Events
Viewing
Larkin Mortuary Riverton 3688 W. 12600 S. Riverton, Utah 84065Monday May 13, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Viewing
Cobble Creek Stake Center 8150 S. Grizzly Way, West Jordan, Utah 84081Tuesday May 14, 2024 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Funeral Service
Cobble Creek Stake Center 8150 S. Grizzly Way, West Jordan, Utah 84081Tuesday May 14, 2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Interment
Sunrise Cemetery- Manhattan, KansasRichard John Elzinga passed away on May 6, 2024 in West Jordan, Utah. Richard was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the only child of John and Hildur Elzinga. He served in military intelligence in the Korean War, subsequently marrying Agnes Cordelia Lewis in the Salt Lake Temple on September 9. 1957. He earned Bachelor, Masters, and PhD degrees at the University of Utah in the biological sciences.
Most of his professional career was spent as a professor of entomology at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. He and his wife moved to Lincoln, Nebraska after retirement in 2002. Richard was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his entire life, including service as a bishop, high councilor, missionary (with his wife) in the Solomon Islands and Australia, and sealer in the Winter Quarter Temple. He was a member of the Mahoney Ward of the Lincoln, Nebraska Stake and moved to Utah where he is a member of the Cobble Creek II Ward, Cobble Creek Stake, West Jordan, Utah.
Richard is survived by his wife, Agnes Lewis Elzinga; sons Mark Richard Elzinga and his wife Theresa; Nathan Eric Elzinga and his wife Mandy; and daughters Tanya Lynn Patino and her husband Dan; Jasmin Hayward and her husband Keith; Natalie Calaway and her husband Cory; 21 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobble Creek Stake Center (8150 S. Grizzly Way, West Jordan, Utah). A viewing will be held on Monday, May 13 from 7:00-8:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary in Riverton (3688 W. 12600 S., Riverton Utah) and on Tuesday, May 14 from 9:00-9:45 AM at the Cobble Creek Stake Center (8150 S. Grizzly Way, West Jordan, Utah). Interment will take place at Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan, Kansas.
The family has requested that lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Kansas State University, Entomology Dept., Manhattan, Kansas 66506.
Guestbook/Condolences
Dear Agnes and Family---Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, and our dear friend, Richard. Truly he shall be missed. His devoted service to mankind and our Savior have earned him a royal crown on high.
God bless and keep you all.
Michael and Carolee Wangsgaard.
My sincere condolence, so sorry about your loss.
Our sincere condolences to the family. Fond memories of Bishop Elzinga back in Manhattan many years ago.
We send our deepest condolences to the Elzinga Family with love and prayers of comfort during this time of grieving.
Agnes, We are sorry to hear that Brother Elzinga has passed away. It was a joy to work with him in the temple. His wry sense of humor was a delight. We are sure that he is brighting his family and friends on the other side of the veil. Perhaps it would be better to say that his is "bugging" them. Both of you brightened our lives here in Lincoln, Nebraska. You are missed here and he will be missed there.
Sister Elzinga and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of "graduation" for Brother Elzinga. We miss you both so much in the Winter Quarters Temple. You are loved. I hope he and Howard stay out of trouble on the other side!
I am Janet Vatsends daughter. So sorry for your loss. I don't know if anyone on the Vatsend side was aware he passed or they would have been at the funeral. We lost elane and Mary in July and August of 2024. Hildur was so proud of her son.