Elva Godfrey Ravsten died at the age of 102, Tuesday March 16, 2010 at the home of her daughter in North Ogden.
She was born November 7th, 1907 in Clarkston Utah, the 4th child of John Morris Godfrey and Priscilla Buttars Godfrey. She married her eternal companion, J. Byron Ravsten on June 6th, 1928 in the Logan LDS Temple.
She is survived by her children: John Norman (Frances) Ravsten, Clarkston Ut., Diann R. Griffiths (Michael), North Ogden UT., Stephen Ravsten (Linda) Dallas Tx.; 15 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, Verl Godfrey of Clarkston and one sister, Elsie Welling of Fielding, Ut.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, J. Morris Godfrey Jr., LaRue Godfrey, and Nathan Godfrey; two sisters Sarah Clark and Cora Godfrey and one grandson, Stanley Ravsten Griffiths.
Elva was born and lived her life on the farm. She knew the value of hard work and found great joy in keeping her garden growing and yard full of flowers. Her husband and children were her greatest joy. She loved them all very much and would sacrifice all her time for them. She served lovingly beside her husband as he served in various positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Bishop and Stake President, Southern States Mission President 1959-1964 and Resident Manager of the Nauvoo Restoration 1964-1971. She and Byron provided a legacy of service and example to their church and community. She served as judge of election in both Clarkston and Nauvoo. She loved to sing and did so in the ward choir and with Bessie Griffin at many funerals through out Cache Valley. After the passing of her husband, she served over eight years in the Logan and Ogden LDS temples as an ordinance worker. Grandma loved it when anyone visited and she always had a special treat for them when they did. She loved to be the hostess. Elva loved to sew and crochet and made many beautiful dresses, quilts and afghans for her children and grandchildren. She survived cancer in her early 30’s and supported the Duke University and the Cache County Memory and Aging Studies in her late 90’s. In her 103rd year she was still crocheting various things for her grandchildren. We will always remember her and how much she loved us.
The family would like to give special thanks Diann and Mike and to the many nurses at Loves Hospice (Michelle, Belinda, Danny, Jason and Emily) who took care of her in her last years and days on this earth.
We love you Grandma! Your legacy will live on in us!
Funeral Services will be held at the Clarkston 1st Ward Church on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM. A viewing will be held prior to services from 12:00 to 1:30 PM at the church. Burial will be in the Clarkston Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.allenmortuaries.net