Working through more photos for scanning were these three family portraits all in the same frame. I am glad I took the one out to scan because I would not have otherwise found the other two. As you can see below, the last is faded from being in the front. I recall the one hanging near my Grandma’s phone, but I don’t ever recall the other two even though I think they are newer. These are all within a few years in the 1980s.
Brook, Linda, Doug Jonas
Doug is my Mom’s oldest brother. There are three, Doug in 1952, Mom in 1954, and Jackie in 1960.
Brook, Linda, and Doug Jonas
Doug, Linda, and Brook lived in Soda Springs, Caribou, Idaho when I was growing up. They moved to Alaska about 1987. They still live there in Anchorage now.
Julian Rodriguez, center, performs a 50’s dance step and song while surrounded by several female counterparts Tuesday afternoon in Rupert. Rodriguez joined several youngsters at Minidoka Memroial Hospital’s extended care facility during a Kids in Dancing and Singing (K.I.D.S.) performance for the area’s senior citizens. K.I.D.S. is comprised of 3-12-year-old age grounds from the Mini-Cassia region, said organizer Cindy Capson. Also pictured are: Kambree Franks, May Melycher, Holly Haynes, Alyce Rollins, Bridget Murray, Bekah Rich, and Jennifer Lewis.
MANY PEOPLE in Minidoka County aren’t aware of the large amount of construction projects going on but Evan Elliott, on right, isn’t one of them. He knows what the projects are, where they are and who is doing the work. The job of County Inspector is far from being a dull job. (SIP Photo)
Found this article about Evan Elliott, who I grew up calling Grandpa until they divorced.
Building inspector takes look at four walls from either side.
By Arvetta Savage
SIP Feature Writer
While some people find it difficult to cope with an “indoor” job, there are still others who fail to adjust to an “outdoor” job. But Evan Elliot, 41, Paul, figures he just about has his problem solved.
Evan has an “indoor-outdoor” job. He serves as Minidoka County building inspector and maintains an office at Rupert. However, whenever those four walls start closing i on him he can step outdoors and fulfill another facet in his profession.
Evan doesn’t consider his occupation the most fun-loving one in the Mini-Cassia area, but on the other hand it’s far from dull. He has the opportunity to meet a variety of personalities and characters, and according to Evan, there’s nothing dull about meeting or working with the general public. He describes it as a “challenge.”
Evan has been affiliated with construction most of his life. Born in Soda Springs and raised at Paul graduating from Paul High School in 1953, he served three years in the Marine Corps. He traveled around while serving his country, travels with his present occupation and plans to travel further as time progresses.
During his service in the Military, Evan was injured in the Korean conflict and was hospitalized in an Army hospital 10 months in Japan. During that period Evan utilized his time learning about that country and even tried his hand at the Japanese language. Right now, he enjoys going into a Japanese operated restaurant and surprising the owners by speaking to them in their native tongue.
Evan and his wife, the former Colleen Jonas, of Burley whom he married April 9, 1976, plan to travel to Japan next year. Evan has wanted to return to that country and renew his memories of the time he had spent there. He and Colleen traveled extensively on their honeymoon last month and have plans of including traveling in their future.
Besides traveling, Evan also hunts, fishes and recently has taken up the hobby of constructing cactus lamps out of cactus shipped here from Arizona. Constructing things has always interested him, which could be the reason he enjoys his present occupation so much; that of building inspector, which he has been since Jan. 1, 1975.
Purpose of inspecting buildings is to determine and make certain the building will be and is now, structurally sound. About eight inspections are made on each construction so that any changes needed can be made before the building is completed.
Evan knows that his job is controversial and is one position which many persons don’t approve of entirely, or is one which they would not want themselves.
He considers this job a challenge, one of necessity to the public, and in the long run, the duties of building inspector could even result in the saving of money for some individuals as well as saving lives of many.
As we celebrate Christmas once again, one cannot help but remember the Christmas past. I scanned this photo in the last month and it brought back many memories.
My Grandma was then named Colleen Elliott (1928-1999), married to Evan Kay Elliott (1934-2007). This was their home in Paul, Idaho.
There are quite a few presents around that tree. But what do I remember?
I remember my Uncle Doug, Aunt Linda, and cousin Brook Jonas that Christmas. They moved to Alaska in 1987. I think this was the same year Brook accidentally broke my nose. I think that year or next Grandma and Evan were divorced.
I remember getting a harmonica that Christmas that I loved and played for many years. It disappeared after my Grandma passed away while I was on a mission in England in 1999.
I remember my Uncle Willie and Aunt Jackie Melycher. They were married in 1987 in this house.
The house evokes more memories than the Christmas. Although I do recognize and remember some of the balls on the tree.
I remember loving the big dinners at Grandma’s house. I think I remember this Christmas dinner, or maybe it was Thanksgiving. It was a feast as usual. Homemade coleslaw was amazing, still do not believe I have tasted one like hers since.
Part of the meal was the homemade pies. Lemon meringue was my favorite. The pie crust cookies were the best!
I remember the guys talking in this room during the morning. I remember napping in the front room after the meal on one of the couches.
I remember building fires in the fireplace. One time the window shattered outward and made a mess.
Is it strange I want to walk through the house again? But like a funeral viewing, it gives a new memory that I think I would rather not have.
Now, back to the present. I am grateful for my family. I hope they remember Christmas fondly in the future. I hope they have pleasant memories. I hope they remember! Perhaps a photograph for them will conjure a flood of pleasant memories and feelings too. May the joys of the season remain and be recalled.
This doesn’t mention the ultimate reason for the season. But we celebrate his birthday by bringing our family close.
Colleen Mary Andra graduated 24 May 1946 from Preston High in Preston, Idaho
I was given a box of photos. I have been working through those photos to scan and catalogue them. In that box were the Diploma from Preston High School for my Grandma and her Certificate of Graduation from Seminary.
Colleen Mary Andra (1928-1999) graduated 24 May 1946 from Preston High School in Preston, Franklin, Idaho. I was able to do a little homework on the individuals behind the signatures.
Orvid Ray Cutler was born 21 July 1903 in Preston, Idaho and died 24 January 1975 in Preston. A physician and surgeon, he was also active in public service. He was on the Eastside School Board for over 30 years, Mayor of Preston, and on the Idaho Cancer Board.
William Horland Simmons was born 13 February 1905 in Clawson, Teton, Idaho and died 10 April 1988 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho. He spent 24 years as Superintendent in Preston. He then went to Idaho Falls. A charter member of the Preston Lions Club.
Colleen Mary Andra graduated 20 May 1945 from L.D.S. Seminaries.
Colleen graduated 20 May 1945 from L.D.S. Seminaries in Preston. I have a suspicion it was actually 1946, but I am not certain. The wrong year is one thing, but there is another interesting twist. Heber J Grant’s signature is on the Certificate. President Grant had passed away on 14 May 1945, so he passed away before the graduation in 1945, but did they really use the same certificates in 1946? I don’t know what is correct but presume the current graduation with high school is probably correct. So those old 1945 certificates may have been used in 1946.
Heber Jeddy Grant was born 22 November 1956 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah and died 14 May 1945 in Salt Lake City. He was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1918 until his passing in 1945. He is the son of Jedediah Morgan Grant and was a long time church leader. Grandma would not have known another church president as he became President before she was born.
Paul Richard Wynn was born 18 September 1899 in Lyons, Rice, Kansas and died 23 March 1966 in Preston. I cannot find much about him but he was apparently the President of the Board of Education and he lived in Preston. Sounds like he was Stake President in Preston at one time. Even says he prayed in General Conference. A boy from Preston apparently led the Church Board of Education. Of interest, he married to Mary Ellen Hemsley, sister of Richard John Hemsley, Amanda’s ancestor.
Ernest Eberhard Jr was born 20 June 1909 in Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany and died 29 June 1988 in Bountiful, Davis, Utah. I could find where he was the first Mission President of the Idaho Mission when created in 1974 and the Utah Mission in 1976. He was signer as Principal of the Seminary in Preston. He was called by Elder Widtsoe to take the position in Preston for which he stayed for 26 years. He was Bishop of the Preston 1st Ward for 10 years (1944-1954) as well as Mayor of Preston (1951-1955).
Franklin Lorenzo Richards West was born 1 February 1885 in Ogden, Weber, Utah and died 21 October 1966 in Salt Lake City. He was the Dean of Arts and Science at Utah Agricultural College and became Commissioner of Church Education until 1953.
1962 Pontiac Bonneville in Richmond, Utah July 1963
I previously wrote about a 1958 Pontiac Bonneville in Preston, Idaho. That car belonged to Donald and Phyllis. Fast forward a few years to July 1963 (at least that is when the photos were developed) and you have this car.
This car was new to the Norwood and Colleen Jonas family. I recall seeing these photos when I was a young kid and that my Grandma mentioned that she loved this car. But that is the extent of my memories. I don’t know how long they had it, when it went away, why, or what replaced it.
Andra and Sandy Ross (back), Colleen Lloyd (center), Jackie and May Melycher
I first saw this picture this month. I don’t know the occasion and I don’t know why it was taken. But it captivates and surprises me.
This is my Grandmother, Colleen Andra Jonas Elliott Lloyd (1928 – 1999). She is dressed up a bit more than usual, so it must have been an occasion.
I had assumed the photo was taken after I had moved away to attend Utah State University in 1997. But that would put May around 8 years old, she looks more like 6 years old.
I visited with Andra, she thought it was taken at the Burley Elks Lodge when she was about 9th Grace, which would put it about 1994. That fits about right for May’s age. Andra also thought it was some occasion at the Elks and that is why Grandma is dressed up.
This is my mother, Sandy Ross, and my Aunt, Jackie Melycher. They are sisters. Andra is my sister, May my first cousin.
Whatever the occasion, it was a surprise to see a somewhat formal photo of my Grandma, Mom, Sister, Aunt, and Cousin. We as a family did not really do photos together so it was a treat.
Shirley and Marion Murray, holding Nevin about 1940
A year ago I wrote about Marion Murray, Shirley Cate, and their son Nevin. I scanned the photos of Mel and Colleen Todd and continue to work on those photos. Interestingly, this photo has “Marion, Murray Shipley, + Nevin” written on the back. As I worked through some of those unknown photos, I remembered researching and writing on Marion Ellsworth Murray. I went back, and it dawned on me the name was Shirley, not Shipley. I am happy to add this photo with some of the back story to it.
Joanna Virginia Angeline Todd (1898-1997) is related to the Todd line, which is why they have the photo. She married James Ellsworth Murray (1895-1918) and he died of the influenza only two years into their marriage. They had a son, Marion. She remarried to Roy Elgin Davis (1888-1957).
Marion married Shirley Isabelle Cate (1922-1995) and they had a son named Nevin Wayne Murray (1939-2003). He later took the name of Shirley’s next husband, who she married in 1944, to Nevin Wayne Gibson.
The family looks happy and content on a summers day here. Likely in Twin Falls County Idaho. She remarried within about 4 years. What happened or what went wrong? But this snapshot looks whole.
Sagacity 