Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, wife of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Wednesday night at LDS Hospital of causes incident to age.
Sister Wirthlin was a direct descendant of Utah pioneers. Her father, Orson Madsen Rogers, was the grandson of Aurelia Spencer Rogers, the first president of the Primary, an association for children organized in Utah in 1878. Her mother, Bernice Young, was the granddaughter of Joseph Young, the brother of Brigham Young.
Elisa Rogers, the youngest of four children, was born June 22, 1919, in Salt Lake City.
During the time she attended East High, Elisa often heard of a local high school football player, Joseph Wirthlin, but they did not become acquainted until he returned from a mission for his church and they were both students at the University of Utah.
Joseph Wirthlin came to the Rogers' home to visit Elisa's sister and Elisa answered the door. Joseph called her a few days later for a date, and she accepted.
They were married in the Salt Lake Temple May 26, 1941, by President David O. McKay, at the time a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sister Wirthlin's husband was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in 1986.
A graduate of the University of Utah with a degree in business education, Sister Wirthlin worked as a secretary in the administration office of the university until she had her first child.
Later she helped her husband with secretarial work in their home while he managed the family business. The Wirthlins have lived in the same family home located south of the University of Utah for more than 50 years.
Elisa and Joseph are the parents of seven daughters and one son.
The Wirthlins lived in Germany for five years where she developed a great love for the country and the German people.
While attending the University of Utah, Elisa served as president of Lambda Delta Sigma, an LDS sorority. Some years later the sorority honored her as its Woman of the Year.
She is survived by her husband, eight children, 46 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are pending and will be announced later.