SPARKS, Nev. — Ethel Jane Bluemel Coates, 89, of Sparks, Nev.; died July 16, 2021.
Ethel was born in Lyman, Wyo.; on March 29, 1932, to Lelan David Bluemel and Ava Maryett Walker. Ethel’s mother passed away when she was three, leaving Lee with three small children. Ava’s sister, Thora, helped care for the children. Lee and Thora fell in love, were married and raised the children together. Ethel grew up milking cows and helping in the hay field. In high school, she was co-editor of the school paper and played clarinet in the band.
Ethel met David Allison Coates in Cheyenne, Wyo.; and they were married June 17, 1951, in Lyman. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah Temple. They made their home in Sparks, Nev.; where they lived for over 50 years. Ethel served in many ward and stake organizations in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as Relief Society president, and as Florence Drake PTA president at the same time. Following David’s retirement from the railroad, David and Ethel served a mission in the Fort Worth, Texas; area, and as temple workers in the Reno Temple. Her favorite place to serve was in her home as a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David A. Coates; a son, Neal David Coates; two brothers, Reynold and Robert; a sister, Marjorie; and a grandson, Jaden Pfeil.
She is survived by a son, Mark A. Coates (Colleen) of Sparks; daughters, Meg Gray of Spring, Texas; Linda James (Don) of Riverton, Utah; Adel Pfeil (Mike) of Fishers, Indiana; and Dian Hoff (Randy) of Parker, Colorado; a brother, Rodney Bluemel (Nola) of Lyman, Wyo.; 17 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held in the Lyman LDS chapel on Wednesday, August 4 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in the Lyman Cemetery.
