Alice "Charlene" Gurganious

Alice “Charlene” McElyea Gurganious passed away June 17, 2024, 1 day following her 82nd birthday, surrounded by family. She was born June 16, 1942 to Charlie and Sheila McElyea in Malad, Idaho. She grew up in Layton, Utah and graduated from Davis High School where she was voted having the prettiest hands and feet. She spent many years working at the Davis Drive-In in Layton along with her parents and children. She later returned to school in California where she obtained her degree in Childhood Development and was a Director at Conley Preschool for many years. She spent 25 years living in St. George where she managed Burger Kings and also worked at Michaels craft store where she made many lifelong friends. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, crafting and Search-A-Words. She loved going on lunch dates with Bart and Crystal to Arby’s and going for drives. She especially enjoyed diet coke, pop tarts, chocolate and firemen. In the last 4 years of her life, she moved back to Northern Utah to be closer to her children. The family would like to thank Family Tree Assisted Living, Country Pines Memory Care and Independence Hospice for their compassion and loving care.

Charlene is survived by her brother Bart (Crystal) McElyea, her children Jodi (Wade) Nuffer, Shelly (James) Gronwald, Neatha Greener, Lance (Jennifer) Greener, Amber (Shane) Simmons and Cari Adams (Trevor), 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at Russon Mortuary 1585 West 300 South, Syracuse Utah on Saturday, June 22nd at 11:00 am with a viewing Friday, June 21 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and one hour prior to the services! Interment at the Malad City Cemetery, Malad Idaho. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.