Lael (Askew) Ehlers

Lael (Askew) Ehlers, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, graduated mortality on June 23, 2026, while at home surrounded by loved ones. In her final days and hours, many who loved her were able to visit, hold her hand, laugh, cry, and wish her a swift and happy reunion with family members who preceded her.

In this life, Lael endured almost unimaginable tragedy and difficulty, navigating with grace, strength and love. She was a warrior combatting the impact of Huntington’s Disease in her family. For decades, she lovingly gave care to those afflicted, working multiple jobs, splitting time between multiple skilled nursing facilities. Lael was a lifelong, meek follower of Christ. In her later years she battled cancer, eventually succumbing on her own timetable. She had innumerable friends, creating lasting and important relationships everywhere she ventured. All who crossed her path loved her, and she became a hero to many family and friends, even deeply impressing the hospice workers who knew her for only a short while. She loved to cross- stitch, crochet, and sew, leaving heirloom pieces for generations. She gathered family and friends often with homemade food and made the best cinnamon rolls in the universe.

In her final weeks, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and others sent her many written notes about the immeasurable impact she had in their lives. Just a few of those expressions of love included:

“countless people look to you as their North Star”

“when I felt alone or unloved, there was always grandma”

“she’s such a tough lady and is an example to me that I can do hard things”

“she always picks herself up when she falls, and helps ten other people to do the same”

“Lael has always been the one I can count on to be there and help shoulder my load”

“she became another mom to me”

“Lael is the strongest person I know”

“one of the kindest, bravest people I will ever know”

“she is a beautiful example of how to be resilient and strong through trials”

“Lael has always been there for me and loves me unconditionally”

Lael was born to Everett A. Kunz and Nellie Despain Kunz on December 15, 1942. She was a proud Jordan HS Beetdigger, serving on the JHS alumni committee for 25 years. She married John David Askew immediately after high school. They lived in Utah, then in NYC while John pursued his education (MBA from NYU) and business career. They also lived in New Jersey, Virginia, and California before eventually returning to Utah. With John she had 6 children. After 41 years of marriage, John died after suffering the devastating effects of Huntington’s Disease. Four years later she married David Kent Ehlers. They traveled a lot and Dave filled “a void she didn’t even know she had.” They were married for 17 years before he died.

Lael was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, and her sister JoAn Burk. Three of her children lost their lives from Huntington’s Disease, Amy Catherine Askew Bishop, Julia Lee Askew, and Daniel Despain Askew. Survived by children John Scott Askew (and Carol), Charles Tod Askew (and Traci), Jane Elizabeth Denning (and Gary), and Kristi Askew; siblings Bob Kunz (and Janis), Lyle Kunz, RaNel Webster (and Randy); 19 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 5 stepsons, David Ehlers (and Jennie), Christopher Ehlers (and Marie), Jason Ehlers, Travis Ehlers (and Kris), and Ryan Ehlers (and MeKyla), and 12 step grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Friday July 10, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson & Goff Mortuary (Draper location), 11859 South 700 East, Draper, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel at 420 East Stokes Avenue, Draper, Utah. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah, immediately following.

The funeral services will be streamed live at:
https://evt.live/lael-ehlers