Elbert James Sweeten Sr.

Elbert James Sweeten Sr. (92) loving husband, father, grandfather and dear friend passed away peacefully at his home in Malad in the early morning hours of March 30, 2017. Dad was born February 18, 1925 in Holbrook, Idaho to Colen Hagle and Mary Ann Casper Sweeten. He was the 5th of 11 children. He attended school in Holbrook and Malad where he was studentbody president his senior year. After graduating, he joined the US Navy and served on a minesweeper in the Pacific during World War II. He returned home and served a two year mission for the LDS Church in the Northwestern States Mission which included Canada and Alaska. Upon completion of his mission, he met Margaret Fay Brownlee. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on his birthday, February 18, 1949 and were blessed with four children. They made their home in Holbrook on the family farm where he farmed with his father and brothers. He loved the farm, his family, and horses. He always had a story to tell about them. He never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went, always willing to lend a helping hand and be of service to others. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in numerous callings, which included the Bishopric of the Malad 2nd ward and Holbrook ward. Dad built a home in Pleasant View, Idaho and worked several years at the Bear River Gun Club in Brigham City, Utah. Later he opened a Real Estate/Insurance office in Malad with his brother, Lloyd. Dad married Harriett Joyce Waite Woods on September 30, 1976, and gained four step-children. She preceded him in death on April 12, 2013. He is survived by his four children, Sherrie (Dennis) Evans, Malad, Idaho; Elbert James Jr (Una), Richmond, Utah; Marsha Russell (Roy Shepherd), Clinton, Utah and Denver Keith (Lucinda), Malad, Idaho, as well as his four stepchildren, Mary Dale O’Donnell, William Waite Woods ( Shauna), Debra Patterson, & Roxanne (Shawn) Hadfield and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also, surviving him are his siblings, Garth G. Sweeten, Cecil C. Sweeten and Fay Sweeten Cottle. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 5 at 12 noon in the Malad LDS Stake Chapel, 1250 N. 1100 W. Friends may visit with the family at the church Tuesday evening from 6-7 p.m. and Wednesday from 10-11:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Malad Cemetery.