Janet Rhees Ellis

She was born in Ogden, Utah to Arthur Edmund and Jennie Child Rhees, on April 4, 1933, and was raised in Pleasant View, Utah. Janet worked hard on the family farm and had a wonderful upbringing; she was the second of six daughters, and she loved her sisters dearly.

By the age of five, it was clear she had supreme musical talent, playing the piano by ear and later learning that she had perfect pitch. She would go on to accompany singers and quartets of all varieties. Janet shared her talents with many hundreds and taught piano lessons for over 30 years, blessing the lives of so many.

Janet graduated from Weber High School and Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in music. She spent five summers working at the Grand Canyon National Park, where she was a member of performing groups. Janet loved her time there and talked about it fondly. She taught at Wahlquist Junior High School in the music department, where she met the love of her life, Howard John Ellis.

On December 28, 1959, she and Howard were married in the Logan LDS Temple. He, along with everyone else, was impressed with her happy disposition, kindness, talent, faith, beauty, spirituality, and by her selflessness, her deep love, and the way she cared for others. Howard had a beautiful tenor voice, and Janet would accompany him as he sang in many programs and at funerals. Janet was an accomplished accompanist and music arranger for choral groups and soloists.

They made their home together in Riverdale, where they operated a fruitful cherry orchard. She helped Howard in the orchard, working side-by-side, and was a huge support and partner to him. Janet always maintained a lovely home and kept it beautifully decorated. They were blessed with four children, Scott, Todd, Lisa, and Jan. Janet and Howard loved Riverdale where they raised their children and made many lifelong friends and cherished memories. They lived there for over 37 years.

After Howard’s retirement they moved to Perry, where Howard passed away at home on December 10, 1997. Theirs was a beautiful union and she missed him dearly.

Janet was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Relief Society President, teacher, and counselor. She shared her talents for music through various church callings.

Later in her life, Janet loved walking and was proud of the thousands of steps she did daily for many years.

She loved being a mother and Janet especially loved her eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who thought she was wonderful. She devoted her life in service to them in every possible way.

Janet is survived by her children, Scott R. (Tanna) Ellis; Todd R. Ellis; and Janilyn E. (David) Parkinson; grandchildren, Courtney (Greg) Woodfield, Zachary (Juliann) Ellis, Ian Ellis, Chase Ellis, Sarah (Luke) Wright, Lisa Caitlin (Nathaniel) Silva, Tessa Parkinson, and Eliza Parkinson; and six great-grandchildren; as well as by her sisters, Donna White, Beth Maughan, and Paula Craven. She was preceded in death by her husband; her beloved daughter, Lisa Ellis Thompson; parents, and sisters, Sharon and Jennie Lyn.

Funeral services will be held at on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden.

Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.