Charles Allen McKay

 

 

Charles Allen McKay

7/26/1931 – 8/16/2023

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle,” said Winston Churchill, a motto Charles Allen McKay embraced!
On the beautiful morning of August 16th, 2023, our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Charles Allen McKay passed from this life. Even at 92 years old he was not ready to go, because he always had another project he wanted to do.
Charles was born on July 26th, 1931 to Kenneth Verl and Bernneta McKay. He loved his siblings and their spouses, all now deceased; Mayre (McKay) Andersen, Pat (Oneil) Hansen, Diane (Gordon) Sperry, and Kenneth McKay.
As a young man Charles enjoyed herding sheep, being in the mountains, and on the desert. He got to live his dream of owning his own sheep herd, and raising horses on his farm.
He spent four years in the Air Force as an Airplane Woodworker. He served in Thule, Greenland, and on other Air Force bases during the Korean war. In 2018, he was privileged to participate in the Utah Honor Flight to Washington D.C. for veterans.
After his military service, he met and married Elna Johansen on December 8, 1956.

Their marriage was later solemnized on October 20, 1999 in the Manti Temple. Four wonderful children blessed their union, Jennifer (Jim) Walker, John Allen (Debbie) McKay, Heidi (Tony) Kelso, and Molly (Rich) Brotherson. He had 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Charlie served as the President of the Pioneer Historical Association and on the Twin Creek Irrigation Board. He helped organize the Sanpete County Lamb and Wool Pool in 1988. His favorite church calling was serving as the Ward Librarian. Together with his wife, they owned and operated the Dairy Freeze in Mount Pleasant for nine years.

Charles loved his horses and rode up until his 91st birthday. He, like Ronald Reagan, said, “The back of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” His hobby in his later years was restoring old wagons, and he completed the restoration of a beautiful wagon last Winter. He loved working with wood and was a true craftsman. He always had a good story and a mint for everyone.

He is survived by his wife, children, and all of their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Mt. Pleasant Stake Center. Viewings will be held Sunday August 20, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. prior to services both held at the church. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery.

The Watch Funeral Services Live, Click Here. The Live Zoom Link will activate at 10:45 a.m. MST prior to services

Peter Monsen, Obituary Tribune 1924

Mrs. John Knudsen, Obituary

Mt. Pleasant's Oldest Lady Dead



Mrs. John Knudsen,  ninety-two  years of age, the oldest in Mt. Pleasant and affectionately known to hundreds of friends as "Grandma Knudsen", died at two o'clock this morning at the family home surrounded by all of her immediate family.



Mts. Knudsen was born in Vejle, Denmark, January 28, 1829.  She was the only one in a family of nine to embrace the Gospel taught by the Latter Day Saints.  On August 21, 1856, (27 October 1857 was the correct date) she was married to John Knudsen, and in 1864 the young couple began the long and tiresome journey to Utah.  One little daughter died on the sailing vessel and  was buried at sea.  They were in Captain Preston's Company in crossing the plains, driving an ox team and walking almost the entire distance.



Their oldest son, John Knudsen, now a deputy sheriff at Bingham, was born in Wyoming on their way to Utah.  They have made their home continuously since coming to Utah in Mt.  Pleasant.  Only two sons, John Knudsen and Andrew Knudsen of Metropolis, Nevada, and her husband survive her, also 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.  One little daughter died soon after their arrival in Mt. Pleasant, and another daughter, Mrs. Magnus G. Rolph, died thirty years ago leaving three little daughters, now Mrs. George Petersen, Mrs. J. Leo Seely, and Mrs. Vern Gundersen.  To these children Mrs. Knudsen was a mother rearing them as her own.



Funeral services will be held next Monday afternoon at two o'clock in the South Ward Chapel.  Monday will also mark the ninety-third anniversary of Mrs. Knudsen.

Mary A. Almertz Obituary

Andersen, Hannah J.- - - Obituary

Andersen, Annie Brotherson

It may be of interest to you that Annie and her husband Rasmus were the second owners of the home that is now the RELIC HOME. They bought the home from the William S. Seely family.