Marian Sue Garrett Mikkelson

Marian Sue Garrett Mikkelson, age 90, of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away at her home on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Marian was born in Nephi, Utah. She loved sports — especially track and field — and was crowned Ute Stampede Royalty in 1951 at age 16. She received a scholarship to BYU where she planned to become a gym teacher, but her exceptional skills in typing and shorthand led to many job opportunities, so she went straight to work instead. She had a strong work ethic and saved nearly every dime she earned.

In 1954, Eugene Mikkelson snuck in front of his friend on a ride at the Ute Stampede to sit with Marian and it turned out to be quite a ride. Marian and Gene married and together they raised three children. Marian expected a lot and encouraged her children to be kind, do hard things, and to always prize integrity.

Marian was a successful businesswoman who started her career in banking and worked at Petty Ford, Concrete Products, and finished her career as the manager of Meadow Gold Employees Credit Union for 25 years.

She was active with the Young Adults organizations in her church — playing basketball, volleyball, and building community by writing and directing yearly roadshows with her dear friend Kathy Lewis, always involving every kid they could bribe into performing. It was a joy to see teens singing, acting, sewing costumes and building sets — things many of them would never have tried otherwise.

Marian loved to write and she wrote most of the roadshows, as well as school speeches, plays, send-offs, and poems. Our favorite poem was about the people in our neighborhood, showcasing her special talents and quick wit.

She had a deep love for her neighbors and family, regularly visiting the elderly in the community and bringing them her yummy homemade candy. Marian was also a devoted caregiver to her mother, Ellen, who lived to be 100.

She loved the Utah Jazz, loved gardening, watched and laughed nightly with Jimmy Kimmel. She lived independently in her home and drove her speedy little red car until just a month ago. Determined to go out on her own terms, she refused any help and had no regrets. She lived a full life, loved her family deeply, and always offered sound, moral advice, adding in a joke or two like a cherry on top. She will be dearly missed.

Our heartfelt thanks go to her little brother Bob, Tara Sperry Jaynette Grimmard, Marie Howell, Barbara Little, Bob Enser, Claudia Sorenson and Neva Stephens. Life is sweeter with good friends.

Marian is survived by her son, Marc Mikkelson; daughters Lesa (Brad) Wells, Lora (Farrel) VanWagenen; grandchildren, Brian, Mike, and Cory Mikkelson, Jenna Haggin, Courtney Williams, Taryn Smith, Ryan Wells, Olivia, Ava, and Paige VanWagenen; 12 great-grandchildren; her brother, Bob Garrett; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Mikkelson, parents, Joseph and Ellen Anderson Garrett; and her infant daughter, Jana Sue.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, June 22 from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson & Goff Mortuary, 11859 S. 700 E., Draper, UT 84020. Friends are welcome to visit with the family on Monday, June 23rd at the Anderson & Goff Mortuary. Viewing is from 9:30–10:45 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at 3:00 p.m. at Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi, UT.