Firl Youngkeit

Firl Winnifred Beck Youngkeit
1938 — 2019

Firl Youngkeit—a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a friend to all—died September 10, 2019, at her home in Provo with her loving daughters at her side. Firl was 81 years young. Born March 19, 1938 in Gunnison, Utah to Hans Oswell Beck and Elizabeth Longton Beck.

Firl was raised in Centerfield until the time she graduated from Gunnison High School where she was a cheerleader, baton twirler and played the xylophone as a member of the marching band. Her loving and fun personality and contagious smile made it possible for her to make and retain lifelong friends from early childhood and beyond. After graduating, she moved to Provo to attended BYU. She met her husband at the “Y”, married and bought a home in Provo where she happily raised her children Michael, Mischel and Stacy. Firl kept her yard and home pristine for nearly sixty years.

More than anything Firl loved her family, but she did have other loves. She loved being outdoors, nature was her heaven on earth, loving flowers, the mountains and traveling. She enjoyed not only traveling but preparing for her adventures by studying the countries prior to her journeys. She was not only fascinated by learning about other countries, she enjoyed studying and reading just about everything as a lifelong learner. Firl enjoyed many activities, including skiing with her family, hiking, walks, biking, ice skating, camping, bowling, museums, Ashton gardens, the theatre, sewing, embroidery, quilting, canning, gardening and attending special events for grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Firl was a lover of music and was a pianist for her Relief Society congregation on and off for a total of over 30 years. She was a novice at playing guitar and ukulele. In high school she had learned to play the violin and in her later years she played with the BYU New Horizons Orchestra. Although she did not admit to having a beautiful voice, it was a pleasure to sit near her in church--sometimes we would sing softly so that we could listen to her. She was frequently caught singing along with the car stereo, which was a definite treat.

Other than being talented, fun and really funny, Firl’s most defining characteristics is her ongoing dedication to serving others. She served us as children taking us to varied activities and enduring countless hours of waiting. As adults she has served us with, babysitting, birthdays, holiday parties and whenever we fell behind in our lives. In her church callings she has served as compassionate service leader, funeral luncheon director, Cub Scout den mother, many positions in the primary, Relief Society presidencies, in the Stake Primary presidency and as Young Women camp director. She also donated many, many hours and fabrics sewing baby diapers, girls dresses and crocheted leper bandages for humanitarian aid projects. She was an excellent cook and example to us in making and delivering meals to those in need. We also admire her for assisting her friends and neighbors with transportation for medical appointments, hair appointments, shopping, visiting those in assisted living centers and so much more. Mom loved her Savior Jesus Christ and was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for all of her life and enjoyed attending the temple regularly.

Her memory will be cherished and kept alive by an adoring Eternal Family and dear friends.

She left behind her two daughters, Mischel Wilkinson (Rodney) of Provo and Stacy Kalt (Manuel) of Highland. Grandchildren Jonathan (Tara) Wilkinson, Stephen (Kylee) Wilkinson, Jeffrey (Anastaza) Wilkinson, Christopher Wilkinson, Daniel (Jessika) Young, Nathan (Hope) Young, Audrey (Chris) Shaffer, Haley Kalt (Brad Garlock), Nicholas Kalt, Hannah Kalt, Gabriel Kalt, “Grandma Great” to seven great-grandchildren and her Brother James Oswell Beck.
Preceded in death by her husband, Louie Youngkeit; sons Michael and Collin Youngkeit; brothers: Virden and Robert Leo Beck; sisters: LaZella Spencer, Nola Anderson, Helen Hedquist and Reva Eliason.