Obituary for Elfonda Weller (1924-2021) – Ogden, UT

Elfonda “Fawn” Lois DeFries Weller, 97, our lover, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away on Wednesday, July 14th, 2021. She was born in May 20, 1924 as the third of five children in her home. born Wilson (West Haven) to Jan “John” DeFries and Janke “Jennie” Mietus. Born with red hair and blue eyes, she learned the value of hard work on her family’s tomato and potato farm.

She is of Dutch descent and treasured the sacrifices her family members made to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and come to America. The traditions and influence of the country’s culture were often intertwined in their lives.

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she later served in the Ogden Temple.

She graduated from Weber High School in 1942. During World War II, she worked at the Ogden Arsenal, making bullets for war. To save her money, she began nursing training in June 1943 and became a Registered Nurse in 1946. During her school days, she walked back to the family farm from Harrison Blvd via the 24th Street Viaduct to help out on the weekends.

During her nursing career, she worked in the operating room of the old St. Benedicts Hospital until Dr. Howard K. Belnap offered her a job in his office. She worked in the office and operated with him until his retirement, during which time she earned a bachelor’s degree from Weber State College. She continued her career as a nurse at Saint Benedict. After she retired, she volunteered at the Ogden Rescue Mission medical clinic on a weekly basis.

She married her sweetheart Ralph “Earl” Weller and had three children: son Brent (Marilyn) and daughters Karen and Colleen (Ken). She has three grandchildren, 2 granddaughters, 4 great-grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters.

Fawn loved painting, gardening, sewing, and fondly remembers the time and place she devoted to her family. There are many expressions she has used that can be attributed to her, such as “many hands do easy work”. She also loved taking care of her lovely Chihuahua Dino.

She leaves behind her daughter Colleen, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her parents preceded her in death: John and Jennie; Husband: Graf; Brothers: Alvin, Darreld and LaMar; Sister: Henreta “Reta”; Son: Brent; Daughter: Karen; and two grandchildren: Todd and Blake.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Gardens Assisted Living Center, who took them under their wing and looked after them during the difficult times of COVID. You would also like to thank the Auberge Memory Care staff for loving them over the last few months of their lives.

A viewing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Harrisville Stake Center 345 W. 1550 N. Harrisville, Utah. Immediately after the visit, an indoor funeral service will take place at the same location from 11:00 a.m. The burial takes place in the Evergreen Cemetery. Fawn’s service will be streamed live on her obituary page on the Myers website www.myers-mortuary.com, where condolences can also be offered to the family.

Published by Myers Mortuary July 24th to July 25th, 2021.

Comments are closed.