Ethel Coates

Ethel Jane Bluemel, 89, of Sparks, NV died July 16, 2021.  Ethel was born in Lyman, Wyoming 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 & 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, WY 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, NV 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 is 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.   Surviving are: a son, Mark A. Coates (Colleen) of Sparks; daughters, Meg Gray of Spring, TX; Linda James (Don) of Riverton, UT; Adel Pfeil (Mike) of Fishers, IN; and Dian Hoff (Randy) of Parker, CO; a brother, Rodney Bluemel (Nola) of Lyman, WY; 17 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.

Services will be held in the Lyman LDS Chapel on Wednesday, August 4th at 11am.  Interment will follow in the Lyman Cemetery.