Kay Ence Obituary

Name: Viewing for Kay Ence
Start: 2017-10-02T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-10-02T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Ivins Main Street Chapel

Kay Robert Ence, age 86 passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2017 in Pinto, Utah at his ranch. This was heaven on earth for him and mom for the past 33 years. He often said, "Ain't this livin'?" He was born on February 18th, 1931 (his dad's birthday) in Ivins Utah to Milo John and Lillie Tobler Ence who were one of the first 13 settlers in Ivins. Our Dad married his high school sweetheart, Doris Ellen Snow Ence in the St. George Temple on August 29, 1950.

Dad was born and raised in Ivins where his family raised turkeys. He attended elementary school in Santa Clara and the remainder of his school years were spent at Woodward and Dixie in St. George. In his early years of marriage, he continued with the turkey industry and farming. From 1972-1994 he was employed by the City of Ivins. He did every job that you can think to keep the city running. He was well loved by all the citizens of Ivins because of his work ethics, honesty, friendliness, and integrity.

On the side of his day jobs and his church responsibilities, Dad along with his brother Irvin was a farmer, rancher and cattleman. It was in these places that he taught his family the value of hard work. Dad worked from sun up to sun down on a daily basis. Mom was always supportive of dad and his endeavors. After their mission they lived in Pinto during the summer months where Mom worked by his side on a daily basis. On Tuesday, the day Dad past he was out working....doing what he loved to do.

Dad served faithfully throughout his entire life in many church positions. He has served in bishoprics, as a bishop, and on the high council. Dad and Mom served a mission in the New Zealand Wellington Mission where they have made lasting friendships. For the past 21 years Dad and Mom have greeted the temple patrons as they came to the temple on Saturday mornings.

Dad was a man of many talents. He could take a piece of dilapidated wood and turn it into a masterpiece. You have to know that his mainstays in these projects were bailing wire and gorilla glue. We sure hope heaven has it! Yearly Dad and Mom would gather the worn jeans from the entire family and create amazing pieced denim quilts. Dad was the designer of the fancy jean pockets and where they were placed in the quilt top. He would then "coach" mom on how to sew the quilt top together. Sometimes this could result in a disagreement. Dad was precise in helping mom get the tops on the quilting frames just right, Mom would tie, dad would roll and mom would bind. All of their kids and grandkids are proud recipients of these quilts.

Dad was privileged to always be one of Santa's helpers. For many years he would keep the spirit of Christmas real for many family members and friends when Santa Claus visited. Dad loves the Christmas season. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Ence home was and continues to be a beloved tradition and will live on in every one of us throughout our lives. Dad was a loving and exciting gift giver. Christmas is the best time of year.

Dad is survived by his devoted wife Doris Ellen Ence, his children Doris (Steven) Leavitt, Marie (Randy) Hansen, Kalyn (Bruce) Gubler, Anreta (Wesley) Frei, Ruth (Steven) Roberts, Robert (Shelly) Ence, Lydia (Troy) Nelson and Linda Denetclaw (foster daughter). He is loved and adored by his 29 grandchildren, 61 great grands + (6 on the way). Don't you know we are always improving over the old stock as dad would say. He is also survived by his lifelong farming partner, best friend and brother Irvin (Betty) Ence, many brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his grandson (Jake Ence), his brothers Vendon (Gert) Ence, Afton (Afton) Ence and his father and mother in-law Harold and Lydia Snow.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Ivins Main Street Chapel (15 N. Main) Ivins Utah. Viewing will be at the same location on Sunday evening, October 1st from 6-8 pm. and before the services on Monday from 9:00-10:30 am. Interment will take place in the Ivins City Cemetery.

Dad as you keep, "Ain't this Livin" in heaven we will keep "Ain't this Livin" on earth.

See you around dad.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. Friends and family are invited to sign Kay Ence's online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

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

Published by Spectrum & Daily News on Sep. 30, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Kay Ence

6 Entries

Sione & Teresa Everett Toluta'u

October 23, 2017

Dear Aunt Ellen and Family,
Sione and I are so very thankful for the wonderful examples that Uncle Kay set for us! We LOVE him dearly and will MISS him! We saw you most often while living in St. George as we passed by the temple desk on Saturday mornings where Uncle Kay always reached out spirit to spirit with Sione because of his ETERNAL love for the Polynesian people! Sione enjoyed having another BIG man around town with hands that matched his own! Uncle Kay is one of the greatest examples we know of living the "Ohana" spirit of family! He sure knew how to laugh, enjoyed people, worked extra hard and made sure his girls grew up in that extra long room - bed next to bed - the envy of every little cousin around! We are certain that he is about his Father's business and preparing a place for the rest of us! Thanks Aunt Ellen for being Uncle Kay's special partner and choosing such a great man to be sealed to! All our love and prayers with you all!

Keith Thompson

October 1, 2017

On my office credenza, I have a tent stake (Isaiah 54:2) made for me by Kay. He burned on to it, the following words - from D&C 82:14:
"For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments."

That stake was one of seven he made. I gave the other six to the Presidents of Districts in the New Zealand Wellington Mission with the challenge that they should prepare their Districts so that the Lord could plant these stakes so that the tabernacle of Zion might be increased in size and accommodate more of God's children and provide to them His ordinances. In February 2016, one of those District Presidents called me and called in a promise - I had told him that if he called me when that stake was ready to be planted, I would come to the conference from wherever I was in the world. I attended that conference in April 2016 with my daughter Rachel when the Dunedin New Zealand Stake was created. One of our fellow missionaries, Elder Stephen Smith from Raymond, Alberta, Canada was called as that Stake's first president. He had returned to New Zealand years before to teach law at Otago University.

I could not help but remember Kay all through that conference. That symbol he created inspired the members of that Mission District for 20 years until the goal that the Lord had inspired us to envisage was brought to pass.

I have no doubt about the kind of work that Kay will be doing now.

Ken & Katherine Walker

September 30, 2017

Dear Ellen and all the family
We have truly been in shock and very sad after being told that Kay has passed away. For so many years we have dearly loved Kay and Ellen and it has truly been an honour and a privilege that you have treated us as honorary Ence family members. We treasure countless memories of the times we have spent time with Kay and Ellen and also with the extended Ence family - in New Zealand, in Australia, and in USA. We extend our love and sincere condolences, as we try to focus on the fact that we have been so blessed to have had Kay Ence as a special friend for all these many years. Kay is such a special kind and loving person who will be in or memory forever.
With love - Ken and Katherine Walker - from Wellington, New Zealand - currently living in Tonga.

Randy Jay Harris

September 30, 2017

Your Father was a blessing to us all. My father, Robert Jay Harris, who passed away earlier this year, thought of your father as one sent from heaven. He loved him and loved to visit with him. I extend my love and gratitude for his exemplary life. We are grateful for his example, his love, his work ethic, his example of the Savior, and his wonderfulness as a husband and father. Please know that we will miss him and look forward to seeing him once again in the Celestial kingdom. He is surely going to be there. With our love, Randy Jay Harris

Connie

September 30, 2017

May the God of comfort be with you at this time

September 28, 2017

Dear Ence Family,
I was very sad to hear the news that your dad had passed away. He served as my Bishop during my crazy teenage years, and I dearly loved him!
I have fond memories of him sitting on the stand during sacrament meetings, fast and testimony meetings, shedding tears along with all of us as we shared our life's lessons. What a tender and generous heart this great man had!
I will never forget him, and I am grateful to have known him.
Susan (Potter) Anderson

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