Coralee Elizabeth Brown Oakden

Heaven came calling on April 14, 2022, and Cori passed away at home from natural causes.

Born July 11, 1953, to Gail Guyon (G.G.) and Mary Ann Brown in Salt Lake City Utah. Cori has two sisters, Judy and Robin, and a brother, Rusty. Growing up in Salt Lake City, she had a fun and adventurous childhood. She was fortunate to travel all over the country on trains, planes, and automobiles with her parents and sister. Her childhood days were carefree, spent playing with friends and cousins. Kaycee McGinley was a special childhood friend who loved our mom dearly throughout her lifetime.

Cori’s education consisted of attending Rowland Hall, Beacon Heights, St. Mary’s of the Wasatch, and she graduated from East High School with the Class of 1971. Such a solid education made her extremely intelligent. She was well educated, and this made her very articulate and at times argumentative. When she was passionate on an issue she could debate until the other person was exhausted. She possessed skills at using correct grammar, correct spelling, and good manners; all were required in her presence.

Cori worked hard and was dedicated in whatever she carried out. She was never too proud to work, and no job was beneath her. Her occupations consisted of various restaurants, Sears’s department store, Comfort Inn, Renegade Lounge, Beaver Trap, Beaver Valley Hospital, Shriners Hospital, University of Utah Hospital, long-term care centers, and home health care.

On November 25, 1972, Cori married Michael Lynn Oakden at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was her dream wedding and Mike was the love of her life. They were only 19 years old when they started out together; they have spent 50 years together: growing, learning, and loving one another.

The early years were spent traveling and moving around. Mike was in the U.S. Air Force and started out in Rantoul, Illinois at Chanute Air Force Base. From there, they moved to Vacaville, California at Travis Air Force Base; there they had their first daughter, Crystal Lynn Oaken, in 1973. They moved to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, and then onto Dyess Air Force Base and resided in Albany, Texas. After an Honorable Discharge from the service, Cory and Mike relocated to Sandy, Utah. Then their second daughter, Heather Elizabeth Oakden, was born in 1978. Mike was hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad and they decided to move their family to Beaver, Utah in 1981. Many happy and fun times took place in those years. Cori met many new people and had numerous friends. Two great friends during that time were Naomi Lamb and Rosalie Williams, both who were outstanding friends to her.

At that point in life, she had a strong desire to go back and get a college education. She attended S.U.U. and took part in the Weber State Nursing program. She graduated and became an LPN and then a RN. She was a passionate and loving nurse; she sacrificed many personal relationships for her love of nursing. Cori joined the Naval Reserve and was put on active duty during Desert Storm. She was stationed at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, in the maternity ward in Oakland, California. After serving, she returned to Beaver and worked. As her daughters married and moved out, she became restless and ready for change, so she moved to Bountiful, Utah. Mike soon followed. Cori and Mike built their dream home in Syracuse, Utah where they have resided for the last 20 years.

Cori had a huge love for animals. Those closest to her would say if it was a choice between the dog, the cat, or a human-the human would lose every time.

Her later years, she suffered with declining health which led to frustration and times of depression. She was so strong willed and stubborn it was hard for those close to her to help. We find comfort knowing she is free from the health issues she suffered. She is free from the internal battles she fought alone.

Her spiritual connection with God was her strongest relationship throughout her life. She always spoke about the grace and mercy God held for everyone. She taught her daughters how to pray; she taught us what real faith meant. She truly believed God’s forgiveness in our shortcomings was greater than we could imagine. We know she was greeted with her parents’ open arms, whom she had missed so very much. Her heart must be overflowing to see all her fur babies; she had loved and cared for in her lifetime.

Everyone who knew and loved Cori is stronger, smarter, braver, and more patient for having loved her in this lifetime. Her daughters are so grateful for our dad, and all the love, constant care, and compassion he showed our mom.

Cori is survived by her husband, Michael “Mike” Oakden (Syracuse); daughters: Crystal Oakden (Beaver), and Heather Oakden Marshall (West Point); and Bo, her fur baby, (Syracuse); grandkids: Triston and Nastassaja Smith (Ogden), Colton and Mady Smith (Ogden), Cherish and Jagen Smith (Cedar City), Stoney Lofland (Beaver), Gracie Lofland (Beaver), Corbyn and Jake Marshall (Stafford, West Virginia), Emery and Karson Nielson (Fresno, California), Fallyn Marshall (Spearfish, South Dakota), and Scotlyn and Wyatt Marshall (Dunsmuir, California); two son-in-laws: Robert Lofland and Scott Marshall; siblings: Judy and Larry Volk (Bountiful), Rusty and Connie Brown (Salt Lake), and Robin and John Jensen (New Port Richey, Florida); brother-in-law, Mark and Stacy Oakden (Stacy, Texas); sister-in-law, Christy Oakden (Smith, Utah); many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cori was preceded in death by Gail Guyon Brown (father), Mary Ann Carter Brown (mother), Brandon Milo Smith (son-in-law), Ryan Wolfe (nephew), in-laws, Elmer Paice (grandparent), Vie Paice (grandparent), Karen Paice Oakden Martinez (mother-in-law), John Robert Oakden (father-in-law), George Robert Oakden (brother-in-law), and Ann Oakden (sister-in-law).

Per Cori’s request, there will be no formal service. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. Peace and love be with you Mom-until we meet again. 

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary.