Bonita Gail Marcott Elfstrom

1943 - 2024

Mount Vernon - Bonita Gail Marcott Elfstrom, age 80, passed away peacefully at her Mount Vernon home July 15, 2024, with her husband of 63 years at her side.

Bonita was born in 1943, in Seattle, to Rolland and Juanita Marcott. She moved to Mount Vernon in 1949 and graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1961.

Bonita met her future husband, Gene Elfstrom, when she was 15 and they married on May 6, 1961. They moved to Bossier City, Louisiana, where Gene was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. There they got their first dog, "Tina," a terrier mix, from a grocery store - the first of many Elfstrom family dogs. They returned to the Skagit Valley where their daughter, Venita, was born in 1963. The Elfstroms bought their Mount Vernon home in 1968 and started their photography business, Elf Photo, in 1972.

Bonita combined her love and knowledge of dogs with her desire to help people by volunteering for more than 50 years with the Skagit County 4-H program. She co-led the Tails Up Dog 4-H club with Shirley Stiles and taught agility, handling and obedience as well as judging and public speaking skills to youth. She continued to play a vital role in the county 4-H dog program until shortly before her passing.

Bonita is survived by her husband, Gene Elfstrom, Mount Vernon; daughter, Venita Van Horst, Mount Vernon; brother Lonny and his wife Lucky (Norma) Marcott, Lacey, Wash.; half sister Linda Stotts, Burlington; niece Pamala Robieson, Granite Falls, Wash.; granddaughters Nikkita Riley, Tenino, Wash.; and Toria Van Horst, Portland; and great-granddaughters Morgan and Dahlia Riley, Tenino.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Juanita Otis and Rolland Marcott, stepfather Don Otis; brothers Dale and Don Marcott, and sister-in-law Patricia Marcott.

There are no immediate plans for a service. Memorials can be made to Skagit County 4-H Leaders Council or the Humane Society of Skagit Valley.