Mitchell Peter Erkelens II's Obituary
Our beloved Mitchell Peter Erkelens ll passed away at home on December 18, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.
Mitch was born August 6, 1950, to Lt Colonel Mitchell P and Lu A. Erkelens in Ogden Utah. He has 2 sisters Bonna, Tina and 1 brother Robert. Mitch served an LDS mission in Southern California. Mitch then married Linley Watts on December 28th, 1972, and later divorced on June 14, 1989. They have 5 children (Peter, Jeanie, Skye, John, and Erin). He joined the Air Force doing security from January 1973 - March 1980 in Spokane Washington, which he was very dedicated to his country. They moved to Magna, Utah where he started with the Department of Defense in 1981 as a civilian. He did security and swat team duties at Tooele South Area and retired in 1994. During his time at the Department of Defense, by accident he met Mary Gunn on February 20th, 1990, and 3 days later they got engaged. Mitch and Mary were married on September 15, 1990. They were blessed with one child Ashley. They also adopted their grandson, Daniel. After retirement in 1994 he decided he wanted to drive a Big Rig and went to work for May Trucking where he became the head instructor of their school. He then decided to just start trucking and worked for E.A Miller Bros. Mitch loved his time trucking the Western 11 states. He was able to take his daughter Ashley with him a lot of the time, and he also drove as a team with his son Peter. He retired from trucking in January 2008. After being retired for a few years, he got his real-estate license. Mitch was a simple but a complex man. He loved his kids, hunting, and his wife Mary. Mitch said that Mary was the love of his life, and even though there was a 21-year age difference it did not matter to them. Mitch and Mary were sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple on June 18, 2011. They had a beautiful marriage of 34 years. In his last few years of life Mitch suffered greatly and had Mary by his side as his full-time caregiver.
He was preceded in death by his mother Lu, Father Lt Colonel Mitchell Erkelens, and Mother-in-law Nina Mason. Mitch is survived by his Loving wife, Mary. Children: Peter (Tenasha) Erkelens, Jeanie (Ryan) Brady, Skye Erkelens (Fred Mashtare), John Erkelens, Erin (Neel) Hansen, Ashley Erkelens, Daniel Erkelens and 9 grandchildren. Sisters: Bonna (Garn) Bugby, Tina (Scott) Welles, and Brother: Robert Erkelens. With many more adopted kids and grandchildren.
We would like to thank Jenna who went above and beyond to make it possible to care for Mitch. He loved your company and joking with you.
I (Mary) also want to thank Stacey for not only being there but also caring for us during his last days making it possible for me to focus on Mitch.
We would like to thank Hill AFB for doing the military honors.
We will be having a viewing on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 6 to 8 PM. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 12 to 2 PM. Military honors will be at the celebration of life. Both will be at the Granite LDS ward 9575 S. 3100 E., Sandy, UT after which Mitch will be cremated.
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