Gayle Rosetta (Stauffer) Mendelkow (1924 - 2011)

PROVIDENCE, Utah - Gayle Rosetta Stauffer Mendelkow, 86, died peacefully Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, in Henderson, Nev., due to complications of old age.

She was born Nov. 25, 1924, in Providence, Utah, to John Stauffer and Rosetta Zollinger. She was a graduate of South Cache High School and Utah State Agricultural College.

Gayle faithfully served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Northwestern States Mission from 1946-47. She married Dean F. Mendelkow on Sept. 4, 1951, in the Logan LDS Temple.

Gayle was employed at Morning Milk Company and Utah State Agricultural College before the birth of her two children. She was an active member and officer of the Elizabeth Matthews Camp of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for many years. She served in numerous church callings, including serving as an ordinance worker in the Logan LDS Temple.

Gayle's greatest joy in life was her family. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nephews no matter what the occasion. Gayle was the youngest of three children and lived her entire life in Providence, Utah, except for the last two years, which she spent with her daughter in Henderson, Nev.

When not spending time with her family, Gayle enjoyed countless hours grooming her many flower gardens. Her green thumb didn't end with her flowers. She was an expert in canning, winning a trip to Chicago through a 4-H Kerr Canning Contest. Gayle and her sister took on the responsibility of maintaining family history and genealogy records passed on to them from their father.

Gayle was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; her parents; her siblings, Melna Parker and Royce Stauffer; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law; and a step-great-grandchild.

She is survived by her daughter, Jalene (Val) Bello of Henderson, Nev.; her son, Kim (Lesa) Mendelkow of Amalga, Utah; six grandchildren, David (Amy) Owen, Jared Owen, KaraLyn (Craig) Galante, Jason (Diane) Owen, Kaitlyn Mendelkow and Cheyenne Mendelkow; five step-grandchildren; along with four great-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Nebeker.

For all of their expert and compassionate care, the family wishes to thank the staff at Prestige Assisted Living and CompassionCare Hospice in Henderson, Nev. We are also grateful to the Providence 5th Ward for hosting the funeral services, and Gayle's good neighbors in Providence who helped with her care after the death of her husband.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Providence 5th Ward Chapel, 262 Canyon Road, Providence, Utah (red brick), with Bishop Michael Carlsen officiating.

Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St., Logan, Utah, and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Providence 5th Ward Chapel. Burial will be in the Providence Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net.

Published in Logan Herald Journal from November 16 to November 18, 2011