Allen B Erekson

Allen Benbow Erekson passed away on the 28^th of May 2024 after a courageous battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.  Allen was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mardon (Mardy) Elggren after 60 years of marriage.  

Allen was born in Brigham City, Utah to Zelph Young Erekson and Ada Irene Toone on 30 July 1939.  He had five brothers.  Allen was raised in Holladay, Utah until the age of 14.  His parents were called as mission presidents to the Australia Sydney mission where he and his brother Tom finished high school.  Following his schooling he served a Latter-day Saint construction mission helping to build the Greenwich Chapel in Sydney.  In 1958, he returned to the United States to attend BYU for two semesters and then transferred to the University of Utah.  He joined the Air Force Reserve and underwent training for 6 months.  During this time, he began dating Mardy, his future wife, and they were soon engaged.  However, they both felt strongly about serving a mission and postponed their wedding.  Allen was called to the East Central States Mission while Mardy served in the Eastern States Mission.  They returned home in April 1962 and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on the 20^th of June of that year.  

Allen returned to the University of Utah studying architecture and six years later graduated with a master’s degree.  Following graduation, he worked briefly for the LDS Building Department and then took a job in Las Vegas with an architectural firm. 

During these years, they had five children: Kristen (Brad Mikesell), Kari (Richard Wahlquist), Amy (Daniel Howells (deceased) and Max Moody), Marielle (Scott Nelson), and Spencer (Carol Drew Spencer).  

The family returned from Nevada where he joined the LDS building department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He was instrumental in planning and building many meetinghouses.  Later he became part of the temple and special projects department where he was heavily involved in the architectural design of many LDS temples worldwide.  He retired from church employment in November 2002. 

Over the years he served in many church assignments and frequently shared his love of the gospel and his testimony with his family and friends.  

Mardy and Allen passed through life’s challenges and persevered with love and service.   Allen and Mardy have five children, thirty-six grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.   

Allen is survived by his five children, his older brother Alma Young and preceded in death by his parents, his wife and brothers Zelph Edward, Norman Toone, Klenner Dow and Thomas Rock. 

The family expresses their immense gratitude to the loving care given to Allen by the Team at Sunrise of Sandy and by Inspiration Hospice and Home Health.

There will be a viewing Friday 31 May 2024 6-8 pm at Cannon Mortuary 2460 Bengal Blvd.  The funeral will be held Saturday 1 June 2024 11 am at 1305 N 100 E. American Fork with a viewing before from 9:30-10:45 Allen will be interred in the Holladay Memorial Cemetery.