Gerri Allen

GERRI OTTESON ALLEN

1975-2016

Gerritje Wray Otteson Allen, our Ger-Bear, passed away at home on July 19, 2016, after fighting a valiant battle with endometrial cancer.

Born June 17, 1975, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Gregg and Tracy Otteson.  Gerri met her perfect match, Darin Allen, at the end of May 1998.  They instantly knew they were meant for each other and didn't want to waste a minute to start their life together.  They were married on September 10, 1998.

A few years into their marriage, Gerri and Darin made the decision to become foster parents.  Gerri made it very clear that if there were siblings in the foster care system, she wanted them so she could make sure they were not separated and stayed together.  Esperanza and Enrique were introduced to Gerri and Darin and that, as they say, was that.  Gerri and Darin adopted Esperanza and Enrique and the four Allens were a complete family.

Gerri was a massage therapist.  An amazing massage therapist.  Her hands were absolute magic.  She had an incredible ability to find the aches and pains and make everything better.  She and Darin created Body in Balance Massage Therapy and she relished that she was doing something she loved with her sweetheart by her side.

Gerri loved art, nature, and movement.  If she could share any one or all of those things with family and friends, she was a happy camper.  Gerri had a natural ease with kids of any age and could generally be found in the center of a group of children.

Gerri was an active member of the Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled many callings, including Primary president and Young Women president.  She adored her ward family.  Gerri loved to attend the temple and went as often as possible.

Survived by husband; daughter; son; mother; mother-in-law, Connie Koew; sisters, Megin (Joshua) Hoecherl, Sarah (Brian) Linton, Sharlotte, Dauci, Jocalyn (Jeremee) Tate; sisters-in-law, Nina (Eric) Jensen, Cherie (Ben) Berggren; brother-in-law, Eric; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Preceeded in death by her father and father-in-law.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 29, at 11:00 am at the Cottonwood 16 ^th Ward LDS Chapel, 1750 E Spring Lane (5100 South), Holladay, UT 84117.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 28, from 6-8 p.m. at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 Bengal Blvd (7600 South) and the day of the service from 10-10:45 am at the place of service.  Interment at Elysian Burial Gardens.

The family wishes to thank IHC Hospice Care (especially Melissa, Anna, & Kyle) for the tender way they took care of Gerri, the Cannons for their loving help and guidance, Harold Larsen at Elysian Burial Gardens for his sweet friendship and generosity, and the Cottonwood 16th Ward for enveloping Gerri and her family with their unfailing love.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and care that countless friends and family have offered to Gerri and to us.

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever." -A.A. Milne

Funeral Recording