Our mother, Myrna Barrus Bush, passed away Monday, April 25, 2022, at her home in Tooele, Utah, surrounded by her family, and overlooking her beautiful yard where she spent many hours laboring. She was 85 years young.
Myrna was born and raised in Grantsville, Utah. She was born Nov. 23, 1936, to Bert Verian Barrus and Elaine Cassidy Gordon Barrus. Her siblings include Colleen, LaNae, Gordon, Myra, Annette, and Carolee.
She was an alum of Grantsville High School and loved the Grantsville Cowboys (we forgive her). She survived many hardships. She had polio as a child which caused difficulties with her legs and joints. Because of polio, she missed out on kindergarten and first grade and had to learn to walk again. She had an amazing willpower in following a strict diet to control diabetes, kidney disease, AFIB, heart failure, and other debilitating health difficulties. This diet allowed her to hold off taking dialysis for 14 years. She had lost so much weight in the past few years that she no longer needed to take insulin. At birth, she lost her twin sister Myra, and as a child she lost her brother Gordon in a car accident and fire. She was also a 30-year breast cancer survivor.
Myrna married Ronald Earl Bush on Dec. 2, 1960, in the Salt Lake City Temple. They made their home in Tooele and had three children Elaine Rae Bush, Nina Janeen Bush (Gwynn), and Alan Gordon Bush. Together they enjoyed spending time with their family, camping, fishing, going to church, basketball games, attending activities their children were involved with, and visiting with extended family on both sides. They enjoyed camping for Swiss Days in Midway every year. She continued these activities to the best of her ability after her loving husband Ron passed away. She put up with our family’s sometimes odd sense of humor. She never contributed, but always smiled.
Myrna worked for Tooele County for 30-plus years, achieving the position of Deputy Treasurer. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in callings for her church. She and Dad served on callings for the Benson Grist Mill relocation. She also served in canning at the Bishop’s Storehouse and performed genealogy work.
Myrna enjoyed sewing and helped friends and her family with sewing competitions, helping to win many 4-H awards. She enjoyed arts and crafts and encouraged her children in 4-H and school activities and other endeavors. She loved gardening and planted corn, peas, peppers, and other vegetables, and fruit trees. She grew bushels of tomatoes every year, canning salsa and green tomato jam. She enjoyed meeting with her friend Kathy Charles Edwards each year to celebrate their birthdays.
Myrna donated to multiple charities. She was a proud supporter of American Veterans, Children’s Wish Network, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and others.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bert V. and Elaine Barrus; her brother Gordon; her sisters Myra, Colleen, LaNae and Carolee; her husband Ronald E. Bush; and her grandson Jayden Bush.
She is survived by her sister Emily Annette Barrus of Tooele; her children Elaine, Nina, and Alan (Debbie) Bush; grandchildren Robert (Stephanie) Gwynn, Samantha (Derek) Biesinger, Katelyn, Cassidee, and Ella Bush; great-grandchildren Caleb, Willow, Cora, Aspen, Fallon and Rori; and her beloved canine companion Sugar.
Funeral service was held April 30, 2022.