Elma Emery

Our wonderful angel, Elma Miner Emery, passed peacefully in her home on April 25, 2015; she went home to be with her Heavenly parents, her husband, David Hughes Emery, her earthly parents and her seven brothers and sisters who preceded her in death. Elma was born July 10, 1923, to Charles “D” and Elmina Johnson Miner in Salem, Utah, the fifth of eleven children.
Elma grew up in Salem and had eight special childhood friends—together they called themselves the “Nifty Nine.” They stayed close and remained lifelong friends, getting together whenever they could. This unique group was featured on KSL TV. There are only two of the nine remaining now.
Elma graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1941. During World War II she was a Junior Aircraft Painter at Hill Air Force Base. She lived in Salt Lake, working and living with friends. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Spanish American Mission covering Texas and New Mexico, where she grew to love the Hispanic people and to speak fluent Spanish. She attended mission reunions for over 50 years. College years included attendance at Brigham Young University and Utah State Agricultural College. Following her mission she graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Education. She taught in elementary schools located in Utah, Moses Lake, WA and Honolulu, HI. While teaching in Washington she cared for her sister Faye’s eight children while Faye completed her degree in order to support her family.
She met her eternal companion, Dave, on a blind date; they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 7, 1970. They were a very happy couple and people enjoyed their company. After Dave’s medical retirement from Hill Air Force Base in 1989, she cared for him until he passed away in 1991.
Service and religious faith were hallmarks of Elma’s life. She served in many church callings, mainly in the Primary, Young Women and Relief Society organizations, including as President of the Relief Society. She served the Daughters of Utah Pioneers as Captain, and she and Dave volunteered in schools to teach children to read. Elma also enjoyed touring the Holy Land with her friend Margie Twitchell and sister Dorothy Malmgren.
Everyone who knew Elma adored her. Her sweet spirit touched everyone she was around. She will be greatly missed by her large family and many friends. She is survived by her brother Lewis C. Miner (Doris), and two sisters, Elaine M. Densley, Salt Lake City, UT and Dorothy M. Malmgren, Clearfield, UT.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Belvedere Ward Chapel, 607 E. Downington Ave. (1830 South), Salt Lake City, Utah, followed by interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. A viewing will be held Thursday evening, April 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Deseret Mortuary, 36 E. 700 So., Salt Lake City, Utah and Friday morning one hour prior to the funeral service.