Geneal L. Coates

Gunnison, Utah - Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister Geneal Nola Larsen Coates, 84, passed away November 1, 2016, at her home in Gunnison, Utah. Geneal was born April 20, 1932, in Salina, Utah, to Thomas and Nola Anne Johnson Larsen. She loved growing up in Redmond and had many fond memories with her brothers there. She had many talents that she shared willingly, one of which was playing the piano and organ at church starting at the age of 14. She loved spending time in the mountains with her family as a young girl while her father worked as a government trapper. She loved sharing her stories of those times when her dad would play the harmonica to his young children every night before they went to sleep. That must have been where Geneal got her musical talent. She married Cleve Clarence Coates on June 26, 1950, in the Manti Temple and shared 66 years of marriage. They were so devoted to each other and proud of their 24 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was an excellent gardener, seamstress, cook, and homemaker. She hand-stitched many quilts; every grandchild received a baby quilt and another when they graduated from high school. She crocheted and knitted hundreds of dishcloths and many other items to give away. She enjoyed riding horses and staying up on the mountain with Cleve in the summer as he tended the cattle on the summer range. She also spent many years working at the sewing plant, school lunch, and driving school bus. She served in many church callings in primary, scouting, and relief society and shared her musical talents as organist and chorister in many church auxiliaries. She loved her club activities and was a proud member of the DUP. Her six boys kept her very busy and tried her patience; but she loved each one very much. She and Cleve instilled a great work ethic in them. She was a great mother and we loved her sense of humor. She loved family gatherings where many stories were always shared. Geneal is survived by her loving husband Cleve Coates and sons: Brent and Joan Coates; Dale and Michele Coates; Neal (deceased) and Dana Coates all of Aurora, Utah; Wes and Billie Coates of Mayfield, Utah; Mark and Delene Coates of Gunnison, Utah; and Blake and Nancy Coates of Preston, Idaho; brothers: Darwood and Hilga Larsen of Olympia, Washington; Norman and June Larsen of Highland, Utah; Lynn and Konnie Larsen of Bountiful, Utah; and half-brother Clifford Larsen (deceased); sisters-in-law: Mary and John (deceased) Pavich of Murray, Utah; Zada and John Gates of Rocklin, California; Guy (deceased) and Marge Coates of Gunnison, Utah; and Clara Coates of SLC, Utah. Brothers-in law: Boyd and Wilma Coates of Aurora, Utah; and Clyde and Saundra Coates of Gunnison, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. in the Gunnison LDS Stake Center, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Saturday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Gunnison City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.