Roots of Granger: The Legacy of Ella Fairbourn Orr
Ella LaRae Fairbourn Orr: A Gentle Heart from Granger’s Founding Family
Ella LaRae Fairbourn Orr was born on February 22, 1902, in Granger, Utah—a small, close-knit farming community where her family name carried deep roots and lasting respect. She was the daughter of Joseph W. and Minnie Sarah Taylor Fairbourn, among the earliest and most influential settlers in the Granger area. The Fairbourn family helped shape the land, faith, and fellowship that defined the early west side of the Salt Lake Valley.
From her youth, Ella was known for her grace, kindness, and steadfast character. She grew up surrounded by hard work, family devotion, and the rhythms of rural life—helping on the farm, tending to neighbors, and participating in the growing Granger Ward community. Those who knew her best remembered her as a woman who lived quietly but left a powerful impression of love and compassion.
Ella married William Wallace Orr, and together they built their home in Granger, where they raised three children: Gloria, Carol, and Wallace (“Wally”). Her devotion to her family was unwavering. Even as she faced years of declining health, she continued to nurture and guide her children, teaching them by quiet example the values of honesty, service, and faith.
She passed away at her home in Granger in 1942, at just forty years old, following a long illness and heart ailment. Her early passing left a deep ache in the hearts of her young family, especially her son Wally, who carried her photograph in his wallet throughout his life as a cherished reminder of the mother he adored.
Her funeral service reflected the love of her family and community. The Inkley family performed the hymn “Oh, My Father” on violins and cello—a fitting tribute to a woman whose faith anchored her through every trial. Another number, “Sometime We’ll Understand,” was sung by Nathan Hale, Ted Inkley, and Glen Todd, offering comfort to those who mourned her passing. Bishop Merrill Peterson of the Granger Ward spoke tenderly of her life and example.
Ella was survived by her husband and three children, along with a large and devoted extended family: seven brothers—Joseph T. of Bacchus; George, Glenn, and Abiner of Granger; William and Harvey of Hunter; and Thomas of South Salt Lake—and four sisters: Mrs. May Lloyd of Granger, Mrs. Lila Warr of Riverton, Mrs. Erma Hanger of Salt Lake City, and Mrs. Villa Aamodt of Murray.
Though her life was brief, Ella LaRae Fairbourn Orr’s influence endured through her family, her faith, and the community she loved. She represented the strength and heart of Granger’s founding generation—those who built homes from farm
