Elaine Densley

Elaine Miner Densley, 94 of Tooele, Utah, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, after waiting somewhat impatiently to be called home. Born early in the morning of June 26, 1930, at home in Salem, UT to Charles D. and Elmina Johnson Miner. Dr. Niell came to the house for the delivery while three older siblings were working out in the fields. When they came in, she was lying on a pillow on the kitchen table, wide awake. (Elaine wrote her own obituary, imagine that!!)

I grew up in a small Ward, always happy and adventurous. I was one of 14 girls in my Primary class, we were all Honor Bees. I enjoyed hiking and climbing with friends. Every Easter Saturday we would hike to the Dream Mine in Salem. And I hiked to the top of Mt. Timpanogos more than once.

I will always be grateful for growing up working on the farm, in the garden, picking every kind of fruit and helping my mother with her beautiful flowers, cleaning, cooking, washing, sewing and canning everything from fruit, crops to animals and shaking cream for butter to eat and sell, and turning the freezer for delicious ice cream.

I learned to play the violin in the summer from a teacher from Springville my mom paid with eggs. I played the violin in the Jr. High School orchestra. Music was my life; I was a member of every choir and sang in harmony groups.

I graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1948, excelled in shorthand and type. After graduation I worked in Salt Lake City as a private secretary until serving a 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. After my mission I worked in the Presiding Bishoprics Office with Thorpe B Isaacson and Robert L Simpson. It was there I met my husband, Norman John Densley. We were married October 12, 1962, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Norman, a widower, had three daughters, Dori, Nan and Dawn. I was not the ideal stepmother but eventually became good friends with the girls. We participated in the Indian placement program with our foster daughter, Lorraine Bileen.

Norman and I had three wonderful children, Norman John Jr., Michael and Wendy Jo. I was preceded in death by my husband, my parents, my brothers and sisters, Carl, Orland, Lewis, Faye, Leah, Orpha, Valentine, Elma, Dorothy and DeOna. My sons, Norman and Michael, and a son in law Ronald Kelsch. I am survived by my daughter Wendy Jo and her children Cheyenne (Robert) Bailey, their son Fox F Bailey, Logan Garrison, Morgan Garrison and Stephen Crawley. Bryant P Densley. Dori Kelsch, 5 children, 16 grandchildren and 7.5 great grandchildren, Nan Wakefield, 4 children 8 grandchildren 4 great grandchildren Dawn (David) Bloomfield, 7 children, 33 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and Lorraine (Todd) Kennedy, 3 children, 6 grandchildren.

There will be a viewing on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Jenkins-Soffe 4760 S. State Street, Murray, UT from 5-7 PM. Graveside services will take place on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 10:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT.