Elma Pledge Northrop

Elma Pledge Northrop passed away at Legacy House in Logan on August 8, 2009 at the age of 75 after a two year battle with cancer. Elma was the 5th of 10 children born to Agnes and Bernard Friesen in Altona, Manitoba on May 3rd, 1934. She grew up in Canada helping on the family farm milking cows, stacking hay and picking sugar beets. She left home at the age of 17 to work in Vancouver, British Columbia. She met John Jack Henry Pledge through the family that she worked for and fell in love with him and his two children, Jackie and Lloyd. Jack and Elma were married on June 1, 1952 in her mother�s flower garden in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Jack and Elma later moved to California. There she had a daughter, Mae. Although she was raised as a Mennonite, Elma learned of the LDS Church from friends in her new neighborhood. She joined the church in 1962 and has served faithfully in the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary. Elma was always known in the Young Women�s as �Mom Pledge� by both the young women and the young men because of the genuine care and concern she felt for all of them. In later years, after being widowed for many years, she married Joseph Northrop on April 29, 1995 in the Los Angeles Temple. Joseph and Elma served together in the Santo Domingo Mission in the Dominican Republic. She loved the people there and could communicate with her heart if not so well with words. She also worked as an ordinance worker in the Los Angeles Temple for a time. Although family circumstances did not allow her to finish school past the 8th grade, Elma valued education and earned her G.E.D., became an E.M.T., nurses aide and later took computer and public speaking classes to upgrade her employment. She even took pottery classes for the fun and challenge. Elma has worked as a nurses aide, PBX operator and news room receptionist for ABC, medical staff coordinator and administrative assistant. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles City Historical Society and as a docent for the Los Angeles Library with her husband. After the passing of her husband Joseph, Elma move to Logan to be closer to her daughter Mae and her family, and to spend precious moments with her grandchildren. Elma faced numerous challenges in her life. Many would probably say that she had a hard and difficult life. She however would say that there was just another opportunity coming her way. She always had a positive attitude on life and its dealings and was very determined in all that she desired to do. Elma could say with total conviction and honesty of heart, as the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7; �I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.� Elma had a deep and abiding faith in and love for her Savior Jesus Christ. We have been grateful for the three years with her near us. She will always be remembered for her ability to be a friend to all and for her infamous hugs. Once introduced, you were a new found friend and the recipient of a heartfelt hug. We will miss them as well as her beautiful smile. We love you Mom. Elma is survived by her sisters: Margaret Knight, Agnes Peters, Verna Robertson, Betty Stubbs, Millie Dyksterheus, Grace Neufeld; her brothers: Benjamin Friesen, Ernest Friesen; her daughter Mae and son-in-law Merrill, and grandchildren; Steven, Ryan, Tressa and Ian Haderlie, Robin, Ronnie Joe, Holly, Vanessa, Eric. She is also survived by dear friends, Skip and Marie Hards, Ann Marie, Tracy, and Jenny. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Logan 43 Ward Chapel, 1255 North 600 East, Logan. There will be a viewing prior to services at the Church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will take place in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com The family of Elma wishes to give a special thanks to Access Hospice, the Angels at Legacy House Assisted Living, Dr. Russell Hirst and Dr. Ali Ben-Jacob.