Mary Ellen Yoachum

Mary Ellen Brown Yoachum, age 81, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025, and was reunited with her loving husband, her parents, and other family members and friends. Despite many health challenges later in life she endured faithfully until the end and celebrated a glorious Christmas reunion.

Mary was born on May 29, 1944, to Robert and Helen Brown, in Ogden, Utah. She graduated from Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah where she excelled in academics. Following high school, Mary received Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Utah State University in 1966 and was president of the Kappa Delta Sorority.

After college, Mary taught English and Literature at Sunset Junior High School, where she also met her husband and eternal companion. Mary married Bernie Dean Yoachum in 1972 and was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1976. They were married for almost 50 years before Bernie’s passing in 2019.

Together, they made their home in the wonderful neighborhood of Shadow Valley in Ogden, Utah, where she dedicated all her time to raising her three sons. Mary’s greatest love in life was her husband and three boys. She spent countless hours helping with homework, writing (and correcting) English papers, building science fair projects, attending sporting events, and making award-winning gingerbread houses.

Mary was also like a second mother to so many friends and teammates of her sons. Mary was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and humbly served her fellow church members and neighbors in too many capacities to count.

From her immaculately decorated Christmas trees to the best cursive penmanship on the planet, Mary was a perfectionist in all that she did. Her dinner rolls and chocolate cake were the stuff of legends.

Mary is survived by her three adult children, Paul (Aubrey) Yoachum, Brian (Melisa) Yoachum, Robbie (Holly) Yoachum, and nine grandchildren; as well has her younger sisters, Rebecca Boswell and Patricia Scott. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie Yoachum; her parents, Robert and Helen Brown, and her older sister, Susan Bennett.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Sunridge Assisted Living in Layton, Utah for their kindness and care of Mary over the last two years.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.