Elden Checketts Dattage

Elden Checketts Dattage returned to his Heavenly Father on September 7, 2023 after a yearlong battle with Multiple Myeloma.  He passed away peacefully at home in Providence, Utah surrounded by his family. Elden was born in Logan, Utah on August 6, 1945.   Elden was the third of five children born to Martha Fern and Glen Henry Dattage. 

Elden spent his youth in Providence Utah where he worked on the Theurer family farm.  He also loved hunting, fishing and climbing the hills of Providence Canyon. Elden graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum Utah in 1963.   He was active in the FFA and loved wrestling.  During high school he met his eternal sweetheart, Tamra Pickett.  They later married on June 27, 1968 in the Logan Temple.  Tamra and Elden are lifelong residents of Providence and have 5 children.  

In 1965 Elden started working at Wilson Motor where he fell in love with auto collision body work and the towing industry.  In 1983 Elden realized his own dream and opened Elden Dattage Towing and Auto Body. Elden loved collision repair and paid great attention to the details of his work. Elden loved service and never forgot a person's vehicle he hooked up to his tow truck.  He loved a great roadside conversation and made friends with everyone.  For 60 years he enjoyed serving the people of Cache Valley through his work.  

Elden was a member of the National Guard for 6 years.  He loved skiing and spent many of his early years serving on the Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol.  Elden loved softball and played with his lifelong friends for the Auto Care Collision team.  He and his family spent many nights at the ballpark and he was named to the “All Decade” team in the 1970’s.  As Elden’s children became older, he loved hunting with his sons and grandsons.  He spent every fall at “Ryker’s Camp” in Providence Canyon searching for wildlife.   In 2006 Elden purchased a ranch in Montpelier, Idaho.  The ranch became a family favorite and a space of great peace for Elden and his family. 

Elden loved the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.  He served in various Bishoprics and especially loved the youth and young adults of the Church.  He loved being a Bishop and Stake High Councilor for the young single adult wards.  In 2015, along with his wife Tamra he served in the Farmington New Mexico mission.  He served the people of Zuni, New Mexico and formed loving and life long-lasting relationships.  Elden and Tamra also loved serving in the Logan LDS temple and did so diligently for many years.  

Elden is proceeded in death by his parents Glen and Fern Dattage, his sister Glenda Zilles, brothers Alan Dattage and Clark Dattage.  Elden also joined 3 grandsons on the other side of the veil, Hinckley, Ryker and Roby Dattage.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Tamra Dattage and one sister, Ardean (Arnold) Olsen.  He is also survived by his children Lance Dattage, Jodi (Jeff) Morgan, Kim (Shea) Watrin, Ryan (Alicia) Dattage and Jill (Adam) Johnson.  Elden is survived by his 21 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.  Elden’s greatest joy was his family.   He served his family diligently his entire life.  He installed a great love for the Savior and service to his community.  Elden loved supporting his children and grandchildren in all their sporting and community events and did so into the final days of his life.

Special thanks for the care provided by the Logan Cancer Center.  In Elden’s final days he was served in a loving way by Tender Care Home Health & Hospice.   We will never forget the love and care they showed our family.