Edra Delphine Van Doren's Obituary
Edra Delphine Priest Van Doren passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025 in Ogden, Utah after a brief illness.
Edra was born in Avinger, Texas on January 17, 1933, the eldest daughter of Edgar and Clara Priest. The family lived in East Texas until Edra’s early elementary school years, when they moved to Dallas. Always up for an adventure, as a young woman she moved to Denver where she made friends and learned dressmaking, a hobby she enjoyed all her life. Edra so impressed her landlords they introduced her to their grandson, Melvin Van Doren, recently discharged from the Army. After a whirlwind romance, they married in August 1953.
Edra and Melvin lived in Michigan while he finished his education and then moved to Albuquerque, where they enjoyed the outdoors, camping frequently with friends and family in the nearby mountains. While there, they welcomed two daughters, Cherri and Johanna. Ready for another adventure, they joined USAID and moved overseas. Their son Sean was born in Korea and son David was born in Bolivia.
During their foreign service years Edra studied languages, finished both her B.A. and M.A, and taught humanities and piano to children of all ages. Edra and Melvin served in Korea, Vietnam, Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil, Bolivia, Sudan, Tunisia, and South Africa. They were proud of their work at USAID supporting the economic development of people across the world.
Edra and Melvin retired to Albuquerque and relished many camping trips in the Jemez Mountains. Edra had a small key board she took with her on camping trips so that she could practice the piano. After Melvin’s death, Edra lived in Albuquerque for a few years and then moved to Ogden, Utah to be near David. Although not able to camp anymore, she enjoyed living close to the Wasatch Mountains.
Edra was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church where she enjoyed singing in choirs and playing the piano during services.
Edra is survived by her four children, Cherri (Kelowna, British Columbia), Johanna (Leesburg, Virginia), Sean (Alice Springs, Australia), and David (Ogden, Utah). She also is survived by her brother Norman (Montana) and sister Nelda (Texas), ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. An early brief marriage ended in divorce.
A family scattering ceremony will be held at a later date in the Colorado Rockies, where Melvin proposed to Edra.
Donations in memory of Edra may be made to Emily Griffith Technical College (Emily Griffith Opportunity School), Denver, Colorado. Emilygriffith.edu
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