Lela Jesperson Dalton, 81, passed away peacefully returning to our Heavenly Father, May 22, 2006, in Orem, Utah. Lela was born Nov. 13, 1924 in Tucson, Arizona. She married Patrick D. Dalton, Jr. Dec. 20, 1948.
Lela served with her husband on many missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A Teaching Mission to Liahona High School 1953-55, Personal Secretary for President David O. McKay 1955 during a South Pacific trip, wife of the Mission President of the Nuku'alofa Tonga Mission from 1963-66, CES Mission in Suva, Fiji in 1989, wife of the President of the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple from 1990-92, and a fifth mission was served at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Hawaii 1999-2000. Sister Dalton worked as a fill-in secretary at BYU-Hawaii (formerly CCH) for 25 yrs. Lela was a faithful member of the LDS Church and held many positions such as the Recorder for Patriarchal Blessings, Ward and Stake Relief Society Secretary, and as Stake Relief Society President.
She is survived by her husband Patrick D. Dalton, Jr. children, Tanya (Nolan) Goodwin, Erin C. Dalton, Mark E. (Debbie) Dalton, nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, brothers Roy (Berniece) Jesperson, Max (Virginia) Jespserson, Oscar (Dorine) Jespserson, sister Myrna (Ortho) Fairbanks, and Tongan daughter Suliana (Bill) Afeaki.
She was preceded in death by her son, Sean D. Dalton, her parents, Oscar F. and Martha L. Abegg Jespserson, three sisters, Marzelle Mangum, Ione Simonson, Irene Johnson, and others she loved.
We want to thank the Apple Valley Ward and those who loved and cared for her at the U of U Hospital, Highland Care, and Orem Nursing & Rehab.
Lela was an excellent worker, very organized, honest, trust worthy, thoughtful and soft spoken. Lela is a queen, an elect woman, with compassion, we love her and will miss her dearly.
Funeral Services were 11am, Wednesday, May 31, 2006 Apple Valley Ward - Butler Stake Center, 7035 Nutree Drive (3300 E.), Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call Tuesday, May 30, 2006 , 6pm - 8pm and prior to services from 9am - 10:30am, Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery.