Lauretta Edlefsen

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Lauretta Edlefsen

February 13, 1928 ~ September 12, 2021.

Lauretta Marie Mancuso Edlefsen passed away very peacefully at her home on September 12, 2021. Lauretta had chosen to donate her body to the University of Utah upon her death. She was later cremated and now is the time that we can celebrate her life with friends and family.

Lauretta was born in Salt Lake City on February 13, 1928.  She was the oldest daughter of seven kids: Ross, Carmen, Mary, Teresa, Babe, Cathy, to Camino Mancuso and Carolina Barberio of Italy. She placed fourth in Miss Utah, graduated from South High School in 1945, modeled in magazines and at many live events up to age 88. She married Blaine Edlefsen on August 13, 1950 in Salt Lake City. Lauretta danced professionally with the Rogers, Edlefsen Vaudeville Dancers. She loved sewing, decorating, crafts and going to the gym. One classy lady!

Lauretta and Blaine had four children: Terry, Lori, Julie and Reggy. They lived in California from 1950 to 1997; the last 22 years were in Palm Springs. She retired from Saks Fifth Avenue, where she knew many celebrities, kings and queens.

Lauretta moved to Salt Lake City in 1997 when her husband Blaine passed away. She worked for her brother at Mancuso’s Religious Goods, then went to work at Tuesday Morning for years until she started to fall ill with dementia.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Carmen, Mary and Teresa. She is survived by siblings Ross, Jim (Babe), Cathy; children Terry Edlefsen, Lori Ford, Julie Rodgers, Reggy Edlefsen; grandchildren Alicia Ann, Chelsea Ford, Tyler Ford, Christopher Edlefsen, Hannah Edlefsen, Blaine Edlefsen; great-grandchildren Andrew Cabey II, Alexis Cabey, Avian Cabey, Alijah Cabey, CeCe Cabey, Junior Cabey, Caden Ford, Kylie Peck, Chloe Peck and great-great grandchild Viera Ann Cabey.

Lauretta’s memorial service will be held on August 26, 2022, at 1 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1385 East Spring Lane, Salt Lake City. A luncheon will follow for those attending the service.

Any donations please give to Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lauretta Edlefsen’s name or directly to Julie Rodgers and she will donate where needed. Special thanks to all those who helped make Lauretta’s final days peaceful and exactly how she wanted it to be, especially Aaron Sampson, a dear friend.

Lauretta was an inspiration to so many and will surely be missed every day ... Love you, Mama.