Delna B. Knighton

Delna Bernice Burtenshaw Knighton passed away on April 29, 2024, at the age of 94 in Layton, Utah. Delna leaves behind a legacy of service, family, and love. She was born on July 6, 1929, in Bluewater, New Mexico to her parents, Erastus Burtenshaw and Bernice Adalia Mortensen Burtenshaw.

Delna grew up in Blanding, Utah with her parents, two brothers, and eight sisters. She graduated from San Juan High, class of 1947. After graduating from high school Delna attended LDS Business College for nine months and then moved to New York City where her sister Nina was living. While there she met her future husband.

Delna married Parley King Knighton on July 14, 1950, in the Logan temple for time and all eternity. Parley was in the Air Force and so they would spend the next 18 years moving from base to base. Delna and Parley lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Wayne was born. Riverside, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Raymond, Gary, and Don were born. Azores, Portugal, where Joyce was born. Bossier City, Louisiana, where Lynda was born. San Angelo, Texas where Ruth was born. In 1968, Parley was medically discharged from the Air Force and the family moved to Logan, Utah where Sharon was born and the next year to Providence, Utah where Donna was born. Delna was widowed in 1975 and lived and raised her family in Providence for the next 44 years. She moved to Layton, Utah to live with Lynda in her home and spent the last 5 years of her life there.

Delna had nine children. Four boys: Wayne Elliot Knighton, Raymond Eugene Knighton, Gary Edward Knighton, Don Ellis Knighton and five daughters: Joyce Elaine Knighton Casella, Lynda Eileen Knighton Clark, Ruth Ellen Knighton Harper, Sharon Elizabeth Knighton Hardman, Donna Erlene Knighton.

She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Delna loved the church and had a tremendous faith in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. She exemplified the meaning of charity, compassion, and service. She went about the Lord’s work in a quiet way, never seeking or calling attention to herself. She came from a long line of pioneers, and she was a member of the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Delna had two passions, her family and books. She loved to read and encouraged many others to find that same love. So, it’s no surprise that she worked at the Book Table in Logan for 20 years. Her greatest passion is her family. She was the first person to be on board with any kind of family get together. She loved our family reunions and was constantly reminding us of the importance of family. She wanted to make sure that we continued having family reunions even after she was gone.

Delna is survived by her sister Nina Wood, three sons, Raymond (Kathy) Knighton, Gary (Kellie) Knighton, Don Knighton and five daughters, Joyce Casella, Lynda (Jay) Clark, Ruth (Bob) Harper, Sharon (Darren) Hardman, Donna Knighton. 40 grandchildren, 98 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband Parley K. Knighton, her son Wayne E. Knighton, her parents, Erastus and Bernice Burtenshaw, seven sisters, Zona Smith, Veva Barrett, Vera Camberlango, Afton Montella, Jescile Burtenshaw, Dorothy Lee Hancock, Frankie Swonson and two brothers, Farron Burtenshaw and Devon Burtenshaw.

Services will be held Friday, May 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Dawson Hollow Ward Building on Evergreen Lane (turn North off East Cherry Lane) Layton, Utah. Friends and family may visit from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

Interment will take place at the Bountiful City Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

Special thanks to Alta Hospice and a very special thank you to Stephanie, her nurse.