Elsie Lewis Sperry, 99, passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Elsie was born
March 15, 1919 in St. John, Idaho to Thomas J and Martha Thomas Lewis. As a girl,
Elsie was her father's "right hand man" on the farm where she learned to drive a
team of horses, stack hay, and milk cows. The love of animals and hard work,
learned on the farm, stayed with her for life.
Elsie attended Malad High School graduating in 1937. She then moved to Ogden,
Utah to work at Quinn Garment Factory. During WW II she became an inspector at
the Ogden Arsenal Depot making tank shells for Patton Tanks. Later, Elsie and her
sister Verna moved to Portland, Oregon were they worked building Liberty ships.
She married Wallace J. Sperry June 7, 1947 in Malad, ID. They were later sealed in
the Logan LDS Temple. The couple moved to Garland, Utah where Elsie worked at
the Ford dealership and raised their children Martha Kay (Marriott) and Craig. In
1968, Elsie went into business with her brother Boyd Lewis operating Lewis Sperry
Ford in Malad, Idaho until she retired in 1986. Elsie came out of retirement in 1991
to work a few days a week at the Forest Service Office in Malad, Idaho retiring at
age 84 in 2003.
Elsie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served
as a stake and ward librarian for more than 20 years. Elsie and Pearl Jones were
called while in their mid 80's as Stake Missionary companions and made many
visits sharing their testimonies of Jesus Christ.
Elsie loved her family with all her heart. She planned many parties and sleepovers
where buttermilk pancakes were the staple for breakfast. Her family learned to
work by her side while trimming trees, mowing lawns, and playing in the creek at
the Canyon home "Wit's End".
Elsie is survived by her daughter-in-law LaRee (Craig) Sperry, Todd (Summer)
Marriott, Michele (Phillip) Taylor, Ryan (Kaylene) Marriott, Jason (Jennifer) Sperry,
Michael (Camille) Sperry, Megan Sperry, Ashley (Kade) Price. 30 great grand
children and three great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her
parents, six siblings, her husband Wallace, daughter Marty Kay Marriott, son-in-
law William Marriott, and son Craig L. Sperry.
A special thanks to Heritage Home in Preston and Access Hospice for their love, care, and service to our grandmother.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 27, 2018 at 12:00 Noon in the
Malad LDS 7th Ward Chapel, 400 North 200 West, Malad, Idaho. Friends may visit
with the family on Monday from 10:00 - 11:30 am at the funeral home prior to the
service. Burial will follow in the St. John cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under
the direction of the Horsley Funeral Home.