"Do Not Go Gentle into
That Good Night" <! >
Born in Bingham, Utah on May 1, 1907, to coal miner Charles Ence and Ardena Coons Ence, Dean Ence, 94, died August 24, 2001. On August 20, while preparing dinner for himself and his wife, Evelyn, he suffered a stroke.
Articulate, and sharp as a tack, to that day, Dean lost movement to the right side of his body and was unable to speak or swallow. Hard to keep this good man down, he managed to move himself from his wheelchair to his bed while paramedics were called. Subsequently, he stayed with us, being cared for at Salt Lake Regional, squeezing our hands in response to questions, winking at us to show he hadn't lost his sense of humor, until his body, in the early hours of August 24, became too tired to carry on. In celebration of his life, we remember... his years at the Auerbach, Co., rising from floor walker to Divisional Merchandise Manager, and of course, being the place he met the beautiful Evelyn Gessel, an Auerbach's elevator operator and model. They had an Auerbach's romance and were married on June 11, 1938. During World War II he served as sergeant in the 3187th signal service battalion in the European theater of operations. On returning from the war, he was elected commander of the Mervyn S. Bennion post No. 83 American Legion. In 1951, he left Auerbach's to work for LaRie's, a women's clothing store in Sugar House. Continuing his life-long career in retailing, he moved from LaRie's to ZCMI, filling various buying positions on his way to being named Divisional Merchandise Manager in 1956; he continued to hold that position until his retirement. At that time, he became a travel agent at Melrose Travel while working part-time as a U.S. Customs official. Years after his retirement, being a retailer to the bone, he returned to his beloved ZCMI as a sales associate. In 1990, he was presented the first ZCMI Presidential Award; he continued to work there until age 90, when his arthritic knees would no longer allow him to stand. As a young man he served a LDS mission to New Zealand. He was a member of the LDS Monument Park 7th Ward for 44 years, serving in countless teaching positions and as president of the stake Sunday School. He served many years as a LDS temple worker and a guide at Temple Square.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn of 63 years; his daughters, with whom he instilled his love of fashion retailing, Susan Carlson, her husband Arthur, and Sandra Ence Paul; his grandchildren, Nicole Dean, her husband Michael, Sean Paul and Seth Paul; his great-grandchildren, Kennedi, McKinley, Taegen and Bryetan; his kid brother, C. Carlton Ence, his wife Mary, countless nieces, nephews, cousins and a community of friends.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to their dear friends, Robert and Dolores Murdoch, who have lovingly watched over Dean and Evelyn.
In lieu of flowers, in remembrance of Dean's wit and personable and caring nature, the family suggests, as you travel through life, keeping your sense of humor alive and offering good wishes to those you encounter.
At Dean's request, we will have graveside services. They will be held on Mon, August 27, at 3 p.m. Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City 466-8687.