved her. It is hard to imagine that she is gone. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. Bye Master Bullfrog...We'll miss you!!!!!!

Michelle Denson

January 2, 2005

I had the marvelous opportunity of student teaching under Kathy's direction from August through November 2001. As a "non-traditional" student/teacher (I was only a few years younger than Kathy), I was rather intimidated by her experience and vast knowledge that I sorely lacked. Quickly, she put me at ease and shared her wealth of wonderful activities as we taught her 9th graders. She introduced me to Les Miserables and implanted a great love for that piece of literature. Then, I had the opportunity to share my short story unit, one that she adopted and used in years to come. How honored I felt that she valued something I created! Within a couple of months, I was hired for a full-time position where I was able to continue my association with my new friend and mentor.

Unfortunately, I was not able to stay at Fairfield due to budget contraints but my friendship continued as I worked at Kaysville Jr. and West Point Jr. High. Kathy and I kept in touch through e-mail, sharing lesson plans, frustrations with the educational political arena, and attending inservice trainings where we were often considered "unruly" because of our giggling. I will never be able plan a lesson or attend a Language Arts meeting without remembering her.

Another wonderful association I had with her was as a parent. My daughter, Sammi, had been a student at another junior high where she had had unfavorable experiences in her English classes. She was able to transfer to Fairfield for her 9th grade year where I made certain she had Kathy as an English teacher. Kathy took Sammi under her wing and taught her, not only her 9th grade curriculum, but caught her up on the things she should have learned in 7th and 8th grade. She even learned to LOVE English!! Then in Sammi's sophomore year, when she again had a less than favorable experience, she asked if there was an option of going back to Kathy for English again. I know Kathy would have welcomed her and taught her well.

This year my youngest daughter, Maddi, had her 7th period. Kathy commented on several occasions, how delightful this class was and how she looked forward each day to working with them. What a wonderful thing for a teacher to say of her students! For the last two-and-a-half years, Maddi has been lovingly known as "Squirt"--a term of endearment she will never forget. She has idolized Kathy and will never forget her.

We are so saddened at the loss of our dear friend and teacher. As a family, we want you to know how honored we feel to have known and been taught by her. We have been blessed beyond measure and know that she is in a better place. We know that our Heavenly Father has created a wonderful place for her where she will continue to bless many lives. We pray for comfort to come to those who love her as we do.

Maddi Denson

January 2, 2005

Ms. Eller was only my teacher for a little while, but I fell like I know her better than any other student she has had this year. She was my favorite teacher and I looked forward to going to her class and it was the only class I looked forward to go to. My mom Student Taught with her and since I was in 7th grade, whenever I saw her I got a smile on my face because of the great attitude she had towards life. I also looked up to her for her strength and belief in herself and others. She was probably the strongest person I know and I will miss her very much.

January 2, 2005

My heart goes out to Mrs. Eller's family! She was a wonderful teacher and I always looked forward to that class!! I remember the time she told our class about when she went bungee jumping over the summer (it would have been the summer of 2003). She made us laugh so hard and I always remember her by that. She was a wonderful teacher and I know she helped alot of students and brightened our lives every class period! Again, my heart goes out to the family and friends that were close to her, and I know we'll see her again someday.

Andie S

January 2, 2005

She was a great teacher. I'll miss her.

Shelley Day

January 2, 2005

Dear Eller Family,

I have lost a great friend in Kathy. We go way back to the 70s when we met as teachers at Mt. Jordan Middle School in Sandy. She and her colleague coached me in my first year of teaching, and we became close friends along the way.

Kathy simply filled her life to the brim with family and service. She focused her energy on her sisters and brothers, her parents, and her nieces and nephews. What an attentive aunt she was, even while struggling through years of cancer treatments.

Everything she did benefited someone else, even strangers. Every gift Kathy gave was a gift of love, usually handmade. Her presence is found in almost every room of my home.

Kathy seemed to know what to do, always. No one can take her place. She was a gift of love to this world. Her friendship will be missed, but cherished dearly.

May your family carry on in her honor with the abounding love she shared with all of you, and may you feel God's comfort as time goes by.

Love,

Shelley

JoAnna Burris

January 2, 2005

To Kathy's Family Whom I Love Dearly:

I'm so sorry for your loss. Seeing Kathy's picture brought back a lot of great memories from when I was young and I thank her and you for the good times. You're in my prayers.

Love,

JoAnna Burris

Mike Thompson

January 1, 2005

Kathy and I worked together at Fairfield since the day the school opened in 1994. For the past couple years we both taught ninth grade English, so I talked to her almost every day. She was my partner and my friend, and I cannot begin to imagine what a huge emptiness she will leave in the Fairfield community. She was our first "Hall of Fame" teacher, an award she richly deserved for her work with the student officers and her contributions to the opening of an excellent school. Almost every tradition we have, Kathy started. Every service project we run, Kathy initiated. Even after retiring as studentbody advisor, Kathy organized a yearly service project of some kind: making blankets for the homeless, collecting supplies for hurricane victims, or creating a Christmas tree for the Festival of Trees in honor of one of her favorite students. She had an infinite ability to look beyond herself, and she passed her generosity on to her students and her colleagues. We are all better people for having known her.

What I will remember (and miss) the most about Kathy is her sense of humor. She had a willing laugh and a wry wit that allowed me to see the many absurdities of educational bureaucracy (and life in general) in a new light. I'll never forget that her second round of treatments for bone cancer were often scheduled on Friday afternoons, our traditional time for faculty meetings. She once said to me, "This shows you how I feel about all these meetings: I'd rather have chemotherapy." And if not for such absences, most of us wouldn't have known Kathy was even undergoing chemotherapy because she never complained, but rather dedicated herself to serving others in countless ways.

My heart goes out to Kathy's family, and I hope there is some comfort in knowing how many thousands of lives she touched and how the lessons she taught (so much more than just grammar and spelling!) and the example she lived are living still in her students and in her friends.

*<%^) MRT

January 1, 2005

Rae & Lavon:

Word's cannot express how badly we feel with the sudden passing of Kathy. This wasn't suppose to happen! She fought the good fight and she is now free of pain and suffering. While there will be a great void in your lives without her, she is close by. Our prayers will continue in your behalf that the Lord will bless and comfort you and your family.

Love,

Sue and Glenn

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