Clare Ellingson

Clare Sherry Ellingson, age 81, returned peacefully to his Heavenly Father on June 26, 2016 in Cedar City, Utah.  He was surrounded in love by some of his children, grandchildren and his best friend and beautiful wife of almost 58 years, June.   Clare was born in Lethbridge, Canada on January 11th, 1935.  He served a 2½ year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Norway.  Afterwards, he attended BYU where he met and married June Nythel Dudley on July 11th, 1958 in the Idaho Falls Temple. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Economics and Statistics from BYU. He has had the blessing and opportunity to call many places in the world his home including Calgary, Alberta; Sydney, Australia; Provo, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada and most recently Cedar City, Utah. Clare never had a stranger in his life.  Within minutes of meeting Clare for the first time he would discover a friend, relative or interest in common that would lead into a conversation.  He could make you feel like you’ve known each other for decades and he always had a joke or two to work into every conversation.  A huge aspect and less known trait of his life were his humanitarian efforts and love for his fellowman.  Along with his wife, he would quietly spend countless hours preparing and serving meals to the homeless and providing them with socks and blankets.  He also served as a Chaplain in the Indian Springs Prison and, along with June, as Addiction Recovery Missionaries in Las Vegas, NV and Cedar City, UT.  He will be remembered for his love of singing and never being able to hear a hymn without either joining in or humming along.  He loved woodworking and poetry and he was also known for his super human strength in arm wrestling.   His parents Sherwood and Etta Conlon Ellingson precede him in death.  He is survived by his wife, June; his sister, Mary Esther (Donald) Stephenson; six children: Craig (Keila) Ellingson, Tracy (Lynda) Ellingson, Kirsten (David) Fields, Kari (Richard - deceased) Vidal, Vicki (Scott) Perkins, Marnie Palang and (17) grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 8, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Cedar City Stake Center on 155 East 400 South.  Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com.