Marta Burgess

Marta Burgess (Lorca), age 75, passed away on October 24, 2025, in Ogden, Utah, surrounded by her children and supported by the many whose lives she touched through a lifetime of service.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Miguel Lorca and Juana Iarritu, and her husband, Michael R. Burgess. She is survived by her sister, Elsa Susana Vasta (Miguel), son, Tyler Burgess (Holly), daughter, Tanya Strong (MacLane); and grandchildren, Landon and Katelyn Strong, and many nieces and nephews.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the Cosme Argerich Military Hospital, Marta’s childhood was a tapestry of joy and wonder across the provinces of Entre Ríos and Córdoba. She loved riding horses and was a skilled shooter. Marta and her younger sister, Susana, were lifelong friends and confidants, sharing countless memories and staying connected through the years, even in her final days.

Marta began her education in a convent school and completed her secondary studies at Juana Manso School in San Miguel, excelling academically. She admired Mother Teresa throughout her life and had a natural gift for learning, particularly languages. Marta learned English, studied Hebrew, and explored Chinese. Books were her companions, opening doors to new worlds.

In 1969, her path led her to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sparked by her love of English, as missionaries taught classes in the chapel. That same year, she was baptized in Mar del Plata, beginning a lifelong journey of faith. Marta and Susana often walked several miles each Sunday to attend church because bus fare was too expensive.

In 1971, Marta served as a missionary in the Argentina North Mission, in Córdoba and Mendoza. She honorably completed her mission in 1972 and later continued her service at the Belgrano chapel in Buenos Aires, embracing various callings and deepening her spiritual journey.

In 1975, she witnessed the first Area Conference in South America, encompassing Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile, held in Buenos Aires. There, she met Church President Spencer W. Kimball and participated in a magnificent youth choir. She danced alongside her peers in a celebration of the rich traditions of four nations.

From a young age, Marta dreamed of visiting the United States. She fondly recalled her work in intelligence at the Argentine Embassy, where she met American federal agents, and her work at the National Institute of Agricultural Technology. In 1980, she journeyed to BYU, where she met her beloved Michael R. Burgess, “Bear”. After Mike’s third marriage proposal—“Let’s get this show on the road; are you going to marry me or not?!”—they were sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Provo Utah Temple on April 23, 1982.

Mike and Marta found their greatest joy in their children and grandchildren. Marta often said her favorite years were when her children were toddlers, filling her home with laughter. She loved her nieces and nephews dearly. Marta created a childhood full of wonder for her children, from adventures to the library to collecting leaves in neighborhood parks. She filled their lives with love, laughter, and lessons, embodying sacrifice and curiosity—qualities she carried with grace even in her final days.

Alongside her devotion to family, Marta cherished collecting antiques, gardening, animals, and the Utah mountains. Known by local antique dealers, she even earned her own discounts. Her love for animals was legendary, and after Mike’s passing, she found comfort feeding horses and holding the neighborhood baby goats.

Marta’s most memorable quality was her gift for friendship. She could meet a stranger and leave as their friend—whether cutting flowers from a neighbor’s garden or chatting with fellow shoppers. She admired law enforcement officers and proudly connected with her daughter’s coworkers when her daughter became a deputy. Deputies attended Mike’s funeral to support Marta. Marta introduced everyone she knew as “my friend,” truly loving people as they were.

As Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great, things. But we can do small things with great love.” Marta lived this every day. Those who knew her would say: It’s hard to capture the essence of Marta—you simply had to experience it.

Funeral services will be held Saturday November 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Weber Stake Center, 7989 S. 2250 E., South Weber, Utah. Family and friends may visit Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service.

Interment will be held at Eastlawn Memorial Hills Garden Cemetery, 4800 Timpview Dr., Provo, Utah.

All law enforcement officers are invited to attend in uniform.

Services entrusted to Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.