Gertrude R. Garff
Born: 2 November 1910
Called as Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 1945
Released: 1947
Died: 20 October 2002
Called as Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 1945
Released: 1947
Died: 20 October 2002
Biographical Articles
Relief Society Magazine, March 1940, New General Board - Gertrude R. Garff
Relief Society Magazine, December 1947, Gertrude R. Garff Released as Counselor in General Presidency
Relief Society Magazine, December 1947, Gertrude R. Garff Released as Counselor in General Presidency
"New General Board - Gertrude R. Garff." Relief Society Magazine. March 1940. pg. 155-156.
New General Board
Gertrude Ryberg Garff
GERTRUDE RYBERG GARFF, daughter of Eric W. Ryberg and Charlotte Critchlow, was born November 2, 1912, at Hyrum, Utah.
Mrs. Garff’s entire schooling took place in Salt Lake City. Completing her training at the University of Utah in 1935, she graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science, majoring in home economics; she was elected to Omicron Nu, the national honorary scholastic home economics society. Before completing her university training, Mrs. Garff served as a missionary in the Eastern States Mission from 1931 to 1933. While there she rendered faithful, intelligent service to the Church, giving special attention to radio activities.
Mrs. Garff married Mark Brimhall Garff October 11, 1935, making her home in Salt Lake City. After her marriage, Mrs. Garff became actively engaged in Relief Society work in Richards Ward as teacher in the Theology department.
In the late spring of 1937, Mrs. Garff accepted a call to go with her husband to Denmark to assist him in presiding over the Danish Mission. This assignment was delayed until after the birth of Mrs. Garff’s first child; but in September of the same year, two months after her baby son was born, she completed the long journey to Denmark.
While in Denmark, she had full charge of all Relief Society work and was advisor for all women’s organizations in the mission, together with caring for the welfare of the missionaries.
With her striking and pleasing personality, she won the love and sincere admiration of members, friends and missionaries.
Her faith and devotion to the Church was shown by remaining in Denmark during the beginning of the war, caring not only for her own but for the hundreds of missionaries who came to Copenhagen from other missions. This was a trying time. When the call came for her to return home, without her husband, she had the faith to leave with her two-year old son on a small freighter. The voyage was made during bad weather, sixteen days being required to cross the water.
Mrs. Garff’s training and experience qualify her for the responsible position to which she is now called as a member of the Relief Society General Board.
New General Board
Gertrude Ryberg Garff
GERTRUDE RYBERG GARFF, daughter of Eric W. Ryberg and Charlotte Critchlow, was born November 2, 1912, at Hyrum, Utah.
Mrs. Garff’s entire schooling took place in Salt Lake City. Completing her training at the University of Utah in 1935, she graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science, majoring in home economics; she was elected to Omicron Nu, the national honorary scholastic home economics society. Before completing her university training, Mrs. Garff served as a missionary in the Eastern States Mission from 1931 to 1933. While there she rendered faithful, intelligent service to the Church, giving special attention to radio activities.
Mrs. Garff married Mark Brimhall Garff October 11, 1935, making her home in Salt Lake City. After her marriage, Mrs. Garff became actively engaged in Relief Society work in Richards Ward as teacher in the Theology department.
In the late spring of 1937, Mrs. Garff accepted a call to go with her husband to Denmark to assist him in presiding over the Danish Mission. This assignment was delayed until after the birth of Mrs. Garff’s first child; but in September of the same year, two months after her baby son was born, she completed the long journey to Denmark.
While in Denmark, she had full charge of all Relief Society work and was advisor for all women’s organizations in the mission, together with caring for the welfare of the missionaries.
With her striking and pleasing personality, she won the love and sincere admiration of members, friends and missionaries.
Her faith and devotion to the Church was shown by remaining in Denmark during the beginning of the war, caring not only for her own but for the hundreds of missionaries who came to Copenhagen from other missions. This was a trying time. When the call came for her to return home, without her husband, she had the faith to leave with her two-year old son on a small freighter. The voyage was made during bad weather, sixteen days being required to cross the water.
Mrs. Garff’s training and experience qualify her for the responsible position to which she is now called as a member of the Relief Society General Board.
Spafford, Belle S. "Gertrude R. Garff Released as Counselor in General Presidency." Relief Society Magazine. December 1947. pg. 803.
Gertrude R. Garff Released as Counselor in General Presidency
President Belle S. Spafford
AT the officers meeting of the general Relief Society conference held Thursday morning, October 2, 1947, the announcement of the release of Sister Gertrude R. Garff as second counselor in the General Presidency of Relief Society, and as a member of the General Board, was announced by President Belle S. Spafford. This action was made necessary because of Sister Gaff’s heavy home responsibilities. In tendering her resignation, Sister Garff stated, “The additional care of my six months’ old baby is very time consuming, and I find that my older children are in greater need of my personal attention to their problems now than they have ever been before. My home responsibilities are becoming ever greater from day to day.”
Sister Garff was named a member of the General Board of Relief Society in January 1940 at the time Sister Amy Brown Lyman was called to preside as General President of the Society. In April 1945 she was called to serve as counselor to Sister Belle S. Spafford in the General Presidency. Since her appointment to this position, Sister Garff, in addition to her general duties as counselor, has had general supervision of the Temple Burial Clothes Department of the General Board and also of the Mormon Handicraft Shop. She served as chairman of the October general conference committee for 1945 and 1947 and as chairman of the stake convention committee for 1946. She has also served continuously as a member of the General Church Welfare clothing committee.
Sister Garff's strong testimony of the gospel, her training, experience, and charm of personality admirably fitted her for the work which has been hers as a member of the General Board and as counselor in the Presidency, and her contribution to the work of the Society is deeply appreciated. Her good judgment has made her a wise and valued counselor. She has endeared herself to her associates, and it is with a sincere sense of regret that the members of the General Board part with her as one of their number.
Gertrude R. Garff Released as Counselor in General Presidency
President Belle S. Spafford
AT the officers meeting of the general Relief Society conference held Thursday morning, October 2, 1947, the announcement of the release of Sister Gertrude R. Garff as second counselor in the General Presidency of Relief Society, and as a member of the General Board, was announced by President Belle S. Spafford. This action was made necessary because of Sister Gaff’s heavy home responsibilities. In tendering her resignation, Sister Garff stated, “The additional care of my six months’ old baby is very time consuming, and I find that my older children are in greater need of my personal attention to their problems now than they have ever been before. My home responsibilities are becoming ever greater from day to day.”
Sister Garff was named a member of the General Board of Relief Society in January 1940 at the time Sister Amy Brown Lyman was called to preside as General President of the Society. In April 1945 she was called to serve as counselor to Sister Belle S. Spafford in the General Presidency. Since her appointment to this position, Sister Garff, in addition to her general duties as counselor, has had general supervision of the Temple Burial Clothes Department of the General Board and also of the Mormon Handicraft Shop. She served as chairman of the October general conference committee for 1945 and 1947 and as chairman of the stake convention committee for 1946. She has also served continuously as a member of the General Church Welfare clothing committee.
Sister Garff's strong testimony of the gospel, her training, experience, and charm of personality admirably fitted her for the work which has been hers as a member of the General Board and as counselor in the Presidency, and her contribution to the work of the Society is deeply appreciated. Her good judgment has made her a wise and valued counselor. She has endeared herself to her associates, and it is with a sincere sense of regret that the members of the General Board part with her as one of their number.