Michelle "Shelley" Dee Ylst

Shelley (Michelle) Dee Wallace Ylst, 69, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026, leaving behind a family who was the center of her world and the greatest joy of her life.

Born in Salt Lake City and raised in Cottonwood Heights, Shelley moved through life with a beautiful, full-face smile that everyone remembers. There was never a half-smile with her. She loved fully, supported fiercely, and showed up for the people she loved with loyalty, grit, and unwavering devotion.

Above all else, Shelley loved her family. Her children, Eric, Annie, and Brandon, were her heart, and her grandchildren became her greatest delight. She was endlessly proud of them and treasured every moment spent with them.

One of the great loves of Shelley’s life was her husband, Rodney Ylst. She first met Rodney in high school, though he was a little older and, much to family amusement, did not remember meeting her then. Fate brought them together again at the University of Utah, where they reconnected just as Rodney had become newly single. The rest, as they say, was history. They were engaged only a few months later and would have married even sooner had Shelley’s mother not lovingly “bribed” them with house gifts to keep pushing the wedding out just a little longer, so she had more time to plan it. Their marriage became a true example of love, partnership, and devotion, and to those who watched them, they represented exactly what a marriage should be.

Shelley was a gifted watercolor artist whose creativity brought beauty and color into the world around her. She was also her husband’s greatest supporter, always ready to step into his business and help in whatever way was needed. But if you asked Shelley what her profession was, she would tell you without hesitation that it was being a mom and she would not have had it any other way.

She found joy in the simple, meaningful things: painting, loving on her cats, and most of all finding ways to make her children and grandchildren happy. She had a special gift for making the people she loved feel seen, important, and endlessly capable.

Shelley taught her family how to be good people even when life was hard. She taught unconditional love, loyalty, and kindness, and she was especially passionate about teaching her children to love and protect one another. She made sure her family knew they were special and that they could achieve anything in this world.

Though Shelley was deeply loving, those who knew her best know she would probably laugh at the amount of attention this brings her way. She was private, a little anti-social in the most endearing and funny way, and never one to seek the spotlight. Yet behind that quiet nature was a woman who loved with her whole heart and supported others without hesitation.

She is joyfully reunited with her parents, Robert and Grace Wallace, her beloved husband Rodney Ylst, and her cherished son Brandon Ylst.

She leaves behind her son Eric Rodney Ylst, daughter-in-law Kate Ylst, and grandchildren Lily and Jake Ylst; her daughter Annie Grace Stagg, son-in-law Jamie Stagg, and granddaughter Oaklee Grace Stagg; her brother Craig Wallace; and her nieces and nephews Shawn Wallace, Ryan Wallace, Jennifer Wilson, and Emily Wallace, all of whom she loved as her own.

A viewing will be held on April 21, 2026, from 9:00–11:00 AM at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery located at 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121. Funeral services are to follow at 11 AM.

In honor of Shelley, the family asks that flowers be bright, colorful, and artistic — a reflection of the beauty she brought into the lives around her. Donations may also be made to Primary Children’s Hospital a cause close to her heart because of the care and love they gave Brandon.

Her family will forever carry her smile, her strength, her creativity, and the kind of love that never leaves.