Eleanore Engebretsen

Eleanore Allen Engebretsen

May 3, 1932 – July 30, 2016

In the early morning of July 30, 2016, Eleanore Engebretsen, known as Ellie to family and friends, passed away peacefully due to complications from dementia. She was 84 years old.

Born in Idaho on May 3, 1932, Joye Eleanore Allen was the fourth child of Eleanora Benson Allen and Dr. J. Sidney Allen—all of whom preceded her in death. Named after her mother, Eleanore was raised in Idaho, thereafter attending the University of Utah, where she enjoyed music performance, completing a Bachelors of Arts in Music in 1955. While at the University, Ellie met a young law student, Arden B. Engebretsen, whose proposal of marriage she accepted, the two being married on August 25, 1955.

In 1968, the Engebretsen family relocated to Wilmington, Delaware—a family that included six boys, ages 12 weeks to 12 years old. Ellie excelled at being a mother, making use of her musical talents in church service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Proud of her children, Ellie was also a devoted grandmother to 26 grandchildren, with more than 16 great-grandchildren. Ellie’s family extends sincere thanks for many caregivers and guardians over these past several years, including the staff at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wilmington, Delaware.

On August 6th, 2016, a memorial service for Ellie Engebretsen will be held in the Wilmington Delaware Latter-day Saint building, at 143 Dickinson Lane, at 11:00 am, with a musical celebration of Ellie’s life, to include an open invitation to make a joyful noise in the memorial of J. Eleanore A. Engebretsen. Also that day, at 12 noon, mountain time, a funeral service is scheduled in Utah, at the Butler Hills LDS Ward, 2695 E. 7000 S. Cottonwood Heights. That day, Ellie’s life-long friends, and relatives from California, Idaho, Utah, and others locales, can say farewell to her.  Thereafter, Ellie will be interred at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery next to the late Arden B. Engebretsen.

Contributions in remembrance of Ellie Engebretsen can be made to the Wilmington Music School, or to the University of Utah School of Music or the Humanitarian Fund for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral arrangements in Delaware by way of Doherty Funeral Home at 3200 Limestone Road, with funeral arrangements in Utah, by Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary.