Obituary

Celia Darnell, 73, of Westcliffe, Colorado, passed away on January 7, 2017 in Casper, Wyoming.

The Viewing will be from 9:00am - 10:30am on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 417 E Ottley Ave, Fruita, CO 81521.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 417 East Ottley Avenue, Fruita, CO 81521 with Bishop Dan Harrison of the Fruita 4th Ward presiding. Burial will follow at City of Grand Junction Cemetery, 2620 Legacy Way, Grand Junction, CO 81503. Arrangements are by Martin Mortuary (www.martinmortuary.com), Grand Junction, Colorado.

Celia was born in Woods Cross, Utah to Rendell Howard Schulthies and Beatrice Parkin Schulthies on February 10, 1943. In her early years she was raised on a farm, and was always proud of coming from a hard working family. She graduated with honors from Nampa High School in May 1961 and then attended Brigham Young University. On April 12, 1963 in the LDS Temple (Manti, Utah) Celia married Don Darnell, the love of her life, for 54 years.

Celia was an Air Force military spouse who lived in many locations such as Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines; Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan; and various stateside Air Force bases as a young mother. She took excellent care of her growing family while Don served in the Vietnam war during 1970-71.

In Casper, Wyoming she worked for a lawyer who became the Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court; following that she worked for the next governor of Wyoming; and subsequently she worked for a lawyer who later became a judicial district court judge. This fulfilled her dream of becoming a legal secretary. 

While living in Broomfield, Colorado she worked as an administrative assistant editing scientific papers for publication by the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Even as she was successful in her careers, her passion was being a great mother to her five children.

Celia and Don retired and relocated to Westcliffe, Colorado. Celia took notice of the lack of piano music during church services and decided to realize a childhood goal of being able to play church hymns. She practiced daily for hours and taught herself to play well enough to serve as the branch pianist for the last six years of her life.

Celia was the strongest woman her family knew. She battled many physical maladies during her life and through it all was always able to be the best wife and mother anyone could be. She held a special place in her heart for each and every one of her children and grandchildren. Celia was key in keeping the extended family connected.

Celia is preceded in death by her parents, Rendell and Beatrice Schulthies and four of her five older brothers: Rendell Frederick Schulthies, Norman Howard Schulthies, Hal Parkin Schulthies, and Byron Shelton Schulthies.

Celia is survived by her husband, Donald Ross Darnell, her children, Douglas Ross Darnell (Rosa), Robert Brock Darnell (Marlyce), Darren Young Darnell (Krista), Rebecca Luckett, Deborah/Analeise Darnell, her brother, Karl Barnhardt Schulthies (Ruby), and her 25 grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Donald Ross Darnell and grandsons: David Ross Darnell, Neil Brock Darnell, Braden Quinn Darnell, Benjamin Tyler Luckett and Jacob Alma Pipkin.

Celia’s family fondly remembers her as the best mom ever; she was loving, kind, understanding and smart. She was always ready to take care of any need that the family had. “KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER” was her motto. She will be missed.