Lynette Kehl Blanch

Lynette was born on October 18, 1949, in Salt Lake City. Her parents, Edward and Glenda Kehl, adored their “German girl”. One of eight children, Lynette spent much of her childhood nurturing her siblings. From a young age, she was well-loved by many friends up and down her neighborhood streets. She attended South High School where she was a cheerleader, singer and dancer in the school plays, as well as campaign manager for the student body president. Lynette was truly the most beautiful girl and sought-after date in the entire school, but she was much more than that – she was a defender of the less fortunate and a friend to those who had none. There are numerous individuals and families who benefited from her kind and often anonymous generosity.

Marsden and Lynette met at Lynette’s high school graduation, where Marsden was accompanying a young woman from church. Lynette quickly captured his interest, and they began dating (against her better judgement). Marsden first proposed to Lynette shortly after they began their courtship, but she was not quickly persuaded. After multiple attempts to entice her to accept his offer of marriage, on Christmas Eve 1968, she finally relented. The happy couple began their eternal journey together on June 5, 1969, in the Salt Lake Temple. Just prior to the wedding, Lynette underwent emergency surgery for a previous cheerleading accident which left her in a cast that extended from shoulder to fingertips. Her wedding dress had to be altered so that the right sleeve could accommodate her cast, which remains a cherished family heirloom. She even composed all of their thank you notes left-handed.

Lynette’s love for her husband was rivaled only by her devotion to her children as Lynette became a mother. Eventually the couple welcomed six beautiful children into their family over the course of 12 years: Kimberli Lyn, Katie Lyn, Robert Marsden, Karalyn, Kristen Lyn and Brant Marsden. Lynette dedicated her entire life to her family, and she had no shortage of talent to provide. She knitted matching outfits, sewed detailed Halloween costumes, even creating her own patterns as her expertise expanded. Even when her illness prevented her from enjoying many of her favorite hobbies, Lynette continued to knit baby blankets and bibs as gifts for grandchildren and great-grandchildren that they continue to treasure.

Lynette had a passion for interior design and prided herself in maintaining a beautiful and tastefully appointed home even when the family’s resources were limited. Over the years, Lynette savored the process of designing and decorating her dream home. Lynette may not have been inherently organized (due to her wide-ranging interests and enthusiasm for bringing multiple projects together at once) however, she engrained in her children the importance of keeping a tidy house and to appreciate the satisfaction that comes from a job well-done. A mother who believed in leading by example and a source of incredible energy, her children recount hearing her vacuuming or doing laundry late into the night to meet her own high standards. As a result, her house was always impeccably clean.

Lynette tenaciously supported Marsden through medical school, fellowships, building a successful new business, and his various church callings while raising their 6 children. Lynette also found time to serve others in meaningful ways and as prompted by the Holy Spirit. Many friends and acquaintances have said Lynette came to them in a time when they really needed help. Many families benefited from her kind generosity, including a brother who recalled how Lynette anonymously gifted them groceries when they needed it most. Lynette endeavored to remember every loved one’s birthday, marking the special occasion with a card, phone call, or flowers.

Lynette derived immense joy from music, a talent she possessed and sought to cultivate. She even taught herself how to play the violin as a girl when her parents couldn’t afford the desired lessons. Her children benefitted from many of these talents and interests as she sought to provide piano, violin, and dance lessons, and other opportunities to her children to develop their own potential talents. Excursions to the Utah Symphony, Pioneer Memorial Theater, and an annual Christmas tradition of attending Ballet West’s performance of The Nutcracker were not readily appreciated by her children but beneficial in exposing them to the majesty of classical music and theater. Often Lynette enjoyed playing her favorite pieces on the piano late into the night on Sundays and retained these abilities for years into the progression of her disease.

Lynette was a woman with diverse interest and unique talents. Remarkably, she could look at a color once and then days or even months later select that exact shade at a furniture store, fabric store, or makeup counter. She was a compendious collector of fabric, salt and pepper shakers, Radko Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, Limoges, and even Beanie Babies. As a woman of excellent taste and amazing achievements, Lynette took great pride in returning to college as her children matured and triumphed by earning an A grade in statistics.

Lynette and Marsden served as Mission Presidents in San Bernadino, California from 1995-1998 and served several medical missions after that. Every missionary considered Lynette their second mother because of her evident love for each one of them. Her spiritual strength and receptiveness to inspiration was revered and admired by all.

Lynette grew to become the faithful matriarch of a large family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Glenda Prows Kehl, and her father, Edward Ferdinand Kehl, and is undoubtedly overjoyed to be with them again. She is survived by her husband, Marsden; her six children, Kimberli, Katie, Robert, Kara, Kristen, and Brant; twenty-three grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. She relished her role as a grandmother and great grandmother more than anything and loved to spoil her grandchildren. She was feisty, witty, and had an incredibly infectious laugh.

Lynette suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for 12 years. She has been blessed with the most devoted husband and caregiver, Marsden, and by loving children who have diligently cared for her during these difficult years.

At age 73, she is at last free from her mortal prison. We will miss her daily presence here on earth but cannot wait to be reunited with her as promised by the keeper of all heavenly promises, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We look forward to receiving her enthusiastic greeting and delighting in her companionship throughout the eternities.