In the silent, early hours of a chilly Monday morning, on October 23, 2017, Telitha Hintze Giesler, 75, left behind all of those she loved so much to seek the warm comforting arms of her Heavenly Father. Telitha, born on a mild spring day, April 4, 1942, in Ogden, UT, was the second daughter of Mariam Ellis and Hugh Jones Hintze. She was a curly-headed, active child who loved to whinny like a horse and make her dad laugh and laugh. She had a very prolific imagination which she exercised often and hardly ever got caught. Until she was about 5 or 6 years old, she spent many wonderful summer days with her family and extended family members in Fish Haven, Idaho where she observed the silly antics and playful teasing of older cousins. What a fun-loving family it was. It was also her family's tradition to spend many Sunday afternoons during the colder months of the year driving to Ogden to enjoy visiting and eating dinner with her namesake and maternal grandmother, Telitha B. Ellis. Postwar life was changing the habits of thousands and as the end of the "Forties" drew closer, young Telitha's family bought a cabin in Brighton, much closer to Salt Lake than Bear Lake. With horses to ride, Silver Lake for fish, gorgeous mountains to hike, and many new friends, Brighton became her lifetime sanctuary.
Growing up across the street from the University of Utah campus, Telitha attended Wm. M. Stewart School for her elementary and middle school education. She graduated from East High School and after, enjoyed a variety of classes at the University of Utah. She was interested in many subjects with Geology being a favorite and was fortunate enough to go with her uncle, Lehi J. Hintze, Ph.D. on several of his fabulous field trips that took them down to Colorado River country. When she was 18, in 1960, she traveled to Hawaii with her family and like so many of her generation, caught the travel bug. Telitha, along with good friends, also enjoyed several European adventures during the sixties and finally moved to San Francisco toward the end of the decade. In 1970, she moved back to Salt Lake City and settled down into domesticity, taking classes in French cuisine, weaving, faux painting, and anything that caught her interest. She had a very creative bent and excelled at whatever she enjoyed doing. Telitha was also a collector. She loved garage sales. She loved jewelry, sculpture, paintings, vintage designer clothing, old silverware, antiques, old cars, and any object that looked like a horse. She could still whinny. At home, Telitha always had a cat or two hanging around and at least one dog. She loved her animals.
Previously, Telitha was married to William Shorter. They were the parents of four children: S. Dylan Hintze Shorter, Trent Masten Shorter (Tristin), Sutton Hintze Shorter, Hudson Ellis Shorter (Kali). Telitha has always been very proud of the accomplishments of her children. They loved their riding lessons, swimming, dancing, tennis and piano lessons. Telitha, in the meantime, truly enjoyed her years as a leader of the Federal Heights Ward Cub Scout Den in the 1990s. Through the years, former members of the troop often approached her to let her know what great memories they had from their Cub Scout days in her den. From 2002 to 2010, she was called to serve in the Inner City Addiction and Recovery Mission for the LDS Church. She was welcomed with open arms to the meetings and felt truly needed by the women and men whom she served. At her best, Telitha was a fun-loving, smart woman and will be sorely missed by those who knew her well.
In early 1987, Telitha met John Giesler. They became devoted, true friends and were married June 11, 1987. John was the love of her life. During the next 25 years, among other activities, they traveled together covering the western states to attend John's softball tournaments; he played while Telitha cheered him on. She loved to watch him in action and also socialize with all the wives of the teams' players. Happily, this last June, Telitha and John celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary together.
Telitha was preceded in death by her parents, Mariam and Hugh Hintze. She is survived by her adoring husband, John, and her four children, along with stepson, Eric Giesler (Erin); also, granddaughter, McKall Browning Markovetz and grandson, Hintze Ellis Shorter. She is also survived by her sisters, Suzanne Weaver Boynton (Charles), Mary Ellen Pugsley and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT. Prior to her funeral, friends and family are welcome to a viewing the evening before on Friday, November 3rd, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 13th South, and again Saturday morning at Larkin Mortuary, one hour (10:00 a.m.) before services begin. Following the services, Telitha will be buried in the North-East corner of Salt Lake City Cemetery. All are welcome to attend the dedication of the grave.
