Nedra Pauline Gabrielsen Bedke was born on August 7, 1932, in Logan, Utah, the youngest of five children born to Lyman Conrad and Erma Deborah Adams Gabrielsen. She grew up in Logan, where her father worked as a building contractor, constructing more than 500 homes, along with churches and schools—many of which are not only still standing but remain in use today. Her dad always said that “anything worth doing was worth doing well”, a principle that seemed to become her life’s mantra.

Nedra attended high school in Logan and later attended Utah State University, where she met the love of her life, Ray C. Bedke. They were married on September 12, 1952, in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly after Ray graduated from Utah State, he was inducted into the military. He completed his service in 1955, and they returned to the family ranch.

The move from Logan to the Winecup Ranch was a significant adjustment for a city girl. Living in an old log cabin without indoor plumbing or electricity—and relying on an appropriately placed outhouse out back—she took on the demanding task of caring for a hay crew of more than a dozen men. Each day, she prepared three square meals and washed their laundry, learning the rhythms of ranch life along the way. In time, she became a master of the old wood-burning Majestic stove, approaching every task with the same care and attention to detail that would come to define all her work.

Nedra and Ray are the parents of six children. Their first son, Derek, passed away after just 12 days. Three anxious years later Scott (Sarah) was born, then Eric (Marcie), Alex (Kathy), Leslie (Will), and Brice (Camille). Raising five children while maintaining two households—one in Oakley and one up Goose Creek—kept Nedra busy, yet she somehow always found time for others, giving each person her full attention and love.

If life wasn’t busy enough, Nedra always made room for music. Beginning in 1956 to 2023 (67 years), Nedra taught organ and piano lessons, instructing literally hundreds of students, including her children, and many of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, usually with patience! Through music, she taught discipline, confidence, and skills that inspired her students long after the lessons ended.

Nedra generously shared her time, talents, and determination in service to her community. She served on the governing board of Cassia Memorial Hospital, was president of the PTA, and served as a member of the Oakley City Council and the Oakley Valley Arts Council board of directors. She also served faithfully in her church in many roles, including president of the Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women, and for many years as a ward organist or chorister.

After Ray’s passing in 1998, Nedra continued to play a vital role in the family business as the ranch bookkeeper—a responsibility she dutifully carried for more than 50 years. At 88 years young, she retired from keeping the ranch books in 2020 but remained president of Winecup, Inc. to the day of her death, last week. Meticulous in her work, her records left no doubt about what was what.

To her family, Nedra was especially known as a wonderful cook and gracious hostess. She hosted countless holiday gatherings, bringing family together year after year around grand meals prepared with great attention to detail. Eating with Nedra has always been an experience. Her home and yard reflected the same attention to detail, with well-kept grounds and flowers, especially her roses, she tended herself well into her 90s.

Nedra loved to quilt and over the years she made quilts for each of her children’s graduations, weddings and for her grandchildren’s graduations and weddings, not to mention the countless baby quilts. Each one was crafted with precision and care, over a hundred in total.

Above all else, Nedra’s greatest desire has always been that her family remains close and to be a source of strength to one another. She organized countless family gatherings and made every effort to be present for the important moments in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Whether mastering a wood stove, teaching a difficult piece of music, balancing ranch books, or piecing together a quilt, Nedra did everything with excellence and as an expression of devotion to those she loved. Her legacy is one of faithfulness, quiet leadership, steadfast service, and a love so deep it transformed everything and everyone it touched into something beautiful and enduring.

Nedra loved the community theater. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Nedra to Oakley Valley Arts Council.

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