Elva Myers Mortensen

Our beautiful and gracious Mom passed away at 90 years of age. She closed her eyes and passed peacefully. We know Dad was there holding her hand and to take her into eternity. Our hearts are aching but we find comfort knowing she has shed her earthly aches and pains. We know there were many there to greet her and what a reunion they are having.

Mom was born to James Levi and Ora Excell Myers on August 1, 1933 in Panguitch, Utah. She was the second eldest and first daughter born of her four siblings. She attended Panguitch High School where she was a cheerleader with her sister Gwen Brown. She was also a drum majorette. She held her first job cleaning the local movie theatre and waitressing at the local café. At 18 she moved with her family to Salt Lake City, Utah. She worked at the Utah State Capital Building cafeteria. She also started working for the Utah State Driver License Department when it was located at the Utah State fair grounds.

Mom and Dad were married on July 5, 1952. They solemnized their marriage and were sealed to their four children Kim, Caleene, Gayleen, and Robert on March 19, 1965, in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were married for 69 years.

 Mom started working for the Utah State Highway Patrol on February 16, 1967. She loved her job and held various positions in her 20 plus year career there. She also sold Avon as a side gig to just about everyone at the state office building. Her friends and family claim she was the “best Avon lady” they ever had.

After Mom retired from the Utah Highway Patrol, in September of 1987, she and Dad moved to St George, Utah. They enjoyed their new venture and had many fun times with family and friends. Through those years each of their children decided to move to St George too.

Mom didn’t sit still for long. She decided to work at various part-time jobs. She worked for Anderson Lumber, Boulevard Furniture, Sears and Fred Meyer Jewelers.

Our Mom was a classy lady and always looked stylish in her appearance. Mom would iron all her and dads clothes even though she had a top of the line washer and dryer. She was a clean freak when it came to her house. She kept her home spotless, dustless and along with Dad, their yard was impeccable. They worked in their yard all year long and one year they won a beautification award from their community for their efforts.

Mom enjoyed many crafts. She loved decorating her home, so much that her formal living rooms were off limits to us kids and we teased her about that often. You could always find Mom painting her home or upgrading a room in her home every year.

She was highly skilled at embroidery and she made many projects. In fact she was so talented that you could not tell the front from the back of her embroidery. She made her daughters denim jackets with beautiful embroidery on the backs of the jackets. She embroidered pillow cases with our names on them. She made many quilts for her children as well.

Mom was kind and generous and loved to entertain. She always decorated and prepared a meal on every holiday for her family to enjoy. When we were young she would hang crepe paper from corner to corner of the living room ceiling, the color representing each holiday. We even had a spook alley and the entire neighborhood and trick-or treaters came. She made sure we never missed recognizing the holidays. Mom and Dad enjoyed visits from family, grandkids and friends. They were so proud of our family and bragged about us to all.

Mom you were the best Mom and we all know how much you loved us. We will miss you beyond words and know you and Dad will be waiting on the other side for each one of us. Mom was preceded in death by her husband Gaydon L. Mortensen, her parents James Levi and Ora Excell Myers, her brother James Levi Myers, and her sister Gwen Myers Brown.

She is survived by her brother Ned D. Myers, her children, Gaydon Kim & Barbara Mortensen, Caleene & Jeff Julian, Gayleen D. Schwartz, Robert Craig and Collette Mortensen. She is also, survived by 13 Grandchildren, 29 Greatgrandchildren, and 2 Great-greatgrandchildren.

Our family would like to thank the care givers at The Meadows of Escalante for their wonderful service and care of our Mom, along with, CNS Home Health & Hospice of St George, Utah.

Funeral services will be June 8, 2024. Viewing from 11:00AM – 11:45AM at the Panguitch Second Ward, (176 N 400 E), Relief Society room.

Graveside Services from 12:00PM to 1:00PM (open mic) at the Panguitch City Cemetery, (290 S Cemetery Road).

 Arrangements are made under the direction of Hughes Mortuary, 1037 E 700 South, St George, Utah. (435)-674-5000.