Alene Bell-Tuft

Alene Bell-Tuft

Monroe, Utah

Our dear little mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt and friend, Alene Peterson Bell-Tuft, 98, passed away on July 22, 2019, in Monroe, Utah. Alene was born December 11, 1920 in Inverury, Utah, to Ernest Peterson and Dora Alice Tuttle. She was the youngest of four daughters.

On September 22, 1941, she married Kirtley A Bell. After the war they made their home in Monroe, where they raised their family of three sons and two daughters. Her home and yard were beautifully decorated and cared for. Mom loved her family and home dearly and they were the most important things in her life. Kirtley passed away August 27, 1997. On July 11, 2002 she married A Keith Tuft. They made their homes in College Place, Washington, St. George, Utah and finally in Richfield, Utah. Keith passed away January 25, 2016. After Keith’s death, she resided in their home for a year and when she started having health problems, she moved to Monroe Canyon Assisted Living Center in Monroe.

Mom went to work in 1960. She was the manager of Pacific Trails sewing factory in Monroe. She later worked as a clerk typist at the forest service, then as a teacher’s aide at Ashman Elementary School. She helped start the CUES program. Her final job, which she loved the most, was as the media specialist at Monroe Elementary where she shared her love of books with many children and teachers. During her last year of work, she installed the library books onto a computer system and trained the other Sevier County School District media specialists to do the same. She was recognized as having an exemplary library, one worthy of imitation.

She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Monroe Literose Club, Daughters of Utah Pioneers (where she received the Women of Faith and Fortitude award), Relief Society, Richfield Culture Club and a bridge club started during high school that she participated in for 65 years. Mom had a beautiful alto voice, sang in choirs and with her husband, Kirtley, at many funerals in Sevier County.

Mom loved compiling family histories, genealogy, quilting, sewing, photography and reading. She enjoyed traveling, camping and fishing. She served a genealogy mission at the Monroe Genealogy Library, did indexing, worked hours and hours on her own genealogy and submitted many family names to the temple. She had an amazing memory and clear mind until right before her death. She was a strong, independent, spunky, smart, beautiful and classy lady.

We express our sincere gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Monroe Canyon Assisted Living Center, who tenderly and lovingly cared for our mom during the last 2 ½ years of her life. They are angels on earth.

She is survived by her sons and daughters: Ronald (Sandra) Bell, David (Shirlee) Bell, James (Catherine Taylor) Bell, Mari Fuellenbach, Mitzi (Vern) Ridd; her step-daughter, Bonnie Harper; 19 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter. She is preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Charles Ogden and his children; her husbands; son-in-law, Mark Fuellenbach; sisters and brothers-in-law, Beth Peterson, Della (Bill) Moorhead, Leone (Millan) Gledhill; step-son Anthony Tuft; and great-granddaughter, Lila May Schow.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 29, 2019 at 12:00 Noon in the Magleby Mortuary Chapel, 50 South 100 West, Richfield where friends may call Monday morning from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Monroe City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com.