Colleen Livingston Knowles

Colleen Livingston Knowles

April 15, 1933 ~ June 12, 2022

Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend Colleen Livingston Knowles passed away peacefully the morning of June 12, 2022 in Ogden, Utah. 

Colleen was born April 15, 1933 to Leon and Lovena Warren Livingston. She and her six siblings grew up on a small farm in the town of Alpine in Star Valley, Wyoming. Her depression era childhood was marked by hardship and want, but also filled with family love and support. Her four sisters and two brothers were her best friends growing up, and they continued to remain extremely close throughout their lives. She attended Star Valley High School, where during her senior year she was a cheerleader, yearbook queen, and eventually class valedictorian.

After high school, Colleen continued her studies at Brigham Young University and Weber State College. During the summers, she returned to Star Valley where she worked as a waitress at the Flying Saddle Lodge in Alpine. During her college years, she had the opportunity to spend ten weeks traveling across Europe with a BYU tour group.  In 1955, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from BYU.

While attending Weber State, Colleen met Raymond Knowles. Their first date was a showing of the popular movie, “Singing in the Rain” at the Egyptian Theater in Ogden on Christmas Day. Four years later, Ray and Colleen were married on June 12, 1958, in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fittingly, Colleen passed away on the 64th anniversary of their wedding.

Colleen and Ray settled in Ogden, where Ray worked at Hill Air Force Base. From 1967 to 1970, Ray’s work moved the family to Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan. Their time in Japan was a highlight in Colleen’s life, as they had unforgettable experiences and met wonderful new people who became life-long friends. Colleen and her family also lived in Montgomery, Alabama for a year beginning in 1972 while Ray attended Air Command and Staff College and completed a master’s degree at Auburn University. They also enjoyed this experience as well and made many new friends during their time there.  

After this, the family moved back to Ogden where Colleen and Ray raised their family. They were loving parents and so proud of their children, all of whom graduated from Ogden High School and went on to earn college degrees. Colleen loved living in Ogden and the countless friendships, associations, and experiences she had there over the years. 

Colleen was an elementary school teacher for more than 25 years, primarily in the Ogden School District at Grandview Elementary. She was a dedicated educator who adored the years she spent teaching her 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students. She would often say that she loved every single day she spent as a school teacher.

Colleen was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony of the gospel and taught it to her children at home. She loved serving in the church, especially teaching in the Relief Society and Young Women organizations.  After she and Ray retired, they served church history missions in Kirtland, Ohio and St. George, Utah. They also served a temple service mission in the Nauvoo, Illinois Temple. Colleen enjoyed several years serving as an ordinance worker in the Ogden Temple.

Colleen was involved in a variety of clubs and organizations. She was a voracious reader and thrived on learning new things. She loved her many friends and colleagues, and always enjoyed getting to know new people and learning about and from them.  

Colleen cherished her family, and spending time with them was one of her greatest joys. She regularly hosted family parties and get-togethers, and the Knowles home was a constant gathering place. Throughout her life, Colleen maintained strong ties to her immediate family as well as to aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins and other extended family, all of whom she loved dearly.  

Colleen will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind and loving woman who truly cared about others and always saw the best in them. She was devoted to her dear husband Ray and her five children. She had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and lived her life according to her faith. Her home was open to all, and she frequently provided room there for family members and friends who were in need of help, comfort, or support.

Colleen tenderly cared for her husband Ray during his lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her dear companion passed away April 14, 2017. She spent her final years living in Avamere at Mountain Ridge Assisted Living community. Her family would like to express their deep gratitude to the dedicated and loving staff there. We would also like to thank Inspiration Hospice for their care and support.

Colleen is survived by her sister, Madalyn, and by her children, David (Linda) Knowles, Nancy Knowles, Mark (Wendy) Knowles, Scott (Jennifer) Knowles, and Jeffrey (Brandie) Knowles. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Lovena; her siblings, Shirley, Justin, Geneal, Leon, and Carolyn; and a grandchild, Matthew Joseph Knowles. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Old Post Ward, 5191 Old Post Road, Ogden, Utah 84403. Friends may visit with family on Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road.

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