Gathering
Larkin Sunset Lawn
2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108Friday Feb 20, 2026: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Funeral
Top of the World Ward
8100 South Top of the World Drive, Cottonwood HeightsSaturday Feb 21, 2026: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1933 ~ 2026
Larkin Sunset Lawn
2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108Friday Feb 20, 2026: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Top of the World Ward
8100 South Top of the World Drive, Cottonwood HeightsSaturday Feb 21, 2026: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Our father, Elbert Marvin Dansie, was born on March 9, 1933, in Murray, Utah, to Marvin and Thelma Dansie, whom he honored throughout his life. He was a man of wide-ranging interests—a bibliophile who loved the outdoors, an art collector and opera buff whose favorite restaurant was Millie’s Burgers, a world traveler who was deeply proud of his rural roots. He had a keen sense of humor and an abiding testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ.
Elbert grew up with his siblings Jean, Elaine, Marva, and Gary in a loving, happy family. He graduated from South High School (Go Cubs!) and attended the University of Utah, earning a bachelor’s degree in French and, in 1961, a medical degree. After an internship in Michigan and a pediatric residency at Primary Children’s Hospital, he spent two years as an army captain assigned to Darnall Army Hospital in Fort Hood, Texas.
He returned to Salt Lake City to join Bryner Clinic’s pediatric practice, beginning a career that allowed him to work with colleagues he considered the very best in their field. He was grateful to the thousands of parents who trusted him with their children’s wellbeing. He believed mothers were the true experts about their children. He made it a habit to listen to them. Even today, we meet former patients who say, “Are you related to Dr. Dansie? He was my pediatrician, and I loved him!”
Elbert met Shanna Renee Cheshire at a University of Utah football game. She was on a date with someone else; he was instantly charmed. They met again several weeks later when he was a substitute teacher in her French pronunciation lab, but it would be many months before he found the courage to call her. For their first date, he took her to the dedication of the East Mill Creek Stake Center.
On July 14, 1961, they married in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent sixty-three years raising six children. Being our father was Elbert’s greatest joy, and he thought his children were extraordinary. By example, he taught us to love hard work, literature, art, travel, outdoor recreation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He showed us how to build rail fences and stone walls, plant trees, lay sod, and haul gravel. He organized family vacations to Sun Valley every Thanksgiving and camping trips to Gros Ventre nearly every summer. He read us the Iliad and the Odyssey and Jack London stories. He took us to art galleries and museums throughout the world and led us to the top of many mountains. His favorite summits included the Grand Teton, King’s Peak, and Mt. Elbert. He and his sons completed many 100-mile bike rides until an accident in his 80s forced him to permanently hang up his jersey.
He had less success passing on his love of fishing, but it remained a passion for him nevertheless. With friends, he fished in Alaska, Panama, and all over the western United States.
Elbert cherished the legacy of faith in Jesus Christ he inherited from his parents and pioneer ancestors. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was grateful for opportunities the Church gave him to serve others as a missionary, high councilor, bishop, and scoutmaster. He cherished serving with Shanna as mission leaders in the France Marseille Mission and treasured lasting relationships with missionaries and Church members in southern France.
Elbert passed away on February 13, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Shanna; children, Sarah, Amy (Tom Williams), Mary (Ray Milliner), David (Ariane Holtkamp), Daniel (Marta Halverson), and Thomas (Elizabeth Fisher); seventeen grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was grateful for family, friends, neighbors, and ward members who generously and lovingly cared for him. He would say to you, “No need for flowers. Take your children to get an ice cream instead.”
Gathering on Friday, February 20, from 7-9 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Funeral on Saturday, February 21, at 11 a.m., Top of the World Chapel, 8100 South Top of the World Drive, Cottonwood Heights. Visiting with family to follow.
I met Elbert when he was my mission President in 1998 - so he'll always be President Dansie to me. I learned something new reading his obituary (and more) but I had no idea he served at Fort Hood (I live 30 mins away) in Temple TX. I love that we have that in common and wish I had been in touch with him more. The last time I saw them both was in 2007 at a reunion in Utah when I was visiting from the UK. I loved my check-ins with him each month and I'll never forget the feeling I still get when I hear "Nos pas guides par la foi" - I know it was his and Sister Dansie's favourite song and even after 27 years, the hymn still carries the same emotion and power it did when singing it all those years ago as missionaries. I'm so sorry for your loss and hope you know that we loved him as missionaries and his service impacted our lives in untold ways; forever. May your reunion with him one day be one of joy! We love you too Sister Dansie and miss you. Would love to hear from you! johnswilson@gmail.com
President Dansie was so kind and welcoming to me as a new missionary in southern France. I’m so grateful for the example that he and Soeur Dansie set of being Christlike during the time I served with them. May our Heavenly Father bless you with the comfort that comes from the gospel and from a life well lived.
President Dansie left an indelible impression on me as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. As my mission president he showed me an example of love, charity, obedience, and how to smile and have fun as you go!
À la prochaine!
Dearest Shanna, sending you big love and deepest sympathy. So blessed to have had brilliant, fun, thoughtful Elbert in our lives. His friendship and kindness have been wonderful gifts. We loved him, we love you.
What a great man!
He was my mission president. I admired him and in retrospect he really did seem like the prototype of the perfect pediatrician. We were just kids as missionaries after all. My condolences to his family.
Dear Shanna and family,
We learned from Elder Aidan Dansie the passing of President Dansie, the man who baptized me (Peter) in Montpellier France. We will never forget the kindness and faithfulness shown to us; his influence in our lives is and will remain a permanent blessing. We extend our deepest condolences to you and your loved ones, and share the hope of seeing him again, given to us through our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Julie and Peter Muyldermans
Elbert was my neighbour and scoutmaster, and a compassionate presence when I was a young man. Sending love to all the Dansies. A life worth celebrating.
I love Grandpa Elbert!
President Dansie was my Mission President in the France Marseille Mission (1996-1998). I still remember when I left the arrival Gate of the Airport and recognized Sister and President Dansie with a cheerful smile and they let me feel their Love for me, the missionary work and the Gospel the next 2 years.
And I Love(d) Sister and President Dansie and I am so thankful for their great example. In my 1st place Manosque President Dansie taught me while proseliting with him to talk to the people. You could feel his love for the people and missionary work,
I will never forget his and Sister Dansie’s service after A zone conference in Avignon where we recognized after the zone conference that all busses had gone to get us back to Manosque and they drove my Companion and me back to Manosque. It was a wonderful ride.
President Dansie and Sister Dansie will always remain my Mission Presidency and I am honoring my deepest love and respect.
When invited to join Bryner Pediatrics, I was encouraged to accept the offer by none other than Dr. William “Marty” Palmer who said he would join any practice that included Elbert Dansie. He was my friend, my colleague, my example, our family’s pediatrician and fellow fan of “Song of Norway.” His priorities were his family, his patients, and his discipleship. Our entire family thank Dr. Dansie for all he is and became!
So sorry to hear of Elbert’s passing 💜. Our prayers will be with you and your family during this tender time. Elbert was such a great friend and role model. May God be with and bless you. 🙏🏻
Our love,
Dale and Tammy Sundwall.
We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to all the family of the man we knew, and loved, as President Dansie.
I consider myself most fortunate to have been a missionary serving under President and Sister Dansie. I can't think of any better mission leaders and they were perfect for me. After my father, President Dansie stands alongside some beloved Bishops as a Priesthood leader who left an indelible impression on my heart and soul thanks to his testimony of Jesus Christ and his own love and example.
My wife and I were fortunate to be able to visit President and Sister Dansie, with our two young children, a few years after I returned from my mission in the South of France. We both felt of President's continued love and concern for our family and enjoyed sacred and special moments with him and Sister Dansie, which we will never forget.
Due to his fun, engaging and caring personality, President Dansie was someone who you just wanted to be around and follow, with 'Faith in Every Footstep'. We know he will be deeply missed but feel blessed to have known him.
Until we meet again, all our love and 'à Dieu', Michael and Jo Perry
We loved our associations with Elbert and his dear wife and family durinng our time living at Top of the World Drive. He is a faithful example of service and love to all of us. We know he will continue his service faithfully in the Heavens above. Our love to Elbert's families!
lamentamos profundamente su pérdida, estamos con ustedes en su dolor y esperamos pronto verlos a todos
Our lives have been blessed and enriched through knowing and loving Elbert Dansie. His life is one worthy of emulation and deep respect.
Marilyn and I and our entire family pay tribute to his memory and pray for the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit to abide with Shanna and the beloved Dansie family at this time of grief and mourning. We know that Elbert’s influence will continue to be felt for generations into the future. We feel so blessed to have been privileged to know this wonderful man, a noble and valiant son of God.
We send our love to you and your dear family Shanna.
Craig and Marilyn Hanson
St George, Utah
Grandpa Elbert is deeply loved by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We will always cherish our memories with him.
President and Soeur Dansie were a marvelous influence on me as a young missionary in Marseille. I felt so loved and cared for by them. I loved my interviews with President where he encouraged me to keep going. My first transfer was on American Thanksgiving and I was leaving Aix-en-Provence for far off Albi all by myself. President and Soeur Dansie gave me a turkey sandwich to eat on the train. That sweet act of service touched me deeply.
I also sing "Nos Pas Guide Par La Foi" with deep emotion for the many Zone Conference where we sang together. Merci for all of the deep spiritual memories that tie me deeply to my Savior Jesus Christ. Your discipleship influenced my discipleship.
Maybe they are meeting in Heaven. My husband Mike just passed in August. When I saw Elbert's obituary I thought about President Richard Marshall and all he taught us. It was a wonderful time, and we so loved being with both of you. May you find peace in thinking as I do, that they are working together in some missionary project in the Spirit World. Sending prayers for comfort.
I am amazed by the range of his interests, knowledge, and life experience. I only knew him as a mission president who was humble, kind, and concerned for every missionary. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to him and condolences to his family.
Elbert served as a member of the board of trustees for the South High Alumni Association for several years and was a great advocate for our programs. He enthusiastically attended our meetings and was a very thoughtful contributor in those meetings - always sharing his thoughts and desires for promoting our mission. We're grateful to have known and worked with Elbert. On South High!