Udell Elmo Poulsen passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family on January 22, 2017. He was born on May 4, 1928 in Rupert Idaho to Lorenzo George Poulsen and Selma Christena Sorenson Poulsen but spent his formative years in Nyssa Oregon where he was a cheerleader and a student body officer. He served a three-year mission to Finland, loved the Finnish people, and assisted with the translation of the Book of Mormon into Finnish. Following his Mission, he returned to BYU where he graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance. He was hired by Del Monte Corporation in San Francisco immediately following his graduation and was in San Francisco only a year when Del Monte asked him to move to New York City. It was in New York City where he met his sweetheart Pauline Dyreng in the Manhattan Ward. They were married in the Manti Temple on September 24, 1956 and started their married life in the San Francisco Bay area. Five years later Udell was asked to manage a subsidiary company of Del Monte's in Capetown, South Africa. After four years in Capetown he returned to San Francisco with his young family and one year later at the age of 38 was called to be Mission President in Helsinki, Finland, where he served with 288 marvelous missionaries and the beloved Finnish people once again.
Following his mission Udell worked for the LDS church in the Financial Department and later in the Missionary Department. He also served 24 years as the Manager of the Tabernacle Choir, which brought him great joy as he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ through music in 22 countries and on five continents. He served on the boards of the Promised Valley Playhouse and United Way. He held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints including Counselor in several bishoprics, Ward and Stake Young Men's President, Branch President, Stake Clerk, High Priest Group Leader, and most recently as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake temple for 20 years.
He was a humble, kind, and generous man. He lived with purpose and conviction and made this world a better place. He was a giant among men and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his sweetheart of 61 years, Pauline Dyreng Poulsen, his two sisters Ezma Pearson (Eldon) and Vela Dee Spencer (David) and his four children Stanford (Joanne), Pamela Croft (David), Camille Mauerhan (Peter), and Dallin (Angela), 17 grand-children, and 9 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held in the Monument Park Stake Center 1320 South Wasatch Drive on February 4 at 11:00 AM viewing beforehand between 9:30 -10:30 AM. Evening viewing will be held at Larkin Mortuary Sunset Lawn at 2350 East 1300 South on February 3rd from 6:30 ‚ 8:30 PM. Burial will be in Manti, Utah. In lieu of flowers send donations to the LDS Missionary fund.
