Elmer Joseph Anderson (1911 – 1992) &

Erma Phyllis Gordon (1914 -1984)

Elmer Joseph Anderson Born: 23 May 1911, Murray, Salt Lake Co, Utah

Died: 11 Feb. 1992, Midvale, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Burial: 15 Feb. 1992, Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Mission: to Sweden. May 1931 Returned Jan. 1934

Married: 3 Apr. 1934, Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Erma Phyllis Gordon Born: 22 Aug 1914, Taylor,Bingham Co.,Idaho

Died: 16 Jun 1984, Midvale, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Burial: 20 Jun 1984, Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Children:

1- Alfred Gordon Anderson Born: 15 Mar 1935, Murray, Salt Lake Co, Utah;

Died: 22 May 2008 Beaufort, Beaufort Co, South Carolina

2- Carol Dee Anderson: Born: 10 Dec 1936, Murray, Salt Lake Co, Utah

3- Joseph Ervin Anderson Born 26 Jan 1941, Richfield, Sevier Co., Utah

4- Erma Elaine Anderson: Born: 15 Apr 1943, Richfield,Sevier Co.,Utah;

Died: 21 Apr 1943, Richfield,Sevier Co.,Utah

5- Vernon Robert Anderson: Born: 18 May 1946, Murray,Salt Lake Co.,Utah

Elmer J. Anderson

Priesthood Ordinations:

Deacon by: Jos. Ahlberg

Teacher by: Evald E Nygren 14 Nov 1926

Priet by Raymond R. Rasmusson 12 Mar. 1929

Elder by Raymond R. Rasmusson 14 Apr. 1931

Seventy by John H. Taylor 25 Mar. 1935

High Priest by Joseph F. Merrill 26 Jun. 1949

Patriarchal Blessing by: John M. Whitaker 20 Apr. 1931

Bishop Murray Fourth Ward: Jun.1949 to Oct 1952 & Nov 1956 to Nov 1957

Elmer Joseph Anderson

Elmer Joseph Anderson was born 23 May 1911, at midnight at his parents’ home in

Murray, Utah (4612 South 2nd West). He is the son of Alfred John Anderson and Anna

Erickson Anderson. He was fifth of eight brothers and sisters. He attended schools in

Murray completing the 8th

Grade. Consistent with the times, as a teenager it was time for

him to go to work and start making a living. When he was about 18, working for his

Uncle’s grocery store in Salt Lake, he meets his future wife, Erma Phyllis Gordon.

At the age of nineteen, Elmer received his mission call to

Sweden, the land of his parent’s birth. During his mission he

worked in Halsingborg, Vasteras and Norrkoping. Brother

Anderson baptized six members to the Church, spent some of

his time translating English to Swedish literature for the

benefit of the mission effort. He was District President of the

mission the last nine months of his service.

Erma Phyllis Gordon

Erma Phyllis Gordon was born 22 Aug 1914 at Taylor, Bingham Co., Idaho. The seventh

child of ten children of Samuel Arthur and Harriet Louisa Meikle Gordon. During her

early life her Father and Mother moved nearly every two years. So she went to several

different schools. Namely--South Jordan, Jackson, Cornish, Whittier, Milford, Beaver,

South Jr. High, Granite High, Henegars Business College.

“While living at 3372 South 11th East the summer

before my sixteenth birthday I met a handsome,

clean young man, whom I'm sure was meant for me.

Elmer Joseph Anderson. I fell completely in love. We

went together for about 8 months. Then he was

called on Mission. While he was away I did

housework in Salt Lake. I moved to Berkeley,

California with one family I worked for and I was

still in California when Elmer came home from his

mission. I came home shortly after he did, when we

were together again we knew we were still in love and so on 3 April 1934 we were married

in the Salt Lake Temple.”

Elmer & Erma went into the grocery business at

11th East and 33rd South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Their first son was born. Alfred Gordon, 15 March,

1935.They did very well there but did not own the

building. The building was sold, about 1935 and the

Andersons moved to Richards St. between 7th and

8th south in Salt Lake City. They operated another

little store. Business wasn't the best, so they

liquidated it all and moved to 39th South and State

Street. Here their first daughter, Carol Dee, was

born 10 December, 1936.

Elmer went to work

for the Clover Leaf

Dairy. He was the

last one to deliver

milk with a horse

and buggy.

<Clover Leaf Dairy

Milk Bottle

EXAMPLE, BUT NOT A CLOVER LEAF DAIRY WAGON

On 18 January of 1938 Erma’s Father died. “This was a great shock and we were very

concerned about our mother so they moved to my mother’s home. We enjoyed being with

our mother at this time, and I hope we took some of the lonely hours away for her.” Elmer

worked as a meat cutter for Safeway. They moved and bought their first home with

Grandpa Anderson's help, financially and with his good wisdom. The home was located at

248 Leslie Ave. in Salt Lake City. Jobs were hard to get, if you got a transfer you just took

it regardless. After living there awhile, Safeway moved them to Provo. Elmer’s brother

Irvin took over the house and they rented in Provo for about a year.

Typical Safeway Store 1940’s

Road Trip to Richfield

About 1940 Elmer was transferred to Richfield, Utah. In

Richfield, they lived at 706 East 2nd North. Elmer was

made manager of the meat department in the Safeway

store. “These were very happy years for us and our

children. Later durin 1940 we were transferred to

Richfield. Our second son Joseph Ervin was born in

Richfield, 26 January, 1941.”

On the 8th of March 1943 they received the, sad news of

Erma’s dear Mother, she died.

One month later on 15 of April, 1943 their sweet baby girl

Erma Elaine was born. She was a beautiful redhead. But

she was only meant to come to earth for a body. She died

20th of April, 1943. She died of a blood disease.

FIND A GRAVE

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=126530

World War II - February of 1944, received the news of Erma’s brother, Vernon W.

Gordon. He had been killed in the Pacific Theater in service of his Country. Soon after in

July 1944 received the news of Elmer’s brother, Neils R. Anderson, had been killed in

France in the service of his Country. These were the sadness’s of Richfield.

They were in Richfield for seven years 1939

to 1946. In 1946 they moved back to Murray,

Utah, at 335 Vine Street. They had their

home built by Luke Morris of Murray. After

the home was built they had a store built,

Murray Park Grocery. The store was

connected to the home. Their last son from

heaven was born at this address. Vernon

Robert was born 18 March, 1946. They ran

the store for about two years. It was pleasant

and our children were happy.

Elmer’s Mother: Anna Erickson Anderson died 13

Dec 1947 at Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah. Then his

Father, Alfred John Anderson died: 19 Sep 1948 at

Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah. At that time the store

was sold, Elmer and family moved to his parents

home, his childhood home, at 4612 So. 2nd

West in

Murray, Utah. Elmer again went to work for

Safeway with whom he was very efficiently

employed for the next 35 years.

Erma spent several years working at J.C. Penny in

Murray during this period.

Bishop Elmer J. Anderson newly formed Murray Fourth Ward: Jun.1949 to Oct 1952 &

Nov 1956 to May 1957

June 1949 Elmer was made

Bishop of a newly organized

ward, Murray 4th Ward. He

served well and the ward grew,

then he was released in Oct.

1952. He served on the High

Council for about a year. Then

was made Bishop of the 4th

Ward again Nov. 1956. He served

this time for about year was

released May 1957. During this

time Erma worked in the M.I.A.,

Primary, Sunday School, and the

Relief Society, also served on the Stake M.I.A. and the Stake Genealogy committee.

In December, 1962 they moved from their

Murray home to 430 Wood St. in Midvale,

Utah. “We bought this home new and

have enjoyed many good times here. We

feel the ward we live in, the Midvale 5th,

is the best in the Church. We have

watched this part of Midvale grow and

grow.”

Elmer worked as Meat Dept. Manager at

‘Safeways’ Midvale store until he retired,

about 1972.

Erma went to work for Jordan School District in 1963, in the kitchen of nearby

Elementary School, cooking the meals for all the children there. Erma’s quote: “it’s hard

work but I like it. I can’t remember when real work was easy.”

Erma stayed active with her Gordon

genealogy work. Between 1961 to 1974 one

project involved locating and installing a

headstone for her Great Great

Grandparents, Foster Gordon & Frances

Hogg.

Elmer Joseph Anderson

"I have known the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints to be the only true

Church, and in a person’s life the only way to live to be really happy. My prayers have

been answered many times and I have felt my Father-in Heaven very close to me several

times. I pray earnestly I can live so I can always know that my problems can be solved

with the Spirit of Christ."

Erma Phyllis Gordon Anderson

“I believe that I have tried to do those things which are right. Making many mistakes.

I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and I'm sure for true happiness it's

the only way to live. Through prayer and with God's help I hope I can continue faithful

until the end.”

Elmer and Erma Anderson celebrated their 50th

Wedding Anniversary on 13 March 1984

Erma Phyllis Gordon Anderson

Passed Away: 16 Jun 1984 at Midvale, Utah

Burial : 20 Jun 1984, at Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Utah

Elmer Joseph Anderson

Passed Away: 11 Feb 1992 at Midvale, Utah

Burial: 15 Feb 1992, at Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Utah

Elmer J Anderson, "United States Census, 1940" https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VT4C-5VZ

event: Census event year: 1940

name: Elmer J Anderson

event place: Ward 1, Provo, Provo Election Precinct, Utah, Utah, United States

gender: Male age: 28 marital status: Married race (standardized): White

relationship to head of household (standardized): Head

birthplace: Utah estimated birth year: 1912 residence in 1935: Salt Lake, Utah

Household Gender Age Birthplace

head Elmer J Anderson M 28 Utah

wife Erma G Anderson F 24 Idaho

son Alfred G Anderson M 5 Utah

daughter Carol D Anderson F 3 Utah

Elmer J. Anderson – Obituary Deseret News Feb. 13 1992 http://www.deseretnews.com/article/209704/DEATH--ELMER-ANDY-ANDERSON.html?pg=all

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-

bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Anderson&GSfn=Elmer&GSby=1911&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1992&GSdyrel=i

n&GSst=47&GScnty=2791&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=36234&df=all&

Elmer Joseph "Andy" Anderson

Birth: May 23, 1911, Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah

Death: Feb. 11, 1992, Midvale, Salt Lake County, Utah

Burial: Murray City Cemetery Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah

Plot: 08 094 5

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49906

Erma Phyllis Gordon Anderson Birth: Aug. 22, 1914, Bingham County, Idaho

Death: Jun. 16, 1984, Midvale, Salt Lake County, Utah

Burial: Murray City Cemetery Murray. Salt Lake County, Utah

Plot: 08 094 5

Your tombstone stands neglected and alone.

The name and date are chiseled out on polished, marbled stone.

It reaches out to all who care. It is too late to mourn.

You did not know that I exist. You died and I was born.

Yet each of us are cells of you in flesh, in blood, in bone.

Our heart contracts and beats a pulse entirely not our own.

Dear Ancestor, the place you filled so many years ago.

Spreads out among the ones you left who would have loved you so.

I wonder as you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew

That someday I would find this spot and come to visit you.

Elmer Joseph Anderson

L to R: Ruth (front) Irvin (back)

L to R: Viola, Elsa (back) Elmer (Front) Elsa(sitting) Harry (in Elsa lap)

Irvin (back) Ruth (front) Elmer (front) Viola (back)

1912 1914

Back Ruth & R. Hall Back: Ruth, Elmer

Front: M Forsberg, B Blazard, Elmer A. Front: Harry, Milton

1920-21 1923-24

Erma Phyllis Gordon

Jim (back) Hattie holding Vera 1919 Erma P. & Vern Gordon

Vern, Hazel & Roy- Erma in chair

1924 Vera & Erma Gordon 1928-29 1930

1931

1931 Weekend before Elmer leaves for Swedish Mission

About the time 1931 Mission

Elmer meet Erma

Just Married Our 1st Car

Our 1st Store and 1st Child

1939 to Richfield

1939 1941

1942 1943 Visit Mother Gordon

1944 Visit Anderson Grandparents Our Street Richfield

1944

1946- Vine Street, Murray Park Grocery

4612 So 2nd

West, Murray, Utah

Front Yard Back Porch

Front Porch Honeysuckle Bush

Bishop: Murray Fourth Ward:

Jun.1949 to Oct 1952 & Nov 1956 to May 1957

Bishoprics

1959 – 25

th Anniversary 1960

1962 – 430 Wood St. Midvale, Utah 1965

1970 – 1975

50th

Anniversary 1984

1991 Elmer Age 80