Eulogy for Elmo Smith Rich

Elmo Smith Rich was born August 22, 1898 in Afton, Wyoming. To Hyrum Smith Rich and Angleia Allred Rich. He was the fifth child in a family of ten.

His early boyhood was spent in the family’s two-room log house on an eighty-acre farm west of Afton. Later a large frame home was erected.

Elmo became the owner of the farm and home after the death of his parents. He spent all of his life on this place he loved so much.

The family had a dairy herd, and Elmo and his sons worked together caring for the herd, planting and harvesting crops, haying and irrigating. He added his father’s dry farm on the west hills and a tract of land on Crow Creek to the Family farm. This was enough to provide work for all of his family. He also helped his wife with her chickens, garden, beautiful flowers and yard.

Elmo loved to work. There was never a job of physical labor too big for him to tackle. During his lifetime, besides the farm work he loved so well, he worked on many other jobs.

Together with his father and two brothers, he hauled cheese and butter to Montpelier, Idaho and brought back merchandise for the stores in Afton. These trips took three days with team and wagon in the summer and four days with sleigh in the winter.

He did canyon work, road construction, helped cut and haul poles for the lower Valley Power and Light Company., and worked for the Forrest Service. He also worked as a hunting guide for Low Gardner and the Merritt Brothers. He was caretaker at the Lincoln County Fair Grounds for seven years and took great pride in keeping them in tiptop shape.

He spent a winter working in Montpelier, Idaho where he met the young lady, Bertie Mouritsen, who later became his wife.

Elmo was a lover of animals, especially horses. He took great pride in his work and pulling teams. He broke many horses to work and to ride, both for himself and for others. He always had one or two saddle horses which he and many others enjoyed riding. Later in life his grandchildren always loved to visit his home and ride the horses. He enjoyed rodeos and fairs. In his younger years he was an active participant in rodeo riding events.

He loved all kinds of sports. He played basketball and refereed many games. He was one of Star Valley’s most outstanding baseball players. He was the team’s catcher and an excellent batter.

Elmo served as YMMIA Supt. In the Afton South Ward. He was supervisor of the Afton 3rd Ward Welfare Farm for several years and was an elder in the 7th Quorum of Elders at the time of his death.

He received his schooling in the Afton Schools.

Elmo S Rich and Bertie M. Mouritsen of Bennington, Idaho were married in the Logan Temple October 19, 1921. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters. Elmo was a devoted husband and father. One rarely sees a more loving and close-knit family. His children honored and respected his advice and judgment.

He dearly loved children and was never happier than when he was surrounded by his grandchildren. His many nieces and nephews loved to be with him, and they have many fond memories of the good times they had at Uncle Elmo’s. Some great battles were fought with rubberguns in the barn, and exciting ball games were played in the pasture.

Elmo was a good neighbor and had many friends. He was extremely independent and refused to have people wait on him.

Elmo and Bertie observed their Golden Wedding Anniversary October 19, 1971. They were honored by their children at a family dinner. One of Elmo’s most treasured possessions was the gold watch presented to him by his children on this occasion.

Elmo died at his home Sunday evening January 28th 1973 of Heart Failure. The great desire he had that when his time came to die, he could be at home instead of a hospital was fulfilled. His strong will to be independent remained with him to the last.

He is survived by his wife, Bertie and the following sons and daughters: Glen and Rex Rich and Mrs. Glen (Rudy) Corson of Afton; Dean Rich of Pinedale, Wyo.; Budd Rich of Granger, Utah: and Mrs Bernell (Ruth) Clark of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and by twenty-nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. An infant son preceded him in death. Other survivors include a brother, Marvin Rich, of Firview, Wyo and four sisters, Mre Elmer (Jean) Broadbent and Mrs. Rey (Ethel) Merritt of Afton, Wyo.; Mrs. Oral (Evelyn) Merritt of Turnerville, Wyo.; and Mrs Lynn (Maurine) Nelson, of Grover Wyoming.

(Note: This was taken from a typed piece of paper given to me by Dad. I do not know who wrote it or when be it appears to be a Eulogy and it was typed on a manual or very old typewriter. I will get those details and add them here. As I said I have the origional of this. Does someone have Grandmas Eulogy that they would not mind sharing? Please email it to me if possible.)
Cordell Rich