Coleen Crandall Rigtrup

Coleen Lula (Crandall) was born on May 11^th, 1945, to Lula Mary (Mellor) Crandall and Cleon Gregg Crandall in Springville, Utah. Her mother was over-the-moon excited to welcome a little girl to their family of three boys – Leland Gregg, Ted Wells, and Paul Mellor Crandall. As the baby of the family and the only girl, she admitted that she knew she was very loved and a little bit spoiled. Being raised with a gaggle of big brothers, she developed a special skill set. She learned how to drive construction equipment as a young girl. Hunting and fishing became a treasured family adventure. And she learned how to tease like no other. Coleen loved her childhood and felt so very lucky to have been raised among loving family and treasured friends.

Coleen graduated from Springville High School in the class of 1963. She spoke fondly of her high school days and the close friends she had. Some of her favorite memories include her time in choir, where Mr. Montague fostered a love of music, and a trip to sing at the World Fair in Seattle. She would smile as she told us about how surprised she was when she was voted “Daisy Mae” at the Sadie Hawkins dance. And she fondly remembered her 4^th year seminary teacher, Brother Thacker, and how he nurtured her testimony of the Book of Mormon.

After high school, Coleen attended Utah State University with her best friend Rebecca. While at home on a school break, her brother Paul brought a friend home with him, a cute boy named Newell. Thus began the next big adventure in her life. Newell Hans Rigtrup and Coleen were married in the Manti Utah temple on August 26, 1966, and began their life together.

And oh, what an adventure it was! Coleen had supposed that she would marry and settle down close to her mom and raise her family in Springville. But life had other plans. She and Newell followed his job which took them all over the United States. They made their home in Utah, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, (and then back to Minnesota again!), another short stint in Utah, Illinois, then finally settled in Midland, Texas. As a family, we approached these moves as a great adventure. Mom always led the way getting us settled, making home feel like home wherever we were. Her great example taught us to not fear change and to “bloom where we were planted.”

Along the way, Coleen and Newell grew their family. They welcomed five amazing children – Robb Newell (Madelyn) Rigtrup, Christie Coleen (Aaron) Hall, Chad Lewis (Kristin) Rigtrup, Kelly Marie (Larry) Perkins, and Julie Elizabeth (Justin) Sacks. Her legacy is deeply engrained in all of us. She taught us how to work hard. She taught us how to pray. She showed us how important it is to serve others faithfully, whether it is caring for a neighbor, being there for family, or serving as a Relief Society president or Primary chorister. She taught us a love of music and how to cook. And that there is definitely a right way to clean a house. She had such a gift of making everyone feel welcome and loved in her home. And wherever she was, it was home.

Coleen and Newell eventually returned to Springville Utah to care for their aging mothers, and after Newell retired, this is where they settled. Coleen was so happy to be back in her hometown among friends and family and surrounded by mountains.

In the latter part of her life, Coleen bravely battled a myriad of health issues, including cancer and having a heart attack, among other things. It was just a few weeks ago that she entered the hospital for a surgery, and there she contracted pneumonia. Her lungs decided they were done, and she returned to her heavenly home, surrounded by family, on the evening of October 13, 2023. She approached death with no fear, eager to be with her treasured parents and two older brothers, and our Savior, once again. She is survived by her beloved husband, Newell, her still amazing 5 children and their awesome spouses, 23 grandchildren, 5 ½ great-grandchildren, and her brother Paul (against whom she may still hold a grudge for putting her down the laundry chute in 1955).

We were not ready to say goodbye. Oh, how we will miss her hugs, her unconditional love, her birthday cards, her encouragement, and her advice. She was our mommy and we felt so loved in her presence. We will strive to follow her example and legacy until we meet again.

There will be a viewing for Coleen on Thursday October 19^th, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, UT. A second viewing will be held on Friday morning, October 20^th from 9:30 – 10:30 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 485 South Canyon Road, Springville, Utah. Her funeral services will follow in that same building at 11:00 am. She will then be laid to rest at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville.

For those unable to attend the funeral a livestream will be provided:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPdflf6bhV0

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.