Elaine Brackenbury

Elaine Olson Brackenbury passed away February 19, 2017. She was born April 20, 1934 in Bridge, Idaho in the old Post Office where her family was living at the time and her mother Genieva was the Post Mistress. The family moved to various places in Idaho including Blackfoot, but later returned to Bridge where her father Frank was the last Post Master. Elaine liked to tell stories about growing up with her many brothers and sisters. Elaine met her husband Don at a Naf Dance. She always swore she would never marry a redheaded man, but Don changed her mind. They were married in Elko, Nevada on October 10, 1953 after Don returned home from the Army. Don and Elaine had nine kids; four boys and five girls (daughter Pamela passed away at age two). Elaine went with Don to work on various ranches in Idaho, California, Utah, Montana and Nevada. Elaine was a homemaker and mother. At times she worked as cook on the ranch where Don was currently working. Being a cowboy's wife with eight kids, money was usually tight so Elaine fixed things when they broke. It was not unusual to find her with a screwdriver in her hand and the air blue with curse words, although Elaine would tell you she didn't swear. One of Elaine’s favorite places to live was in Glen, Montana where Don worked for Hagenbarth Livestock. She always spoke fondly of time spent in Glen with friends Floydena and Kathy. Don and Elaine moved to Caliente, Nevada in 1993 to help their son Hank and his wife Joi on their ranch. They later moved to Hank and Joi’s ranch in Yerington, Nevada where they lived until the time of Don’s passing in August 2016. Elaine spent the past several months in Dillon, Montana. Elaine is preceded in death by her husband Don, daughter Pamela, her parents Frank and Genieva Olson, brothers Frank, and Dorsel, and sister Imogene Heitz. She is survived by brothers Glen (Judy) and Darwin, sisters Eloise (Harry) Wier and Florence Barnes, children Jesse (Samie) Brackenbury, Lancaster, CA, Debbie Brackenbury, Dillon, MT ((children Justin (Mara), Kristin Robertson, and Austin)); Hank (Joi) Brackenbury, Beatty, NV, (son Jared (Adriana)); Carey Reyes, Dillon, MT, (children Matt (Carly), Luke (Mikaela), Sabrina (Travis) McClure, and Robyn (Danny)); Howard Brackenbury, Butte, MT; Ted (Audrey) Brackenbury Dillon, MT, ((children Heather (Trent) Merica, Tyler and Tucker)); Stacey Roundy, Dillon, MT, (son Andy Steinle); Brandy Brackenbury (Ethan), Mountain Home, ID ((children Tymeri (Ritchie) Hinkley, and Stevie)); eighteen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Elaine’s wishes were to be buried with her daughter Pamela in the Almo, Idaho cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place there at a later date. Cremation has taken place