May 11, 1937 – January 28, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Elaine Cahoon Stangler, who
peacefully departed this life on January 28, 2025 in South Rim, Utah, at the age of 87.
Elaine was born on May 11, 1937, in Hinkley, Utah, to Clayton C. and Leah S. Cahoon,
both of whom preceded her in death. She was the fourth of five siblings and was
also preceded in death by Kent, Jay, and Spencer, as well as her beloved sister,
Barbara. Elaine was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
Her greatest joy was her family, and she took immense pride in raising her three
children: Rhonda (Michael) Wells, Phyllis (Michael) Morris, and David T. Jr. (Jann) Stangler.
She cherished her role as a grandmother to Heather (Scott) VanCooney, Mindy (Jason) Waite,
Pamela (Trent) Judd, Julia (Alex) Shields, Sarah (Rick) Williams, and Kylie (Matthew)
Gregersen, a great-grandmother to 17 wonderful great-grandchildren, and a beloved
great-great-grandmother to four precious little ones. Each of them held a
special place in her heart. On February 11, 1956, Elaine married David Theodore
Stangler Sr. in Tooele, Utah. Their marriage was one of deep love, devotion,
and companionship. They built a life together filled with travel, laughter, and
countless cherished memories with their granddaughters. Their two cabins in Midway, Utah
became treasured retreats, where family and friends gathered to create lifelong
memories. After David’s passing on October 30, 2004, Elaine often spoke of the profound
loss she felt. Her family finds comfort in knowing they will be reunited in eternity,
just in time for their next anniversary. Elaine was a woman of many passions. She
had a lifelong love of writing and genealogy, spending hours researching family
history and preserving stories for future generations. She also had a standing tradition
of getting her hair done every Friday—a small ritual that brought her joy as she took
pride in always being a true lady. Her professional career was spent in civil service.
She began as a secretary working alongside scientists and chemists before advancing
to a paralegal position in the JAG office at Dugway, Utah, where she retired in 1997.
However, her most fulfilling work was in her faith and community service. She served a
mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2009-2011 in the
Washington D.C. Temple and later as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple.
Throughout her life, she took on many church callings, always serving with love,
dedication, and a genuine desire to uplift those around her. Elaine’s unwavering faith
in Jesus Christ guided every aspect of her life. She prayed daily, served selflessly, and
led by example. Even as dementia slowly took pieces of her memory, her kind and
loving nature never faded. She remained gentle and compassionate, always recognizing
the love surrounding her. She will forever be remembered for her resilient spirit, deep
love for family, and signature affection for the color red—a fitting reflection of her
warmth and vibrance.
A funeral service will be held on February 8, 2025, at the Grantsville West Stake Center,
115 E Cherry Street. A viewing will take place from 9:30-10:30 AM, followed by the
funeral service at 11:00 AM. Elaine will be laid to rest at the Grantsville Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to gather in celebration of her life and the beautiful
legacy she leaves behind. Though Elaine will be deeply missed, her love, faith, and
kindness will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
4 Comments
We are grateful to have know such a wonderful lady. Please accept our deep condolences.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends may God put his arms around you
Your mom was a true lady. I loved being around her.
My Mom’s Family was neighbors and friends with the Stanglers in Dugway . My Grandpa passed away from Hotchkins Disease in 1971. My Grandma only had a short time to either gain employment with the Government or leave Dugway. Long long ago, I was told how Mrs. Stangler was working with a high ranking post official, she slipped paperwork in the officials “to be signed pile”. This allowed a young widowed mother of three young girls extra time to get employment needed to remain in their home and community. While I have never met this sweet lady, who helped this family. I thank her, she allowed my mom, her sisters and her mom to have stability and adjust to their new way of life without loosing their home community and friends. I just want to let the Stangler family know that their mothers actions are still spoken about today and the gratitude still remains over 50 years later.
Memories & Condolences