Ellen McKean Freestone

Ellen McKean Argyle Freestone, our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother passed away on November 10, 2019 surrounded by a multitude of family who loved her dearly.  Ellen passed due to conditions incident to age honorably earned during 92 years of love, devotion, and hard work.  She was able to live independently and on her own terms until her last moment on earth.  We mourn at her passing, but we celebrate her opportunity to rejoin with others that she loves so much. 

Ellen was born July 12, 1927 to Jesse Holroyd Argyle and Vida Emery McKean in Bountiful, Utah.  Ellen loved the lifelong friends she had in the West Bountiful area and lived there her entire life.  Shortly after graduating from Davis High, Ellen married her soldier sweetheart, Robert Eugene Freestone, on the 10th of August, 1945.  Bob and Ellen were leading citizens of the West Bountiful community serving in many capacities over the years.  The city of West Bountiful honored Ellen by selecting her as the 2006 Mother of the Year and the 2011 Outstanding Citizen.

Ellen’s love and sacrifice focused on her family.  She taught her children the value of hard work and the importance of charity and service.  Ellen was always involved in good works… her beautiful flower beds, her productive vegetable gardens, scrapbooks, and numberless crocheting, quilting, and knitting projects.  Ellen quilted a “silky blankie” for each of her grandchildren and made endless amounts of caramels, fruitcake, and banana bread.  She loved to read and later in life was always absorbed in a good book.  Ellen was a substitute teacher for years and tutored numerous children in reading.  Since many of her children and grandchildren lived within minutes of her home Ellen loved having them drop in to visit, sit in the shade of her trees, or play a game of cards.  She was ruthless when it came to playing card games. She took winning seriously!

Ellen was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Her faith sustained her through many challenging and difficult days.  Ellen lost her beloved husband over 34 years ago but valiantly carried on, relying on her faith.  She is also preceded in death by 3 of her children.  We celebrate now knowing that she is rejoicing with all of them!

Two bits of wise advice from Ellen:  1) If you work hard you can gain anything in life you like. 2) Always remember who you are and where you came from.

Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, Robert, three children: Robert “Bobby” Eugene, Lynn Argyle, and Barbara Jean Roy, her parents, and eight siblings.  She is survived by four children: Ronald LaVar (Peggie), Tammie Lee (Bruce) Bratsch, Kevin Argyle (Diane), Kristine (Guy) Koelling, two daughters-in-law: Myra (Robert) and Sherri (Lynn), 28 grandchildren, and a growing army of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the West Bountiful 4th Ward, 1930 N. 600 W., West Bountiful, Utah.  A viewing will be held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday, November 15th at Russon Mortuary at 295 Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Another viewing will be held at the church, previous to the service from 10:00 am – 11:30 am.  Interment will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery.