Beth Parish Ward

ELBA – Beth Parish Ward, age 93, of Elba, died Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, at Highland Estates Assisted Living in Burley.

She was born on Dec. 23, 1919, the second child born to Asel Bryan and Sarah Ethel Rich Parish. She had three siblings, Merrill, Archie, and Melba, who all preceded her in death. She married Art M. Ward on Dec. 13, 1937, in Brigham City, Utah. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on Sept. 6, 1939.

They were super parents to three children, Paul A, Joyce, and Carol. She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Carol; her parents; as well as all of her siblings. Her eight grandchildren adored her, as did her 16 great-grandchildren.

She was very active in the LDS Church where she served in most of the auxiliaries. She was a stake Sunday school teacher, Mutual president (three times), a Sunday school teacher, where she loved the kids she taught, a counselor to four Relief Society presidents, and then became president where she served many years. She was also very active in the community. She was one of the two women who raised the money to build the cinder-block building that is now at the park. She was the secretary of the park committee where she made the reservations for people to use the park.

She worked hard all her life, inside and outside of her home. She worked for years at the Cassia National Bank, where she drove through many blizzards to get there. Since she was the first one there every morning, she was given a key to the bank. Later, she worked for Raft River Electric until ill health forced her to quit.

Fall was her favorite time of the year because she loved the calm and warmth of the season. She also loved to watch the leaves on the trees change color – especially when she could look out her kitchen window and watch the deer who frequented the orchard. She also liked to tromp the hills. We don’t think she ever shot a deer. Her dad would see a deer and start to hand her the gun, but she never had a chance to shoot. It didn’t bother her because it was being in the hills around Elba which she loved very much.

She will be sadly missed by those she left behind, but we’re sure she’s happy to be united with those who preceded her in death.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Elba LDS Church with Bishop Thomas Ottley officiating. Burial will be in the Grand View Cemetery in Elba.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.