Evelyn Ann Gwinnup

Evelyn Ann Gwinnup was born on the evening of March 8, 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. She always claimed that night was cold and dreary, but if you know Evelyn, you know that doesn’t matter. She brought warmth, light, laughter, and love everywhere she went. She passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Evelyn was raised in Duluth with her younger siblings Bill and Marjorie. While growing up, she loved wading in the cold waters of Lake Nebagamon, picking blueberries with her grandfather, and canning with her mother. It was in her youth that her love of reading was first realized. She always found time to lose herself in a story and thoroughly enjoyed sharing the novels she read with her family and friends. She especially loved Regency era novels, tales of love and loss and finding beauty in everyday life.

Evelyn had an incredible love story of her own. After finishing high school in Minnesota, she moved to Denver, Colorado to become an X-ray technician. While there, she attended a local LDS ward and met a handsome young man from Indiana stationed at Lowry Air Force base. His name was Phillip Gwinnup. Phil was just becoming familiar with the church, meeting with the missionaries, and playing basketball and softball with the members. One Sunday, after meeting Evelyn, Phil found her number on the church attendance sheet and wrote it on the cuff of his white shirt. After a few days, Phil built up the courage, called Evelyn, and invited her to come watch one of his church basketball games. The rest is history. They fell in love, Phil was baptised, and on June 22, 1955 they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple.

From Idaho they began their adventure together in Salt Lake City where Phil would be studying Civil Engineering at the University of Utah. The first time Evelyn visited Salt Lake City she fell instantly in love with its majestic mountains. “On our way down the canyon,” she said, “we came to a small opening where you could see the extended valley before it disappeared again. For that small second, I had the feeling ‘This is where you belong’.” And indeed, it was.

Evelyn and Phil planted their roots right at the base of those mountains, in East Millcreek, UT. They were blessed with 6 beautiful children. Together they built a home full of love, faith, humor, and Evelyn’s special homemade chocolate chip cookies. They became avid sports fans of the University of Utah, holding season tickets to both football and basketball games for decades. Evelyn was a particularly passionate fan. When she couldn’t attend a game, the energy in her living room could’ve rivalled the student section at Rice Eccles Stadium. She shared her love of the Runnin’ Utes with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

One of the fundamental aspects of Evelyn’s life was her relationship with God. She was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and would often speak of how she “grew up in the mission field.” Her family experienced incredible difficulties in Minnesota, including major health and other familial challenges, but they drew close to the Lord, had faith, and saw many miracles. Evelyn loved when the missionaries came over for dinner or to serve her mother. She found a special kinship with them, even naming her daughter Ramona after a sister who served in her area.

Later in life, Evelyn had the opportunity to serve a mission at the Conference Center at Temple Square with Phil. She served as a guide, sharing details of the building and the gospel that she loved so much with all who would listen. It was a special time in her life, where she was able to build the Kingdom of God using her unique gifts of conversation and deep connection.

Evelyn was a part of the East Millcreek 12th Ward. She held callings in the Primary, Young Women’s and her particular favorite, a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. This calling brought her close to amazing women who became loving friends. She loved her ward family deeply and would want the members to know how grateful she was for every relationship. Thank you to those there who always took such good care of her.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Grant Gwinnup; Brad & Danae Gwinnup; Kirk & Cyndi Freeman; and Keri & Troy Bengtzen; her sister, Marjorie Rutherford; her sister-in-law, Bonnie Gorney; her 29 grandchildren; her 20 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Although those of us she left behind will miss her terribly, we are thrilled that she has been reunited with the ones who have gone before her — her parents; her brother, Bill; her brother-in-law, Pete; her daughters, Jane Ellen and Ramona; her son, Phill John; and especially, her cherished husband and sweetest love, Phil.

Thank you for being the best friend, sister, mom, grandma, and ‘Grandma Great’ we could have ever asked for. We love you most!

Funeral services will be held at the East Millcreek North Stake Center located at 3103 East Craig Drive at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 7, 2026. A viewing will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary located at 3401 South Highland Drive, on Friday, February 6, from 6-7:30 pm and at the Stake Center prior to the funeral proceedings from 9-10 am. The service will be available via live stream at the following URL: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26017341894499 .