Gene Mounteer

We were privileged to witness our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Karel Gene Mounteer (Gene) pass from mortality to eternal life Sunday, September 26, 2021.  His desire to pass on the Sabbath was granted at 11:58 p.m. at Mountain Point Medical Center in Lehi, Utah.

Asking to be dressed in proper attire instead of a hospital gown in his final hours, he signed his temple recommend, which he realized had expired during his brief illness.  His last act was to affirm his testimony of Jesus Christ to his wife and children.

Gene was born to Willard J. Mounteer and Winnie Marie Allred on January 8, 1936 in Neeley, Idaho.  When he was a year old, his family moved to Stockton, California where he lived until graduating from high school.  Shortly thereafter, he met Mary Lou Dalley of Logan, Utah who was working in Stockton for the summer. The story goes that they met at an LDS Young Adult activity where they fell in love and never fell out. At summer's end, Gene went to Brigham Young University, and Mary Lou went to Utah State University. On October 13, 1955 they married in the Logan, Utah temple.

The couple settled in Bakersfield, California where they had two daughters, Janet and Julie, before moving to San Jose, California where Gene completed his bachelor's degree in English at San Jose State University and his master's degree at Santa Clara University. A son, David, and two daughters, Carole and Laurie, were born during the couple's San Jose years. Gene taught English at two local high schools and at Saratoga's West Valley College. A gifted teacher in his profession, Gene also excelled in teaching the gospel. In 1978 the family moved to Morgan Hill, California where he served as bishop and in the stake presidency. Gene and Mary Lou retired to Sandy, Utah in 1995 and soon served a Church education mission in Lyon, France where they opened the first LDS Institute in Europe. Later they served a temple mission in Mexico City and enjoyed working in the Jordan River and Draper Temples.

Gene's retirement years included writing two large volumes comprising Allred and Mounteer family histories in conjunction with his brother Bill. One of his greatest joys was traveling the world with his family. He loved America and closely followed national politics. An astute thinker and avid reader, he filled his home and his children's minds with great literature. He and Mary Lou take great pride in their family: daughters Janet Lowry (Keith), Julie Hawker (Rick), Carole Kamradt (Eric), Laurie Stearmer (Jon), son David Mounteer (Sherri), eighteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Gene's family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Lehi's Mountain Point Medical Center for their warm and tender care. We love this good man and look forward to meeting him again. As described by a nephew, "He was the last prince I knew in real life."

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 1 at 11:00 am at the Union 6th Ward, 1433 E. Old Mission Road, Sandy, with a viewing from 9:30-10:45 am. There will also be a viewing Thursday 6-8 pm at Anderson & Goff Mortuary, 11859 South 700 East, Draper. Interment, Sandy City Cemetery.