Echo Arnesen

Family-Placed Obituary

ARNESEN, Echo Pryor Beloved wife of 36 years, mother of 6 devoted children, and best friend and confidant to 20 wonderful grandchildren slipped quietly from this world on the morning of October 9, 2006. She has joined her mother, father and one grandson in the world of spirits and is still anxiously engaged in the work of the Lord. She was born the third child of Bonnie Ellis and Lloyd Jones Pryor on April 15, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is survived by her sisters Margaret (Dan) Williams, Ruth (Kirt) Soderquist, Rosalee (Grant) Oakeson, and brothers Thomas (Eileen) Pryor and John (Marcia) Pryor. She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served with all her heart, might, mind and strength. She attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho on a music scholarship from 1967 to 1969 where she performed on the viola in many symphonies, quartets and other musical groups. She married Alan Harold Arnesen in the Salt Lake Temple on January 30, 1970. Her sons, Nathan (Amy), Adam (Megan) and John (Tara), and daughters Amy (Michael) Losee, Andrea (Jonathan) Gordhamer and Bonnie (Thomas) Ford are firmly committed to raising a righteous posterity. In her early years she spent many hours writing and directing one-act church plays, also known as road shows, and was a natural performer. Her love of music and its power to teach gospel principles motivated her to excel on both piano and organ, and to compose original hymns and songs. She spent many hours practicing the organ for Sunday services each week unknown to most except her husband, those close to her and the Lord, all of whom she loved and served diligently. She loved children and teaching them to sing. She was a highly motivated and successful Primary Chorister and used many visual aids, games and activities to evoke enthusiasm and a love of music while teaching gospel principles. All children loved her dearly and looked to her as the perfect example of every virtue. She had a strong childlike faith and listened intently to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit and followed its promptings without hesitation or doubt. Her dreams were a frequent source of personal revelation. During her life she endured two heart surgeries, back surgery and the loss of her thyroid. Through it all her faith and determination never wavered. She worked as a secretary for many years at Hill Air Force Base and Wright Patterson Air Force Base and retired medically in February 2001. In recent years she was in constant pain, which she endured well. Her unexpected passing will leave a void which cannot be filled. Funeral services will be at 1 P.M Friday, October 20, 2006 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5750 Shull Road, Huber Heights, Ohio with Bishop Paul Hanny presiding. Burial will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Echo's family will receive friends at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME, ENGLEWOOD CHAPEL, 675 West Wenger Rd. Thursday evening October 19 from 5 until 8 P.M. and Friday morning at the LDS Chapel in Huber Heights from 11 A.M until the time of service. Online condolences to Echo's Family may be made at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com