Lela Edwards Orton passed away June 22, 2022, at Elk Ridge, Utah, to be with her sweetheart, Jay. She was born January 26, 1925, in Milford, Utah, to Mervin L. Edwards and Florence Clothier Edwards. Her mother passed away when mom was 24 years old and she longed to see her mother after 73 years of separation. Her husband of 67 years, Howard Jay Orton passed away in 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents ; her sisters, Mary Glover and Lois Bohn; her son-in-law, John Roger Ottesen; her grandsons, Tad J. Carlson, Jeremy Jay Judd, and Thomas Joshua Judd; and her great-grandson, Skyler Hardee.
Mom grew up in the small town of Minersville, Utah. She was the 7th of 9 children and the 2nd to survive infancy. She moved to Minersville with her parents and two sisters in 1931 and attended Jr. High and High school there. She was a baton twirler in her high school band. It was in Fillmore, Utah, at a music festival that this beautiful young lady caught the eye of Jay Orton, a handsome lad from Parowan, Utah. 
They were married in Minersville, Utah on June 28, 1941 and sealed in the Manti Temple on December 8, 1954. While Dad was in Europe during World War II, mom lived in Parowan, Utah, with their daughter, Linda. Following his return, they settled in Spanish Fork, Utah, where they raised their four children. She worked for JC Penney Company, on Spanish Fork Main Street for 18 years. Mom loved the gospel and her Savior. One of her favorite callings was Stake Primary President. She and Dad served a mission to Louisiana Baton Rouge from May 1986 to May 1987. She describes herself as the “keeping memories alive lady.” She compiled, through pictures and word 36 books of our family history. She loved family history and left many memories for her posterity. She was lovingly cared for in the twilight of life by Elk Ridge Assisted Living. The family extends our heartfelt love and appreciation to Chris Hermansen and the Elk Ridge staff.
Mom is survived by her children: Linda (Bill) Boggess of Fillmore, Utah; Carolyn (Randy) Judd of Santa Clara, Utah; Gloria (John, deceased) Ottesen of Eagle Mountain, Utah; Sheldon (Nancy) Orton of Cupertino, California; 20 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and 10 great great-grandchildren.
A family service will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660. A family viewing will be held from 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home prior to services. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork Cemetery next to her sweetheart Jay.
TO VIEW THE SERVICES VIA LIVESTREAM, PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE A FEW MINUTES PRIOR TO SERVICES BEGINNING AT 11:00 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022 AND CLICK ON THE VIDEO LINK BELOW.
4 Condolences for Lela Edwards Orton
Condolences(4)
Needs Christensen says
June 26, 2022 at 3:49 pmPlease accept my condolences. It is always so hard to loose your Mommy, no matter how old they are. Our families had some great times together there in Little Chicago. Love you all. Nedra
Wendy Pope says
June 27, 2022 at 10:18 pmI want to pay tribute to my dear friend Lela. My husband, Lee, was called to serve as the Branch President and I was called to serve as R. S. President at the Elk Ridge Assisted Living Center. We served there for 3 1/2 years and were just recently released. We and all members of our presidencies quickly fell in love with Lela. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was so witty. She often shared her strong testimony with all of us and constantly reminded us of just how blessed we all were to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
She would often delight us with stories of her childhood. She told of her Grandfather sitting and reading the scriptures to her under the old apple tree and he would conclude by saying “And by Golly Girl, it’s TRUE “
Lela always made us laugh whenever we asked her how she was, she would say, “If I felt any better I’d hurt all over” or “Well my dad always told me that if you complain you lose your audience.”
We all thought of her as the “Queen “ of the Care Center. She loved attending all of her church meetings and the temple. Even though many times she was in quite a bit of discomfort, she insisted on being there to worship with us.
Her positive, spunky personality made her so fun to talk to and she always showed gratitude for any help she received and all her blessings.
Thank you Lela for all you taught us and for your love and friendship.
We will love you forever❣️
Wendy Pope
Suzee Evans Anderson says
June 29, 2022 at 2:30 amOne of the most influential women in my life. I love Lela and will cherish all she taught me. She truly was an angel.
Lenore Petersen says
June 29, 2022 at 2:30 pmI want to send all my love to all of my dear friends the Orton family. It’s hard to say goodbye to your sweet Mom. I wanted to share a memory I have of her. Back in 1974 I lost a baby daughter right shortly after her birth. Your mom brought my family a yummy pork chop dinner I can still remember how good it tasted. I truly felt her love that day but it wasn’t until your father passed away and I learned that your mom had also lost a baby of her own that I really understood why I felt so much love so many years ago. Your Mom had a long good life and shared her love throughout the many years even until the end. May the Lord bless and comfort you all until you meet again.
Send Flowers
Sympathy Arrangements
Wreaths and Standing Arrangements
Casket and Family Flowers
Print Obituary