Elda Burnett Dieu-Merkley

Elda was born on February 20, 1920 in Ogden, Utah and passed away August 30, 2016.  She is the daughter of Ivy and Revere Burnett and a farm girl raised in Clinton Utah.  Elda had 7 brothers and sisters.  She herself had six children, two have previously passed. Currently there are 32 grandchildren. For 17 years she was happily married to Aird Merkley from Salt Lake City.

Funeral Services will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main, Farmington on Friday, September 2 at 12:00 noon with a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Interment- Clinton City Cemetery.

Life sketch by Beth Lawrence (Elda’s sister)

Elda Burnett Dieu Merkley passed away 30 August 2016.

Her parents were Revere and Ivy Ross Burnett. Elda was their fourth child, born after Ross, Neta (who died at three months), and Donal Earl, June, Wayne; and Ivan (who died at 14 months) and Ivy Beth.

She was born 20 Feb. 1920 in Ogden, Utah. Attended Davis, High School, and graduated from Beauty School becoming a Beautician.

Elda had a beautiful singing voice, singing solos and trio's with her two Sisters June and Beth. She met her first husband Jack Timmers Dieu while taking voice lessons from Mr. Manning who her mother played for as he taught the lessons.

As well as singing many solos many places, Elda and Jack sang duets together for their lessons, and many programs, church and weddings. For us older folks, they would have reminded you of Nelson Eddy and Jeannette Mc Donald. I know, I heard them.

They were married in the Salt Lake Temple 8 June 1938, lived in Ogden for a while and their first child was born who died right after birth and was buried in Clinton where Elda will be buried, where her parents are buried. Jack worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad was transferred to Sacramento, California. They met wonderful ward friends and who loved and helped them. Their Children, John Thomas, Elda Joyce, Wylie Jay, Judith Lynn, and Ivan Revere were born.

Elda and her children looked like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine to me when they would come to visit us by train from Sacramento.

About two years after Ivan was born, Jack who then was working on a construction job there in Sacramento, was driving a piece of construction equipment when somehow it contacted an electric wire and caused his death.

Elda taught voice; that was during the time l lived with her and worked for Dr. Tillotsen there in Sacramento meeting and becoming engaged to my wonderful husband, returning to Utah with my parents July of 1952.

Elda became a Dental Assistant and x-ray technician. Mom and Dad Burnett moved to Sacramento and lived for seven years. As well as Elda, my brothers Don and Wayne then had moved there too.

After her children were married, and some living away, she was called on a full time mission serving in Oklahoma.

After returning home she was introduced through her good friend Ivy, to Aird Merkley. She was not going to marry again but Aird told me he worked hard to talk her into it as time went by. They married 7 Sep 1982 and had seventeen great years together enjoying both of their families, working in the Salt Lake Temple and traveling. Elda loved his family and was grateful for their wonderful acceptance and love. Aird passed away May 10 1999.

Elda was blessed to be cared for in her declining years by her daughter Joyce, for a year in Las Vegas, and her son Ivan who cared for her for six years in his home in Sacramento CA, showing much love and devotion, and still does by making all the arrangements for her needs and burial.  Debra and Wes Finneran and family cared for her for 2 years in Kaysville, UT and sorely regret they could not be here today as they are in Virginia for the wedding reception of their son Andrew. Elda thought of Debra as another daughter; son John (then in Las Vegas,) lovingly cared for her for two years. Afterwards she went to Harrison Regent in Ogden where she met and loved Jill and Keith Wheeler and who amazingly took her with them to their home when they were no longer managers there and have tenderly cared for her up to her passing last Tuesday. We all have marveled at that and thank them greatly and sincerely.

Son John and Penny live in Washington; daughter Joyce, in Sacramento, California; Wylie J deceased, Oklahoma, passed away about two years ago, Judy and Chuck Hull in Boise, Idaho; Ivan and Mila in Sacramento, California. There are 21 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

My daughters, Kerry who is on a business trip with her husband Alan and regrets not being here, and Becky because she is in Ohio for the birth of her daughter Katie's baby, by phone she told me she wished some things she thought of could be said, I told her to e-mail them to me and she did. They speak of my thoughts and probably many of yours too.

"Through her trials Elda gained a deep and abiding relationship with her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. They were her greatest source of strength. Because of her great love and faith in them she became a great strength and blessing to others. She had a great capacity to love all people and was very non-judgmental with that love. People were drawn to her because of her kindness and love."

I don't think any three sisters were ever closer than Elda, June and I. We were each thankful for that. To know her was to love her!!! Till me meet again Elda, thanks for being such a wonderful sister!!!