Erma Abel Furness

Erma Abel Furness, 85, our dear mother, grandmother, sister, and friend died peacefully at her daughter's home on Monday, January 10, 2011. Erma suffered a stroke in August of 2010 and was recovering in Renton, WA. She was born in American Fork, Utah to Thomas A. and Frances Brook Abel. Her family moved to Elwood, Utah where Erma spent the majority of her childhood. Erma was the eighth of fourteen children. After graduating from Bear River High School, Erma attended Thomas D. Dee School of Nursing and received a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from BYU. Erma also served an LDS mission to Canada in 1946. Erma married Lionel R. Furness on June 10th, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Salt Lake City for many years with their seven children before they moved to Hyrum, Utah in 1976. They enjoyed tending to their large garden while Erma preserved much of the fruit and vegetables grown there. In 1990, Lionel and Erma had the opportunity to serve an LDS mission together in Roanoke, Virginia. Lionel passed away in 1995 and Erma moved to Garland, Utah in 1999 to be closer to family. As a registered nurse, Erma spent nearly 40 years working primarily with infants and children at Primary Children's Hospital in SLC and Logan Regional Hospital. She also assisted the elderly at Sunshine Terrace and the Mendon Care Center. Erma was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life and had a strong testimony and love of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served in many positions along with many years of service at the Logan Temple. Erma has been a long time member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and enjoyed their many events. At 82, Erma participated with her ward as a grandma in a youth pioneer trek at Martin's Cove and later fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting the Holy Land in Israel. For over 50 years Erma has enjoyed and carried on the tradition of family reunions. Maintaining these ties has been an important part of her life and for her family. Erma is survived by her children L Vaughn Furness & Analeah of SLC, UT; Catherine Joe Mercado of SLC, UT; Frances Hart of Durango, CO; Rebecca Mark Woodbury of Fort Collins, CO; Julie Mike Jacobsen of Renton, WA; Matthew Furness of SLC, UT; and Bill Krystal Furness of Tremonton, UT. She is also survived by four brothers, Ernie, Roy, Ralph, and Kenneth Abel and two sisters, Edith Conger and Jean Hansen. Erma was preceded in death by her husband Lionel, daughter Sheila, four brothers and three sisters. Erma has twenty-one grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel, 175 S. Main St. Garland, UT. A viewing will be held Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, from 5 to 7 pm at the Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home 111 N. 100 E. Tremonton, UT 84337, and on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the church, prior to services. Burial will be at the Hyrum City Cemetery.