Firsts

I had several "firsts" last week: I wrote my first obituary.

Schell Kreitlein, born Orpha Herschella Fitch, passed away peacefully at the age of 77, on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

Schell was born on July 7, 1930. She was the sixth of seven children born to Ralph Dean & Edith Cook Fitch on their small farm in Greenup, Illinois. She grew up attending school where her father served as the town teacher.

In 1951 she met and married Harold Gene Kreitlein. Together they raised seven children making the world their home while Harold served in the military. They lived in many exciting places including Anchorage, Alaska, Okinawa, Japan, and Riyadh Saudi Arabia. In 1961, while being stationed in Fayetteville, North Carolina LDS missionaries baptized Schell. In 1986 Harold retired and the Kreitlein family settled in Cedar Hills, Utah. Five years later Harold was baptized, and the family was sealed together in the Provo temple.

Schell found her greatest joy in family. She was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmama, and great–grandmama. Everyday of her life was spent in service to her family. She was the foundation of the Kreitlein family and the rock to which we all clung. Her selfless love will forever be our example as we strive to emulate her life.

Schell is survived by four sons H. Chris (Oksana) Kreitlein, Pensacola, FL; Keith (DeLinda) Kreitlein, Kent, WA; E. Scott (Heidi) Kreitlein, Buford, GA; Philip (Amy) Kreitlein, Reno, NV; three daughters Cherie (James) Caswell, Martinez, CA; Patricia (David) Ellefsen, Elko, NV; Katrina (K. Luke) Ashton, American Fork, UT; 23 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four sisters and one brother. She is preceded in death by her husband Harold, her parents, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Cedar Hills 3rd Ward chapel 3950 W. Cedar Hills Dr., Cedar Hills where friends may call for a viewing from 12:00-1:45 p.m. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove. Condolences may be sent to the fmaily at http://www.olpinfamilymortuary.com/