Ellen Casaday

1923 - 2024

Ellen Myrtle Clark Casaday

1923 - 2024

Murray, Utah - Ellen Casaday, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Thursday, October 31, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Ellen was born November 23, 1923, in Murray, Utah to Samuel Charles Clark and Anna Avon Beckstead. Ellen was their only child and was brought up surrounded by the love of her parents and maternal grandparents, Sarah Ellen Rowan and Francis Albert Beckstead, on their farm in Murray, Utah. When she was 7 Ellen was chosen to be on the Auerbach's department store float for the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City. Ellen's father passed away when she was 13 and her grandfather took on the role of father. Ellen shared a loving and close relationship with her mother, caring for her until her passing. Ellen's example of love and service to her mother was carried on by her daughter, Nancy, who shared the same loving and close relationship with Ellen and tenderly cared for her throughout her life.

Ellen attended Jordan High School where she was a member of the Charlonians drill team and played the clarinet. While in high school she met Lester Buckley. They were married prior to Lester's service in World War II. They were later divorced.

Ellen married Melvin Arthur Dunn who was her next-door neighbor. On September 3, 1952 their only child, Nancy, was born. They were later divorced.

On January 9, 1960, Ellen married Raymond Earl Casaday after they eloped to Elko, Nevada. Ray brought a son, Patrick Raymond Casaday, to the marriage and Ellen and Ray added two more sons to the family, Kelly Clark Casaday, born May 17, 1962, and Kerry Michael Casaday, born July 21, 1963. Ellen and Ray were sealed in the Salt Lake temple in 1979. Ellen and Ray worked hard to create a close family, teaching life lessons, having fun and setting an example of excellence for their children. They were known as the nice parents in their neighborhood and always welcomed their children's friends into their home. They loved to travel, visiting every state, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and Europe but their favorite place to vacation was Schofield Reservoir where Ellen and Ray built a cabin. They spent many days boating, water skiing, fishing, camping and riding horses. Their posterity joined in those happy days at Scofield and many of them have built cabins of their own and carry on the traditions set by Ellen and Ray.

Ellen's professional career included working for Auerbach's department store, as a secretary at Kearns Airfield during World War II and then in San Francisco for several months processing returning soldiers. Later she worked for Preferred Risk Mutual Insurance Company and then OC Tanner Jewelry Company, retiring after 23 years of service.

Ellen was an excellent cook and seamstress (a skill none of her posterity has inherited!). She was known for never looking her age, her impeccable makeup and beautiful nails, her quick wit, charming laugh, her petite frame despite her love of buffets and being undefeated in Rummy. But above all else Ellen loved her family. She was a counselor, a fierce advocate and cheerleader for all of them. Every grandchild thought they were her favorite.

Ellen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in numerous positions in the church, but her most cherished calling was serving with her husband Ray as temple workers in the Jordan River Temple.

Ellen would have celebrated her 101st birthday on November 23rd this year and was honored to celebrate her 100th birthday with Governor Spencer Cox. Her years on this earth were filled with grace, elegance, determination, and love.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Ray. She is survived by her children Patrick Raymond Casaday (Adele), Nancy Dunn Frandsen, Kelly Clark Casaday (Ann), and Kerry Michael Casaday. Her memory will be held dear by her 19 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren and their families.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT. There will be a visitation beginning at 10:00 am with funeral services beginning at 11:00 am. Interment will be in the Midvale City Cemetery following the services.