Steven James Manning

Steven James Manning, age 81, of North Salt Lake, Utah, returned to his Heavenly Father on September 13, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at home.

He was born on December 8, 1943, in Ogden, Utah to Roy William Manning and Janice Enid Timms. He married his steadfast companion, Elna Elizabeth Ridges, in the Salt Lake Temple on March 17, 1967. Together, they created a home filled with love, hard work, and a strong commitment to faith and family.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Steven's faith guided his actions throughout life. He served a mission in New Zealand, where he discovered joy in helping others, a joy that remained with him as he served his family throughout his life.

Steven devoted more than 30 years to the University of Utah, distinguishing himself in cancer research. He successfully created a cure for a specific type of cancer that is widely used today. He was also a teacher and a chemical biohazard specialist. Colleagues respected him for his intellect, integrity, and unwavering dependability.

Passionate about archaeology, Steven found joy in exploring the outdoors, discovering Native American sites, and preserving Utah’s ancient rock art. He volunteered countless hours recording his discoveries with the Utah Department of State History and was sought after to share his expertise at rock art symposiums, inspiring all who listened.

Steven’s adventurous spirit shaped his family in countless ways. From the time his children were infants, he brought them along on camping trips, teaching them to carry their own packs and to embrace both the excitement and the challenges of the outdoors. Whether they were braving long hikes in the heat or cold, river rafting, rappelling, or facing days that were equal parts exhilarating and exhausting, Steven encouraged his family to meet every experience with patience, grit, and strength. Through these adventures, he instilled resilience and a lasting love of the wild in his children and grandchildren, believing that life was meant to be fully explored and never feared.

Steven’s remarkable hands and curious mind could build or fix anything. When it came to their family home, he taught himself every skill necessary to bring it to life: plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, finish work, concrete work and painting. Steven did it all, down to the finest detail.

His dedication to self-reliance meant he never once hired a repairman in over fifty years; Steven tackled every problem, learning whatever it took to keep their home running smoothly. Whether it was a leaky pipe, a faulty appliance, or a complicated electrical issue, he approached each challenge with determination, resourcefulness, and a sense of pride. For his family, Steven was not just the builder but also the fixer of all things, always happy to teach others what he had figured out for himself.

Steven is survived by his beloved wife, Elna; his children, Carolyn and Stuart Overturf, David and Kourtnee Manning, Sandra and Bob McCarthy, Lisa and TJ Kolanko, Sheri and Tyler Wiseman, Michele Manning and Jamie Callister; 17 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is reunited in heaven with his grandparents James and Zilla Manning, his parents, his sister Enid, and his beloved son Jeremy.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 22nd at 11 a.m. with a viewing at 9:30 a.m., at the Orchard 13th Ward, 261 East Center Street, North Salt Lake, UT, preceded by a viewing on Sunday September 21st at 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the same Church. Interment will follow at Memorial Lakeview Estates.

The family wishes to thank Elevation Hospice caregivers, cherished church friends and extended family for their kindness and unwavering support during Steven’s final days.

To view the services remotely, please visit http://zoom.us/j/99425105875?pwd”NEh2VnpiaU5FbkJUUWp4YktkWXICQT09