Janet Gardner Ralph

On Monday, June 28, 2021, our sweet angel mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother, Janet Gardner Ralph was taken home to heaven. She is now with her son, mother, father, sisters and granddaughter, great grandson, and son in-law who preceded her in death.

Janet Gardner Ralph was born May 9, 1933, in Ogden, Utah, to Alice Squires and Nathan Hale Gardner. She was the second of four daughters. Janet was a happy child who loved music.  She had an inner desire to do good and be a good girl. Her sister Cathie said, “Janet came to this life with music in her.” She remembers her always practicing the piano. Janet studied the piano and organ. When she was young, Janet twirled in the American Legion Band for parades. In high school she accompanied musicals, played piano solos, sang in the choir, and sometimes accompanied the choir in assemblies.  She absolutely loved everything music related. During high school, she worked as a record clerk for Glen Brothers Music Company.

Janet met Elwyn at a church dance when they were teenagers and later invited him to a school girls-choice dance. Janet describes that dance as the beginning of an eternal relationship. Elwyn then began calling her and asking her to dances or ward functions. The Ralphs had an egg business, and when Elwyn delivered eggs to the Gardners on Saturday evenings, he would deliver to them last on the route, allowing him time to see Janet. Janet and Elwyn continued to date while in high school.

During Janet’s senior year, Elwyn went on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Janet then attended Weber State on a music scholarship. Elwyn returned from his mission, and on February 14^th of 1953, he proposed to Janet. They were married on September 11^th of that year in the Logan Temple. Janet and Elwyn have nine children, three boys and six girls. Janet successfully devoted her life to her family as a wife and mother. Janet now has 38 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren.

Music was very important to both Janet and Elwyn. As their family grew and developed, learning to play the piano and other instruments was encouraged. Singing around the piano, and performances with musical instruments was a common practice in the home. Janet taught piano lessons to her children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, as well as others outside of her family.

Janet loved her role as a homemaker, and dedicated her life to supporting her husband and children. She sewed outfits for her children and grandchildren, including costumes, prom dresses, wedding dresses, and blessing outfits. She was a great cook and would share her love for her family through those wonderful meals and treats she would lovingly prepare for them. It was evident that she found joy in serving her family with the gift of good food.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was always a very important part of Janet’s life. She served in many callings within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many of her callings were related to music, such as stake music director, ward organist, pianist, and chorister. She also served in the Primary organization, as a counselor in the Young Women’s presidency, and as a Relief Society instructor and President. She was a devoted visiting teacher throughout her life.

Janet and Elwyn served together on three missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Washington DC Temple, Switzerland Geneva, and Africa Ivory Coast, in Cameroon. Seven of Janet’s nine children have gone on missions.  Thirteen of her grandchildren have served missions and one recently received her call. One great granddaughter completed her mission and a great grandson is currently serving.

Genealogy was very important to Janet throughout her life. Like her father Nathan, she dedicated a great deal of her time and efforts towards working on genealogy. She had a room filled with genealogy records in her home and spent many of her days searching for those who needed their temple work done. She and Elwyn would regularly attend the temple to complete the ordinance work for those names she had located.

Janet was a third-generation member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers after her mother Alice Squires Gardner and her grandmother Lettie May Ballard Squires. Three of her daughters are following in her footsteps as fourth generation Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Janet always made sure that all those she loved knew it. She was always very loving and giving, and she would serve others whenever she was able. Her love of the Savior, her Heavenly Father, and her family was evident in everything she did. She always wanted to do what was right; she was good, and a great example of what good was. We love you, Janet, and we will miss you.

Janet was preceded in death by her son, David Gardner Ralph, her mother Alice Squires Gardner, her father Nathan Hale Gardner, her sister Alice Jean Morris, her granddaughter Heidi Wright, her sister Margaret Mosher, her great grandson Nathaniel Asher Christiansen, her son in-law Scott Trump, and her grandson in-law Shane Cox.

Janet is survived by her husband Elwyn, her sister Cathie Wheeler, and her children Janelle Black (Ken), Melvin Ralph (Bonnie), Michael Ralph (Kim), Carolyn Beutler (Ken), Linda Dowding (Paul), Elizabeth Thompson (Dwight), Susan Trump (Scott-deceased), and Alice-Marie Paxton (Christian), as well as 38 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 12, 2021, at 11:00 am at the 3^rd, 6^th & 19^th Ward chapel on 900 S 400 E, Centerville. Viewing will be held from 9:45 – 10:45 am, prior to the funeral service at the church. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 S Highland Dr., Millcreek, UT. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com. The service will be live streamed on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page or click the link below.