Gayla Keller Dalton

Gayla Keller Dalton, just shy of her 85th birthday, passed away July 10, 2026 in Layton. She was born July 25, 1941 to her revered parents Hazel Johnson and Ralph Keller in Ogden. Gayla lived in Ogden, Provo, Salt Lake City, Honeyville, Layton, and Kaysville. Honeyville always held a special place in her heart, as it was where she spent most of her childhood, formed lifelong friendships, and built lasting family relationships.

She graduated from Box Elder High School in 1959, then in 1960 married Hobart Dalton from Deweyville in the Logan Utah Temple. They had three daughters: Gina (Greg) Anderson of Springville, Jennifer (Tim) Huntsman of Salt Lake City, and Kelley Murray (Troy) of Clearfield. They later divorced. She attended Weber State College taking mainly art and accounting classes. Her artistic talents shone through her oil paintings and tole painting projects.

In the early 1960s, she worked for California Packing Corp. (DelMonte) as an inventory clerk. She later joined McKay-Dee Hospital in the accounting department and went on to work at several Intermountain Healthcare hospitals during a 38-year career before retiring in 2006.

Gayla was never one not to be involved in all kinds of activities. She was on the McKay-Dee Credit Union Board of Directors, volunteered at the Church History Museum, the Ogden Botanical Gardens, the Utah House in Kaysville (she loved to tell the tale of assisting in the planting the many flowers and shrubs in that area), and the Davis Arts Council where she ushered at concerts at the Ed Kenley Amphitheater in Layton. Gayla found great joy in participating in the Utah Hemerocallis (Daylily) Society, the Mountainside Literary Club, Underground Quilters, and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Each spring, most of the nurseries in the area were thrilled to see Gayla since she kept them in business. Flowers were her joy! After retirement, she won the Best Yard Award in Kaysville. Along with her friend, Elaine, she took the Utah State Master Gardener course, making her the trusted plant expert among her family and friends.

Family history was a dear love for Gayla. She served part-time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake Family History Center and the Layton Family History Center. There were thousands of happy hours spent on quilting, sewing, and painting, often with a sister or two, along with so many classes. These pursuits filled her artistic heart. Other interests were spoon collecting, knick-knacks, British comedies, and an intense love of all things German.

She will be immensely missed by those who survive her including sisters, Nancy Richards, Julie (Harvey) Hustad, and Joyce Keller, her three daughters, grandchildren: Kelsi (Ty) Flint, Kaytlen (Matt) Howes, Marissa (Bryant) Woolsey, Miles Anderson, Aiden Huntsman, Elsa Huntsman, Ian Murray, and Marley Murray, along with twelve great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Teri Johnson, brother-in-law, Russell Richards, and great-granddaughter, Grace Woolsey, and many she knew as a name in someone’s family history.

We are extremely grateful to the lovely staff at Sunridge Assisted Living of Layton. Leaving her house in Kaysville was difficult but made easier because of the love and care she received at Sunridge, especially from the “queen”, Mariah.

The services are as follows:

Viewing Wednesday, July 15, 2026 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N Main Farmington

Viewing Thursday, July 16, 2026 10:00-10:45 a.m. Kaysville East Stake Center 201 S 600 E, Kaysville, followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment at the Honeyville Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory YouTube channel and on this obituary.