Illene Broadhead passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 10th, 2022 at her home in San Jose California, at the age of 83 with her eternal companion and husband by her side.
Mary Illene Brown was born November 14, 1938 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to parents Phyllis and Lynn Brown who were Idaho Dryland Farmers. Illene was proud of her farming heritage where she learned how to give a full day’s work and accomplish with her own hands. After high-school, Illene attended Ricks Collage for 2 years and then Utah State University where she studied Business and Technology. She graduated from Utah State University in 1962 with a degree in Business Administration.
She met Sharod Broadhead, her husband to be, at USU. After a period of courtship, they married and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple in 1960.
Illene put her college degree to work in many companies and capacities. She worked in a bank, worked as a teacher, and worked for Thiokol. Shortly after, Illene and Sharod moved to Southern California and then to San Jose California where she made a wonderful life and raised her two boys (and husband). She was completely devoted to her family and always put their needs first. As her boys, Shaun and Patrick, grew and became independent, she returned her attention to the technology/software and held jobs in those fields. She retired from working in 1999.
Illene served her community in many church callings including Sunday School, Scouts, and Relief Society (both as a counselor and as a President). Illene was a very kind person; she was level-headed, easy going. She never said unkind things about others or to others. She was a great friend and a very good listener.
Illene loved winter sports and skied on the USU Ski team competing in various events all over the western USA. Her skiing led to a thrill when she ended up skiing with the Movie & TV star James Arness at the Mammoth Mountain Ski resort. She enjoyed camping and hiking with her family on many outings to the Yosemite, the beach, and other locations.
In her later life Illene enjoyed sewing, a variety of crafts, reading, collecting jewelry, making jewelry, and collecting artwork. Illene had a love of owls and over the years gathered a near record sized collection of owl artwork that included figurines, yard ornaments, wall decorations, and sculptures.
Illene is survived by her husband Sharod, her two sons Shaun (Holly) and Patrick (Michelle). Proud grandmother of Breana (Robert), Jessica (Eric), Austin (Camyll), Carson, Josh, Reese, and Max. And two great-grandchildren Theo and Avalie, her brother Neil and sister Sandra. She was preceded in death by her parents Lynn and Phyllis, brothers Arlo and Larry, and sister LaRae.
A private family viewing will be held on April 30 at 10:30 AM at the Heber Valley Funeral Home, 288 N Main St. Heber City, UT. After the family observance, a short graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 30th at 11:30 AM at the Heber City Cemetery, 680 N 550 E, Heber City, UT.
To stream the graveside services, please visit:
https://my.gather.app/remember/illene-broadhead