BICKNELL, UT-- Our kind and beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Bertha Amanda Durfey Ellett, age 85, was released to the arms of our Heavenly Father on April 10, 2000, while living with her daughter in Cedar City. Utah.
She was born July 28, 1914 in Bicknell, Utah, a daughter of George Lawrence and Theresa Liston Durfey and the 6th of 11 children. She lived with her family on a ranch in Notom, Utah during the summer months and in Bicknell during her school years. As a young girl, she and her brother, Golden, sang in many programs. Bertha was very fond of her horse, Pet, and enjoyed riding for pleasure, as well as transportation to nearby towns. Bertha was taught the value of hard work by her parents, and as a result, her life became a legacy of service to others.Bertha attended Wayne High School, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Rulon Shiner Ellett, on September 27, 1933 in Loa, Wayne County, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple on June 5, 1934. Their relationship was one of loyal devotion to each other for over 62 years. Rulon died March 30, 1996.
Bertha's hands were never idle. She crocheted doilies and afghans and shared them with her family and friends. Bertha enjoyed reading and collecting positive thoughts to share with her family. She was always ready to help someone in need and nurse them back to health. Bertha was a wonderful cook and shared her delicious food and recipes with family and friends. In addition to farming, Bertha and Rulon managed the restaurant at "The Lodge" in Capitol Reef National Park and the "Chuck Wagon Cafe" in Torrey, Utah for several summer seasons.
Bertha was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many positions, including president of the Primary and counselor in the Relief Society in the Thurber Ward. She enjoyed singing in the choir and treasured her membership as a Daughter of the Utah Pioneers. Bertha and Rulon served for many years as Ward, Stake and Regional Dance Directors---a calling they both enjoyed, while influencing the lives of many young people.
She will be greatly missed by her five children: Mona and Harold Hiskey, Cedar City, Utah; Sheldon and Karen Ellett, Bountiful, Utah; Betty D. and Max Taylor, Willow, Alaska; Theresa Mae and Dallas Arnell, St. Charles, Idaho; Flora Bell and Bradford Chappell, Mapleton, Utah; 22 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grand-child; three brothers and one sister: Golden Durfey and Orlo Durfey, both of Bicknell; Cline Durfey, St. George; and Ada Mecham, Cowley, Wyoming. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers, two sisters, two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 15, 2000 at 1 p.m. in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel in Bicknell. Friends and relatives may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 260 North 400 West, in Richfield, Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the ward chapel in Bicknell Saturday from 11 to 12:30 prior to the services.
Burial will be in the Bicknell Cemetery.