Ilene Asay Julander
Panguitch, Utah
Ilene Julander, 102, passed away on December 26, 2024 in Panguitch, Utah. She was born November 18, 1922, in Monroe, Utah to Joseph Lawrence and Nellie Barney Asay. She spent her early years growing up in Monroe and attending school there. When she was a teenager, she was working as a waitress in the local cafe and that's where she met her future husband, Afton Julander. They were married September 1, 1940. The marriage was later solemnized on October 11, 1951 in the Manti Temple. In 1944, Afton was drafted into the Army. He fought in World War II on the front lines. Ilene was left alone with a 2-year-old and a new baby. She always said that was the worst time of her life. Luckily, her parents lived just a few blocks away and helped her every day. Afton came home in November, 1945 and they were able to be together always from then on. They were the parents of four children: Neal, Richard, Dale, and Marlene. Ilene went to work at the sewing plant in Monroe where they made shirts for the Army. She sewed the cuffs on the sleeves.
In 1960, they moved to Panguitch where Afton worked in the sawmill that was moved from Richfield to Panguitch and that's where they lived the rest of their lives. Ilene worked as a waitress at the Flying M Cafe until she was offered a job as a dental assistant for Dr. Wallace Lee. She worked for Dr. Lee for 17 years and loved her job. After she and Afton retired. They worked in the St. George Temple for 3 years. After that, they made weekly trips to Mesquite. They would leave early in the morning, go down and play the slots for a little while, get something to eat and come home. While they were traveling, Ilene crocheted 32 afghans for her family members. She did beautiful work. She was an avid reader and quilter. She read hundreds of books.
Afton passed away October 28, 2008. Ilene missed him every day for 16 years. She spent the last 5 l /2 years in the nursing home in Panguitch and kept asking when Afton was going to come get her. That was her Christmas wish this year and she got her wish the day after Christmas. She had a fun, honest sense of humor right up to the end. You didn't have to ask her opinion on anything, she would tell you what she thought whether you asked her or not. She was sassy, spunky and funny. She would always make you laugh.
Ilene is survived by her children: Richard (Annette) Julander, Dale (Jemela) Julander and Marlene (Mel) Miller; daughters-in-law, LaRee Julander and Sherrie Harbertson; 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 33 great-great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her husband, Afton Julander; son, Neal Julander; great-grandchildren, Swade Miller, Dace Miller, Kason Miller, and Makenlee Tebbs; siblings, Neal Asay, Joseph Asay, Virginia Ogden, and Dona Williams.
A special thanks to the nurses and staff at the Garfield County Nursing Home. She became a part of their "family" where they loved her and attended to her every wish and need for 5 1/2 years.
They are absolutely amazing.
A casual celebration of life will be held January 3, 2025, in the Panguitch 2nd Ward at 11:00 a.m. The viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the celebration. The burial will be in the Monroe City Cemetery at l :30 p.m.
Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com
Live streaming can be found below Ilene's obituary
Friday, January 3, 2025
9:30 - 10:30 am (Mountain time)
Panguitch 2nd Ward Chapel
Friday, January 3, 2025
Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)
Panguitch 2nd Ward Chapel
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