Myrna Keller Phillips

North Salt Lake - Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Myrna Lanore Judy Lee Keller Phillips passed peacefully at her home after a courageous and dignified battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 83.

Myrna was born March 21, 1942, in Gallup, New Mexico. She was the second child and oldest daughter of Leslie Floyd Keller and Flora Webb Keller. Myrna’s family moved often, and she lived in some unique places because her father was a park ranger – including Glacier National Park in Montana and Death Valley National Park along the California-Nevada border. For adventures, she and her siblings would look for scrap metal in the desert on the hottest days of the year. Myrna grew up in the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, where she was active in her school, community, and faith.

Myrna loved people and loved to travel the world. She lived deeply and was a thrill seeker, whether she was driving a jeep, 4-wheeler, or jet ski (always trying to flip her passengers into the water). Myrna was curious about everything and asked questions about other people’s backgrounds. She was a great listener and confidant. Myrna reached out to people in less fortunate circumstances and made friends with people from all walks of life. Some of her best friends started as perfect strangers. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who loved to decorate for the holidays and make them special for her family. Myrna loved the arts and developed her talents from piano to sewing to calligraphy. She wanted to make everything beautiful.

After graduating from Rancho High School in North Las Vegas, Myrna went to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. She graduated with a double major in child development and family relations along with elementary education. She then earned her teaching degree. It also was there that she met her fellow student, and eventual eternal companion, David LeRoy Phillips from Cashmere, Washington. They had a storybook courtship that paved the way for an exemplary marriage. Myrna and Dave married on June 17, 1965, in the Salt Lake Temple. Dave’s engineering career took them to Duluth, Minnesota, then Colorado Springs, Colorado, and back to Utah. They eventually settled in Bountiful. Dave built the home himself and Myrna filled it with seven children and lots of friends.

Myrna was a lifelong, faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held Church callings in the Primary, Relief Society, and Young Women organizations. Together Myrna and Dave served as a proselytizing senior couple in the Massachusetts Boston Mission from 2007 to 2008. They loved the people and New England autumns.

Myrna is survived by her husband and their children: Jeff, Kim (Drew Zsitvay), Lori (Mark Johnson), Jodi (Cory Winegar), Brandon (Summer), Leslie (Chris Moore), and Jamie (Brad Brown) with 35 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by her siblings Lynn (Mary Ann) Keller, Ranae Powell, Kathy (Taylor) Davis, and Scott (Karen) Keller.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather Jim Jensen.

Myrna’s family wishes to thank all of her healthcare providers who helped during her final weeks and throughout her life, especially nurse Brooke Hurst and CNA Cecilia Perez at Atlas Home Care and Hospice.

Myrna’s memorial service will take place Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Woodbriar Ward meetinghouse at 900 Eaglepointe Drive in North Salt Lake, Utah. A viewing will take place from 10:00-10:45 a.m. and the funeral will be held from 11:00 a.m. to noon.

For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be available at https://zoom.us/j/98471242115 Meeting ID: 984 7124 2115 (no passcode).

Family graveside service and interment at Memorial Lakeview Mortuary and Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah.

We love you Granny and know that families are forever through Heavenly Father’s plan. ‘Til we meet again.