On Dec. 15, 2014, Erda Sorenson Willardson passed away peacefully at the Rocky Mountain Care facility in Tooele, Utah, where she was being lovingly cared for the last three months by staff and family. Erda was born in Centerfield, Utah, on March 12, 1924 and was the sixth child of eight born to Peter Marlin and Sarah Lillian Jensen Sorenson. She grew up in a farming family and enjoyed playing the trombone in high school. Erda also enjoyed spending her time dancing! After a bet over a candy bar, Erda went on a date with Oran L. Willardson, whom she later married on Feb. 25, 1946. The following year, Oran and Erda were sealed in the Manti Temple. Oran and Erda moved the family to Tooele County so that Oran could work at the Tooele Army Depot as a mechanic. Erda had a few jobs; however, her main priority was raising her five children. She did enjoy cooking, sewing, traveling to visit family and spending time with friends. Erda retired from the Tooele Army Depot in 1989. 
Erda is survived by her five children, Thanna Holmes, LaWayne (Susan), Lonnie (Diane), Oran (Jeri) and Sherrie (Alvin) Barnum; her brother, Kurt (Lois) Sorenson; 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oran (Red); her parents; four brothers and two sisters. At Erda’s request, there will be a graveside service at the Gunnison City Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Dear Mom, “The sun, the moon, the wind, the stars will forever be around, reminding you (us) of the love you shared and the peace you finally found.”