Elva Jean Blackburn Durtschi

Elva Jean Blackburn Durtschi was born on March 15, 1927, in Ogden, Utah and passed peacefully on January 31, 2024, in Bountiful, Utah surrounded by family. Jean was the eldest of George Alva Blackburn and Opal Irene Eames’ twelve children.  As such, her parents relied heavily on her to help with all her younger brothers and sisters.  Jean loved caring for her siblings and that love and caring for children became the theme of her life.  

Jean spent most of her early years in Porterville, California.  World War II changed her life and opened her world.  First, at 18 she was called on an LDS mission, as most young men were in the service. While on her mission she met the love of her life, a young Navy man who happened to be the cousin of her companion.  Several years later, the two met again when Jean traveled to Driggs, Idaho to visit that former mission companion.  After a whirlwind courtship, she and Reed Robert Durtschi were married and sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on November 22, 1950.  Throughout their life together they moved from coast to coast as Reed pursued his military career and schooling.  During their lives, Jean had eight children, The first four were each born in a different state before they settled in Logan, Utah where Reed took a job teaching at Utah State University.  Jean loved and cherished the close relationship she had with each of her children and grandchildren and took great pride in their accomplishments.

Jean was the consummate homemaker.   She always kept an immaculate home, sewed her children’s clothing, and had family dinners each night around the kitchen table.  There were often “extras” at that table as Jean kept an open door and heart for her children’s friends.  In her later years, Jean and Reed built a “cabin” in Idaho which became the gathering place for their grown family and friends.  

Jean was always a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in positions of responsibility in Relief Society, Young Women’s, Sunday School, and Primary.   True to her life calling, her favorite position was always the nursery with the youngest children.

Jean’s faithfulness extended to the end of her life.  The love shown to her by the members of the Legacy Branch of the LDS Church always brought joy to her heart and a smile to her face.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Reed, and daughters Tammy and Lorilee.  She is survived by her children Ron (Debbie) Durtschi, Kaysville, UT; Cindy Durtschi, Driggs, ID; Vanette (Steve) Skabelund, Orem, UT; Dawnita (Jeff) Hugie, Taylorsville, UT; son-in-law Don Morgan, Driggs, ID; LuRene (Zan) Summers, Hyrum, UT; and Robert (Jennifer) Durtschi, North Logan, UT, 23 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren.

Jean’s family thanks the workers at Legacy House, Bountiful, especially those in the Cottage and Inspiration Hospice, for the loving care given to Jean during the last years of her life.  Mom loved you, as do we. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held Saturday afternoon from 12:45-1:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at the Alta Wyoming Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.