Ellen Nellie Wages

The service may be viewed via Zoom.

Ellen Wages returned to her heavenly home on July 5, 2026, at the age of 93. Ellen Nellie Mobley was born September 14, 1932, to Nellie Ethel Ormond and Roy Andrew Mobley, their oldest child. She was born at the home of her grandparents in Clark, near Rigby, Idaho.

Ellen was 4 years old when her grandfather died, and she was worried that her grandmother was lonely, so she stayed with her. She spent most of her time at her grandmother's until she was 10. Her grandmother was her first sewing teacher, and Ellen learned to love sewing and quilting from her. When she was 10, her family moved to Menan and she lived in Menan until she got married. She was joined in her family by four sisters and one brother.

She attended Menan Grade School, then Midway High School, until it burned down in her Junior year. The students from Midway had to attend Rigby High School the next year. She graduated third in her class from Rigby High School in 1950.

Following high school, she attended Idaho Falls Business College which led to her accepting a job at an office in Rigby. She met her eternal sweetheart and companion on a blind date set up by one of her coworkers. She married Fenner Charles Wages on August 15, 1952, in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Ellen and Fenner made their home in the Idaho Falls area for most of their lives, with a short time in Pocatello and a 2-year detour to Billings, Montana. Two children joined their family, Jo Ann and Cameron.

Ellen's love of sewing led to lovely drapes in their homes, suits, dresses, pants for her and Jo Ann, suits and shirts for Fenner and Cameron. She made her first quilt at the age of 6, and her last one at the age of 93. Hundreds of people have received beautiful quilts that she made through the years, including family members, friends, and donations to community and humanitarian services.

Ellen's life of quiet service is her legacy. She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She never desired to be at the forefront, but rather to serve in the background. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in Primary, Mutual, Relief Society, the library, and as a temple worker.

She is survived by her two children, Jo Ann and Cameron (Teresa) of Idaho Falls; 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Devona Bowles of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and Utahana Olaveson of Menan, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Fenner; her parents; her brother, Vernnon Mobley; sister, Virjean Mobley; and sister, Corala Ryan.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Orchard Park Ward, 2025 Jennie Lee Drive in Idaho Falls. A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior, both visitations at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.