In the presence of a family who loved him, Louis Roos died on January 25, 2001 at the age of 84.
Born in Utrecht, Holland on Decem-ber 3, 1916, Louis joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 18 and married Gay (Geert) Copier in Breuklen, Holland on September 19, 1941. Louis and Gay immigrated to Salt Lake City in April 1948 with four small children. They had five more children in America. Surviving are his wife Gay, and children Louise Plummer, Gerard Roos, Janie Tyler, Toni Wunderlich, Ted Roos, Judy Jaggi, Marilyn van Keizerswaard, and David Roos; 39 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. A daughter Joyce preceded him in death.
Louis worked his entire adult life as a master electrician, first in Holland, then in the United States for Thompson Electric and later for Yates Electric, acting as general foreman on major construction projects. In retirement he worked as an electrician for the LDS Church and devised a single switch for turning on the Christmas lights at Temple Square. His children remember him for the many times he improved the wiring in their homes, whistling quietly as he worked. On vacation, he was as likely to notice the electrical systems as the beauty of historic buildings.
Louis came to America to have his wife and children sealed to him in the Salt Lake Temple, and it was his dedication to church and God that characterized his life. He served twice as Bishop of the Emigration Ward, more than twelve years. He served as President of the Park Stake for ten years. He and Gay served two missions, to Holland and to the Swiss Temple, where he was called to the temple presidency. He served many years as a temple worker and sealer in the Salt Lake Temple, and finally as a Stake Patriarch, a calling which enabled him to leave many grandchildren with his blessing.
He left his family a legacy of hard work, dedication of family, and service to God. He showed them that dying is hard but can be done with peace and dignity.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Brighton Gardens, who treated Louis with great care and affection.
Viewings will be held on Sunday evening, January 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Emigration 1st Ward, 760 East700 South. Funeral services will be held in the chapel at noon. Interment at Memorial Estates, 6500 S. Redwood Road.