This is our version of the Bracken family history of Nephi, Utah

Before our memory and notes fade more, we thought we should write our version of the Nephi Bracken family, as the first Bracken-Rulon, was my hero, as was his son-Dwain, who taught school to many of us local yokels in the 1950's and beyond. Rulon Bracken was born in Thayne, Wyoming in 1894, the third son of five boys and two girls. His personal diary relates hardships of dealing with Indian hostility and starvation rations. He nevertheless knew the importance of an education and attended Brigham Young Academy(now Logan High), then on to college at the AC(now Utah State). When World War One broke out, he joined the Army, and loved his duty, as it was tending to the horses of the Calvary in France. After his return to Star Valley, Wyoming, his family moved to Nephi, Utah. His sister Arvilla married Frank Lunt; brother Milo married Belle Kendall and Vera married Alvin Rolph. Rulon then started teaching school in Levan, Utah. One eye was on students and the other was on a teacher by the name of Tacy Irons, who was the seventh of nine children-six girls and three boys. She lived on a farm two miles southwest of Nephi, where she loved riding in a surrey; horseback riding, and gathering mushrooms and roots for family meals. She joined the LDS church, being baptized in Salt Creek on First East. She was put under the water by James Bigler, then confirmed by James W. Paxman. After graduation from Nephi High, she graduated from BYU and started to teach in the Duchesne School District, then came home to Juab County, and taught at Levan. She was fond of Rulon, but that was put on hold as the head man of the LDS church-Joseph F. Smith wanted her to go on a mission to a far away culture-in Brooklyn, New York. While there she traveled by train, boat, bus, horse drawn sleighs and by foot. She returned home to teach at Nephi Central, where her son-Dwain Bracken taught for 35 years. Rulon and Tacy were wed and along came Newell(married Evelyn Blackett); Mary(married Hugh Steele)Glenna(married James Moore) and Dwain, who married Joyce Huber and they had seven children. Dwain has passed, but Joyce remains as sharp as she ever was. Rulon was a hard working farmer, and that is where me and my brother Hal came to know him. We were hired to change the irrigation on the farm, and we would walk to his truck as 13 and 14 year old kids to drive it to the fields and work all night. During the day, as soon as Dwain left me and his Dad to work together, that is when I learned to love farm work, as Rulon had good work ethics, but would often teach other important things of life while taking a break. Although he was active in the LDS church, serving in the Bishopric for Elgin Garrett, there was a rumor the main reason he attended church was in order for him to sleep, as he worked hard for the other six days of the week.When I questioned him, he didn't admit or deny that. Rulon passed away after suffering from Parkinson and pneumonia. For me, that was a sad winter day in 1967.Tacy followed suit. Not only did I grow fond of the older Bracken, I had the same feelings for his son-Dwain, and lucky to have him as a teacher in both 5th and 6th grades. Like his Daddy, he fought in a World War, serving in the Army Air Corps. He too has passed, but I delight in talking to his wife-Joyce, a source of strength for all. Last photo is of home where Rulon and Tacy raised their kids 75 years ago

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