Ogden Utah – Elva Louise Beus Wilkes Elva was born June 29, 1933 in Ogden Utah – died June 25 2018. Elva is the daughter of Alma Felix Beus and Lily Louise Parker Beus. Elva grew up in Ogden and attended Ogden High School.
She worked as a food service employee at the Ogden IRS main campus for many years and was a homemaker. She married Junior Lester Smith June 15, 1951 and had four children. They later divorced.
On April 9, 1971 she married her soul mate, Vernon Wilkes. They resided in Mountain Green until declining health required a move into assisted living where they remained until their departure. Elva embraced family and relished in providing a home full of love.
Elva didn’t have many hobbies but she could make anything out of paper, cardboard and tape. Her family is now left with many fond memories of playing with “home-made” holly-hock dolls, paper doll cutouts, and top of the line cardboard barbie furniture, shoe box barbie houses and even a camper to park toy trucks and cars in. She loved going camping.
She had no problem packing up and roughing it. She and her family spent many nights under the stars enjoying the beauty nature offered. Later in life, she enjoyed the outdoors by spending time at her daughter’s cabin where she would spend hours watching the squirrels, birds, chipmunks and deer.
She loved taking road trips or going on short drives to view grazing deer and elk in the mountain fields. She enjoyed many fun trips to Lake Powel and she’d play a mean game of “Trouble”. Elva’s life changed five years ago when she had a stroke and became wheel-chair bound.
She longed to do the things she once enjoyed and would talk about them often. She kept her resolve and never quit fighting, until recently, when the love of her life (Vernon) passed away in May. Elva could no longer go on without him as she missed him dearly.
While it’s hard to imagine life without Elva; our dear sweet mother, grandmother and great- grandmother, we all know that she is free from pain and once again with her beloved husband of 47 years. The family is at peace knowing they’re together again. Elva was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a brother, William Beus; and two daughters, Rebecca June Smith and Deborah Louise Smith Crozier (her desert flower).
Elva is survived by her children: Daniel (Valerie) Smith, Trisha (Ross) Deubler, Brad (Martine) Wilkes, and Debra (Todd) Christensen; and her brother, Melvin Beus. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great- grandchildren whom gave her great joy. She deeply appreciated the frequent visits with family and friends at the care center and would often reminisce.
The family would like to thank Mountain Ridge Assisting Living; the place they called home, for the care given to Vern and Elva during the years they resided there. The family would also like to express their sincere appreciation and special thanks to the care givers and staff at Encompass Hospice. Their outpouring of kindness, love and compassion shown was so appreciated and Elva came to love them and considered them family.
Cremation is entrusted to Aaron’s Mortuary in Ogden. Elva did not wish for any services but her ashes will be joined with those of her late husband. Together forever – inseparable in life and in death.
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