MARY ELLEN KERR GEE

 

Mary Ellen Kerr Gee was born on November 26, 1881, at Richmond, Cache County, Utah to Marion Joseph Kerr and Ella Rebecca Merrill Kerr.  She was the oldest of ten children.  Mary Ellen was blessed on February 2, 1882 by C. H. Monson at Richmond, Utah.  She was baptized and confirmed on May 27, 1890 in the Logan Temple and she received her patriarchal blessing on October 15, 1898 by O. W. Liljenquist at Ora, Idaho. 

 

Mary grew up in a typical Latter-day Saint home where family prayer, blessing on the food, administration by elders in times of sickness were all common occurrences.  Faithfulness in the performance of church duties was very important.  Music also played an important part in the Kerr home; almost every evening the family would gather around the organ and sing the hymns of the church. 

 

As the oldest of ten children, Mary had to assume great responsibilities at a very young age as her mother’s health was very poor.  The Kerr family lived on a large farm, so there was much work to be done - cooking for men, caring for milk and butter, and the thousands of never-ending tasks.  But with all, it was a happy life.

 

Mary Ellen had some favorite teachers including C.  E.  Skidmore, Heber Merrill, and Samuel Hendricks each of Richmond, Utah.  At Ora, Idaho, her favorite teacher was William E. Gee, who would become her husband.  At the Fremont Academy - now Ricks College - her favorites were George Cole, H. K. Porter, A. L. Blackburn, and Douglas M. Todd. 

 

She received her teacher’s certificate and then taught at Ora, Idaho for two terms.  She was also a principal at Grant, Idaho for two years; then she taught one term at Poplar, Idaho and one year in Rexburg, Idaho.

 

Mary Ellen married William E. Gee on September 10, 1902 in the Salt Lake Temple.  After their marriage, William stayed in Logan to attend the U.S.A.C while Mary taught school away from him.  William taught school for three years and then became an accountant. 

 

Some of Mary’s favorite amusements in her married life were typical amusements for most people of the times - she loved dances, musicals, and dramas.  Church was always a major love for her and she attended church regularly.  Her church involvement included being an organist for all organizations and the ward choir at Ora, Idaho for many years.  She taught the Social Services lesson in Relief Society for two years and the theology lesson for thirteen years.  She also served as a ward Primary President, and then she became the Stake President of the Yellowstone Stake for two years and the Primary Stake President for the Fremont (now Rexburg) Stake for fourteen years. 

 

Additionally, she was a Sunday School secretary for ten years, and taught a variety of Sunday School classes including the Gospel Doctrine classes at different times.  She served in the M.I.A. as organist, secretary, treasurer, and the president in her Ora Ward.  She was also in the Yellowstone (now Rexburg) as a stake M.I.A. secretary/treasurer, counselor and then president.    She was a teacher of Gleaner Girls at the L.D.S. Institute in Pocatello, as well as a teacher of adult classes for six years in the Pocatello Third ward.

 

Mary researched and wrote many, many histories and biographies of living and departed family members.  She also helped with, edited, and wrote pioneer stories for others.  She was able to attend the temple to perform work for her kindred dead and attended the temple weddings of two of her four sons who had temple ceremonies.

 

Her five sons were her pride and joy.  William Marion was born on March 29, 1906 in Rexburg, Idaho.  He later served a mission to the Eastern States.  He became a member of the English faculty at Idaho State University.  He was the father of two sons.

 

Ivin Lafayette was born December 1, 1906 also in Rexburg, Idaho.  His career was that of a meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureaus in Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and finally Wyoming.  He and his wife had three sons and one daughter.

 

The third son, Lynn Lamar was born in St. Anthony, Idaho on June 21, 1912.  He became the head of the department of microbiology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater Oklahoma.  He had a son and a daughter.

 

On April 12, 1916, Merrill Kerr was born in Rexburg, Idaho.  He received a law degree from George Washington University and became a lawyer and judge.  Four children - three sons and a daughter - were born in this family.

 

The fifth son was also born in Rexburg, Idaho on September 17, 1920.  Vernon Ray graduated form Northwestern University Medical School and served as a doctor of radiology.

 

Mary had many faith promoting experiences throughout her life time.  She experienced the power of the Priesthood in administrations to the sick on innumerable occasions.  She knew the power of prayer and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which helped her in the performance of her church callings and in directing the activities of her five sons.

 

Among the things she enjoyed were associating with worthwhile people in study groups, Bible classes at the L.D.S. Institute, her art and travel club, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.  Mary also enjoyed entertaining in her own home and visiting in the homes of friends.  She also enjoyed good music.

 

One of her greatest joys was to see each of her five sons with a college degree.  The five sons attended ten different universities.  Each was an honor student.  They collectively won honors in writing, sciences, oratory, debate, dramatics, and music.

 

Mary was always grateful for her pioneer heritage, the faith and devotion of her grand-parents, parents, husband and sons.  She fully appreciated each opportunity for study and service that the church had given to her.  She had a very strong testimony of the Gospel and knew that through the church came the greatest blessings life can give.

 

Mary Ellen Kerr Gee passed away of congestive heart failure and stroke on April 3, 1968 in Pocatello, Idaho.  Her husband, William passed away in Rexburg, Idaho on December 14, 1969.