Elder Paul Edward Koelliker

Elder Paul Edward Koelliker, an emeritus General Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away in his home on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 79 years old. Elder Koelliker led a life of service to his family, friends, and the Church. Throughout his life, he loved the opportunities he had to serve as a missionary, bishop, stake president, and General Authority. But his greatest callings were the ones he lovingly performed in his family as a committed husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

See 2 Photos

Elder Koelliker was born as the first child to Edward and Lois Koelliker on March 12, 1943, in Pittsburg, California. When he was two years old, his parents moved to Utah and took up permanent residency in Salt Lake City. Elder Koelliker credits his love of the gospel and scriptures to his parents. They were both hard workers and diligent in living and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 1962, Elder Koelliker was called to the Germany Berlin Mission. He learned as a missionary to listen carefully to the promptings of the Spirit and to serve with commitment. He never forgot the lessons he learned from his time in Berlin, where he saw miracles happen, even in the humblest of surroundings.

When he returned from his mission in 1964, he met his future wife and eternal companion, Ann Neilson. They were engaged in 1965 and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 18, 1966. Elder Koelliker said of his wife: “She has had a tremendous influence on me. She is the only reason I have any kind of Church callings and assignments. She is so faithful and a solid citizen of the Church.” Together, Elder and Sister Koelliker were blessed with seven children; they gloried in their time together as parents. From early morning scripture study to weekly Family Home Evening lessons, Elder Koelliker made it a point to frequently bear testimony to his children and teach them the principles and patterns of the Gospel.

In 1969, Elder Koelliker graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He was then hired to work in several positions for the Church of Jesus Christ, most notably as Managing Director of the Temple Department from 1997 to 2005. During this period, he worked alongside President Gordon B. Hinckley as the Church significantly expanded the scope of temple construction throughout the world.

From 2005 to 2013, Elder Koelliker served the church as a General Authority in the First Quorum of the Seventy. His assignments included serving as the Executive Director of the Temple Department, the First Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area, and the President of the Africa Southeast Area. Elder Koelliker had a deep and abiding love for the African people that grew out of the experiences he shared with Ann while in their service. He cherished the time he spent with the counselors with whom he served as well as the African people he grew to love. The four years he spent on that continent had a lasting impact on his life and testimony.

Upon his return from his service in Africa, he was appointed as an Assistant Executive Director in the Family History Department. He served in this assignment until he became an emeritus General Authority in 2013. He continued serving as a Temple Sealer until the end of his life. He was able to seal several of his children to their spouses as well as other family members, friends, and church members.

Never one to be idle, Elder Koelliker spent the latter years of his life quietly pursuing his passions. A master craftsman, he restored furniture, took great pleasure and pride in his orderly garden, and could often be found working on something for one of his children or grandchildren. His free time was given wholly to his family, and he could often be found cheering from the sidelines at sporting events or in the audience at dance recitals. His retirement also made it possible for him to spend precious, uninterrupted moments with his dear wife. Elder Koelliker and Ann served each other with great care and tenderness. The love that made up their marriage was evident up to his final moments in this mortal life. Ann was his constant companion and caregiver.

Elder Koelliker had two places where he found refuge and peace. True to character, both of these places included his family. He found great solace in the temple and frequently counseled couples that he sealed to return to the temple often. He loved to talk about the Gospel. Whether he was in a church, a temple, or at a barbecue, he never shied away from talking about his love for the House of the Lord. He also loved spending time in Scipio, Utah. A lover of stories and laughter, many of his favorite anecdotes were from his family’s adventures in Scipio, which was and will remain a special gathering place for the Koelliker family. Elder Koelliker said, “I love to go there and let the things of the world disappear. It’s a beautiful community, a place of genuine ministering.”

Elder Koelliker was a hard worker, a trait he learned from his father. He said that his father told him that “the work you do in the church is not about you, it’s about Him. As long as you keep the Savior first in your life, you’ll be ok.” The example of his father taught him that spiritual growth may be a sacrifice on your body, but you do it willingly and faithfully. Elder Koelliker faithfully wore out his body in the service of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

The family would like to thank the kind nurses, aides, and doctors who cared for Elder Koelliker during the last few months of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, and children: Karri (Raul Ontiveros); daughter in law, Susan Koelliker; Amy (Troy Winegar); Ryan (Emily) Koelliker; Lisa (Michael Brown); Robert (Erin) Koelliker; Jenni (Joseph Hinckley). He is the proud grandfather of 34 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way). He also has one brother, Mark (Colleen) Koelliker; three sisters, Karen (Bruce Lubeck), Janet (Brent Allan), Cheryl (Greg Hill).

He is preceded in death by his parents, his son David Paul Koelliker, and two grandsons.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 12:00 pm at the Hillside Stake Center, 1400 South 1900 East, Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing on Friday, December 16, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Saturday morning from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at the Hillside Stake Center, 1400 South 1900 East. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.

To watch the services live or view the recording, please refer to Larkin Mortuary’s website.