(l-r) Norwood Jonas, Jackie Jonas, Susan Jonas, Evan Jonas, Shelly Jonas, Lona Jonas
This was a fun photo to stumble on. I think this photo was 1968/1969. Grandpa & Grandma Norwood & Colleen Jonas moved to Burley, Cassia, Idaho in 1968. I am unclear if they had the house built in 1968 or if someone else built it and they were the first owners of the home. I have written with other photos of the home at 2652 Fairmont Avenue.
I don’t know the occasion or anything else. But it is fun that Evan & Lona brought the two youngest to come and visit at this time. A good looking picture of all of them. Two dapper brothers and their daughters.
I previously wrote about a couch and chair that I inherited. I am happy to report that I came upon a color photo of the couch and chair I mentioned earlier. It gives more context and clarity for the color and look of both.
Sandy Jonas and unknown on couch and chair
I think this photo may have been taken in the basement of the Burley home on Fairmont Street. I don’t know who the guy is in the photo.
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.
This postcard was among a number of photos related to my Jonas family.
The Richmond Community Building was built under the Public Works Administration in 1936 and completed in 1937. The trees were probably planted with the building’s construction, so I am guessing they are about 10 years old, or this would be late 1940s.
I can see that the right side of the building is the US Post Office. The left side was the theater, which is the sandwich board in the middle. I simply cannot read or make out enough of the board to see what was playing.
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.
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.
Sagacity 