Ellis L. Quarnberg
1952 – 2022
Aurora, Utah – Ellis Lane Quarnberg, age 70 passed away on Dec 15, 2022, at his home in Aurora after a 5-year battle with colon cancer.
Ellis was born Jan 2,1952 in Salina, Utah to Floyd H. and Amey Chloe Allred Quarnberg. He attended Aurora Elementary and gained many friends that still remain friends today. Many hours were spent with his grandpa Allred reading water meters. Not afraid of work when young, he threw many hay bales, stacked hay, worked on farm equipment, fed animals, and irrigated. Ellis always had an attraction to cars and guns. He had fast, classy and every other kind of car. Each of his guns had a story from his grandpa, or his brother, or possibly had been found in a junk car. The knowledge Ellis had of cars and guns was exceptional from repairing them to their history.
Ellis attended Trade Tech in Richfield and after graduating he went to work at Burr Motor. His boss Allen Jensen taught him the techniques of an automatic transmission and he became one of the most knowledgeable mechanics in the valley.
On July 27, 1974, he married his sweetheart Julia Ann Willden (Cootsie) in Salina Utah. They are the parents of two sons, Daven Lane and Ellis “Brett”. A few years after he married, he went to work for Dennis Olsen at Country Auto Salvage. Dennis decided to sell the business and ask Ellis if he was interested. He was, but his pockets were empty. Being newly married and with no credit Ellis and Julia approached Bob White at Utah Independent Bank for a loan. Taking the risk Bob believed in Ellis and Julia and the business and it became Ellis’s Country Auto Salvage. It was there Ellis taught his boys the true meaning of hard work and honesty and 42 years later Daven and Brett continue his legacy.
Ellis was also one of the first members of the Aurora Fire Department. He spent many nights helping Wendell Mason rebuild an old FWD for the department. This FWD and Wendell’s garage became the first Aurora Firehouse. He was always proud of the Fire Department and retired after 21 years of service. Ellis was also a member of the North Sevier Jeep Posse for 34 years. Before cell phones he spent many nights on the mountains searching for lost or injured people.
The Rocky Mountain Jamboree in Richfield was Ellis’s week of great rides, friendships, memories and love. He was a guide for 18 years and loved every minute of it. His ride through UM Pass, Daniels, The Rocks, North Gooseberry, and his favorite Maple Springs in the fall, had up to 50 machines. His goal was to make every ride the best for his riders. With memories and friendships to last a lifetime, he welcomed friends to stay at his home and ride anytime. Ellis was an RZR expert. He knew the machine from top to bottom. He created an air cleaner and installed hundreds of them for people all over the state. People brought machines from many states to have him work on them. Working on RZR’s, riding in Gooseberry, spending time at his cabin in Gooseberry, or enjoying the view were the places he loved to be.
Ellis was a husband, a proud dad, brother, and friend, earning love and respect from them all. A man of hard work, trustworthy, honest but not afraid to offer his opinion. You never had to wonder where you stood with Ellis as he was very willing to tell you.
He is survived by his wife Julia Ann “Cootse” of 48 years; sons: Daven Lane (Jaclyn) Quarnberg; Ellis “Brett” (Jami) Quarnberg; his brother: Allen (Mary) Quarnberg; sister-in-law: Dixie (Leon deceased) Quarnberg; 5 grandchildren 4 great grandchildren, one new one on the way, and his dogs Daisy & Buddy.
He is preceded in death by his Father, Floyd H, mother Amy Chloe, brothers Glade, Gail and Leon and sister Jaquetta Tutor.
In Lieu of flowers at the family’s request if you wish to donate all monies will be donated to families dealing with cancer in our area. It will be donated in the donor’s name in memory of Ellis Quarnberg. The financial burden of this terrible disease can be devastating. An Account will be set up at UIB in Ellis Quarnberg’s name.
Special Thank you to all our family and friends for their support and love during this hard time. Wade Anderson, Oncologists, and Hospice Angels, thanks you for your compassion, knowledge, and friendship.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 12 Noon in the Salina LDS Stake Center, 98 West 400 North in Salina, where friends may call for viewing Monday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services.
Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Ellis’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.
Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com
