Elsyne Hinckley Logli
Elsyne Hinckley-Logli
March 22, 1944 ~ January 30, 2025
Elsyne Hinckley-Logli passed away peacefully at her home in Cedar Hills, Utah, on January 30, 2025, at the age of 80. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and daughter.
Elsyne was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on March 22, 1944, to Eldon and Ella Mae Hinckley. Arriving on this earth during World War II and with her father serving in the Marines during that time, Elsyne lived with her mother in Rigby, Idaho—after spending the first four months of her life with both parents in Chicago, Illinois. She is the oldest of five children with three brothers and one sister.
With Eldon’s military service taking him away from the family fairly frequently in his family’s early years, Ella Mae worked hard and had much help from her family to create a stable childhood for Elsyne and her siblings; and Elsyne very much enjoyed her childhood living in Rigby with close family and friends. As a result of Eldon’s service in the Korean War, the family moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, for several months in 1952; and they returned to Rigby until 1956 when Eldon’s career with the United States Postal Service took the family to Escanaba, Michigan. All of the family were faithful, active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Once they moved to Escanaba, their strong testimonies were proven in the way they lived their lives—driving 60 miles to church each way through all sorts of weather every week.
In 1959, Eldon received a new assignment with the Postal Service, and the family moved from Escanaba, Michigan, to Rockford, Illinois. This move proved to be a good one; church was a very short drive from their home, and Elsyne and her siblings all have very fond memories of their lives in Rockford. Elsyne graduated from Rockford East High School in 1962, and she attended Brigham Young University for two years and Ricks College for one year before deciding to return to Rockford for employment. In 1965, when the family moved to Chicago with Eldon’s last job assignment before retirement, Elsyne chose to remain in Rockford where she lived and raised her family for the next 30 years.
In the fall of 1967, Elsyne married Gary Laman. Their daughter, Melissa Lynne, was born in 1968, and Elsyne was able to be a stay-at-home mother as she cared for her home and family. Elsyne and Gary separated and divorced within a few years; Gary continued to be a devoted father, and Elsyne dedicated herself to working hard to support Melissa and herself and was employed in various jobs—most notably with Logli Supermarkets. Elsyne’s second daughter, Michelle Renee, was born in 1973.
Elsyne decided to go back to school so that she could better support her family, and she attended Rock Valley College where she earned her nursing degree and became a Registered Nurse. She put in much time and effort as a single mother working and studying, and she was always very grateful to those around her who helped her so much during that intense time of her life. Her first position as an R.N. was in the Emergency Room, but she was very happy to quickly move to Labor & Delivery. She always said that, if it weren’t for Labor & Delivery, she wouldn’t have been a nurse for very long. She was so blessed to find this niche where she cherished the opportunity to assist mothers during delivery with compassion and tenderness, and she worked as a Labor & Delivery nurse for more than 30 years at St. Anthony and Rockford Memorial Hospitals in Rockford, Illinois, and at University of Utah and St. Mark’s Hospitals in Utah.
Elsyne was so good at what she did! The doctors and her patients absolutely loved her, and many friends and family have already mentioned—even since Elsyne’s passing—how blessed they were to have had her as their nurse when their babies were delivered. Both of her daughters were so grateful for the comforting presence of their mother as they gave birth to each of their children; Elsyne had a strong confidence and amazing knowledge that helped so much! The greatest blessing of all from Elsyne’s career is the blessing of her becoming aware of an expectant patient who could not keep her baby but wanted to carry the baby full-term so that the baby could be placed for adoption. That baby girl became the miracle to be adopted by Elsyne’s sister and brother-in-law, who very desperately wanted to become parents. There was no way any of that should have come to fruition, but Elsyne did everything she could to help it become a reality. When Elsyne put her mind to something, watch out—it would happen!
In May of 1985, Elsyne married Jan Juhlin, and that union brought two adult children, Jayne (Jerry) and Jon (Renee), into the family, as well as four granddaughters, Lauren, Julia, Katlyn, and Brittani. Elsyne and Jan enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends. They especially enjoyed their annual vacations to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and they worked together to love and support Melissa and Michelle as they grew up, graduated from high school and college, and married. Elsyne moved to Utah in 1997, and Jan joined her in 2001 after retiring from his job and selling their homes. Over the years, eight grandchildren were added to the family, and they loved their roles as “Nahnie” and “Papa” for Melissa & Wayne’s children Devan, Savannah, Carson, and Garrett and for Michelle’s children Caleb, Ethan, Adam, and Halle. Elsyne and Jan’s marriage of 25 years came to an end in 2010, but their love for their family continues to be felt and cherished.
Rekindling their romance from their late high school & early college years, Elsyne married John Logli in July of 2011, and they spent the remainder of Elsyne’s life together. Elsyne moved back to Illinois where John had his house in Belvidere; and they became snowbirds going back and forth between Illinois and Florida, as well as driving between Belvidere and their lakehouse in Wisconsin in the summers. Elsyne and John were able to experience the Mediterranean and take several cruises together, and the only times Elsyne saw snow again were during her winter visits to Utah. With Elsyne & John’s marriage, the family expanded again to include John’s children Mary Lynn and John (Jen), along with Mary Lynn’s daughter, Jaelyn, and John & Jen’s children, Jake and Juliana. Just this past Christmas, John gave Elsyne a necklace with two intertwined hearts; when he gave it to her, he said, “As long as you have this necklace, our hearts will always be together.” Elsyne and John would have celebrated 14 years of marriage this coming July.
Elsyne was a go-getter from the very beginning of her life. She began walking when she was only nine months old … and she never stopped going once she started! She was very busy and active throughout her life, and there was never a dull moment from morning to night. Elsyne was always aware of others and would do anything and everything she could to help and serve them. Friendships were very important to Elsyne—evident in the fact that, until just the last several years when she lost the strength to do so, she would annually send almost 200 Christmas cards and letters to her friends and family. She enjoyed choir and had a beautiful alto voice. Other interests in her life included ceramics, dolls, sewing, cooking, landscaping, shopping, interior decorating, reading, music, theater, concerts, TV, and movies; and she especially enjoyed these things when she could share them with family and friends.
Elsyne led a full and busy life as a single mother, dedicating herself to raising and providing for her two daughters, always making them her first priority. She diligently taught them the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she made sure they knew of her testimony and commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elsyne continued to support her daughters as they became mothers, embracing her role as a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. She delighted in being part of her family’s special moments—school accomplishments, music performances, sporting events, and especially each ordinance and milestone at church.
Elsyne’s personal history contains a quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will make no difference in the end what you have chosen instead.” Not only did she believe this, but she shared her beliefs frequently. She was a wonderful member missionary who taught the gospel to several friends; those friends were baptized and were sealed for eternity, and they enjoy the blessings of the gospel in their lives. As Elsyne reunites with family who welcomed her with loving arms upon her passing, may she find eternal peace through His Atonement in the loving embrace of her Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. The family wishes to express their appreciation to BrightStar Care, One You Love Homecare, Health Watch, and to everyone who surrounded Elsyne with kindness and love throughout her life.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, at the Manila 9th Ward Chapel, 3396 North 900 West, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Family and friends may attend the viewing on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will follow services at the Highland City Cemetery. For those wishing to attend services virtually, please use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/96462578509