Don Cutler Eliason
May 21, 1929 – June 30, 2023
Don Eliason passed away June 30, 2023 at the age of 94. He was a long-time resident of Holbrook where he farmed and ranched and raised his family—Donette (Merlyn) Ringel, Judy (Val) Bush, Debbie (Jay) Munns, Ken (Kristy) Eliason and Ron (Shellie) Eliason.
He was born May 21, 1929, the fourth child of August and Jennie Eliason. The early years of Don’s life until the age of nine were spent on the family ranch in Stone, Idaho from which they moved to Holbrook, Idaho to work a new ranch.
Don had his eye on Carol Ipsen since 8th grade and that is the one he married on February 2, 1949 in the Logan Temple. He enjoyed music by singing with Carol in a quartet, helped to start the Malad Community Chorus in 1974 and sang in the choir for many years.
Don was a rancher through and through, he was a good steward of the land and the cattle. He included his sons in the ranching operation. Ken and his sons continue the ranch family and Don enjoyed seeing his grandsons involved as well, passing along to them a strong work ethic and knowledge of how to work with land, cattle and each other. He loved a good horse and participated in many rodeos both as a pickup man and as a contestant. He served many years on the Stone Rodeo board. In 2013 Don was inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. In 2010 the Eliason family was honored as the Oneida County Farm Bureau family of the year. He could be found helping in many local functions.
He has been very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, holding many different positions including Bishop, high counselor of the Malad Stake and served two missions with his wife, Carol, one to Nauvoo, Illinois and the other as a host in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.
Don was a friend to everyone he met. Don and Carol broadened their horizons with travels around the United States and to countries as different as Russia and Australia, making memories together.
The Eliasons were married 74 years ago and their secrets of a happy and long life together: never stop learning, never stop doing, make do or do without, and daily saying those three magical words –“I Love You.”
Don was preceded in death by his wife Carol, his daughter Donette Ringel and grandson Shawn Ringel. He is survived by 15 grandkids and 36 great grandkids.
The funeral services will be at the Malad Stake Center at 11 am on July 6, 2023. Friends and family will be received from 6 – 8 pm on Wednesday evening and 9:30-10:30 am Thursday morning. Interment will follow the funeral at the Holbrook Cemetery.