Roger Elquist

Born April 30, 1932 ~ Died May 2, 2021

Roger Noel Elquist passed away Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the Veteran’s Home in Ivins, Utah.

Roger was born on April 30, 1932 to Audrey M. Allen Elquist and Noel Hyrum Elquist, in Pocatello, Idaho.

Roger’s childhood was spent in Burley, Idaho. He grew up on the Elquist farm of eighty acres where they raised wheat, barley, potatoes, beans, and sugar beets.  Life on the farm meant he learned to work hard and long hours.

He attended local schools, and graduated from Burley High School. He enjoyed learning and playing the trombone. Often he was told to go practice down by the cows! He participated in FFA, choir, drama, and playing football

After graduating in 1950, Roger worked on the farm and in 1951 enlisted in the Navy for four years. During his time in the Navy he spent most of the time at the San Francisco Treasure Island Receiving Station.  This is where he was introduced to the IBM Punch Card accounting machines, which would later lead to his life long career at Hill Air Force Base in Northern Utah.

In January 1954 he was transferred to Washington D.C. for assignment to the NSA. It was during this time, at a USO Dance, that he met his lifelong companion, Mary Catherine Sowers.  They were married in Alexandria Virginia and moved back west to Burley Idaho.

Roger went to work for HAFB in 1956, and worked there until 1987. He worked as a Computer, PCAM Operator and moved up the line until he was a supervisor.

Roger and Mary are the parents of four children, 17 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren. They spent most of their married life in Morgan, Utah and moved to Ivins, Utah in 1996.  Mary proceeded Roger in death in May 2013.  Life was never the same for him after that.

Later, in Dec. 1996 Roger suffered a traumatic neck injury and later moved into the VA Home in Ivins Utah in 2013.  Roger was a fighter, and was never one to give up.  The ravages of old age and ill health took what good years he had.  But he appreciated the care he received at the VA.  He tried to endure things well, but the last few years were very difficult for him.

The family wishes to thank the workers at the VA for their exceptional care and concern of our father, grandfather, brother, Uncle and friend.

Survivors are sisters Nancy (Doug) Ford, Milton, Utah, and Joyce Garrett, Lacey, Washington; Children: Charlotte (Larry) Stephenson, Washington, Utah; Karen Burker, Clearfield, Utah; Patricia Nay, Sidney, Montana, and Michael (Lori) Elquist of Spanish Fork, Utah.

Graveside Services will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 12:00 noon at the Milton Pioneer Cemetery in (Milton) Morgan, Utah.