Anne Marie James

Anne Marie Knaphus Gerritsen James
1923-2018

Our loving mother and grandmother Marie James, passed through the veil on April 13, 2018.  She was born on August 18, 1923 in Salt Lake City to Torleif S. Knaphus and Emilia Christensen.  She was blessed with wonderful siblings:  Kim (Lois), Harold, Olive (Lee) Miller, Grace (Ernie) Humphrey, TM (Darr), Irene (Chuck) Conran, Jack (Joyce), Norman (Charlotte), Elling (Joan), Stephen (Barbara), Becky Beddoes, Martin (Jan), and Rowena (Don) Aina.  She graduated from South High School.

Marie married Adrian (Ed) Gerritsen Jr. on February 25, 1943 in the Salt

Lake Temple.  They had three children:  John Adrian, Bryan Reed, and Allen Paul Gerritsen.  They later divorced.

On August 23, 1966 Marie married Elmer Asper James and gained three more children:  Carol Leone, Richard Dea, and Nancy James.  She has 27 grandchildren, 69 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.  Surviving her are sons:  John (Janice) Gerritsen, Bryan (Becky) Gerritsen, Richard (Betty) James, and daughters: Carol (Terry) Virgin, Nancy J. Mickelson, and daughter-in-law Juli Gerritsen.  She was preceded in death by her parents; Step-mother Marie; husbands, Elmer and Ed; Son, Allen; great grandchildren, Connor James and Elle Kae Gerritsen.

Her life was filled with living life to the fullest and loving her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She and Elmer were diligent in meshing their two families into one. They worked side by side escorting tours for their ‘James Travel Tours” business.  And we can’t leave out their love of fishing together on Strawberry Reservoir.

Marie was dedicated to her family, her church and her friends.  She served in and magnified her many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Those callings included President of the Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women’s; Temple ordinance worker; and missionary with Elmer in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission.  As well as the personal growth she experienced - she touched the lives of many people through these callings.

Marie not only cherished her present family but also her past, being extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage.  She adorned her homes with beautiful paintings and sculptures which were created by her artist father.  At age two and a half her father had her pose for the little girl sitting atop the Handcart Monument which stands on Temple Square.

She was an avid walker and loved gardening, skiing, and travel. She was a marvelous cook so our home was often filled with the aroma of baked bread, homemade candy, pies, and cookies.  Our mother was a real planner and spent many hours creating personalized gifts for her children and grandchildren.  She loved planning, creating, and carrying off wonderful gatherings for family and friends.  Mom also loved studying the scriptures.  She belonged to a scripture study group of close friends for 35 years.

Marie learned to work hard, appreciate beauty, enjoy simple pleasures. From childhood she loved beauty and found it everywhere.  She saw life as an adventure and met it with enthusiasm, courage and grace.  She always expressed gratitude and treasured family relationships.  Marie made every person feel like they were the most important person to her.

Her gift of faith guided her to seek things of eternal worth. Marie created a home based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.  She placed her family above all, taught her family by personal example the importance of faith, prayer, and love.  She had a deep and abiding testimony of the Lord’s Plan of Salvation and the eternal nature of families.  She was a true disciple of Christ whose life was a reflection of Him and what He taught.

Anne ‘Marie’ James will be missed by many and especially by her family, but we can just imagine the wonderful reunion she is having right now.

“Mom, we love you to the moon and back.”

The last words she spoke were “It’s a wonderful life!”

The family would like to thank The Coventry Assisted Living staff and Brighton Hospice for their loving care.

*A viewing will be held on Monday, April 23rd, from 9:00 to 10:45am.  A funeral Service will follow at 11:00am.  Both will take place at the Cannon Mortuary 2460 E. Bengal Blvd., (7600 S.)  Cottonwood Heights, Utah).  Internment at Salt Lake Cemetery.