Elsie Robertson Swapp, 91, passed away peacefully in St. George, Utah on March 25, 2023. Elsie was born in Alton on September 8, 1931. Her parents were Isaac LeRoy Robertson and Miriam Joy Clayton. Mom’s younger years were spent helping feed their family by growing a garden and raising chickens for eggs and meat. Mom met dad, Leon Johnson Swapp, while they were both in school. They were married in Salt Lake City in October 1953. They were later sealed for time and eternity in the St. George temple in March 1995.
Mom attended post high school in Salt Lake City. Upon returning to Kanab, she worked in Dr. Aiken’s office and for the phone company. Robert was born while our folks lived in Kanab. Mom and dad were some of the original settlers of Page in 1956. While in Page they added three children, Paul (who unfortunately passed away hours after birth), Tia and Clayton. Elsie raised her family in our home on Date Street until dad’s retirement and health problems moved them back to the red hills of Kanab in 1993.
Elsie was a meticulous housekeeper, gardener, worker and always trendy in her personal appearance. She worked for the Bureau of Reclamation for 30 years in the HR office. She had a million-dollar view from her office window that looked over the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. After dad’s passing, mom worked for Garkane Energy where she loved to be answering phones, completing memos and staying busy.
Mom was able to build her own home in Alton in the early 2000’s. She loved caring for her home, growing her flowers and canning the vegetables from the garden.
Mom’s testimony and faith in the LDS church drove her to always read her scriptures, fulfill various callings, and attend meetings and the temple when possible.
Elsie will be deeply missed by her family. Christmas won’t be the same without all of her decorations. Dinners will be missing her famous rolls and her front room will be empty without her quilting frames set up with her latest project on them.
Elsie is survived by her children; Robert (Terri) of Alton, UT/Page, AZ. Tia Lamb of Midway, UT. Clayton (Lisa) of Page, AZ. She is survived by 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Mom was preceded in death by dad, Leon Swapp, baby Paul Robertson Swapp, daughter-in-law Rocki Swapp, grandbaby Cody James Lamb, and son-in-law Boyd S. Lamb. Mom was also preceded in death by sisters Barbara, Cleo, Virginia, Joy and Gay. Brothers William (Billy), Phillip, and Val. A great reunion is taking place in heaven as mom can reunite with family and friends who have gone through the veil before her. Until we meet again, love you mom.
Graveside services for Elsie will be at the Kanab Cemetery on Saturday, April 8th at 2PM. There will be a family and friend celebration of mom’s life at the Kanab 2nd Ward Chapel, 604 South Highway 89A, Kanab immediately after the graveside.