The matriarch of our family, Edith Parker Gunnell, 84, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2003 at the Logan Hospital. She was born at home in Mt. Sterling on June 21, 1919 to Henry Jenkins Parker and Emma Dell Redford, the ninth of ten children.

She attended schools in Wellsville and graduated from South Cache High in Hyrum, Utah. She graduated from LDS Business College in SLC. She married her high school sweetheart, Leland Poppleton Gunnell, on November 21, 1939 in the Logan Temple.

They are the parents of six sons and one daughter: Vernen [Kathleen] Gunnell, Hyrum; Judy Lynne [Kent] Jenson, Mt. Sterling; Paul [Merlynn] Gunnell, Woodruff, Idaho; Wayne Gunnell, deceased; Lyle [Julie] Gunnell, Hartland, Wisconsin; Gaylen Gunnell, Wellsville; and Nolan [Pam] Gunnell, Mt. Sterling and a foster son, Joe Chiquito.

While her children were young, mom was a 'stay at home mom usually found on a tractor'. Later she worked in the Cache County Courthouse for the State Tax Commission and the IRS Center in Ogden. She enjoyed serving in the Relief Society, Primary and Mutual Organizations. Together, she and dad spent many happy hours working with friends on the "Old Folks Committee and serving others. With stubborn determination and a great work ethic, mom and dad worked side by side on the farm and then later on their Six Mile Ranch near Malta, Idaho.

She had a zest for life, a contagious sense of humor and a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was an avid genealogist. She loved dinner at Maddox and chocolates from Alvey's and The Idle Isle, but most of all she loved her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and mend and will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, 6 children, 28 grandchildren (three deceased) and 32 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, January 3,2004 at the Wellsville 5th Ward Chapel, 660 South 100 West, Wellsville, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, January 2, 2004 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah and at the church on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. before services.

The family expresses their gratitude and appreciation for the special care given to our mother. To the devoted caregivers, the medical staff of Sunshine Terrace, Hospice and Logan Regional Hospital.

We will forever remember your gentle, professional care and concern. Burial will be in the Wellsville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the LDS Missionary Fund or the Perpetual Education Fund. Condolences at Allen-Hall Mortuary