Thelma Louise Udy Kesl

Thelma Louise Udy Kesl passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at home with family by her side. Thelma
was born in American Falls, Idaho on November 10, 1933. Her parents were Elizabeth Bowen Thomas
Udy and George Carl Udy of Rockland, Idaho.
Thelma joined her brother David Vernon Udy and sister Carol Loraine Whittaker as the third and last
child. In 1936 her father moved the family to Leadore, Idaho where they eventually purchased the Eight
Mile Warm Springs ranch. The family worked hard living on the ranch and running the wooden-lined hot
spring pool. Thelma spent many weekends renting out swimwear and then laundering it in the wringer
washer. Thelma loved working with her father outside more than cooking and cleaning indoors. Thelma
learned to play the piano, accordion, and drums.
Thelma graduated as Valedictorian of the class of 1952 from Leadore High School. She then attended
one year of school at Ricks College before traveling to San Luis Obispo, California to marry her
handsome husband, Thomas Jack Kesl, on May 28, 1953. After he served his time with the U. S. Army in
California and the Carolinas they returned to Leadore. They were gifted with three daughters who
traveled wherever drilling work took Jack until settling in Salinas, California where Jack worked for
Firestone and Thelma worked for the State Health and Welfare Dept.
Thelma was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her favorite calling was
Seminary teacher. She shared the talents she developed in 4-H with her family such as sewing, baking,
canning, gardening, food preservation, and needlework. She also taught the value of hard work and
charity. Thelma loved fishing, card games, dancing, music, and water skiing. Thelma and Jack lived in
Challis, Elk Bend and Salmon, Idaho before moving to Cedar City, Utah in 2012.
Thelma was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, sister, two nephews, and a niece. She is
survived by her daughters, Julia (Brad) Staley of Chubbuck, Idaho, Kila (Scott) Day of Cedar City, Utah,
and Lily Kesl of Tucson, Arizona, 15 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, 2
nephews, and a niece. She will be greatly missed by her relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the Indian Hills Ward at 1120 W Green Lakes
Drive in Cedar City, Utah at 11:00 a.m. A short viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. just before the service.
Interment will be at the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Affordable Funeral Services, 2002
North Main Street, Cedar City Utah (435-586-3456).
The family wishes to thank her friends, neighbors, and Zion's Way Hospice for their loving care during
her illness. Online condolences can be posted at www.affordablefuneralservices.com