Elaine (Cherrington) Fletcher Fisher

Elaine Cherrington Fletcher Fisher passed peacefully on January 30, 2023 in Springville, Utah, not far from where she was born over 97 years ago. Her family members were close at hand as she had struggled with the effects of a recent fall and rib damage that impaired her breathing. Elaine had been active and involved with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren until just days before her passing.  Elaine was born on June 15, 1925, in Springville and was a product of Cherrington "determination" and Lee "grit".  Her parents were James Upton Cherrington and Thelma Lee, and she graduated from Springville High School in 1943. She was a child of the Great Depression and learned to be very frugal.  Nothing was wasted, and some items were reused several times over. Elaine enjoyed her High School years with many friends and met the love of her life W. Reed Fletcher.  They had a great group of lifelong friends that supported and helped each other throughout their lives, wherever they happened to live. Elaine and Reed were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 12, 1944, just before his departure for combat duty in the Pacific efforts, including the Philippines, during World War II.  Many lonely nights and letters ensued over the years, both before their marriage and after, until Reed returned home to Springville on New Year's Eve, 1945.  During World War II, Elaine focused on her secretary skills and worked as a legal secretary for the Utah County Attorney's office.  Upon Reed's return, they built a small home in Springville, and their first three Sons (Alan, Robert & Jim) were born.  They built a larger home in Mapleton and had just moved in when Reed was transferred to Price, Utah, and a whole new life's adventure began.

Elaine was a “Springville girl” through and through and leaving her surrounding for a new adventure elsewhere was hard on her.  Living in Price, however, was a great building experience for Elaine, and she approached it with zest and enthusiasm.  She supported Reed in his new professional responsibilities and kept things humming at home, and they added their fourth son, Don, to the family.  The family grew in size and spiritually as Elaine and Reed served in many church callings and regularly traveled to attend the Manti, Utah Temple.  Elaine served as Primary President, and Reed served as Elder's Quorum President.  These were days filled with family vacations and fun times for everyone.  Reed and Elaine were strong advocates of having their family work and played together.  They made lifetime friends wherever they lived, and their days in Price were no different.  In 1964, Reed received another employment advancement, and the family moved to Casper, Wyoming.  Their last son, David, was born there, and the family continued to grow and expand.  She continued to serve in various church callings, including Relief Society President.  She also worked alongside Reed in his business and later in the legal profession as a secretary and paralegal. Her typing skills and spelling were immaculate. Work was a hallmark to her and Reed, and it even involved a "family" paper route in Casper, where some 100 newspapers had to be delivered by Jim and Don every morning.

On August 1, 1974, tragedy struck when Reed was killed in an unfortunate accident in Salt Lake City, and Elaine was left as a widow with two sons still at home.  She quickly regrouped and moved back to her hometown of Springville to be amongst family and friends. In 1979, Elaine married Howard Christensen of Casper, Wyoming.  Howard was a fine man but unfortunately passed away 14 months later.  In 1982, Elaine married Cliff Olsen, also of Casper, Wyoming.  Cliff loved to travel, as did Elaine, and they enjoyed visiting many places across the country together.  Cliff was a grandfather figure to many of Elaine's grandchildren and was deeply loved by many. Cliff also introduced Elaine to "Winters in Mesa," and she continued to travel to Mesa, Arizona, as a "snowbird" for some 35 years to pick her beloved citrus each morning for breakfast.  She has attributed fresh citrus too much of her longevity.  In addition to warm winter days in Arizona, Elaine loved Arizona's sunsets, flowers, and many beautiful outdoor landscapes.  Unfortunately, Cliff had an untimely death in 1988 and was greatly missed.  A few years later, in 2000, Elaine met and married Bert Fisher, and they began a great life together.

Bert was a retired Air Force Colonel, had an excellent memory, and could recite poetry at the drop of a hat.  Unfortunately, Bert also had an untimely death in 2013, and Elaine said burying four husbands was enough and vowed she would not remarry again.  Elaine was not one to sit idly by, and over the past 20 years, she took up the hobby of crocheting what she called "snowballs," which were small, crocheted balls the size of a baseball filled with stuffing.  Over the years, she made and donated over 6,000 of her "snowballs" to Primary Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City.  One of the real tragedies Elaine faced was at 95 when she could not renew her drives license.  She insisted on keeping her car, just in case an emergency arose but realized that, sadly, her driving days were over.  Elaine's life was never dull or boring; she was blessed with great friends who helped her through many difficult times and was thoughtful and caring friend to them.  Her mother, Thelma Lee Cherrington, was a great help to her upon Reed’s death as well as her brother Paul.  If she was not organizing a quilting event, she was planning the next Relief Society Bazar or making all kinds of things for her church and community. She will be greatly missed by everyone who loves to play cribbage and any other card game at which she could beat you. In the game of Hearts, she loved to hold that dreaded queen of spades to drop it on you just when you least expected it.  Lemon pound cakes and chocolate were always at the top of her list. She loved making homemade fudge and giving it to many of her friends.  We all miss you, Mom, but after 48 years without Dad, it's appropriate that the two of you are reunited in that house he has been building for you as you get to help him again with his handwriting and spelling.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Tess (Robertson), her brother Paul (Cherrington), and her four husbands (Reed, Howard, Cliff, and Bert).  She is survived by her five sons and their spouses, Alan (Janice Mabey), Robert (Margret Jack), Jim (Lynn Brakke), Don (Christine Nixon), and David (Jessica Jenkins).  She has 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, with three more on their way.

A viewing will be held on Friday, February 10, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, Utah.  Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 11, at 11:00 am the LDS Chapel, 355 East Center Street, Springville, Utah, 84663.  There will be a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 am before the funeral services at the same chapel.  Interment to follow at the Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, Utah.