UNA JEAN COTTLE (nee Ravsten), passed away peacefully in Cardston, Alberta on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, at the age of 89 years. Jean is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Melvin, and four children: Craig (Kristin) Cottle, Roger (Cathie) Cottle, Kathy (Craig) Miller, and Brent (Jodi) Cottle. Her legacy lives on through her 17 grandkids and 16 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents, Bennie and Eunice Ravsten, her sisters Yvonne Ashby and Melva Cottle, and her brother Milton Ravsten.
Early Life
Jean was born July 15,1936 in Clarkston, Utah to, as she said, “goodly parents.” As a child, she helped on her dad’s farm, enjoyed swimming, and playing softball. Her fondest memories of this time were traveling to General Conference in Salt Lake City. She loved staying in a hotel in the big city and shopping at ZCMI and JC Penney’s. She and her sisters loved to sing popular songs and devotional hymns, and even songs her mother wrote for road shows and other church performances.
Marriage and Family
In 1953, while attending the wedding celebrations of her older sister Melva, she met a handsome young football player who turned out to be the brother of Melva’s new husband. They started dating, fell in love, and a year and half later she and Melvin were married in the Salt Lake City temple. They were the love of each other’s lives for the next 71 years, and they look forward to an eternity together. Over the next 15 years, they welcomed into their family four children, three boys and one girl. Mel earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, both in education, and Jean earned a “PHT,” or “Putting Hubby Through” degree (remember—this was in the 1950s!). Jean supported Mel and the family by selling Avon, tending kids, working at an asparagus cannery, and many other jobs. Life was busy, and sometimes even grueling, but Jean loved it.
A Move to Canada
In 1970, Mel heard about a principal’s job in faraway Alberta. Thinking it would be nothing more than a fun trip, Jean agreed to travel to Cardston so Mel could be interviewed. She was shocked at the small town with no paved roads except main street, but when she saw the brand-new school and heard the salary Mel was offered, she knew she was in trouble. She agreed to give it two years. Jean, however, saw every event as an opportunity, and held an invariably positive outlook on life. Before long, she was in love with her new northern home and was deeply involved in community and church, holding numerous ward and stake callings. Instead of staying two years in Cardston, she never left. Jean earned an Associate’s Degree in Library Sciences and became a beloved librarian at Cardston Elementary School and served for a decade on the Chinook Library Board. Jean always loved reading and proselytized for books every chance she got. Jean also loved to golf, and particularly loved golfing with Mel. She loved to sing with various choirs and ensembles, and her favourite calling in the church was as choir director. As her and Mel’s children married and spread across different states and provinces, they took every opportunity to travel to see them and find new golf courses to conquer. They also instituted the unique tradition of family reunions just for grandkids. The loving bonds formed by these and other family gathering endure no matter how large and spread-out their family has become. It was also during this period that Jean was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Jean never complained about her condition, managed it well (one doctor called her the “poster child” of optimal diabetes management), and continued to make treats for her kids and others to enjoy even when she had to avoid them.
Retirement and Missions
After their retirement, Jean and Mel fulfilled a lifelong dream to go on a mission. They served two years in the Honolulu, Hawaii mission overseeing church education throughout the islands of the South Pacific, which entailed regular expeditions to Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, and many islands in-between. Next, they served a mission at Southern Virginia University teaching institute. Jean always dreamed of seeing the world; during this time, she and Mel found opportunities to visit every continent except Antarctica.
Faith
From her earliest years, Jean was devoted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As she reported, “My parents taught me the Plan of Salvation and about my Saviour’s Atonement, and I have never once doubted their teachings.” Jean looked for any opportunity to serve others and to help them feel that they were a loved and valued son or daughter of God, no matter their background or identity. She bore an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ’s victory over death and sin. As a devoted temple worker and patron, Jean served Our Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil. When asked, before her passing, what she was most looking forward to in the next life, she said, “I want to hug my parents and siblings again and receive from my Heavenly Father my next assignment.” She then added, “And maybe I’ll get to golf again.”
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cardston Alberta Stake Centre, 338 5th Ave. E., Cardston, on Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
Friends may meet the family at the Church from 10:00 - 10:45 am, prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.
Early Life
Jean was born July 15,1936 in Clarkston, Utah to, as she said, “goodly parents.” As a child, she helped on her dad’s farm, enjoyed swimming, and playing softball. Her fondest memories of this time were traveling to General Conference in Salt Lake City. She loved staying in a hotel in the big city and shopping at ZCMI and JC Penney’s. She and her sisters loved to sing popular songs and devotional hymns, and even songs her mother wrote for road shows and other church performances.
Marriage and Family
In 1953, while attending the wedding celebrations of her older sister Melva, she met a handsome young football player who turned out to be the brother of Melva’s new husband. They started dating, fell in love, and a year and half later she and Melvin were married in the Salt Lake City temple. They were the love of each other’s lives for the next 71 years, and they look forward to an eternity together. Over the next 15 years, they welcomed into their family four children, three boys and one girl. Mel earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, both in education, and Jean earned a “PHT,” or “Putting Hubby Through” degree (remember—this was in the 1950s!). Jean supported Mel and the family by selling Avon, tending kids, working at an asparagus cannery, and many other jobs. Life was busy, and sometimes even grueling, but Jean loved it.
A Move to Canada
In 1970, Mel heard about a principal’s job in faraway Alberta. Thinking it would be nothing more than a fun trip, Jean agreed to travel to Cardston so Mel could be interviewed. She was shocked at the small town with no paved roads except main street, but when she saw the brand-new school and heard the salary Mel was offered, she knew she was in trouble. She agreed to give it two years. Jean, however, saw every event as an opportunity, and held an invariably positive outlook on life. Before long, she was in love with her new northern home and was deeply involved in community and church, holding numerous ward and stake callings. Instead of staying two years in Cardston, she never left. Jean earned an Associate’s Degree in Library Sciences and became a beloved librarian at Cardston Elementary School and served for a decade on the Chinook Library Board. Jean always loved reading and proselytized for books every chance she got. Jean also loved to golf, and particularly loved golfing with Mel. She loved to sing with various choirs and ensembles, and her favourite calling in the church was as choir director. As her and Mel’s children married and spread across different states and provinces, they took every opportunity to travel to see them and find new golf courses to conquer. They also instituted the unique tradition of family reunions just for grandkids. The loving bonds formed by these and other family gathering endure no matter how large and spread-out their family has become. It was also during this period that Jean was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Jean never complained about her condition, managed it well (one doctor called her the “poster child” of optimal diabetes management), and continued to make treats for her kids and others to enjoy even when she had to avoid them.
Retirement and Missions
After their retirement, Jean and Mel fulfilled a lifelong dream to go on a mission. They served two years in the Honolulu, Hawaii mission overseeing church education throughout the islands of the South Pacific, which entailed regular expeditions to Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, and many islands in-between. Next, they served a mission at Southern Virginia University teaching institute. Jean always dreamed of seeing the world; during this time, she and Mel found opportunities to visit every continent except Antarctica.
Faith
From her earliest years, Jean was devoted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As she reported, “My parents taught me the Plan of Salvation and about my Saviour’s Atonement, and I have never once doubted their teachings.” Jean looked for any opportunity to serve others and to help them feel that they were a loved and valued son or daughter of God, no matter their background or identity. She bore an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ’s victory over death and sin. As a devoted temple worker and patron, Jean served Our Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil. When asked, before her passing, what she was most looking forward to in the next life, she said, “I want to hug my parents and siblings again and receive from my Heavenly Father my next assignment.” She then added, “And maybe I’ll get to golf again.”
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cardston Alberta Stake Centre, 338 5th Ave. E., Cardston, on Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
Friends may meet the family at the Church from 10:00 - 10:45 am, prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.