Elaine M. Dalry

BURLEY – Elaine M. Dalry, a 94-year-old resident of Burley and formerly of Jerome, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley, Idaho. Elaine resided at Highland Estates Assisted Living & Memory Care in Burley prior to her passing.

Elaine was born April 3, 1930, to Floyd Delbert and Marie Esther (Gaukel) Sperry. Her given name at birth was Mae Elaine Sperry but she went by Elaine her entire life. Elaine was the first-born child of the couple and was joined later by a brother, Rex and sisters, Gloria and Kathy respectively. As the oldest sibling, Elaine shared stories and memories of time spent with her siblings which she cherished. At one point in Elaine’s early life, she and her parents lived with her maternal grandparents, Charlie and Anna Gaukel, later moving to southern Idaho. She attended area schools and graduated from Paul High School where she was Student Body President in her Senior year of school.

Elaine met the love of her life, Mario L. Dalry at a community held dance at a local venue in Burley. It was in the big band era when the bands would tour the USA and luckily one of Elaine’s favorite bands, “Sing and Sway with Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra,” performed at Burley. Mario and Elaine danced into a life together being married on June 2, 1949, in Rupert at the St. Nicholas Catholic Church. They were married just short of 43 years when Mario passed away suddenly at the age of 65 years old in 1992. The greatest challenge and hardship in Elaine’s life was losing her husband as they had many plans for retirement together. Elaine cherished her memories and the time accompanying Mario to their activities or conventions with the Snake River Elks Lodge; the Optimist International; and the Idaho National Guard. On one such trip, Mario and Elaine experienced the eruption and ash from Mount St. Helen’s which was a lasting memory of Elaine’s, and she would share the details of this event. They enjoyed camping and traveling as a couple and mostly they loved their various “Pug” dogs who were more than pets to them. Unfortunately, Mario and Elaine were unable to have children; however, they shared their love with their many nieces and nephews in lieu of children. Elaine was a devout Catholic and attended church regularly prior to her ill health at Little Flower Catholic Church in Burley; St Nicholas Catholic Church in Rupert; and St. Jerome Catholic Church in Jerome.

Elaine was a talented painter of landscapes, portraits, and still life. As an artist, she took classes from the College of Southern Idaho to perfect her talents and enjoyed teaching adults and youth. Elaine was as proud of her students’ awards and accomplishments in painting of various sorts as she was of her own accolades. Elaine outgrew teaching students in her home and started a business on Main Street in Jerome called The Hobby Corner. At this location, she expanded into a ceramics and porcelain doll business along with a doll collection. Elaine was a talented seamstress making costumes and dressing the porcelain dolls as they came to life from start to finish with ingredients and molds, to the kiln finally beautifully displayed as adorned dolls representing various periods of life and genres. Elaine called and advertised her instructional lessons to art students as the Dalry Institute of Art.

As Elaine aged, it became apparent that it was necessary for her to move out of her longtime home in Jerome to receive care and assistance at an Elder Care Facility. On behalf of Elaine and her family, we wish to extend our expressions of gratitude to Desano Place in Jerome where she lived briefly before being moved closer to her Conservator / Guardian, Sheryl Dalry Harris. Due to various needs at various times in life, Elaine resided at Warren House dba Pomerelle Place, Parke View Rehabilitation and Care Center, and Highland Estates Assisted Living & Memory Care. All the facilities listed above cared for Elaine with love and concern assuring her last several years of life were safe, nurturing, and enjoyable. Elaine adjusted to the changes in her life and being a devout Catholic, she practiced her faith in diligent dedication and prayer which gave her peace and comfort. Elaine passed away in the knowledge that she was loved by God and by her family so that she was not alone in life or in death. It is well with Elaine’s soul and John 3:16 attests that Elaine has received the promise of her eternal life in heaven as a believer in God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit. We pray, “Eternal Rest grant unto Elaine, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace Elaine. Amen.”

Elaine M. Dalry is survived by her siblings: a brother, Rex (Sandy) Sperry of Meridian; and two sisters, Gloria Hamilton of Kimberly, and Kathy (Don) English Fox of Island, Washington. Other surviving family members are Leo Ketterling of Rupert, Juanita Dalry of Del Mar, California, Shirley Cole of Boise, and Sylvia (Jack) Pretti of Twin Falls.

Preceding Elaine in death, are her parents, Floyd and Marie Sperry of Twin Falls; a brother-in-law, Sam Hamilton of Kimberly; her mother and fathers-in-law, Lena Dalry Bott (Charles J. Dalry Sr and Sylvio Bott) of Rupert; her late husband, Mario L. Dalry of Jerome; her brothers-in-law, Charles J. “Chuck” Dalry (Barbara L. Dalry) of Rupert, Robert H. Dalry of Del Mar, California, Ron Cole of Boise; and sisters-in-law, Sharon Johnson of Boise, and Lucille Dalry Ketterling of Rupert.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 22, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, located at 216 2nd Avenue East, in Jerome, with the Rev. Father José de Jesus Gonzalez as celebrant. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m. Interment and burial will follow at Jerome Cemetery. Family and friends will be greeted prior to the rosary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.