Obituary: Elma Gardner Farnsworth

Elma Gardner Farnsworth "Pem" Pem died quietly at 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2006 in Bountiful, Utah at the age of 98. Pem was born February 25, 1908 in Jensen, Utah to Alice Mecham and Bernard Gardner the fourth of nine children. In 1923 the family moved to Provo where she met Philo Farnsworth whom she married on May 27, 1926. They were later sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Philo (Phil), with the help of Pem and her brother Cliff created the first working electronic television system in San Francisco in 1927. Pem's face was the first televised image. Phil's first three notebooks, with drawings by Pem, are now in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Pem and Phil moved to Philadelphia and spent the war years, 1939 to 1947, in Brownfield, Maine. They then moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1968 they returned to Salt Lake City where Phil died in 1971. Since this time Pem wrote an informative book, Distant Vision, about her life with her husband. She also appeared in the PBS-TV Discovery series in an hour long film, Big Dream, Small Screen. Pem had a life long love of learning. She motivated many school children to go for their dreams She spoke about Phil and what they could also accomplish if they applied themselves. She was very dedicated to her husband and children. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she had a strong testimony of the truth of this gospel. She served in the Relief Society presidency and filled many other callings. She was preceded in death by her husband and two of their four sons: Kenneth and Philo III. She is survived by sons Russell (Rose) in New York City and Kent (Linda) in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Lois Anderson, Bountiful. The family would like to express their thanks to the kind, devoted staff at the Avalon Care Center, Hospice, Park View Branch-LDS Church and Pem's friends, Jesse and Dick Casper, and a special thanks to Dave and Rebecca Johnson. Pem will be missed by all. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 12, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. at the Oak Hills Stake, 925 East North Temple Drive (2000 North), Provo, where friends and family may call from 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment-Provo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Philo T. Farnsworth Foundation at 2000 Ironton Blvd., Provo, Utah 84606. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.