Lena "Lea" Farnsworth

Lena “Lea” Florence Sturgeon Farnsworth, 98, of Provo, Utah, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021. At the time of her death, she was living in Draper, Utah. She was born on December 1, 1922, in Evansville, Indiana, to Elijah Abrum Sturgeon and Stella Bell Kemp. She married Harold Davis Farnsworth on June 26, 1941, and they joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1958. Their marriage was consecrated in the Los Angeles Temple of The Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 27, 1959. Harold preceded her in death on November 10, 2013.

Lena loved Harold, their family, books, beautiful things and traveling. Together, Lena and her beloved Harold visited every continent but Antarctica, and she loved to tell stories of their adventures. Her hands were never still—she sewed clothes for her children and grandchildren, painted (both walls and art), and loved to cross-stitch elaborate and complicated masterpieces. She tried many other kinds of needlework—knitting, crocheting, Swedish weaving, embroidery, and needlepoint, but cross-stitch was her favorite. Harold was proud of her handwork and showed off her pieces at every opportunity. She sewed lace on anything that did not move, and sometimes on things that did. She decorated their home with unique lamps, souvenirs from around the world, books, and her exquisite handwork. She was also active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and willingly served in many church assignments.

Lena’s goal in life was to create a loving, beautiful, comfortable home for Harold and her family and she accomplished that completely. Harold was everything in the world to Lena—the center of all she ever did or wanted to do.  She was ready to graduate from mortality and eager to be with Harold again. We thank her for a life well-lived, lessons well-taught and for loving us the very best she could.

She is survived by her three children: Ilene Diane (Dennis, deceased) Reeder of South Jordan, Utah; H. Davis (Sonja) Farnsworth III of Holladay, Utah; and Deborah Katherine (Brook) Richan of Provo, Utah; 12 granddaughters, 7 grandsons-in-law, 21 great-grandchildren, 1 great-grandson-in-law, 1 great-great grandson, and three beloved nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her husband and one son-in-law.

A graveside service was held on August 27, 2021, at the American Fork Cemetery. Sincere and profound thanks are offered to BeeHive Homes of Draper and the angels who work there. Their boundless compassion and patience made Lena’s final years as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Lena’s hospice nurse, Wendy Danell of Suncrest Hospice, went beyond kindness, especially during Lena’s last days.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.

For those unable to attend, you may view the service Part 1 HERE

For those unable to attend, you may view the service Part 2 HERE