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Iva LaRue Russell Osguthorpe, 85, died March 1, 2001, of pneumonia and a fall that broke her hip.
She was born November 1, 1915 to Frank Lester Russell and Helen Jane Fisher Russell in East Millcreek Salt Lake City, Utah. Iva grew up on a fruit farm first owned by her great-great-grandparents who traveled from Nauvoo across the plains in 1848 with the early pioneers. The youngest of ten children, she spent her summers on the family farm picking raspberries and dewberries with her brothers and sisters. From 1934 to 1936 she lived in Chicago and worked for Utah Radio. She later worked as a bookkeeper for Intermountain Farmers Association for approximately 30 years.
On April 22, 1940, she married Wesley Trenton Osguthorpe in the Salt Lake Temple. Following their marriage, they lived on 2700 East in East Millcreek next to Wesley's mother Bessie for 15 years. For nearly all of the remainder of her life, she lived across the creek from her childhood home. She and Wesley loved this piece of property with mountain streams winding their way between the tall trees that graced their back yard.
Iva was a devoted wife and mother. She and Wesley had a beautiful covenant relationship. They loved each other, and they loved their children. When differences arose, they knew how to solve them without being harsh with one another. They assumed their individual responsibilities and helped each other as equal partners. Iva not only loved and cared for her children all of her life, but she generously assisted other family members in their final years.
Music was an important part of Iva's life. She often sang solos at wedding receptions, funerals, and parties. For 17 years she sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and participated in the recording of the Choir's first gold record with the Philadelphia Orchestra and in the nation's first satellite television broadcast. Iva also loved to write poetry and give dramatic readings. She was devoted to her church responsibilities serving in each of the church auxiliaries and always singing in ward and stake choirs. The day before she went to the hospital with pneumonia, she helped make cookies for a Valentine's party at which she took the baton in hand and led others in several songs. Although some tasks became difficult for Iva in her final months, she never forgot how to sing and lead the hymns.
Iva spent the final six months of her life in the Expressions Unit at the Prestige Assisted Living Center in Provo, Utah. Those who worked in the Center loved Iva. The family wishes to thank all those who helped care for her during this difficult period of her life. The family also wishes to thank the kind neighbors and family members who made it possible for her to stay in her home for four and half years following the death of her husband.
She is survived by her four children: Sharon (Pierre) Koncurat, Devon, PA; Carlene (Jeff) Platt, Salt Lake City, UT; Russell (Lolly) Osguthorpe, Provo, UT; and Von (Becky) Osguthorpe, Bountiful, UT; 24 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and her sister Helen (LaMar) Gardner. She was preceded in death by her husband Wesley T. (1996), her parents, her four brothers, and four of her sisters.
Funeral services will be held Mon. March 5, 2001, 11 a.m. at the Mt. Olympus 4th Ward Chapel, 4176 South Adonis Dr. (3950 E). Friends may call Sun. March 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple and from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.