Elaine West Burnham, our loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend returned to her Father in Heaven on April 3, 2024, from natural causes. She was born in Spanish Fork, Utah to James and Rheuama (Allan) West on March 24, 1939, and grew up in Palmyra on the family farm. She was the second of seven living children, five brothers and one sister. She did her share of work on the farm like weeding and thinning sugar beets. She even caught a calf during the annual calf scramble at the Utah State Jr. Livestock Show. Later, she was happy to relinquish some farm work when her younger brothers were old enough. She preferred to spend time working with her mother and practicing the piano.
Elaine graduated from Spanish Fork High School and attended Utah State University on a 4-year music scholarship. She graduated from Utah State with a degree in Elementary Education. She met her eternal companion, Kenneth E. Burnham at Utah State, and they were married in the Logan Temple on September 15, 1960. Marriage was just the beginning of a great adventure together. They made their home in Logan (Utah), Western Samoa, Fillmore (Utah), New Zealand, Vernal (Utah), Cleveland (Idaho), and Palmyra (Utah), a place she dearly loved next to her mom and dad. They raised six children, two daughters and four sons. She loved her children and would do anything for them.
Elaine was by profession a teacher. She taught first grade at Lake Shore Elementary followed by Brockbank Elementary until her retirement. Several grandchildren, nephews and nieces had the privilege of her great teaching skill and love. Even now, students thank her.
Elaine was a very accomplished pianist and organist. She began piano lessons at age nine and was the ward organist at age 12. She inspired many with her musical talents and amazed many more with her ability to play by ear. One of those inspired is her eternal companion. He knew she would be his loving companion when he first heard her play “Autumn Leaves.” Elaine was a 4-H leader, a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and an undeniable BYU and Utah Jazz fan.
Elaine and Ken were committed to their children and their grandchildren. Every Christmas, her children, and grandchildren looked forward to the annual ornaments she would carefully handcraft even until her last Christmas. Elaine rarely missed sporting events, performances, recitals, or shows that involved her children or grandchildren.
Elaine has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she lived it. She served as a Ward Primary President, Temple Worker, Ward Organist, Relief Society Teacher, and other callings, many involving music. She loved serving with her husband as a senior CES missionaries locally. More importantly, she was kind, loving, never spoke ill will of anyone, and filled her life with acts of Christian service.
Elaine is survived by her husband of 63 years, Kenneth E. Burnham, and her children Corinne (Derek) Stephens of Spanish Fork Utah, Rhett (Heidi) Burnham of Highland Utah, Rachelle (Jared) Orton of Spanish Fork Utah, Adrian (Kerry) Burnham of Payson Utah, Auri (Melanie) Burnham of Lehi Utah, Andre’ (Annie) Burnham of Springville Utah, four brothers, one sister, 19 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren whom she adores.
A viewing will be held at the Palmyra Church at 1866 W. 5000 S., Spanish Fork, Utah on Friday, April 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. also at the Palmyra Church. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Spanish Fork Cemetery.
We want to express our gratitude to the staff at Mountain View Hospital, and Enhabit Health and Hospice for their wonderful care and love for Elaine.
3 Condolences for Elaine West Burnham
Condolences(3)
Rochelle says
April 7, 2024 at 2:11 amAunt Elaine, what a sweet and honorable lady… such a powerful example. Thank you. . Blessings and prayers for your family in this brief absence.
Wendy Pope says
April 9, 2024 at 6:46 pmElaine is an example we could all aspire to be like, so kind and thoughtful, soft spoken and agreeable, a true follower of Christ.
May the Comforter be ever near you as you think of her and all the sweet memories you have with her. There are so many wonderful people on the other side that have been waiting to embrace her and feel of her love once again. May you continue to feel her love still here with you always.
Diana Roach Clark says
April 13, 2024 at 4:11 amElaine was such a sweet, kind, and wonderful lady, teacher, neighbor, and friend. I had the privelage to grow up just up the road from Ken and her in Palmyra for nearly 15 years and am so grateful to have known and been blessed to have her in my life and as an extra ray of light and goodness. Sister Burnham dearly loved her family and Savior. My sister was in her class at Brockbank and always said she was the best first grade teacher ever. I remember her always giving us fun holiday pencil and erasers when we trick-or-treated her house, always greeting us at church with a warm smile and hug, and blessing us week after week with beautiful piano and organ music. Elaine was so gifted at these instruments and so willing to share her talent to benefit the ward and others. She was always so humble about her music talent which further impressed me. Her light, music, smile, and positive influence will be so missed in this world as she has gone on to bless those on the other side. To her dear husband Ken and kind family I am so sorry for your loss and hope you find peace in knowing she has blessed so many during her time here and will be remembered by myself and so many others.