Elva Winnifred Rosenlof Orton

Elva Winnifred Rosenlof Orton, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, seamstress, traveler, and woman of unwavering faith, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Elva was born on June 20, 1941, in Mount Pleasant, Utah, to Wallis Parley Rosenlof and Donna Christiansen Rosenlof. She graduated from West High School in 1959, where she was an honor roll student, cheerleader, and dance instructor. Even as a young woman, Elva had a gift for bringing people together. She taught dance classes and organized recitals, sharing her creativity and enthusiasm with others.

That same summer, Elva met the love of her life, Steven Lollin Orton, while they were both working in Bryce Canyon National Park. Their courtship continued when they both attended Brigham Young University that fall. When Steve left to serve a LDS mission in Australia from July 1960 to July 1962, Elva faithfully waited for him while continuing her studies at BYU. Shortly after his return, they were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Manti Utah Temple on September 22, 1962.

Together, Elva and Steve built a remarkable life filled with faith, family, service, adventure, and love. During their lives together, they lived in 16 different homes around the world, creating a lifetime of memories and experiences along the way. Wherever they lived, Elva created a home filled with warmth and hospitality.

Her greatest accomplishment was being a mother. Elva devoted her life to raising and loving her seven children. She was a steady source of encouragement, compassion, wisdom, and unconditional love. She had a remarkable ability to make each family member feel cared for and important, and her children and grandchildren will forever carry the lessons she taught them through the way she lived.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elva gave generously of her time and talents in service to others. She served in numerous church callings, including Stake Relief Society President, Young Women President, Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, and Seminary teacher. She and Steve especially cherished their years serving as temple workers and their opportunity to serve together on four missions for the church.

Elva was also an accomplished seamstress and instructor. She created dozens of beautiful wedding dresses, costumes, quilts, and countless handmade treasures for family and friends. Her creativity was an expression of her love for others, and many of the things she made will remain treasured reminders of her for generations to come.

Elva had a deep love of learning and adventure. In 2003, she returned to BYU to complete her bachelor's degree at the age of 63. She and Steve traveled extensively, visiting more than 15 countries during their retirement. In 2008, they spent a year living in China, where they taught English at Xi’an International Studies University. She embraced new experiences with curiosity and enthusiasm and continued to find joy in learning about people, places, and cultures around the world.

Elva is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Steven, who passed away on September 4, 2017. Their love story, which began in Bryce Canyon more than six decades ago, remained one of the defining joys of her life.

She is survived by her seven children: Brent and his wife, Tara Stanford, of Port St. Lucia, FL; Stephanie and her husband, Andrew Lynch, of Alexandria, VA; Suzy and her husband, Dan Taylor, of Key West, FL; Matthew and his wife, Melissa, of Centerville, UT; Mark Austin and his wife, Emily, of Lehi, UT; Jared of Phoenix, AZ; and Donna and her husband, Drew Rosberg, of Leesburg, VA. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with three additional babies on the way. Her family brought her immense joy and were among the greatest blessings of her life.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the hospice team and the caring staff for the compassion and dignity they gave Elva in her final days. We are also grateful for the many friends she made at Summit Vista and Creekside Assisted Living, whose friendship and companionship brought her great happiness.

Elva will be remembered for her generous heart, her strong faith, her creativity, her adventurous spirit, and above all, her extraordinary love for her family. She spent her life serving, teaching, creating, encouraging, and caring for others. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply and in the countless lives she touched along the way. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Viewing will be held on Friday, Aug 28, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Russon Mortuary located at 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, UT. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Porter Lane 1st LDS Ward located at 435 West 400 South, Centerville, UT. Friends and family are invited to gather from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. to pay their respects at the church prior to the funeral.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory YouTube Channel and on this obituary below.