Elmer C. Poorte

Elmer C. Poorte FARMINGTON - For 83 years Elmer Carlin Poorte lived the great adventure of life on Earth. He made the journey home on the evening of May 4, 2009 rejoining his loving wife Helen. He was born on Aug 2, 1925 to Lenora H. (Lightfoot) and Edward A. Poorte in Taylor, Utah. After graduating from Ogden High School, Elmer, as did his older brothers Glen and Thomas, served his country bravely in World War II. He was a gunner’s mate aboard the Haskell-class attack transport U.S.S. Menard (APA-201) in the Pacific. His younger sister Ruth awaited anxiously his safe return from the war as she shared a very special bond with Elmer her whole life. Elmer met the love of his life Helen Eileen Wright and the two were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 19th, 1946. They began their family with the birth of their son David N. Poorte one year later. Elmer & Helen were blessed with three more sons Steven E. Poorte, Jerry L. Poorte and James D. Poorte as well as one daughter Karen (Poorte) Anderson. He worked for Defense Depot Ogden and then at the OUR&D and Southern Pacific Railroad for over 25 years in the Ogden yard. Elmer also worked several seasons at Snowbasin Ski Resort. Elmer was a faithful member of the LDS Church his entire life. He served as Ward Clerk for the Mound Fort 83rd Ward for several years and also with the Boy Scouts. He was a constant traveler and explorer in life, whether it was being on the hundreds of road trips that Elmer took with his wife and family across the county or across the country…or simply from the armchair of his recliner. You could often find him engrossed into a treasured western, spy or adventure novel. He was also an avid study of the world, its people, geography and beauty. Elmer was an intelligent, gentle, loving and reverent man who deeply cared for his faith, for his family and countless others. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters LaVern Poorte of Ogden and Ruth (Poorte) Petersen of Salt Lake, two sons Dave and Jim and his beloved wife Helen. Surviving Elmer are his two sons Steve (Karen) of Farmington and Jerry (Jolene) of Ogden and daughter Karen (Cliff) Anderson of Batavia, Illinois as well as seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The family wishes to offer deep appreciation towards the Avalon Care Center of Bountiful and Applegate Hospice of Utah who made his final days on this earth comfortable and peaceful. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 8 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may call at the mortuary on Thursday May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Ogden City Cemetery. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com