Monica Lynn Keller July 29, 1971 - January 15, 2025

Monica Lynn Striegel Lifferth Keller unexpectedly passed away January 15^th, 2025, in her sleep. This devastating shock has left a hole in the lives of her loving husband Erik Keller, her incredible son Max, and all of her family.

Monica was born to Merry Lynn (Byers) and Douglas Striegel on July 29^th, 1971, in Denver, Colorado. When she was only 6 months old, Doug passed away, leaving Merry Lynn and Monica alone, without a husband or father. Shortly after this, they moved to Utah where Merry Lynn met Wesley Lifferth, and they were married in 1974.

Monica was a focal point, bringing three families together because of this one little girl. The Striegels, the Byers and the Lifferths all rallied around Monica to make sure she had the best life possible. She was loved by all who knew her. As she grew up, 5 more siblings joined the family, and as the oldest, she was always supportive, tender and nurturing to her 3 brothers and 2 sisters, considering them her best friends. She formed a special bond with each one of them that will forever be cherished.

Monica graduated from Payson High School in 1989. She went to BYU, Utah State and spent a summer working in Alaska. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in accounting. She had a 24-year career with Novell in Provo, and in the last few years worked for Traco Packaging in Orem.

Monica had settled in and began to build a great life for herself in Payson. However, in the year 2000, through the insistence of a loving aunt and cousin, Monica agreed to be set up with a young man from Texas named Erik Keller. They were married on October 13, 2001, and later sealed for time and all eternity on November 23^rd, 2007, in the Provo, UT Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 2007, Monica and Erik welcomed a son, Max, into their family. They began an adventure that none of them had ever imagined possible. Throughout the years the three of them were able to spend months living in Singapore, Thailand, travel the world and experience adventures together. Monica and Erik had a unique gift for music appreciation and passed this love on to their son, going to concerts all over the world and engaging in cultural experiences wherever they could.

Monica and Erik were deeply engaged in their church services, taking on many callings where they were able to serve and help their friends and neighbors. Their latest opportunity came almost 5 years ago when Erik was called as the bishop of their ward congregation and with Monica’s incredible support as the Wife of the Bishop, (never to be referred to as “The Bishop’s Wife”), they have built friendships and relationships that will last forever. Every child in their ward loved Monica, and whenever a child couldn’t or wouldn’t behave in Nursery, the parents and leaders knew that they could take their child to Monica in the library, and she would calm them down. She had a gift for connecting with everyone, and she will be missed.

Monica loved everyone. She was gifted and talented in so many ways. She was brilliant, knew every pop culture reference there ever was, and never lost a game of Trivial Pursuit. There wasn’t a person that she could not engage with on their level. She could reach those that others could not. Monica was wonderful, generous, loving, smart, humble…but above all else…

Monica was kind.

Monica is survived by her loving husband Erik, her son Max, her parents Merry Lynn and Wes Lifferth, her in-laws Don and Kathleen Keller, and her siblings (and siblings in-law), Zachary Lifferth, Noah & Kaila Lifferth, Gretchen & Jason Chesley, Gabe & Julene Lifferth, Bridgett & Rory Jones, Heather & Karl Harwood, Susan & Andrew Gardiner. She also has 17 nieces and nephews whom she loved beyond words.

Monica was preceded in death by her father Doug, her grandparents Wade and Nelma Striegel, Leland and LaVerne Byers, and Henry and Wanda Lifferth.

Funeral Services for Monica will be held Friday, January 24^th at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 711 South Peteetneet Boulevard (600 East), Payson, UT 84651. An opportunity to visit with the family will be held that same morning from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM.

A live stream of the services will be available (click on the link on this obituary page, above under her picture; or below).

In lieu of flowers or donations, please make time to spend with your family and loved ones and create memories, because you never know when you won’t have that opportunity again.