June 28, 1932 ~ February 21, 2024 (age 91)
Faye Ellgen, 91, residing at The Gables Assisted Living Memory Care in Brigham City, Utah, passed away peacefully in the early evening of February 21, 2024. Faye was the oldest of two daughters born to Doey Elbert Seldomridge and Minnie Evelyn Blake on June 28, 1932, in Craig, Colorado. Faye and her sister, Kay, enjoyed life in the small town of Craig. She loved living in the three different homes her father built near their elementary school where they spent many hours at play. Her other interests were going to movies, caring for her family pets, participating in high school government, and square dancing. She worked at several jobs: “soda jerk,” the movie theater, and later at JCPenney.
In high school, she was invited by her friend to attend the local branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she and Philip first met. While they were dating they enjoyed dancing, horseback riding, and airplane rides in Philip’s private plane – which sealed the deal. Faye made the decision to join the Church. Philip baptized her and they were later married on June 1, 1950, in the Manti Utah Temple.
Faye’s legacy of love and dedication lives on in her daughters, Jo Ann (Clair) Vernon, Jean (Robert) Willmore, Janice Ellgen, and Jill (Robert) Kinney, her 15 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Doey and Minnie Seldomridge; her dear sister Velma Kay Vroman; her son, Richard (1974); and her devoted husband of 71 years, Philip Ellgen (2022).
Faye kept busy raising her children, serving in the Church, and working. She was dedicated to maintaining their home and teaching their daughters sewing and cooking skills through the 4-H program. She was a Boy Scout leader while her son was in scouting. Her devotion to her faith was evident in her service in Relief Society, Mutual, Primary, and singing in the Ward Choir. She also worked for six years in the Ogden Temple with her beloved husband. Her membership in the Church brought her great joy and comfort in the knowledge that families are forever, making genealogy an important priority in her life. Some of her hobbies were baking bread, crafting, participating in a quilting group, crocheting, knitting, sewing, and letter writing – never wasting any space on a card or piece of paper. She loved family history projects, especially one that included composing a song for an Ellgen family reunion. She made every Christmas magical with stockings and thoughtful gifts. While raising her family, Faye also worked in a variety of jobs including retouching portraits for Perry Studios in Grand Junction, selling Fuller Brush in Vernal, working in the cafeteria at Logan Junior High School, and in the office at The Sunshine Terrace Nursing Home while getting her Associates Degree at Utah State University.
Faye’s life was a beautiful testament to the power of love, the value of hard work, and the joy of giving service to family, friends, and neighbors while living in Colorado (Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Paonia, and Maybell) and Utah (Vernal, Logan, Roosevelt, Perry, and Brigham City).
The family would like to express love and appreciation to the Staff of the Gables Assisted Living and Aegis Hospice for the attentive and loving care of Faye.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Humanitarian Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Humanitarian Services c/o LDS Philanthropies 1450 N. University Ave. Provo, UT 84604 or online at https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/funds/
The Service will be livestreamed and can be accessed at this link: https://MyersMortuary.livecontrol.tv/13aa1430
Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah
Viewing: Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Viewing: Friday, March 8, 2024, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Funeral Service: Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Avenue, Craig, Colorado
Viewing: Saturday, March 9, 2024, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Graveside service: 11:30 a.m. Craig Fairview Cemetery
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Myers Mortuary.