Elizabeth Burr

Elizabeth Myrth Liston Burr peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father February 14, 2015 at the age of 93 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born March 9, 1921 to Hazel G. Riddle and Don Carlos Liston in Escalante, Utah. Myrth spent her early years living in Escalante, and Cedar City and moved to Orem, Utah to attend high school. Myrth graduated from Lincoln High School where she served as the Student Body Vice President in 1939. Myrth studied home economics at BYU before she married Dick Wayne Burr on November 17, 1941. Dick and Myrth have four children: Jay (Carmen) Burr, Omaha, Nebraska; Eileen Burr, Midvale, Utah; Barbara Burr Sharp, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Robert (Melanie) Burr , Salt Lake City, Utah. She has 22 grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick and five older brothers. Myrth has been active in her family and community her entire life. She was responsible for the business side of Burr Family Farms and Dick was responsible for the farming side. She was a savvy business woman and helped make Burr Family Farms a successful endeavor. Myrth and Dick often said they were responsible for teaching all of their children and many, many others the value of work. Their example of honesty and integrity made them stand out in the community. Myrth was active in the Utah Farm Bureau. Myrth and Dick received special recognition as Outstanding Farmers of the year. Myrth had a special relationship with the Native American community of Kickapoo Indians. These fine people helped harvest the fruit and in turn, Myrth housed and helped obtain health care and education for an additional 100 souls each summer harvest. They have been all part of our working family. Myrth was an active member of the Cultural Arts community in Utah County. She was well known for her dramatic presentations and firm belief that pioneers can come to life through the medium of storytelling. She served as Vice President of the Women's Division and President of the Utah Valley Theater Guild. She was a long time member of the Provo Arts Counsel. Myrth wrote and published several short books ; Ruth & Naomi, Mary Fielding Smith: mother of a prophet, and Queen Ester. Myrth served as docent at the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City for many years. Myth was a lifelong student of all good things. She was active in the Orem Senior Center taking classes and was part of a Shakespeare Group. Myrth was known best as Mom and Gram Burr. She was a Halloween enthusiast and had always had a rousing Halloween party for the entire family and neighborhood. Even after the farm was sold she continued to have the tradition of a "bonfire" in the fire pit to cook hotdogs and make smores. She taught her family the importance of unconditional love and support of each other. She taught generosity and frugality but mostly integrity. She will be sorely missed each and every day as will the raspberries, sound of the tractor and Mourning doves from the farm. Funeral services will be held Saturday February 21, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, 495 S. State Street, Orem. A viewing will be held Friday from 6-8 PM and also one hour prior to the services on Saturday. Interment will take place in the Orem City Cemetery.

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