Else-Marie Vanderhooft

A life like Else-Marie Vanderhooft’s can’t be contained in a simple chronology. Nevertheless, all stories begin somewhere, and hers began January 13th, 1940, in Oslo, Norway. Though very young at the time, Else-Marie remembered the end of the Nazi occupation of Norway, and fondly recalled the first piece of white bread with butter and sugar that followed. A talented ballerina, Else-Marie was selected as one of a few Norwegian young women who went on to perform for the King of Norway. For decades, a beautiful sepia photograph of her on pointe has hung in the homes she’s lived in.

Her story in Norway continued with her conversion and baptism at the age of 19 into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. At the age of 20, she immigrated to the United States. There, she met Gerard Francois Vanderhooft, an immigrant himself who arrived from Holland in 1948 at the age of 10. Else-Marie and Gerard married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on May 12, 1961. Together they had four children: Eric, Lisa (Scott) Spurrier, Peter (Linette), and Ann (Stan) Hansen. Else-Marie is also survived by her twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild, brother, Sjursen Fedje of Sognal, Norway and sister, Kim Rogers of South Jordan, Utah. She was preceded in death by her husband Gerard, who passed on May 13, 1993, father Ingvald, mother Ruth, and sister, Ruth Ingvild Samuelsen.

Else-Marie married John Randolph Ayre on December 31, 1998, gaining four more children and fourteen grandchildren. She loved them all as much as her own. A deeply giving person, Else-Marie supported numerous philanthropic and humanitarian causes. Her Christmas traditions of beautifully decorated rooms and delicious food will be fondly remembered.

Else-Marie loved this big, beautiful world and all it had to offer. She traveled all over the world and served LDS missions to the Philippines, Chile, and Hawaii. Each time she returned, she came with stories and artifacts for all she loved. Each corner of the homes she lived in told tales of her adventures. She enjoyed hiking, teaching aerobics, doing Tai Chi, and cooking gourmet cuisine.

On March 18th, 2016, she left for her next great adventure. She asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Operation Smile, The Christmas Box House, the MS Society, or the charity of your choice.

Services will be held at the Fortuna LDS Chapel, 4407 South Fortuna Way (3695 East), Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 26th at 11:00 AM, preceded by a viewing from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. A viewing will also be held from 6 PM to 8 PM on Friday, March 25th at Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City.