Ireta Burnham Elkins Obituary (1930 - 2015)

Ireta Burnham Elkins (Rita), our loving and caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully at the age of 85 in Bountiful, Utah, on Christmas morning December 25, 2015, from Alzheimer's disease. She was a friend to all and loved by all who knew her. She had a strong testimony of the gospel and was an example of faith and courage. Rita was born January 31, 1930, in Redmesa, Colorado, to James Warren Burnham and Edith Adell Wheeler. She graduated from Carbon County High School in Dragerton, Utah. She was employed at First Security Bank, Trust Division, Stock Transfer Department. Rita met Fred Elkins while living in Salt Lake City, Utah and they married on October 20, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are wonderful parents to five children and many other family members who they took into their home and loved. Rita is known by everyone for her beautiful voice. She loves to sing. With her musical talent, she spent many years of her life in church callings that involved music. She loved directing the Cannon Stake and Cannon 5th Ward Choirs, and sang in the Cannon Stake Singing Mothers. She had her own women's trio, very much as good as The Andrews Sisters. She wrote and directed many road shows and plays. She was often invited to sing for funerals and various programs for church and civic events. Later, Rita was a member of the Allegro Chorus. Rita served faithfully in other church callings including Relief Society President and many years working with the youth including Ward and Stake Young Women's President and Camp Director. Fred and Rita served a six month mission in Cove Fort, Utah from March 1998 to September 1998. She loved to crochet, work in the garden, fish and vacation with her family especially to visit her brothers and sisters. She decorated wedding cakes including cakes for her own children and nieces and nephews. She liked to make candy and bake goodies for Christmas. The family spent days and weeks making fondant and dipping homemade chocolates that she shared with family, friends and ward members. Rita has many talents but her most endearing talent is her ability to love everyone. She touched the lives of all who came in contact with her. As a friend said, "She taught us about love." She is survived by her five children, Janice Vincent, Dennis (Vickie) Elkins, Mark (Lynda) Elkins, Keith (Anne) Elkins, and Wendy (Brad) Gibbs; 21 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; brothers Phillip Andrew and George Edward. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Elkins; parents; sisters Adell, Alta, Lilly, Pauline and Thelma. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at 12:00 noon in the Cannon 5th Ward Chapel, 1250 West 1400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah and 11:00-11:45 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in Elysian Gardens Cemetery. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT United States 84107