Col. Stephen Elder

Col. Stephen Louis Elder, U.S. Army (Ret.), age 84, of Idaho Falls, Idaho passed away on the evening of September 16, 2026 surrounded by his family in his home.

Stephen was born on the evening of June 27, 1942. After his Dad went speeding down the road at 90 miles an hour in a 1941 Hudson, they did not quite make it to the hospital and Stephen was born on the side of the road on the Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, California.

He was born to Chester Onerphry Elder from Bennett, CO and Hazel Campbell from Ammon, ID. He was the second oldest and only boy with three sisters. At three years old his family moved from California to Idaho Falls where he spent the rest of his youth growing up. Stephen graduated from Idaho Falls HS in 1960. He enlisted with the Idaho National Guard as an engineer. He then served a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southwest British mission from 1962-1964. Upon returning from his mission Stephen reconnected with his sweetheart, and after a couple years of dating he and Julia Ann Wennergren were married on August 27, 1966 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Stephen’s military career became a defining part of his life. Stephen later served two tours in Vietnam. He commissioned as an U.S. Army Officer through Officer Candidate School (OCS) 1966 as the Honor Graduate. He was reassigned to 116th Engineer Battalion, Charlie Company as a Signal Corps Communications Officer. His First tour to Vietnam was in the spring 1968 with the 116th Engineer (combat) Battalion, Idaho National Guard. His responsibility was to keep widely scattered units connected while the battalion repaired roads and bridges. Following his return in 1970, CPT Elder completed the U.S. Army School of Aviation, qualifying as a fixed winged pilot. CPT Elder then served a second tour in Vietnam as a fixed winged U-21 pilot, with the 1st Signal Brigade and returned home in 1971. Later in his career, on May 18, 1980, CPT Elder was on rotation and the first flight group from the Oregon National Guard to capture the eruption of Mount Saint Helens. In his final assignment, following the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, COL Elder served on a multi-organizational task force responsible for the accountability and safeguarding of Russian nuclear weapons in former Eastern Bloc countries. Stephen retired as a Colonel in the Army after 37 years of active service. Over his aviation career, he became a Master Army Aviator and received numerous decorations, including the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Always wanting to help those around him and often going out of his way to do so, Stephen served in many church callings as well as serving 6 missions with his wife Julia. He made time and enjoyed joining his sons, Brad and Dave, on Boy Scout camps and outdoor adventures. He did his best over the years to never miss a football game, weightlifting competition, cross country meet, track meet, ballet or dance performance, choir or orchestra concert of his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included: hunting, fishing, master builder and tinker, smoker of meats and candy maker.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Chester and Hazel Elder. His sisters Kathy McIntier and Lorene Bright.

He is survived by his wife Julia Ann Elder of Idaho Falls, ID, his children: Stephen Bradley Elder (Lindsey) of Woodbridge, VA, Sarah Jane Call (Nate) of Draper, UT, David Arthur Elder of Holliday, UT, Suzannah Waters (Randy) of Idaho Falls, ID and Stacey Ann Stevenson (Aaron) of Lehi, UT, and his sister Sherry Roseberry of Ammon, ID and 13 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Foothill Ward, 12127 North 75 East. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. Burial will be in the Lincoln Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.