On the morning of August 7, 2013, Ezna Luella Thompson Burns Greene, took the hand of her Savior and stepped quietly through the veil into His loving arms. Her life on earth began 102 years ago on March 5, 1911, in Millburne, Wyoming, one of seven daughters and two sons born to Joseph Fredrick Thompson and Margaret Elizabeth Wayman Thompson. She had two half-brothers. Ezna loved working with her father on their Wyoming farm, milking cows, mowing hay, etc., at the same time learning all the skills of homemaking and handiwork from her mother. She loved music and was taught by her father to play the piano, accompanying the local dance band on Saturdays and all church services on Sundays. She also sang in church choirs. On February 14, 1931, in Green River, Wyoming, she married Kenneth Burns. They had three daughters, Norma Fay (Nunley), Yvonne (Larsen), and Renee (Mangelson), and three sons, ElRoy, Darrel (Jeanette) and Fred. Ezna earned a teaching certificate from the Laramie Wyoming University, then taught second grade at Fayette Ranch in Pinedale, Wyoming. After moving to Salt Lake City, she studied at Excelsis Beauty School and worked in a beauty shop. Kenneth died in 1941, leaving Ezna to rear her children alone. She learned to mend runs in silk hosiery and worked for several department stores performing that service. She worked for Lady Gay Manufacturing, then, with her cousin, formed a manufacturing business called Lady Lovely. She is well-known for her prize-winning sewing, crocheting and embroidery work and the huge number of quilts she made. Her beautiful wedding dresses were legendary, and she often made dresses for the entire wedding line. She crocheted leper bandages for LDS Humanitarian services. Her handiwork graces the homes of many family members and friends. In 1958, she married William Charles Greene and became step-mother to William Jr., Pat (Becky), and Linda (John) Nichols. She was a proficient bowler, a hobby she enjoyed into her 80s, and she loved to travel, visiting England, Scotland, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico, as well as many states in the U.S. She is remembered by many as the lunchtime "duty teacher" at the Oakwood Elementary School playground in Holladay, Utah. Ezna is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served faithfully in ward and stake callings throughout her lifetime, and she has been a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers for nearly 50 years. She is survived by her daughter, Yvonne, sons, Darrel and Fred, step-children, Pat and Linda, sisters, Wanda Rampton and Beryl Davis, 22 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, 40 great-great grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 25 step-great-grandchildren and three step great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, ElRoy, daughters, Norma Fay and Renee, grandson, Kendall Nunley and great-grandson Jace Jacobsen. Her family wishes to thank Debra Miller and the staff at Holladay Home for the Elderly, where Ezna lived for the past five years, and the staff at Holladay Health Care.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, August 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Monday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., followed by funeral services at noon on Monday, all at the Cottonwood First Ward building, 5915 South Highland Drive. Arrangements under the direction of Larkin Mortuary.
