Elmer Joseph Anderson and Erma Phyllis Gordon were married in 1934 in Salt Lake City. They had five children together and lived in several cities in Utah over their lives. Elmer worked as a grocery store manager and meat cutter, while Erma worked in various jobs including cooking for a school. Both were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Elmer serving as bishop twice. Erma and Elmer celebrated 50 years of marriage before Erma passed away in 1984 and Elmer in 1992.

1. Elmer Joseph Anderson (1911 – 1992) &
Erma Phyllis Gordon (1914 -1984)
Elmer Joseph Anderson
Born: 23 May 1911, Murray, Salt Lake Co, Utah
Died: 11 Feb. 1992, Midvale, Salt Lake Co., Utah
Burial: 15 Feb. 1992, Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah
Mission: to Sweden. May 1931 Returned Jan. 1934
Married: 3 Apr. 1934, Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah
Erma Phyllis Gordon
Born: 22 Aug 1914, Taylor,Bingham Co.,Idaho
Died: 16 Jun 1984, Midvale, Salt Lake Co., Utah
Burial: 20 Jun 1984, Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah

2. Children:
1- Alfred Gordon Anderson Born: 15 Mar 1935, Murray, Salt Lake Co, Utah;
Died: 22 May 2008 Beaufort, Beaufort Co, South Carolina
2- Carol Dee Anderson: Born: 10 Dec 1936, Murray, Salt Lake Co, Utah
3- Joseph Ervin Anderson Born 26 Jan 1941, Richfield, Sevier Co., Utah
4- Erma Elaine Anderson: Born: 15 Apr 1943, Richfield,Sevier Co.,Utah;
Died: 21 Apr 1943, Richfield,Sevier Co.,Utah
5- Vernon Robert Anderson: Born: 18 May 1946, Murray,Salt Lake Co.,Utah
Elmer J. Anderson
Priesthood Ordinations:
Deacon by: Jos. Ahlberg
Teacher by: Evald E Nygren 14 Nov 1926
Priet by Raymond R. Rasmusson 12 Mar. 1929
Elder by Raymond R. Rasmusson 14 Apr. 1931
Seventy by John H. Taylor 25 Mar. 1935
High Priest by Joseph F. Merrill 26 Jun. 1949
Patriarchal Blessing by: John M. Whitaker 20 Apr. 1931
Bishop Murray Fourth Ward: Jun.1949 to Oct 1952 & Nov 1956 to Nov 1957
Elmer Joseph Anderson
Elmer Joseph Anderson was born 23 May 1911, at midnight at his parents’ home in
Murray, Utah (4612 South 2nd West). He is the son of Alfred John Anderson and Anna
Erickson Anderson. He was fifth of eight brothers and sisters. He attended schools in
Murray completing the 8th
Grade. Consistent with the times, as a teenager it was time for
him to go to work and start making a living. When he was about 18, working for his
Uncle’s grocery store in Salt Lake, he meets his future wife, Erma Phyllis Gordon.
At the age of nineteen, Elmer received his mission call to
Sweden, the land of his parent’s birth. During his mission he
worked in Halsingborg, Vasteras and Norrkoping. Brother
Anderson baptized six members to the Church, spent some of
his time translating English to Swedish literature for the
benefit of the mission effort. He was District President of the
mission the last nine months of his service.

3. Erma Phyllis Gordon
Erma Phyllis Gordon was born 22 Aug 1914 at Taylor, Bingham Co., Idaho. The seventh
child of ten children of Samuel Arthur and Harriet Louisa Meikle Gordon. During her
early life her Father and Mother moved nearly every two years. So she went to several
different schools. Namely--South Jordan, Jackson, Cornish, Whittier, Milford, Beaver,
South Jr. High, Granite High, Henegars Business College.
“While living at 3372 South 11th East the summer
before my sixteenth birthday I met a handsome,
clean young man, whom I'm sure was meant for me.
Elmer Joseph Anderson. I fell completely in love. We
went together for about 8 months. Then he was
called on Mission. While he was away I did
housework in Salt Lake. I moved to Berkeley,
California with one family I worked for and I was
still in California when Elmer came home from his
mission. I came home shortly after he did, when we
were together again we knew we were still in love and so on 3 April 1934 we were married
in the Salt Lake Temple.”
Elmer & Erma went into the grocery business at
11th East and 33rd South, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Their first son was born. Alfred Gordon, 15 March,
1935.They did very well there but did not own the
building. The building was sold, about 1935 and the
Andersons moved to Richards St. between 7th and
8th south in Salt Lake City. They operated another
little store. Business wasn't the best, so they
liquidated it all and moved to 39th South and State
Street. Here their first daughter, Carol Dee, was
born 10 December, 1936.

4. Elmer went to work
for the Clover Leaf
Dairy. He was the
last one to deliver
milk with a horse
and buggy.
<Clover Leaf Dairy
Milk Bottle
EXAMPLE, BUT NOT A CLOVER LEAF DAIRY WAGON
On 18 January of 1938 Erma’s Father died. “This was a great shock and we were very
concerned about our mother so they moved to my mother’s home. We enjoyed being with
our mother at this time, and I hope we took some of the lonely hours away for her.” Elmer
worked as a meat cutter for Safeway. They moved and bought their first home with
Grandpa Anderson's help, financially and with his good wisdom. The home was located at
248 Leslie Ave. in Salt Lake City. Jobs were hard to get, if you got a transfer you just took
it regardless. After living there awhile, Safeway moved them to Provo. Elmer’s brother
Irvin took over the house and they rented in Provo for about a year.
Typical Safeway Store 1940’s
Road Trip to Richfield

5. About 1940 Elmer was transferred to Richfield, Utah. In
Richfield, they lived at 706 East 2nd North. Elmer was
made manager of the meat department in the Safeway
store. “These were very happy years for us and our
children. Later durin 1940 we were transferred to
Richfield. Our second son Joseph Ervin was born in
Richfield, 26 January, 1941.”
On the 8th of March 1943 they received the, sad news of
Erma’s dear Mother, she died.
One month later on 15 of April, 1943 their sweet baby girl
Erma Elaine was born. She was a beautiful redhead. But
she was only meant to come to earth for a body. She died
20th of April, 1943. She died of a blood disease.
FIND A GRAVE
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=126530
World War II - February of 1944, received the news of Erma’s brother, Vernon W.
Gordon. He had been killed in the Pacific Theater in service of his Country. Soon after in
July 1944 received the news of Elmer’s brother, Neils R. Anderson, had been killed in
France in the service of his Country. These were the sadness’s of Richfield.
They were in Richfield for seven years 1939
to 1946. In 1946 they moved back to Murray,
Utah, at 335 Vine Street. They had their
home built by Luke Morris of Murray. After
the home was built they had a store built,
Murray Park Grocery. The store was
connected to the home. Their last son from
heaven was born at this address. Vernon
Robert was born 18 March, 1946. They ran
the store for about two years. It was pleasant
and our children were happy.

6. Elmer’s Mother: Anna Erickson Anderson died 13
Dec 1947 at Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah. Then his
Father, Alfred John Anderson died: 19 Sep 1948 at
Murray, Salt Lake Co., Utah. At that time the store
was sold, Elmer and family moved to his parents
home, his childhood home, at 4612 So. 2nd
West in
Murray, Utah. Elmer again went to work for
Safeway with whom he was very efficiently
employed for the next 35 years.
Erma spent several years working at J.C. Penny in
Murray during this period.
Bishop Elmer J. Anderson newly formed Murray Fourth Ward: Jun.1949 to Oct 1952 &
Nov 1956 to May 1957
June 1949 Elmer was made
Bishop of a newly organized
ward, Murray 4th Ward. He
served well and the ward grew,
then he was released in Oct.
1952. He served on the High
Council for about a year. Then
was made Bishop of the 4th
Ward again Nov. 1956. He served
this time for about year was
released May 1957. During this
time Erma worked in the M.I.A.,
Primary, Sunday School, and the
Relief Society, also served on the Stake M.I.A. and the Stake Genealogy committee.
In December, 1962 they moved from their
Murray home to 430 Wood St. in Midvale,
Utah. “We bought this home new and
have enjoyed many good times here. We
feel the ward we live in, the Midvale 5th,
is the best in the Church. We have
watched this part of Midvale grow and
grow.”
Elmer worked as Meat Dept. Manager at
‘Safeways’ Midvale store until he retired,
about 1972.

7. Erma went to work for Jordan School District in 1963, in the kitchen of nearby
Elementary School, cooking the meals for all the children there. Erma’s quote: “it’s hard
work but I like it. I can’t remember when real work was easy.”
Erma stayed active with her Gordon
genealogy work. Between 1961 to 1974 one
project involved locating and installing a
headstone for her Great Great
Grandparents, Foster Gordon & Frances
Hogg.
Elmer Joseph Anderson
"I have known the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints to be the only true
Church, and in a person’s life the only way to live to be really happy. My prayers have
been answered many times and I have felt my Father-in Heaven very close to me several
times. I pray earnestly I can live so I can always know that my problems can be solved
with the Spirit of Christ."
Erma Phyllis Gordon Anderson
“I believe that I have tried to do those things which are right. Making many mistakes.
I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and I'm sure for true happiness it's
the only way to live. Through prayer and with God's help I hope I can continue faithful
until the end.”
Elmer and Erma Anderson celebrated their 50th
Wedding Anniversary on 13 March 1984
Erma Phyllis Gordon Anderson
Passed Away: 16 Jun 1984 at Midvale, Utah
Burial : 20 Jun 1984, at Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Utah
Elmer Joseph Anderson
Passed Away: 11 Feb 1992 at Midvale, Utah
Burial: 15 Feb 1992, at Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Utah

8. Elmer J Anderson, "United States Census, 1940"
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VT4C-5VZ
event: Census event year: 1940
name: Elmer J Anderson
event place: Ward 1, Provo, Provo Election Precinct, Utah, Utah, United States
gender: Male age: 28 marital status: Married race (standardized): White
relationship to head of household (standardized): Head
birthplace: Utah estimated birth year: 1912 residence in 1935: Salt Lake, Utah
Household Gender Age Birthplace
head Elmer J Anderson M 28 Utah
wife Erma G Anderson F 24 Idaho
son Alfred G Anderson M 5 Utah
daughter Carol D Anderson F 3 Utah

9. Elmer J. Anderson – Obituary Deseret News Feb. 13 1992
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/209704/DEATH--ELMER-ANDY-ANDERSON.html?pg=all

10. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-
bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Anderson&GSfn=Elmer&GSby=1911&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1992&GSdyrel=i
n&GSst=47&GScnty=2791&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=36234&df=all&
Elmer Joseph "Andy" Anderson
Birth: May 23, 1911, Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah
Death: Feb. 11, 1992, Midvale, Salt Lake County, Utah
Burial: Murray City Cemetery Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah
Plot: 08 094 5
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49906
Erma Phyllis Gordon Anderson
Birth: Aug. 22, 1914, Bingham County, Idaho
Death: Jun. 16, 1984, Midvale, Salt Lake County, Utah
Burial: Murray City Cemetery Murray. Salt Lake County, Utah
Plot: 08 094 5
Your tombstone stands neglected and alone.
The name and date are chiseled out on polished, marbled stone.
It reaches out to all who care. It is too late to mourn.
You did not know that I exist. You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you in flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our heart contracts and beats a pulse entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled so many years ago.
Spreads out among the ones you left who would have loved you so.
I wonder as you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot and come to visit you.

11. Elmer Joseph Anderson
L to R: Ruth (front) Irvin (back)
L to R: Viola, Elsa (back) Elmer (Front) Elsa(sitting) Harry (in Elsa lap)
Irvin (back) Ruth (front) Elmer (front) Viola (back)
1912 1914
Back Ruth & R. Hall Back: Ruth, Elmer
Front: M Forsberg, B Blazard, Elmer A. Front: Harry, Milton
1920-21 1923-24

12. Erma Phyllis Gordon
Jim (back) Hattie holding Vera 1919 Erma P. & Vern Gordon
Vern, Hazel & Roy- Erma in chair
1924 Vera & Erma Gordon 1928-29 1930

13. 1931
1931 Weekend before Elmer leaves for Swedish Mission

14. About the time 1931 Mission
Elmer meet Erma

18. Just Married Our 1st
Car
Our 1st
Store and 1st
Child

19. 1939 to Richfield
1939 1941
1942 1943 Visit Mother Gordon
1944 Visit Anderson Grandparents Our Street Richfield

20. 1944
1946- Vine Street, Murray Park Grocery

21. 4612 So 2nd
West, Murray, Utah
Front Yard Back Porch
Front Porch Honeysuckle Bush

23. Bishop: Murray Fourth Ward:
Jun.1949 to Oct 1952 & Nov 1956 to May 1957
Bishoprics
1959 – 25th
Anniversary 1960

24. 1962 – 430 Wood St. Midvale, Utah 1965

25. 1970 – 1975

26. 50th
Anniversary 1984

27. 1991 Elmer Age 80