Obituary for Ireta Ruth Cook Ellis - East Idaho News
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Obituary

Ireta Ruth Cook Ellis

October 1st, 1930 - November 10th, 2022









Ireta Ruth Cook Ellis, 92, of Ammon, Idaho; formerly of Washington, Utah, and Rigby, Idaho passed away Thursday, November 10, 2022 at her home.

Ireta was born October 1, 1930, to Delbert Jay and Fannie Beulah Parrish Cook in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the first daughter and one of nine children. She attended grade school in Centerville, Utah and high schools at Davis High in Kaysville, Utah, Sugar Salem High in Sugar City, Idaho and Madison High in Rexburg Idaho where she graduated in 1948. She furthered her education at Ricks College (BYU Idaho) where she met her sweetheart, Donald Charles Ellis. They were married for time and for all eternity in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on March 1,1950. They were blessed with five sons and one daughter. Ireta was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings; her favorite being the genealogy and family history instructor.

She worked for the food services departments of Ricks College (BYU Idaho) and the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple for several years. She was a support to her husband on the farm in Clark, just east of Rigby for 38 years where they raised their family.

She was a 4-H leader for various youth in the community as well as her own children. Her various hobbies included cake decorating, reading, genealogy, temple service, cross word puzzles, crocheting, playing card games with friends, and junk mail; yes, junk mail.

Ireta and Donald moved to Washington, Utah after his retirement. There they found great friends that became their family. They were called to serve as missionaries in the church owned cannery in Saint George, Utah and as temple workers in the Saint George Temple. She also served as compassionate service leader in her branch. She loved the red hills of southern Utah and explored them often with friends on ATV’s. She loved the warm sunshine, and the view of Pine Mountain from their home. In 2019, due to failing health; she and Donald returned to Idaho; Ammon, where she lived until her passing.

Ireta is survived by her husband, Donald Charles Ellis; children, Donald Ray (Karen) Ellis of Ammon, Charles Roy (Judy) Ellis of Labelle, Rita Joy Ellis of Ammon, William Ryan (Lisa) Ellis of Ririe, Ross Edmund (Toni) Ellis of Idaho Falls, Dr. Robert Lynn (Mary) Ellis of Ririe; 34 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren; sisters Barbara Cook Ririe of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Emma Fannine Cook of Woods Cross, Utah; brothers Melvin J. Cook of Stevensville, Montana and William Glen Cook of Salt Lake City, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents; two granddaughters, Whitnie Rae Harris and Misti Dawn Ellis Jacobson; and two grandsons, Richard Bradley Storer and Chad C. Storer; one sister, Della Rae Cook Scott; and 3 brothers, W. Wesley Cook, David P. Cook and Thomas Joel Cook.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, November 21, 2022 at Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho; 101 West Main Street. The family will receive friends Sunday, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Eckersell Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Grant Central Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Eckersell Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to your local food bank.

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