Edwin Eldred Lauder completed his earthly journey September 14, 2022 surrounded by his family at home. He was 91. Ed was born in Parker, Idaho on October 11, 1930 to Frank Newton Lauder and Eva Irene Davenport. The second of four sons, he was raised on the family’s ranch and attended Parker Elementary, a one room school house. The family moved to Rexburg, Idaho where Ed attended Washington Middle School and Madison High School. He excelled in sports, especially football, basketball and track. He attended Ricks College on an athletic scholarship and followed his passion studying teaching and coaching.
Ed served a two-year LDS mission in the Eastern Canadian Mission. While there he hosted a radio program discussing gospel topics on station CKOX in Ottawa. He was encouraged by President Toone to assemble the many collegiate basketball players in the mission to form an All-Missionary Basketball Team. They swept all exhibition games, gaining a reputation that earned them an invitation to the All-Canadian playdowns. Their success in this competition would have qualified them for the Olympics, if it were not for their American citizenship. His missionary service led to lifelong memories and friendships.
Ed’s college sweetheart, Marilyn Mortensen of Salem, Idaho had faithfully waited for him and upon his return they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on November 21, 1952. This November marks their 70th Wedding Anniversary. After graduating from Ricks college, Ed and Marilyn relocated to Preston, Idaho where Ed accepted a teaching and coaching position at Preston High School. Later he was invited to join the coaching staff of Granite High School in Salt Lake City. After his coaching career Ed took a position recruiting top engineers for Hercules Incorporated, a rocket motor manufacturer. While at Hercules, he returned to school at the University of Utah for his Masters of Business Administration. He worked as a business administrator for the U of U College of Chemistry and College of Anesthesiology. Ed started his own business, Medical Billing Service, incorporated in 1975, servicing the associates he met in the Department of Anesthesiology. He retired in 2000.
Throughout his life, Ed volunteered for LDS church service. In addition to ward and stake callings, Ed was a guide on Temple Square for more than a decade and was an ordinance worker at the Salt Lake City Temple. In the early 1980’s, Ed became passionate about sharing the Book of Mormon. He loved to place his testimony in the front cover and send it to all nations of the world. His efforts resulted in hundreds of baptisms. When President Ezra Taft Benson introduced the Family-to-Family book of Mormon Program, Ed and Marilyn were called to serve in the missionary department on three consecutive 18 month church service missions promoting the program throughout the western United States. They drove thousands of miles to speak at hundreds of church meetings. Church service then led to hosting as a couple at the Joseph Smith Building for 27 years.
Ed and Marilyn had five children, Laurie, Steven, Lynette, Lisa and Ed. They enjoyed spending time together. Favorite vacation spots were southern California and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The family has grown to include 27 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren with each generation adding to the memories and joy.
Ed loved reading LDS Church books, especially Church history. Saturday afternoons were spent watching college football games. He enjoyed attending grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s birthday parties, sport games and dance programs. He had a great appreciation of the beauty in nature and respect for God’s creations.
We love you dad and we will miss sharing simple joys with you like driving to the bank for a sucker, having you insist on washing our wind shields, lying in the sun on the beach, kayaking through the lily pads on String Lake and pulling skiers on Jackson Lake.
Ed is survived by his wife, Marilyn Mortensen and his children Laurie Teerlink, Steven (Cheryl) Lauder, Lynette (David) Brown, Lisa (Carl) Empey and Ed (Cindy) Lauder.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm Thursday, September 22 at the Foothill 6th ward chapel. 2215 East Roosevelt Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah. The family will receive family and friends the evening of Wednesday, September 21 from 6-8 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn. 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah and again from 10:45 to 11:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment will be in Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.
You may watch the recording of the funeral service using the following link:
So very sorry to hear of Uncle Ed's passing. My deepest condolences to his family.
I have the utmost respect for this man, and he should be honored for a well-lived life. Memories flood back of his laughter, constant smiles, and kindness to everyone. I never witnessed unkind words but those of encouragement and support. Uncle Ed would always take the time to seek me out for a quick visit and inquire how I was doing. He had the ability to speak easily and personally. I always appreciated the time he spent talking with me.
His love of his family was always evident he left little doubt about his feelings for them and his love of the church. Whenever I think of my dear Uncle, it has and will forever be a reminder of the affection and the warmth he shared with us and how easy it was to be near him.
Oh, how I've missed him.