Marla Excell

Marla Dawn Griffiths Excell, beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, and Friend died unexpectedly on March 6, 2020 in St George Utah at the age of 67.

Marla is survived by her husband Tom of Hurricane Utah; her children Evan (Jan Alicia), Dixie (Lance), and Edward (Tristin); grandchildren Sean and Cora; Whitnee, Daphnee, Kenyon, Jacob, Sophia, and Maximus; and Kanyion; her brothers Brad Griffiths, Bart Griffiths, and Nathan Griffiths and her sister Kelly Richardson.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Kenneth and Maridawn Griffiths of Walla Walla WA and her older brother Michael Griffiths of Salt Lake City UT.

Marla was born on February 4, 1953 in Rexburg ID. She graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1971. She attended Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) graduating with an Associates Degree in 1973. She later attended Utah State University graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in 2007.

Marla was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life. She married Tom Excell in the St George Temple in 1973 and over the next several years they welcomed  three children into their home. Her family remembers her generous spirit, passion for education, love of the written word especially the Book of Mormon, and dedication to family history and temple service. She also accepted several church callings over the years including Relief Society President, Young Women President, and as Ministering Sister.

Due to Tom's employment with the National Park Service, Marla and her family lived in a variety of beautiful and interesting locations including: Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and Dinosaur national parks as well as Golden Spike National Historic Site. Marla and Tom retired in 2008 to Hurricane UT where she continued to indulge her love of family, the outdoors, her community, and her church.

Funeral Service is scheduled for Tuesday March 10, 2020 at 12:00 noon at the Hurricane 12th Ward Chapel located at 452 North 2600 West, Hurricane, Utah 84737.  A viewing will be prior to services from 10:30am-11:30am. Interment will be at the Hurricane Cemetery following the service.

The Family would like to thank the staff of Dixie Regional Medical Center and DonorConnect for their expertise and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers donations could be sent to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to further their humanitarian efforts.