MANASSA — Elaine Thomas Strunk, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away peacefully on Jan 1, 2021 at the age of 82, following a fall on December 24th ultimately breaking her hip as well as being diagnosed with Dementia several years prior. 

Elaine was born on November 15, 1938 in Alamosa Colorado to Ivan Mickelsen Thomas and Mildred Reynolds Thomas. Elaine grew up in Manassa Colorado as the 2nd of 10 children. 

Elaine married William Ellis Strunk in the Manti LDS temple on September 25, 1963. Together they had 2 children: David Ivan and Julie Ann. Bill and Elaine celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 25th 2013.

Elaine was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many church callings such as serving a full-time mission in the Eastern States mission in 1960 and again in 2005 with Bill as couple missionaries in the Baltimore Maryland mission.  She also served in ward Relief Society presidencies, ward/stake camp directors, ward/stake Young Women’s presidencies and ward/stake organist.

Elaine also served at the Provo Utah Temple as an Organist.  She loved to serve and did so faithfully.

Elaine started working in 1978 at BYU in the cashier’s office located in the Smoot Administration building.  She has many longtime, wonderful friends from working at BYU.

Elaine retired in 2005 after working for 26 years.  Elaine was also a loyal BYU basketball and football fan. Bill and Elaine held season tickets for both sports for 35+ years.

Elaine is survived by one son David Strunk of Provo Utah and a daughter Julie Wilcox of Murfreesboro Tennessee, 5 grandchildren Nicklaus Strunk, Samantha Strunk, Jake Strunk, Maxwell Wilcox and Olivia Wilcox.  She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents Ivan and Mildred Thomas, grandson Parker Wilcox and her brother John Thomas.

David and Julie would like to thank BeeHive Homes of Provo and Bristol Hospice for their loving care of their mother for the past 6 months.  Also would like to thank Berg Mortuary for their excellent care.

Funeral Arrangements:

Viewing (if panning to attend please be respectful of others and wear a mask and follow CV19 guidelines)

Wednesday, January 6 from 6:00-8:00

Berg Mortuary

185 East Center Street

Provo UT  84606

Funeral

(Limited to 99 – If planning to attend please be respectful of others and wear a mask and follow Covid19 guidelines - Zoom link will be provided for those that cannot attend)

Thursday, January 7 @ 11:00 with viewing prior from 10:00-10:45

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints

1555 N 1350 W

Provo, UT  84604

Burial Service

Saturday, January 9 @ 11:00

Manassa Cemetery