Mary Mulder EnceMarch 21, 1921 ~ July 29, 2013Our beloved Mary died peacefully, July 29, 2013. Mary Mulder Ence was the beautiful, dark-eyed daughter of Dutch immigrants, Albertus and Foekje "Fannie" Visser Mulder. She was born after their arrival in the United States on March 21, 1921, in Secaucus, New Jersey. Young Mary and her siblings Ann, William, and Albert, along with their parents, made an arduous journey by car across the country to settle in Utah in 1926. The family lived on Clinton Avenue in Salt Lake's Capitol Hill district. Mary spoke of happy years there where the family would sing at the piano and play games around the large dining room table. She enjoyed walking up and down the hilly streets to town, sometimes with her dear father, to go shopping. She was a graduate of West High School. Mary's interests included dancing, singing, and winter sports. She developed a talent for creating poetic rhymes and later wrote and directed award-winning roadshows.Mary met Charles Carlton Ence while both were employed at Auerbach's department store. He worked in the credit office while she sold and modeled fine women's wear. They were married in the Mesa, Arizona LDS temple on October 10, 1944 during Carlton's service with the Army Air Corps. This union was one of eternal commitment as Carlton and Mary welcomed eight children into the world. These children were dearly loved and raised by a mother who taught by her deeds of compassion and service. "What can I do for you?" were words most often expressed to family, friends, and strangers alike. Mary's kitchen was always bustling with food preparation, especially during the holidays. Many have been recipients of the hundreds of cakes, cookies, pots of soup, and pounds of toffee that she prepared and delivered, with love. Mary also contributed to the family's resources by working at different jobs throughout her marriage. She worked for 29 years at the Memorial Medical Center in Sugarhouse, in medical records. In order to care for her children, she chose to work all night long for several years.Mary's testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ was precious to her. She manifested it through beautifully spoken prayers, devotion to church callings, selfless service, and personal standards of excellence. She found great joy in serving as a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands with her husband in 1986.Carlton and Mary's posterity currently numbers 37 grandchildren and 75 great-grandchildren who have delighted in spending hours with their grandmother playing games, baking treats, tole painting, and assembling jigsaw puzzles. She could engage in a conversation with each one and recall amazing details about their lives and interests. Mary loved to keep her memory active by reciting the names of her entire family as she exercised on her stationary bike. Birthdays were never forgotten, as greetings arrived regularly in the mail for every family member. We will miss our Mary's powerful influence for good, which enlarged our lives beyond measure.Mary is preceded in death by her husband Carlton, her daughter Debra, her parents, siblings, William Mulder and Ann Glissmeyer, grandson Brian Condie, son-in-law, Stephen Barlow, and grandson-in-law Stephen McConkie. She is survived by her brother, Albert (Laura) Mulder, sister Patricia (Herb) Shoemaker, children Karen (Fred) Johnsen, Marcy (Stephen) Barlow, Mary Michelle "Shelly" (Alan) Condie, Robert (Elizabeth) Ence, Richard (Marla) Ence, Russell (Margaret) Ence, Ronald (Tonya) Ence, and a cherished legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held on Sunday, August 4, from 6-8 P.M. at the Kenwood II Ward building (3080 S 1765 E) and Monday, August 5, from 10:30-11:30 A.M. at the same address. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 Noon.The family expresses deep gratitude to hospice nurse, Laura Salisbury, Kevin Kohler and staff of the Utah Medical Center Wound Clinic.
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