Paula McQueen Elmer

July 25, 1947 - October 13, 2026

Paula Lyman McQueen Elmer, age 79, passed away at her home on October 13, 2026 in Spokane, WA after a three year struggle with cancer. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 25, 1947 to James Nelson and Ann Lyman McQueen. She was the third of thirteen children and remembers a happy childhood living and exploring the fields and orchards around her home.

Paula married James Benson Elmer in the Salt Lake Temple in 1973. They had six children - Leigh, Zach, Jamie, Emily, Katie, and Andrew. Paula was a “spunky gal” as Jim put it. She was very creative and loved making quilts and knitting sweaters for her family and friends. She is known for her jean blankets, which she started making in the ‘80s. She learned how to make pottery in her 50s and continued until she no longer could. She has made countless bowls, cups, and other pottery pieces for her family members. She also enjoyed making clothes and other things for her household. She has been an experienced seamstress since she was a child and made a lot of her own clothes and many of her children’s clothing when they were younger.

She was a prolific gardener and loved being outside working in her vegetable and flower beds. When they moved to their current property, she had greenhouses built and loved to grow many flowers and vegetables. She planted a few hundred black walnut trees over twenty years ago and hoped her family would be able to see them fully mature. She grew several acres of pumpkins for multiple years and sold them locally. She has experimented with growing many varieties of vegetables and flowers and always enjoyed sharing them with those she loved.

She was always learning. She particularly loved to learn about the founding fathers and anyone who taught true and correct principles. She enjoyed many Scottish and American authors who wrote during the early 19th century. At one point she home-schooled three of her children. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching, reading, and learning.

She learned and shared poetry with her children and taught them to memorize poems from a young age. She enjoyed singing and performing with the family. The family enjoyed singing harmonies and parts together and often sang in church and just for fun at home. She instituted a talent show that became a tradition at family gatherings. Paula always rewarded those who performed or participated in a family talent show with a candy bar.

She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for her entire life and had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She most enjoyed serving as a teacher and loved learning and preparing for lessons. She and Jim served an 18 month mission in Ghana, Africa in 2013-2014.

Paula was a bright light with a big personality and will be missed by many family and friends. We are happy she gets to reunite with so many of her loved ones and that she is no longer suffering.

She is survived by her husband, James B. Elmer; their children: Leigh (Dan) Hansen, Zach (Steffanie) Elmer, Jamie (Carl) Petersen, Emily (Cy) Bowers, Katie (Dan) Sorensen, Andrew (Ashley) Elmer; her siblings: Nelson (Connie) McQueen, Mark McQueen, Arden (Cindy) McQueen, Jamie (Kathy) McQueen, Kerry (Margie) McQueen, Andrea Winchester, Roebin (Gerry) McQueen, Deni (Richard) Boud, Whit (Monica) McQueen; 32 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her sisters Becky, Shelli, and Jean.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 401 W. Regina in North Spokane. A viewing will be held at 10 am preceding the funeral services. The dedication and burial will be held at 1 pm at the South Pines Cemetery in Spokane Valley, WA. Paula loved bright colors and Scottish plaids. She would love it if you honored her by wearing either to her funeral.