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Portrait of Elaine Coles
In loving memory

Elaine Coles

May 5, 1945 – August 26, 2021
Lived 76 years
Orem City Cemetery · Orem, Utah
Life story

Elaine Westbroek Coles, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt and friend passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 26th, 2021, at the age of 76 at her home in Orem, Utah.

Elaine was born May 5th, 1945, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the daughter of Isabrand and Ereita Jorgensen Westbroek, and the 4th of six children. Elaine was born with multiple heart defects and was not expected to live to adulthood. At the age of 15 a new procedure called "open heart surgery" became an option to extend and enhance her quality of life. Dr JD Mortensen, a prominent cardiovascular surgeon in Utah, performed the surgery which provided a successful outcome despite the bleak odds. Mom held very tender feelings for the doctor who saved her life and recognized the miracle that it was for her.

Elaine was raised in Ogden, Utah, and graduated from Ogden High School in 1963. She met the love of her life, Otto Kent Coles, as she attended institute at Weber State. They were married on June 11th, 1968, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They shared a wonderful marriage and celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary just one week before Kent's passing just two months ago.

Although the doctors told Elaine that she would never have children, she was again pleased to beat all odds and raise 7 wonderful kids. Elaine was a loving mother who cared deeply for her children and grandchildren.

Elaine was a lover of all things purple (especially pansies), music, and singing. She was an aspiring writer and loved to keep meticulous journals. She wrote beautiful poems and enjoyed the creative journey of infusing her emotions and thoughts into the words she wrote.

Elaine is survived by her sons: Michael, Shane, Spencer, Cameron, and Dane Coles and her two daughters Keena Coles Miner, Kerri Coles Johnson, as well as 29 of their 30 grandchildren. She is also survived by all her brothers: Duane, Floyd, Keith, and Daryl Westbroek, and her sister Ereita Lynne Zimmerman. She is preceded in death by her parents: Isabrand and Ereita Jorgensen Westbroek as well as her true love, Otto Kent Coles who only left her a short two months prior.

Our families would like to thank all of Elaine's neighbors, friends and ward members for their love and caring support, especially over the past couple of months.

A Viewing will be held on Tuesday, September 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 1051 East 200 North, Orem, Utah. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 8th at 11:00 am at the same location with a Viewing prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment will take place in the Orem City Cemetery.

Cemetery Details

Orem City Cemetery

1520 North 800 East

Orem, UT 84097 Previous Events

Viewing

SEP 7. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (MT)

Cascade 5th Ward

1051 East 200 North

Orem, UT 84097

Viewing

SEP 8. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (MT)

Cascade 5th Ward

1051 East 200 North

Orem, UT 84097

Funeral Service

SEP 8. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (MT)

Cascade 5th Ward

1051 East 200 North

Orem, UT 84097

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Lifetime

The world Elaine knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1945
Born May 5
1946
Elaine was 1 when "It's a Wonderful Life" opened in theaters
1958
Elaine was 13 when the Hula Hoop craze swept the country
1969
Elaine was 24 when the Woodstock music festival opened
1977
Elaine was 32 when Star Wars opened in theaters
1989
Elaine was 44 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series
1995
Elaine was 50 when "Toy Story" became the first fully computer-animated film
2001
Elaine was 56 when Apple introduced the iPod
2014
Elaine was 69 when the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral
2020
Elaine was 75 when SpaceX launched astronauts into orbit for the first time
2021
Passed away August 26, age 76
2025
Orem House 281 N 1200 E
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