Marlene Grua

Marlene Elmer Grua

December 2, 1944 ~ June 28, 2017

Marlene Elmer Grua, 72, passed away on June 28, 2017 having lived a faithful and exemplary life. She suffered from a number of illnesses including eight strokes which left her paralyzed on one side.  She was a model of faith and endurance and was admired by many people for her kindness and love.

She was born on December 2, 1944 in Ogden, the daughter of George Wilford and Melva LaRee Jessop Elmer.  She grew up in Marriott and had many fond memories of her life on the small family farm, including driving the tractor at age five.

Marlene graduated from Weber High School in 1963.  She graduated from Weber State College in 1967 with a degree in Sociology.

She worked in some of Ogden’s finest department stores and also was an elevator operator in the First Security Bank building. That is where she met her future husband, Roger Grua, who was delivering supplies from a local pharmacy to several doctors’ offices. They were married in the White House reception center on July 1, 1969. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Ogden Temple.

Shortly after marriage she and Roger moved to Chicago, Illinois while Roger attended dental school.  After five years in Chicago they returned to Ogden in August of 1974 where Roger began his dental practice.

She was a faithful Latter-day Saint and served in several callings in the LDS Church. Her favorite was the Nursery Leader. She loved little children and will miss her grandchildren greatly. She was also fully supportive of her husband in his church positions and liked helping him prepare Patriarchal blessings.  She served for six years as a service missionary in the Salt Lake Family History Library where she helped many patrons and was loved by all.

She was active in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, serving in several positions. In 2008 she was selected as an attendant in the DUP Pioneer Days royalty.

Marlene enjoyed needlework, family history, cooking, sewing, and clipping coupons. She was known for giving service and provided rides and companionship to several disabled or disadvantaged people. She taught her children to visit people just because they needed a visit and to leave flowers on the graves of those who no longer had family. She wrote thank you notes for as long as she was able, even when her strokes made it difficult for her to write. She touched many lives for good and was an example of a righteous Christian woman.

She was a devoted wife and mother putting her own life at risk to bear her three children. Family was everything to her and she loved participating in family activities. She supported her husband and children in all they did.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Joseph and Douglas.  She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Roger Grua, her three children, Angela (Rick) Flamm, Natalie (Matt) Garrett and Paul (Melissa) Grua and thirteen grandchildren. She is also survived by six siblings: Georgia, Wendell, Raylene, Barbara, Donald and James.

We express profound gratitude to the many people who helped Marlene during the 15 years she lived with the effects of her strokes.  So many have given so much and we cannot thank you enough for your kindness and Christian service.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Burch Creek 2nd Ward Chapel, 5161 South 1300 East, South Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.