Bonnie Eldredge

Bonnie Decker Eldredge

August 1, 1925 ~ January 7, 2017

Bonnie Decker Eldredge, age 91, passed away early in the evening of January 7, 2017. She was born on August 1, 1925 to Lula Edith Scott Decker and Laurence Everett Decker of Kirksville, Missouri. She had one older brother, Lynn Ivan Decker whom she was very close to in her childhood years.

They moved to Tabor, Iowa during her teenage years and in 1942, her mother moved to Ogden, Utah to accept a wartime position at Hill Field. Bonnie stayed behind with family friends to finish her senior year at Tabor High School. After graduating in 1943 she joined her mother in Ogden and enrolled in Weber College. In 1945 she went to San Francisco with friends and worked as a clerk in Lerner’s Clothing Store. She didn’t plan on staying there long and returned to Ogden where she worked at Payless Drugs. It was there she met a young naval officer who was the Director of the Naval Reserve in Ogden, Wayne J. Eldredge. They were married in Ogden on April 4, 1947.

Wayne and Bonnie had three sons, Dave, born April 1, 1948; Mike, born July 28, 1950; and Dan, born December 13, 1952. In 1947 Bonnie and Wayne moved into a new house on Circle Way and for the next 70 years it became the homestead of the Eldredge family. From there they ventured out on various outdoor trips to Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes in Canada, the Oregon coast, the California Redwoods, Yellowjacket Ranger Station in the Salmon River Country, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, the High Uintahs and more. While Wayne worked for the Bureau of Reclamation, Bonnie went to work for the U.S. Forest Service. They both instilled in their sons a love of the outdoors and a reverence for conservation. They actively supported the Boy Scouts and each of their sons was an Eagle Scout.

Bonnie was an avid reader and gifted professional writer on her own accord. When she wasn’t composing content for the Forest Service Information and Education office, she was busy editing for her own sons’ school assignments and projects. Politically, she was no more outspoken than anyone else from the “Show Me” state and was noted for her short, concise, astute remarks. Her sense of humor was truly a gift that often snuck up on you long after her comment.

In later years Bonnie and Wayne became shining examples of selfless service to others. No matter what their trials and travails, they always focused on their friends and family as more important than themselves.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wayne; parents, and her brother, Lynn. She is survived by her sons, David (Connie), Michael (Michelle), and Dan (Terry); nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the mortuary.

Entombment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.