Obituary: Edra Vilate Holyoak Farnsworth

June 11, 1938 – October 11, 2023

Edra Vilate Holyoak Farnsworth, 85, passed away on October 11, 2023 in Moab, Utah. Vilate was born June 11, 1938 in Moab to Richard Leroy and Sarah Victoria Schofield Holyoak. She was the youngest of 8 children.

Growing up, Vilate was involved in the 4-H club and won a trip to Chicago for her canning. She graduated from Grand County High School in 1956. She attended Utah State University for one year and returned back to Moab to work.

She married Douglas G. Farnsworth in 1960 in the Manti, Utah Temple. They had seven children together. Her family was her pride and joy. She was a devoted mother who taught her family the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Vilate was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She held many callings and enjoyed serving others. She loved serving with Doug in the Monticello Temple for several years.

She enjoyed gardening, quilting and crocheting. She made numerous hats, afghans and blankets. She loved to play Skip-Bo with her grandchildren.

Vilate is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and all of her siblings. She is survived by her children, Victoria Lyn (Doug) Black, Rebecca (Ronny) Rich, Cindy (Darin) Bleggi, Karen Sue (Bob) Neely, Robert Douglas (Celeste), James Arlow (Layna), and Reuben Kent (Summer). She also has 33 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, with 3 more on the way.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 11 a.m. at the LDS Stake Center (701 Locust Lane). There will be a viewing prior to the funeral at 10 am. Internment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. There will also be a viewing on Friday, October 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Spanish Valley Mortuary. 

You may send condolences to the family at www.spanishvalleymortuary.com.