1932 – 2020
Our beloved mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2020 from causes incident to age. She was 87 years old.
She was born March 17, 1932, the only child of her loving parents, Ernest LeRoy Roach and Mary Lois Banks Roach. She was blessed with a large extended family and always felt part of it.
She said, “I was my mother’s daughter BUT, also my father’s son.” She grew up during the Great depression and alongside her father, learned to work hard every day. She said those lessons learned have stayed with her throughout her life. Living on the farm was a great blessing. They raised their own food: cows, chickens, pigs, big vegetable gardens, and fruit trees.
She was educated in the Spanish Fork Schools, was an A student and very active in social clubs. She graduated from Seminary and High School in 1950. She excelled in the 4-H program and was honored by her many achievements. She won scholarships and trips. Shirlene was a member of the Utah delegation that traveled to Washington D.C. She received a scholarship to Utah State University but decided she was a homebody and came home to a job at The Bank of Spanish Fork, her first paying job.
She married Hyrum Erastus Ottesen on April 14, 1954 in the Manti Temple. She loved him and said they felt like their lives were meant to be lived together here on this earth. For 57 years, his alarm would go off at 4:00 a.m. to go milk the cows every morning which is how he said, I love you and I love our family and I will work hard to provide for you.
Her children were her pride and joy: Janeen, Barbara, Paul, Elaine and Elizabeth. After her father died they continued a successful grade A dairy farm that her Dad started in 1941. Shirlene lived around dairy cattle for 71 years until the herd was just sold in December, 2019.
In later years, she and Dad were able to break away from the farm to enjoy some time together on several wagon train trips, making new friends and seeing new landscapes. They used their mule team, Hank and Eli, on these trips and at the 2002 Olympics.
She was a strong and valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She fulfilled her commitment to many ward and stake callings. The ward Christmas party, with primary program and costumes were enthusiastically supported year after year.
While in Jr. High, she discovered her passion for writing. She wrote for The Daily Herald and published articles for The Spanish Fork Press titled: “Between the Headlines”, “Here and There”, and also the Palmyra News. She kept current records of the Palmyra community history.
She was very connected with her pioneer heritage and compiled many stories and books about them. She was a member of, and lesson leader of the Palmyra Camp of The Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was instrumental in keeping the Palmyra Camp active.
She authored and compiled many family history books. She just presented her new book to her family last month, Christmas, 2019. She was an excellent cook and there are many favorite recipes published in her cookbook.
Her life was full of service as she touched the lives of countless members of her community and family. Food was delivered at the arrival of a new baby, sickness or just because. She served many years on the Utah County Planning and Zoning Commission. She was instrumental in writing legislation to protect the agricultural interests of the farming community.
Fond memories remain of family gathering for birthday parties, Christmas, and her famous New Years Eve party. Many friends and every family member will miss being remembered by her timely and reliable yearly birthday card.
She is survived by her children: Janeen (Phil) Thomas, Barbara (Darin) Jensen, Paul (Becky) Ottesen, Elaine (Scott) Gunter, Elizabeth (Ed) Nielsen. She has 25 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a grandson, Bradley Hyrum Thomas, and a great grandson, Cameron Marshall.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Palmyra Chapel, 1866 West 5000 South, Palmyra, Utah. A viewing will be held Sunday evening, January 12, from 5:00-7:00 p.m at Walker Funeral Home, 187 S. Main Street, Spanish Fork, and on Monday morning at the church from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
6 Condolences for Harriett Shirlene Roach Ottesen
Condolences(6)
Mary Warner says
January 11, 2020 at 8:30 pmJaneen, I just read about the passing of your mom. So sorry to hear that. She was an amazing lady. I will always remember coming to a party at your house and she was such a wonderful hostess and was so fun. It is always hard to lose a parent no matter their age. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Elder and Sister Warner (Mary and Morgan)
J Rulon Gammon says
January 11, 2020 at 10:50 pmDear Ottesen Family, Your Mom and Dad were wonderful people. Your Mom is one of the most thoughtful people I have known, regularly expressing appreciation for those about her. She sent me a beautiful John Deere tractor clock, which I have treasured as her example of giving thanks to those who serve, during my service on the dairy board. She, regularly expressed appreciation for Farm Bureau Service, and was always a classy lady, giving appreciation where many would express fault or criticism. I honor her name and all she stood for. She lived a noble life and is a great blessing to you and to our ag society. I send my sympathy and prayers for comfort to you at her passing. With love and appreciation. Rulon
Gloria Huff says
January 12, 2020 at 7:43 amLosing sweet Shirlene will leave shoes that would be hard to fill. She was wonder woman on so many levels. I always enjoyed her column in the Press. Being a relative, she was kind enough to follow through and research every passing in the Roach family. She would send the history and the obituaries which I know was a big job but it was so appreciated. She always remembered your name and had a smile for you. I can never remember her just calmly walking she was almost always on a trot to accomplish the next task. I have a huge appreciation for all of the farmers and there wives. Thank you for always smiling and being so kind a thoughtful.
Maureen Rindlisbacher says
January 13, 2020 at 4:15 pmDear Ottesen Family, I have many fond memories of your mother. I grew up in Leland which used to be almost a sister community with Palmyra. Many 4-H activities were held in Palmyra as well as many Golden Green Balls and traveling road shows. Shirlene was active in all of these activities. Later, when I was a senior in high school, I starting writing the column in the Press for Leland at the same time Shirlene was writing the Palmyra news. We used to laugh at the saying, “And a good time was had by all!” She was a daughter of a Utah Pioneer at the same time I belonged to the DUP. She was all that Palmyra was and is today. This statement came from Spencer W. Kimball, “To be a righteous women is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home–which is society’s bacic and most noble institution……..”My sincere love at this difficult time.
JoAnn Phillips says
January 13, 2020 at 6:12 pmI was a Spanish Fork High School friend of Shirlene’s. In recent years we have reconnected and it has been so fun to visit and talk with her again. I will treasure her notes and Christmas letters. I had planned on coming to the funeral service but I am far away and the weather was threatening today and I don’t like driving in bad weather at my age alone. Shirlene was a great person. She was a bright, caring and had a wonderful sense of humor. I loved her. It was her thinking of others that made you think of her. I would love to have a copy of the funeral service if you made a recording. I would be happy to send money for the expense. My address is 370 South Mountain Road, Fruit Heights, Ut 84037. I send my sympathy at your loss but I am sure you know how fortunate you are to have a mother like Shirlene.
Marilyn Cope says
January 14, 2020 at 4:40 amHeaven has received home a very special and noble lady. We have very fond memories of Shirleen. We always saw Shirleen with a smile on her face. Loved to hear her laugh. Such a delightful and fun person. Always busy working on a project and caring about other’s needs. She is dearly missed.
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