Elden Dale Henderson

Elden Dale Henderson passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the LDS Chapel at 200 S. Eagle Ridge Dr., North Salt Lake, Utah, under the direction of Russon Brothers Mortuary. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:00-10:45. Interment will be at the Swan Lake Idaho Cemetery at approximately 3:30 p.m. the same day.  

Dale was born at home on July 12, 1930 in Swan Lake, Idaho to George Merl Henderson and Nellie Marie Gambles. He was the 5th son in the family and was later joined by his only sister, Doreen, who he remained close to throughout his life. Dale grew up on his parents' dry farm and had a childhood filled with hard work and adventures out on the farm. He attended school through the 8th grade at the Swan Lake School, and then attended high school at Downey High. Sports were a big part of Dale's life and he played as many and as often as he could. His father could rarely attend his games as somebody had to stay home to milk the cows. He graduated from high school in 1948 and attended Utah State for a short time. Dale started working for the telephone company in 1949 and worked on a traveling road crew until he was drafted into the Army in 1951 during the Korean War. He did his basic training at Camp Cook in California and was part of the 40th Infantry Division, 40th Signal Company, and spent time in Japan and Korea during his two years of service. After the war, Dale returned to working for Mountain Bell, and eventually retired in 1990 with over 40 years of service.  

In 1954 Dale met Larna McDermott from Clifton, Idaho at a dance, and the two were married in May of 1955. They settled in Idaho Falls and their house was soon filled with little girls, as four daughters-Michelle, Rhonda, Camille and Cherie-joined them there.  It was during this time that Dale and Larna were sealed with their family in the Idaho Falls Temple. The family moved to Boise in 1967 and lived there until Dale and Larna retired and moved to Island Park, Idaho in 1994, and later to St. George, Utah. They formed many close friendships every place they lived, as Dale rarely met a stranger!  He was a faithful, dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served diligently in the many callings he held throughout the years, including as a Bishop and a fulltime missionary with Larna.  Dale was a very hard-working man who showed his love to his family by providing for their wants as well as their needs. Although he was often outnumbered by the women in his home, Dale was a great leader and patriarch of a family that eventually brought him 18 grandchildren and 12 (and counting) great-grandchildren. He was never happier than when he was surrounded by his family, and in his later years he would often tear up just sitting and watching them interact. He was so proud of his family-they were truly his pride and joy.  

After Larna passed away in 2014, Dale lived with his daughter Rhonda Taylor in North Salt Lake and enjoyed his years there with her family. All of Dale's daughters took tender care of their father as his health began to fail. Eventually his body, that had worked so hard his entire life, grew weaker and ultimately gave out. His death was very peaceful and his family is comforted by their knowledge of, and faith in, God's Plan of Salvation. They know that their father and mother are reunited and that at some future date they will all have the joy of each other's company.  

Dale is survived by his daughters and their families-Michelle and Curtis DeYoung, Rhonda and Nolan Taylor, Camille and Brad Miller and Cherie and Lance Scoffield.  He is also survived by his beloved sister Doreen Curtis and many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Dale.