Eva Elaine Vandenberg

Elaine Vandenberg passed away peacefully in her senior living center, Cottonwood Creek, on March 7^th at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her parents, five of her siblings and her son, Louis W. Hill. Elaine is survived by son, Michael Hill (Diane), daughter Martina Albers (Dan), daughter Kimalee Stringham (Tom), son Patrick Fowles (Junko), daughter Susan LeAnn Robinson as well as one sister, Carol Joann Majewski (Tom) and sister-in-law Lorraine Gray and sister-in-law, Renee Gray. Elaine was divorced at the time of her passing.

Elaine leaves behind a large posterity of 23 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Elaine was born in the family farmhouse in Idaville, Indiana on April 18, 1932. Elaine had a strong will and sometimes, out of necessity, had a stubborn side. However, she also had a compassionate and caring nature. No one was a stranger to her. As a single mom with four kids, she converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indiana/ Michigan, after being taught by Mormon missionaries in 1960.She then traveled to Utah and made Utah her home. She was the family pioneer, breaking from the family roots in Indiana. She worked at Western Union Telegraph, for over 20 years, to support her family. She also worked at the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, several brokerage firms and ZCMI. Her greatest joys in life were having summer yard sales and large family and friends gathering at her home. She loved hosting barbecues. You would never know who would show up. One of Elaine’s favorite activities was visiting a couple of second-hand shops and the Deseret Industries store searching for treasures, which she generally found. Sometimes these treasures would eventually be found at one of her yard sales. Elaine was an animal lover and had several beloved dogs throughout her life: Maggie, Buddy, Boliver and Oscar. For leisurely entertainment, she was an avid television viewer of The Price is Right (where she was an audience member for her 83rd birthday) and Let’s Make a Deal. Later in life she traveled with family for a month-long tour of Australia, seeing Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, which was her one and only trip outside the U.S. To accomplish one of her bucket list items, her family persuaded her to travel to Deer Creek on her 90^th birthday to do an extended zipline. The entire family wishes to thank her daughter Kim, who voluntarily devoted time, effort and care, above and beyond the call of duty, in every aspect of Elaine’s last couple of years, attending to her health, housing, finance and comfort needs. Our heartfelt thanks to the many associates; friends; the staff at MBK Cottonwood Creek, Huntsman Home Health Hospice Care and Larkin, who cared for our mom. We are grateful for your care and love.

Rest in peace sweet Mother.

Funeral services will be held at the Larkin Sunset Lawn (2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City) on Thursday, March 13, at 2:30 pm with a viewing from 1:45 pm until 2:15 pm. She will be laid to rest next to her oldest son, Louis. For those unable to attend the service in person, the family invites you to join via Zoom. Please click the Watch Service button above.