Dec. 20, 1927-July 21, 2024
Elizabeth passed away at the age of 96 and went to join the heavenly choirs early in the morning of July 21, 2024.
Elizabeth was the sixth of eight children born to Ray Elroy Law and Elsa Pauline Reichart (Law). Elizabeth lived a life full of adventure. She was born on Dec. 20, 1927, in Mapleton, Utah. When she contracted Pneumonia at two years old, she was not expected to live long, but God had other plans for her, and she continued to overcome and eventually thrive, having relatively good health for the rest of her life. She learned to work hard, first on farms in Mapleton and Payson, then cleaning cabins and motel rooms, then in the gas station and auto repair shop where she took over for the boys when they went to war while growing up during World War II in Ogden.
Elizabeth graduated from Ogden High School in 1945 and moved with her parents to Oakland, California, that same year, where she met and married Leon E. Smith in 1946. They moved to California, then to Seattle and then to Alaska (while Alaska was still a territory) and raised six children together. They remained in Alaska for 42 years, much of that spent carving out two different homesteads, eventually constructing the iconic Igloo Lodge along the Parks Highway.
They moved from Alaska for the last time in 1996, and after Leon’s death in 1999, Elizabeth spent her remaining years traveling with her sister Pauline, living in Spokane, Washington, Libby, Montana, and eventually settling down in St. George and Washington City, Utah, surrounded by her children and some of her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Jenith Dorland, Margaret Sauer and Susanne (Bob) Staymates. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, over 40 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
She outlived all seven of her siblings and was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leon E. Smith, and her children Jeanie Murphy, Marilyn Sauer and Leon J. Smith.
Elizabeth was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, loved the Lord with all her heart, and exemplified her Savior in sharing her strong testimony of the Gospel and continuing to spread love and care for those who knew her, serving in the Temple and other callings throughout her life. Elizabeth had a real knack for genealogy and dedicated thousands of hours in her later years to finding ancestors for herself and many others. She loved old Hollywood and early Disney movies. She had a beautiful singing voice. She loved humor and enjoyed life, always keeping a positive attitude.
She was a hard worker and lived a frugal life, always using her money wisely.
We would like to thank nurses Michelle, Connie and Preston from Renew Hospice, as well as the Spring Gardens Senior Living staff in St. George, for their compassionate, professional and dedicated service.
Burial services will be held on Aug. 5, where her remains will be placed alongside her husband, who is buried at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.