Concluding a well-lived life of over 98 years, Elda Robbins Ritchie, our treasured mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 16, 2018, following a brief illness. Elda was born October 10, 1919, in Heber City, Utah, to Hyrum Walker Robbins and Deyce Bell Moulton Robbins. She married Leon J. Ritchie, on February 7, 1938, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple, and raised two sons, Keith Leon Ritchie (Vera Butler Ritchie) and James William Ritchie (Carolyn Orton Ritchie).
Principles which guided their family included self-sufficiency, frugality, hardwork, and integrity. Through nearly 66 years of marriage, until Leon’s death in 2003, they owned and operated a poultry farm, chicken hatchery, feed mill, the Wasatch Motel, and a Salt Lake Tribune distributorship. Together they served two fulltime LDS missions (Rapid City, South Dakota [1976-78], and Manila Philippines LDS Temple [1991-93]).
For 13 years they enjoyed serving in the Provo Utah LDS Temple. Elda also served faithfully in many leadership and teaching positions in the Church, always providing compassionate service wherever she saw a need. Her posterity, numbering 122 with 2 great-great grandchildren to arrive soon, was her greatest treasure, her greatest accomplishment, and the focus of her life.
To assure each family member of her love and encouragement, Elda sent handwritten cards for birthdays, weddings, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Halloween and any special occasion. She was blessed with a sharp and clear mind until the day she died, remembering names and details of everyone’s lives. Surely assembled to greet Elda at her passing were those who preceded her in death, including her husband, parents, brother (Curt Robbins), and her “adopted” family, the Will and Rachel Ann Giles family, who raised her after her mother passed away when Elda was only 4 months old.
Anticipating those reunions brings comfort to us, as we express gratitude for her example of service and love of family. The Ritchie Family expresses appreciation to the staff members of Abbington Senior Living (Heber City), IHC Hospice services, and especially Audrey, for their personal care and concern the last 2 months of Elda’s life. To honor Elda, viewings will be held Friday, July 27, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 PM and Saturday from 10:30-11:30 am prior to funeral services at Noon at 550 East and 500 North, Heber City, Utah.
Interment will be at the Heber City Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
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