Elmer Fred Ellsworth

Elmer Fred Ellsworth, 90 of Lewisville passed away on January 20, 2018 from heart failure surrounded by his loving family.  Elmer was born on July 17, 1927 in Lewisville to Preston Blair Ellsworth and Edna Boyes Walker Ellsworth.  He was the eighth of nine children.  He attended schools in Lewisville and Midway. He graduated from Midway High School in 1941.  He studied Agriculture at Utah State University.  In 1946 he married Lila (Beth) Christensen, of Grant, in the Idaho LDS Temple.  She passed from breast cancer October 15, 1966, leaving him to raise 5 children on his own.   He served in the United States Navy in WWII. He served on the Lewisville town counsel as well as Mayor for 12 years.   He was fire commissioner.  He served as a counselor to Bishop Tolman in the Lewisville ward as well as Bishop Lazalde in the Spanish Branch and countless other church callings.  He said over and over, his greatest achievement and joy is his family. In 1958 he was asked to coach a softball team taking them to win a championship.  In his own words, "It turned into one of my choice memories and an outstanding event in my life."   He was proud of his pioneer heritage and the posterity he created. Elmer married Araceli (Sally) Martinez along with her 3 children, on April 23, 1982. They were blessed with 4 more and were all sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS temple in October of 1989. They were married for 31 years when her life was cut short by breast cancer. Elmer was a great business man and rancher. He was in the potato industry for over 50 years.  He owned his own potato warehouse where he famously sold fresh produce.   In his retirement he became quite the cook.  He was recognized for his delicious fudge and jams. He enjoyed cooking sweets and was a forever sweet tooth.   Elmer is survived by his 12 children; Mardene (Bill) Collins, Maureen (Paul) Saurey, George (Debbie) Ellsworth, Kevin (Gina) Ellsworth, Kent Ellsworth, Monica (Gerardo) Lazalde, Fred (Jenny) Martinez, Willy Martinez, Brent (Katie) Ellsworth, Amy (Josh) Woodard, Crystal (Chris) Edwards, Brenda (Gabriel) Arteaga, 35 grandchildren and 34 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wives, Beth and Araceli, his parents Preston and Edna, siblings Blair, Steven, George, James, Oscar, Marjorie, Edna, and Dorothy and a great-grandchild Justin Saurey. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lewisville L.D.S. Church.  The family will visit with friends on Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and prior to the service on Saturday from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. both at the church.  Burial will be in the Lewisville Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.