Marlene Smith Ellis was born to Norene Calton Smith and Arthur Clinton Smith on September 8, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She passed away at the age of 71 on November 28, 2020 in West Jordan, Utah.

Marlene grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and she lived most of her adult life in West Jordan, Utah. She attended Rose Park and Onequa Elementary schools, Northwest Jr. High, and she graduated from West High School in 1967.

She married EuGene Leon Ellis on May 22, 1975, and their union was later sealed in the Jordan River Temple on March 16, 1983. The fifteen years of life that she spent with Gene were filled with much joy and happiness. Gene was a wonderful husband who spoiled and doted on Marlene continuously throughout their marriage. Gene passed away January 8, 1990, and she has missed him greatly since that time. We are so grateful that they are now reunited as she has longed to be with him for a very long time.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed her callings serving and teaching the children and youth. Her favorite times were spent with her family; especially enjoying family meals together, and getting together with family for all of the holidays. She loved shopping, going to movies, and eating out at restaurants. Autumn was her favorite time of year, and she always looked forward to driving up to the mountains to see the changing leaves. In her earlier years she enjoyed family vacations, camping in her motorhome with her family, crocheting blankets, taking cake decorating classes, and getting together with Gene, her Mom, and her siblings for a card game. She made many dear friends during the time that she and Gene lived on Midvalley Court in West Jordan, and she always cherished the memories that she made with those living in that neighborhood.

She worked as a bank teller at Walker Bank between 1973 and 1977. She was very blessed to have been able to be a stay at home mother with her children while they were young. Marlene attended Salt Lake Community College and graduated from the medical assisting program in 1995. She then worked for Salt Lake Clinic doing some medical assisting and registering patients from 1996 to 2000. She enjoyed the friendships that she made while working there.

Marlene is survived by her children Tammy (David) Tibbitts of West Jordan, Utah; Michael Ellis, Park City, Utah; Brandon (Kim) Ellis of Bluffdale, Utah; daughter-in-law Shanna Ellis of Saint George, Utah; her stepchildren Candy (Monte) Symmonds of Las Vegas, Nevada; Steve (Diane) Ellis of Cedar City, Utah; Holly (Jerry) Hyatt of Las Vegas Nevada; and April (Eric) McMurtrey of Bakersfield California. She leaves behind her grandchildren Travis (Kayla), and Alex Tibbitts, Madelyn, Gaven, Paxton, Jace and Camden Ellis, and step grandchildren Jason, Lisa, Robert, Joshua, Aaron, Adam, Caleb, Chad, Jason, Stephanie, Jeremy, Jay, Kyle, Kristin, Rachel, Quinn, Lane, and Hannah. She is also survived by her brother Clint, and sister-in-law Sarah Smith; and sisters-in-law Janet Albertson and Lori Smith.

Marlene was preceded in death by her loving husband Gene, her mother Norene Smith, her father Arthur Smith, her son Chad Ellis, her brother Brent Smith, and her brother-in-law Lee Albertson.

Marlene’s family would like to thank Doctor Marcia Pinkerman, the employees of The Lodge at Riverton, the employees of Sunridge Assisted Living, and the caring nurses with Symbii Home Health and Hospice for the charitable, loving care that they provided to her in the last years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please share an act of kindness, or give to someone in need in Marlene’s honor.

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, we kindly ask that only immediate family members attend the funeral service. Following the funeral there will be a graveside service where we would like to invite family members and friends to join us with face masks, and social distancing precautions in place at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah 84092 at 12:30 PM.