Thelma Ellen Gneiting

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Thelma Ellen Gneiting, 96, of Rigby, passed away in Queen Valley, Arizona on February 10, 2024 of natural causes.

Ellen was born August 17th, 1927 in Garfield Idaho to Phineas Leo Cook and Thelma Leavitt Cook. She was the 5th of 10 children. Ellen attended Garfield grade school and graduated from Ucon High School in 1945.  After graduation she was needed to work on the family farm because of World War II. Ellen met Lloyd Clyde Gneiting at a dance that was put on for the returning service men. He saved the last dance for her and they were married September 12th, 1947 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were blessed with 3 children, Brent, Marla, and Kevin.

Ellen was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many positions. She especially enjoyed working with the youth in her years as MIA president and activity counselor.

Lloyd and Ellen had several hobbies including: bowling leagues, dance club, four-wheeling, traveling, and playing cards with family and friends. Ellen had a serious green thumb with flowers, landscape, and vegetable gardening. The last 36 years she has spent the winters in Queen Valley Arizona.

She is survived by her children; Brent Clyde (Kathleen) Gneiting of Smithfield Utah, Marla Rae (Melvin) Briggs of Lewisville Idaho, and Kevin Kay Gneiting of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 11 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 4 great great-grand-children, and a brother Ivan J Cook.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings; Anna Ruth Cook Jex, Phineas Cook, Alfred Cook, Leo Vernon Cook, Harvey Melvin, Twin Brothers, and Irene Cook Olsen.

Services will be held on Monday, February 19th at 11:00 am.  There will be a viewing at 9:30 to 10:45 am before the funeral. The Rigby 4th ward church building is located at 401 West 1st South. Interment will be at the Grant cemetery.