Obituary: Elva Jean Gerrard

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Sep 25, 2003

On the morning of September 24, 2003, Elva Jean Rasmussen Gerrard, 76, returned to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.

She was born in Hunter, Utah, April 6, 1927 to Ira Hayden and Elva Mariah Rasmussen. She graduated from Cyprus High School in 1945. In 1947 she married Kenneth A. Gerrard in Salt Lake City, Utah. Five years later they bought their first home in Bountiful, where they have lived ever since.

She is the mother of four daughters, Kenna, Jill, Julie and Joyce. She and Ken lovingly cared for Jill in their home for 17 years before she passed away in 1968. Kenna passed away just five weeks ago.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, daughters, Julie (Bob) May and Joyce (Jeff) Clarkson. She was a wonderful grandmother to 11 and great-grandmother to three. Also survived by her sister, Valoy Sudbury and brother, Kent Rasmussen.

She is a member of the LDS Church and loved her Primary secretary calling. She was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom.

She spent many hours sewing doll clothes, dresses for her girls to start school in, and prom dresses. She loved winters in Yuma, all animals, nature, her grandchildren, sunsets over the Great Salt Lake and the drive to Moses Lake to visit her daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, whom she adored. She loved to travel and would talk often about her trips to Hawaii, Caribbean cruises, hiking the staircase to the top of the Statue of Liberty and her trip to Europe with a dear friend. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life - the things money can't buy.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 12:00 noon at the Bountiful 14th Ward Chapel, 1500 South 600 East. Friends may call Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main and Saturday morning from 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment at the South Jordan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, gather your family around, tell them you love them and take them to dinner.

Online guestbook and direction map at www.russonmortuary.com.