Born June 22, 1917 at Daniels, Idaho to Minnie and Felix Feller. She was the oldest of five children. She attended elementary and middle school in Weston, Idaho. In high school, she played forward on a girls basketball team even though she was only 4′ 10″. Continuously excelling in school, she graduated as valedictorian of Weston High in 1935. After high school she attended Henager Business College on a scholarship while working as a nanny to several families. She began a relationship with Tom Egbert after his return from his mission in Oklahoma; they married in Nov. of 1936. As a hardworking team they raised four children and ran several businesses. First a dairy, then a men’s clothing store, and later Tom’s Confectionary. After the confectionary burned twice in one year, they regrouped and went to Brighton Canyon and opened Uncle Tom’s cabin, a restaurant at Silverfork which eventually became Silverfork Lodge.
After selling their business, Dad went to work for Wolf’s Sporting Goods and Mom became one of the most successful seamstresses in Salt Lake City. She designed and created hundreds of wedding dresses, frequently making dresses for several generations of brides in some families. Often she would make all the dresses for several weddings, as many as 12-18 in many cases. In the 90’s, she did alterations for Scruples, a high end boutique in Holladay. She became the go to person for many patrons who knew Elva could do any type of alteration. Costumers would repeatedly buy an item several sizes too big and on sale knowing she could make it work.
One summer she helped the Navy make a glove for a mechanical hand designed for an underwater vehicle they were building
Throughout the years, she continued doing some alterations for people until her eyesight began to fail. However, she continued to crochet hundreds of Afghans, make quilts, weave rag rugs, and work in her yard until her stroke at 94. In addition, she assisted several widowed neighbors with their affairs for years as she continued to remain as quick witted and sharp as a tack until the end.
She was a really remarkable person, wife and mother. She inspired many with her love and generosity and her infectious laughter will be greatly missed by all.
She passed on Monday, April 8th, 2013, leaving four children, 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren:
Beverly Christensen, Piano, TX children, David Christensen/Garland TX , Brett Christensen/Pleasanton, CA, Sally Garcia/ Allen, TX, Laura Gilliam Allen, TX James Egbert, Soda Springs, ID, children, Major James Egbert/San Antonio, TX, Troy Egbert/ Houston, TX, Cindy Sasso/Phoenix, AZ, Lee Egbert/ Minneapolis, MN
Steven Egbert, Nephi, Utah, children, Steve Lindsey/Golden Colorado, Sunny Ledding/ Valerie Henson (deceased) children, Mike Henson/ Brooks Bernard. Funeral Services will be held, Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Cottonwood 4th Ward, 5565 South Neighbor Lane (1610 E) at Noon. Friends and family may call Friday, April 19, 2013 at the Holladay-Cottonwood Memorial Mortuary, 4670 S Highland Drive from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Holladay Memorial Park