Left to Right: Lynn Busby, Colleen Layland, Edith Hayes, Marjorie Sorenson
Colleen Hayes
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Colleens Life History - 2: Early 1940's
Special Note: This is the 2nd installment of Mom's life history. Please read installments 1, and 3-6 by going to the previous posts lists.
Early 1940's in Soda Springs, Idaho.
One summer the Ozburns invited me to go with Betty and to Yellowstone Park. Mr. Ozburn put a canvas cover over his big truck and there were two beds on it. We headed for the east entrance to the park leaving their farm north of town on the side road which led to Bancroft. The road was extremely washboardy. Betty, Harry Dean and I were riding in the back of the truck. We were all sitting on the big bed. Harry finally grabbed onto the headboard bouncing up and down with a terrible gait. Little by little he bounced right off from the bed still clinging to the metal headboard. We were laughing so hard and it was really funny. I remember there was the old white chamber under the bed along with the groceries. They were so good to me and Betty and I were very close friends. (Pictures)Mr. and Mrs. Ozburn are both dead now and Harry Dean runs the farm north of Soda. He and his wife Connie are at least four years younger than I and Connie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Connie led us in kneeling prayer at Relief Society. meetings. She was a lovely person.
The Ozburns introduced me to Mr. and Mrs. Tolman, who had a farm east of the Ozburns. About 1939 when I was an eighth grader, the Tolmans hired me to work for them during the summer. I did help in the house some, but mostly I kept the sheep out of the alfalfa fields. I stayed with them during the week and spent the weekends at home. I spent the first $5.00 I earned on a lovely red, crepe, dress with a white collar and cuffs for Mother. We had the local photographer (who could not speak nor hear) come to the house and take Mother's picture in the dress. I played and sang "Danny Boy" as the man was taking her picture. She had such a beautiful expression on her face; it vas very natural and the way I remember her as when I was a youngster.
Mother, Margie and I moved into the little house at the Brigham Young Lodge and we were living there the year I graduated from High School in 1943. There were a number of cabins along with east side of the property (located on-Highway 30); in them were small stoves (we had to keep kindling and coal in each) and a bathroom and shower for the men; bathroom and shower for ladies. There were two modern apartments on the south part of the property with the managers little house on the SE corner in front of one of the two huge trees that were on the place. The lawn was in front of all the housing and it was fun for Mother and I to work together and mow it with old fashioned push mowers. Between our house and the two apartments was a little log cabin that had been built by Brigham Young; we kept the wood in there and the linen, the lawn mower, etc. I loved working with mother as we cleaned the cabins and changed the linen; everything seemed to be done so easy and was orderly and clean. Oh, how very precious were those years. Harry Richards, owner, and his wife lived across the highway in an apartment attached to their service station business. Mrs. Richards was a sister to Aaron Ozburn, Betty's father.
One time when we were there at B.Y.L. mother prepared lemon pie and hamburgers for me and my friends for a house party. I remember so well playing spin the bottle then. We girls had written things to do on little pieces of paper and put then in a milk bottle. (glass quart sizes like we used when we had the dairy years earlier) Bob Somsen was destined to have the pointer of the bottle stop right in front of him. (He was one of my most loyal boyfriends for years). His paper read: "Imitate a lady taking a bath." Bob took every item off one at a time, that a lady wears. It was so plain and funny; but the funniest part of all was his shimmying out of the-girdle tugging, twisting pulling moaning. Of course he had none of these things on so he left his clothes on as he went through the "make believe" motions of removing then bathing and putting them on. When it came time for the girdle he pulled, twisted, wiggled shimmied. It was a scream. As I type this., I realize that I had not thought about this for years. No cook cooks as well as mother in my opinion and today at 83 she still has the art. How well I remember how we young folks devoured the hamburgers and lemon pie, and how very good they tasted.
DeVerl Stevens (Curly) from Montpelier came to see me while we were at B.Y.L. It was the last time I ever saw him. He married shortly afterwards and soon was killed in the second world war overseas.
Throughout my high school years music and English grammar were my favorite subjects. I was the secretary of the Pep Club. Mr. Lowe was our principal; I thought a lot of him.
1941 early Fall Mother decided to spend a year in San Francisco where sister Margie was living. Margie never had robust health and was not one to write very often. Driving her green coupe dodge Mother drove us to Boise, Idaho on along the Columbia River and down the west coast of California to San Francisco. I remember we came upon a serious automobile wreck; blood was evident, and it made us both feel ill. In Portland we stayed with friends who had been in Soda Springs and had invited us to come to their home. At one point along the river I saw a sign "Light House" with an arrow to turn right. I persuaded Mother to take the road so we could see the light house. We had not gone very far when we were both holding our breath and wishing that we had not taken that road. The road was very narrow and the bank dropped steeply down the left side to the river. Mother said after she had turned around and reached the main road again, "I'll never let you persuade me to take another road off from the high way again."
When we first saw the Blue Spruce Mt. Forest it was beautiful. And I will never forget the scene when we came up over a hill and there was the majestic Pacific Ocean. Later we spent many hours near the waters edge in San Francisco.
It seemed that every block had a pub on it where liquor could be bought. It was interesting to find that there were numerous military camps: marine; Navy; Merchant Marine; and Army bases. Don't remember how we met some of Uncle Sam's boys but think it was through Margie and her friend Lucille. Mother had located a position managing the San Carlos Hotel on Geary St. It was six stories with ten rooms on each floor and in the basement there was a small baby grand piano and a game room; also, a kitchen in the basement Margie had a friend, Lucille Lynch (If I remember the name correctly), and they each had a boyfriend: Margie Clarence "Cameron"; Lucille, "Harold Sweigart'" (who was later killed in an overseas battle of some kind.) They introduced me to Art Rollins and I dated him. These fellows came often for dinner, or just to visit and play pool. They found our home in the hotel refreshing. On every corner there seemed to be a bar and much drunkenness. Golden Gate Park and all its magnificence is where Art and I went frequently. The little pups in Cameron's pocket were a delight to us all. The black and white dog, Skipper, became mother’s pal and companion for a while after she returned to Soda Springs before school was out for me in San Francisco I remember going out to the Presidio, the army hospital where Art was on the medical team, on a holiday and spending some time with Art.
A teenager from a small town in Idaho going into a High School of 2,000 found circumstances ripe for getting "Home-sick" which I did. However I loved walking in the fog and did so often. Martina was my best friend and I feel sad that we have lost track of each other.
Mother really loved Abrasha Brodsky, a white Russian former champion foot racer in New' York (I believe it was), but of greater importance to Mother and I, he was a concert pianist. He played an entire concert for Mother. I did not make a point of requesting to hear it. Why, I don’t know. I loved this man; he taught me to love music; and he made me feel important. He looked like pictures of Beethoven, except his countenance was of a loving nature. His daughter, Beebe went to a catholic school. (Her mother had died, or left them, I do not remember which) Beebee spent a lot of time with us too.
Commerce High had a vocal group but to become part of it one had to audition. "Lullaby" by Brahms was my choice and I made it. I remember a pretty well shaped black girl and that she had a tremendously beautiful singing voice. An advantage we had in the vocal class was ushering in the Opera House. it was great to see concert artists and famous movie stars perform; Heifetz (sp?) the world's greatest violinist was one of the guest artists; also, Helen Traubel, contralto.
Mother had two maids to help with the cleaning. When they did not make it, she and I did the work. People who stayed there were interesting. One man was a Captain of a ship and gave us lovely menus that had been on his ship. A couple from New York were there most of the time we were. They wanted me to go back to New York with them and be a companion to their daughter. But I had overcome my homesickness and was anxious to return to Soda Springs to my friends and graduate with them from High School 1943 in May. So I thanked them for their kindness but declined their offer to move to New York with them.
The Sons of the Pioneers were a famous musical group and did many recordings. Aunt Lillis especially liked them. Margie took me to a Cafe where they were playing. I liked that, too. They were friends of Margie’s.
It was really great to be able to do some things with my sister. She was not very well. It was hard to leave her in San Francisco when we returned to Idaho.
A man came into the lobby one night and went upstairs, not a guest. Mother sent me up to check on him. It was scary. he came down without any trouble. I can still remember the almost darkness on each floor as I looked for him.
If you want to have some fun with your dog, put a large tablespoon of peanut butter in his mouth on his tongue. I did that to poor little skipper. One meal time Mother had her dinner on her plate and had to run upstairs to wait on someone. She came back to the kitchen Skipper had eaten all her dinner, climbed into his box and was looking up at her with a guilty look on his dog face when she found him. He was a smart little dog. He learned to sit up and do other tricks.
It was always such a joy to work with Mother. We could cover a lot of ground together. It seemed that we were according to today's jargon "In Sync." Oh the depth of my love for her, honor, respect and absolute trust was so easy for me to give her. Many people have envied our relationship all through the years. Benda Burton who came into my life after 1944 one said, "I wish I could go somewhere and come back with what you bring back from your Mother's."'
One Sunday when we came out of the white church house we received the news that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and many were killed. I remember so well the heavy yet empty feeling I had when hearing the news. In my little 5 yr. diary I recorded different events. For example: "President Roosevelt declared War on Japan." Oh it was terrible. In one San Francisco paper there appeared a song, piano accompaniment and all, "Let's Remember Pearl Harbor." I still have that sheet from the fateful year and headlines etc. Details of some encounters.
From somewhere came the report "Japan will likely attack SAN FRANCISCO”, so we had the well known "Blackout". No light was to be seen from the skies or anywhere. Quilts and blankets were taped to the windows and doors. It was scary, also. Grandma Tippets and Grandpa, too, were worried about us and thought we should come home. We did later.
One of the places we went to and now it is so different than it was in the 1940 was Fisherman's Wharf. We walked on board walks from one shop or place. I remember eating a pile of small shrimp that made a mountain on my plate. Breaking them open one at a time and eating them, I remember how delicious they were.
Oh! Not to mention Golden Gate Park would be foolish. Art and I spent a lot of time basking in its beauty.
Just one or two doors from the High School, and next door to the Opera House (if I remember correctly) was the building with similar construction to the Opera House and where the United Nations was organized while we lived in San Francisco.
There was a zoo at the far west end of the Golden Gate Park, and an amusement park where there were all-kind of rides and food to eat. We were there a number of times.
Mother saw to it that life was interesting; we drove all ever the area on her day off. Some of the things I remember wzere: Twin Peaks, Fisherman's, the Golden Gate Bridge the Oakland Bay bridge and Oakland. We attended concerts; probably the ones I was an usher for.
By January I was well acquainted with the other students, dating, and had grown used to the large city; I loved walking in the fog. Having more fun, my grades dropped down. My sister Margie worked at a small cafe; how good the food tasted that she gave me. She was a very loving, lovely lady.
Before telling about my leaving San Francisco, I must mention a bit more about the San Carlos. It was six stories with ten rooms on each for guests. One of our two maids was Jauanita and Gus was our Filipino houseman. Gus sang all the time; two of his songs were Amapola and South of the Border.
There was a switchboard in the office and I helped Mother serving guests and assisting them to their rooms; running the switchboard and answering the telephone.
Mother had a great capacity for enjoying living and took many with her in her pleasures. Also, Mother always reached out to the disadvantaged in some way and provided them with pleasures and help where needed. Mother was a second generation Care Giver, with Grandma Tippets caring for others who had babies, or the flu. I became a care giver later. And now we have a 4th generation Care Giver in the Layland Clan, for our baby daughter Melinda Sue has worked in the emergency room. as an emergency medical technician (EMT) on ambulances ,was a worker in the lab at the hospital, and is May 1997 earned her Registered Nurse. Degree. Also, Rex's Mother, Meletha Chat Vias did a lot of Care Giving.
By this time Betty Rae Bush and I had become friends. Her mother died when she was small and she spent much of her time with her Aunt Chat Vias of Wayan. I had spent several nights and days with Betty at Wayan, going to dances etc. It was then I met her cousin,-Rex Vias (who later took his real names Rex Layland).
May 1943 High School graduation.
Graduation night was very special. How clear are the memories of my friends and the night of graduation in the then High School Auditorium. We graduates sat on the stage of the high school (now it is used for a junior high school) in a semi-circle. I remember looking at each one that I knew so well (all of them and us), with love and sadness, knowing that we might never all be together again. It was in May of 1943 and some of the class members, young men, had been called to military duty due to World War II with President Franklin D. Roosevelt declaring war on Japan after they attacked Pearl Harbor. This took place while Mother and I were still in San Francisco. A few of lost their lives or were lost in action and never found. Glen Perkins and his older brother, Pinky Woody and his older brother, and Keith Lallatin did not return.
Especially one friend I remember and what she wore. Betty Rae Bush wore a white dress; her hair was almost black it was so dark. The guest speaker was an executive in the Boy Scout Program. It seems that he was from Pocatello, Idaho, sixty miles to the west from Soda Springs. The theme of his speech was: "If you want to be happy the best way you will find happiness is: “TO SERVE OTHERS”.
Our beloved grandpa, Jedediah Morgan Tippets, Mother's father died in June of 1943. 1 can still see my Grandma dressed in a black coat sitting and looking so sad at his funeral. Grandpa was a kind man, very deep, and quiet in his way.
All through my years at home with Mother she saw to it that I went to Sunday School and Primary. I gave many talks (2 & 1/2 minutes) in Sunday School; Mother taught me well how to speak clearly, talk slow enough and to memorize thoroughly by repetition. I used to walk around and around the round kitchen table as I memorized, speaking out loud. Much praise came my way for the talks I gave. One would think that Mother was a trained speech director. One talk I gave was by memory and the complete chapter in Luke which tells of the Savior’s birth. Mother wore out several bibles. The open bible was something that I saw every day. She lived and lives still by the scriptures; having many memorized. She has never been a good sleeper; and as a girl I remember her working from early morning to late at night. The home was kept beautiful and clean, the garden, flowers and lawn was kept up. How she ever managed to do .so much is a mystery to me. She has been richly blessed with energy and the divine ability to organize, love and serve. Clark Burriss, our beloved friend mentioned earlier in this history once said: "It is unfair to compare any other woman with Edith; any man as well.'; Many compliments came my way for being such a good helper and loyal to my Mother. (I could and should have been more loyal and helpful to my dear Dad.)
Mother told me that she would pay for me to go on a mission or one year of college. I was not extremely spiritual or desirous of going on a mission (as I was many years later) so I chose the year of college. Being influenced by a woman representing Colorado Women's College in Denver, -who visited the High School and talked with we girls I chose that institution and arrangements were made.
Often I would spend the weekend with Betty Rae at her Aunt Chat's home in Wayan, which was the south part of the Gray's Lake Valley. One of the things that I looked forward to almost every week was the dances at the Wayan school. I dated Merle Cellan-once in awhile, and Rex Layland. As Betty and I readied ourselves for the dance we sat at the pretty little dresser with a mirror to do our hair and make-up; we peered around a coal oil lamp (kerosene) lamp; Grays Lake did not have electricity yet back then. We had lots of fun together. The Saturday night dances were great! My how we did dance and enjoy ourselves and each other. All we had for music was the old fashioned Juke Box. Don't remember if we had to put dimes in it to have music or not. Ray Reese and Farrell Stoor were so much fun to dance with. I remember one time Enid Tingey was dancing (maybe with Max Weaver) and was wearing a skirt with an elastic waist. Folks started laughing hilariously. Lo and behold, Enid's skirt had fallen to the floor.
Betty Rae's mother died back east somewhere when she was a small child and she came to make her home with Aunt Chat and Uncle Isaac Vias, Chat’s son Rex Layland, and Chat's father, Grandpa Dray. Glen Bush, her father, had remarried a woman whose first name was Flora, I believe. The Bushes lived in Soda Springs some years during that time. Betty had a delightful personality, was very popular, was fair with almost black hair and a lot of fun.
The Vias home was a two story home with steep stairs to the upper rooms which consisted of three bedrooms, a hall, and an attic with all kinds of interesting things in it, some very old. Betty had her own room with lovely wooden furniture that Uncle Isaac had made and painted for her. There was no electricity, running water and bathrooms in the house.
Now, a little more about the house where so many people felt at home due to Chat's marvelous warm, loving and friendly personality and big generous heart and Isaac’s patience. How she was loved. (Years later her funeral was attended by more people by far than the average attendance. People came from long distances as well as the Caribou County, Idaho area.) The kitchen was large with geraniums in the double kitchen window., Chat and Isaac shared the only bedroom on that floor. There was as a spacious long pantry where large shallow pans of milk cooled and cream settled on the top for cereal and luscious shortcakes, mostly strawberry. A back room was used for washing clothes, baths, saddle repairs, etc., and Isaac's shoe repair equipment.
Before finishing the description of the house two incidents took place in that back room some years later that I want to share now: The bath tub was the proverbial round, deep metal tub. One day Betty Rae was taking a bath and had just stood up when Isaac came into the room. Instead of squatting back down into the tub Betty panicked and just stood there waving her hands up and down. What was extremely funny was Uncle Isaac imitating her flapping his hands up and down.
The second incident happened a number of years later after Rex and I had two children, Mary Lee and Monna Jean. When Monna was about three and a half years old. A little potty was kept in the back room for the little grandchildren's bathroom needs. We were all at the table, Monna said she had to go potty. I told her to go, that she knew where it was. Everyone else was eating dinner in the kitchen. After a brief time Monna called, "Mother, come and wipe me." I said, "Can't you wipe yourself?" Her response was, "No! I'll get it on my whingah".
The big old fashioned black kitchen stove had a water reservoir-on one side. On the top was a warming oven. Grandpa sat near the right side of the stove in his rocking chair smoking his pipe. (Isaac also smoked a pipe.) He sat there hour after hour. At the side of the stove was the big wooden box. It was Grandpa's job to keep wood chopped and the box filled, and to keep the two metal buckets full of fresh water from the hand water pump outside. Oh! So many memories and details come flooding back to me as I write. An old fashioned dipper hung on a nail near the cupboard that held the water buckets. Betty and I learned a song from Aunt Chat (who later become my second Mother) "An Old Fashioned Dipper". Here are the words:
Oh! How precious was my Mother-in law!. So like the woman in the song. One day she fell and made not a sound. I didn't know if she was dead or alive. We drove so very fast to Soda Springs to the hospital, and I attempted to hold her on my lap. What a relief it was later to find out that the sugar level in her system had malfunctioned and proper treatment and care soon brought her into a normal and safe state. She used to get so tired of having to give herself a shot of insulin every day. She did develop a bad heart condition which may have brought on her death in April, 1955. As I washed her precious body to get her ready for the undertaker, I realized how special she was and how much I loved her. She had been so patient with me. I made a promise to her at that time and still I am trying to keep it. She was appreciated by the multitudes and loved by them.
Well, we are still in the kitchen. Near the much used outside door to the kitchen stood an old fashioned wash stand with the rather- small wash pan and soap, where hands were washed at meal time. A mirror hung on the wall above it. Isaac shaved with a straight edge razor, and the knife was always sharpened with the leather razor strap nearby. The strap was also used sparingly on bottoms of very naughty children. The old fashioned shaving mugs were in use by both Isaac and Grandpa Dray. Above the door to the front room, and also to the bedroom, was a shelf about six to eight inches deep and above it was a small window. Now for something humorous again that happened some years after 1943. Rex's foster brother Buster.(his real name was Frank Stoor) and I were the only ones home, all the rest-of the-family had gone to town or somewhere. We had so much fun that night. The old somewhat rickety table had four legs as ordinary tables and one-in the middle. In playing a game we managed to get one of the legs out of whatever held it in place and we had a dickens of a time getting it together correctly again. Buster decided to show off. He went over to the front room door way, reached up and got a good hold on the shelf above the open door. Then he commenced to do his tricks. With his bottom-end facing me while he hung there I discovered he had a hole in the seat of his pants. When I began laughing he asked me what I was laughing at. When I told him he quickly jumped down.
Many of you who read this may be familiar with the song" This Old House". It certainly might apply, at least in part, to this dear old house of which I write.
Isaac Vias had three sons: Oscar married Verda Tingey; Roy married Wilda Walton, Alfred never married. We shared many wonderful family meals together.
It would be a shame not to mention my first impression when Rex and I first met. Betty had told me about her cousin, Rex, but I had been in the Vias home a number of times and had not yet met him. It was during the haying season on a summer day when two or more men came into the kitchen from the back door. I was standing near the door and washstand in the kitchen. Really, I was only conscious of the one with broad shoulders and the fact that he was at least six feet tall. He came in door and I saw: 'Broad shoulders, a man 6 ft. tall'. Later Rex told me that he saw: "My blue eyes and how neat I was". Now as I write Jan. 23, 1997 tears fall and I realize-how much I loved him. He loved his family and we were the most important thing in his life to him. In fact, all those dear people who were family were very precious to me.
Rex lost his father when he was 7 months old from the horrible flu epidemic in the Raymond, Wyoming area. Mother Chat loved him and reported that it would have been easier to lay her baby Rex away than her beloved Frank. She often told the story of how she lost her love, her memory seemed to be as fresh to her and her love for him until the day she died as the day she lost him.
Fall of 1943
Summertime and its many joys had ended and I prepared to go to College. I chose Colorado Women's College on Poplar St. in Denver, Colorado. From the description the representative from CWC gave I expected attending that college to transform me from an abnormal person magically into a normal gal emotionally and every other magic way. The closeness of my class those years in Soda Springs schools and our decisions now would cause us to drift -apart and I felt sad about that as we all made choices to go different ways.
However there are a couple of things that had happened in the summer that merit being mentioned now. After one of the popular summer dances in the Wayan gym Rex's car (actually Isaac and Chat's car) was parked facing the fence on the southwest side of the school yard. Rex and I were sitting alone in the front-seat of the car. The moon was full and very bright that night. Stars were shining, too, but I remember the big bright moon the best. For sure it was a romantic moon that night. That is when this 6 foot brown eyed, gentle, soft spoken man proposed to me. I felt overcome. I was hesitant and told him that I would give him an answer later. Little did I realize then what a man commits himself to ---- by asking a lady to marry him. There is so much responsibility when a man takes on the care of a wife anal children. Now that I'm 72 and have been widowed twice and Rex has been gone 12 years. I do look back and wish I had been a more loving, attentive caring, supportive and doting wife. His life was so simple, old fashioned and genuine. And wish that I had learned by 1943 that to live happily is to serve others and die to one's self. It has taken an Evangelical Preacher and the philosophy of his church to teach me that last part mentioned. I've learned Christ wants us to acknowledge our weakness and rely on Him. Oh the peace of mind and quiet inner joy that can come to one who has learned these truths. I've even wondered if I had known years ago what I've learned in the 1990s if Rex might have had better health and lived longer.
The 2nd thing I wish to write now is-:- "I hadn't suffered from prejudice and "The Small Town Syndrome" yet in 1943 nor the trouble not only for me but for the family that took place a number of years later. Oh the stigma!"
The scriptures say that there is no room in the church for gossip nor for prejudice. Here I refer to the world wide body of Christ. It would please me if all of my children, their spouses and children made a habit of being like Mother, Edith Hayes, who lived by what she taught me: "If you can't say something good about a person don't say anything."
Let's pray for each other to remember and follow this admonition. Grandma Hayes said something else to all the grandchildren: "Stay faithful to the Gospel." Another trait she had, "Soft Spoken".
I don't know if it was mentioned earlier in my writing or not, but will assume that it was not. When I was eight years old Mother and Daddy had a divorce. How well I remember the uncomfortable feeling I had in the court room. (And every time I have looked into the room in the Court House in Soda Springs). I remember saying something negative to the court about my daddy. I didn't feel good about it then and I've felt more negatively about it since. I remember Daddy's expression on his face as he looked down at the floor when I made the comment.
Mother made out better than Daddy did following the divorce. Memories now going back some years. How I loved to ride with Daddy in one of his big trucks. Even though it was during the depression we were affluent. Sometimes Daddy traveled trucking at night. I remember riding on big sacks of wool or metal machinery wheels etc. We often stayed at Aunt Lou's and Uncle Whaley's in Perry, Utah. one time in Fred's Cafe in Ogden Daddy had me get up on the counter and tap-dance for the folks there which embarrassed me.
Two of the greatest sins of omission that I have on my record in heaven are not doing much more for Rex as his wife, and not doing more as daughter for my Daddy. I have shed a lot of tears over these two situations. It also effected lives of my children negatively compared to what it might have been. There could have been so much more joy for all. I'm hoping that those who believe families will be together in Heaven are right. I guess there is at least one more sin of omission. After Daddy's and Mother's divorce Daddy married Mildred Jensen. She and Daddy had Richard who died a tragic death when about 17 years of age. I was ashamed of the divorce and let if effect my relationship with Richard (Richie). Mildred's daughter died a horrible death from cancer and Daddy and Mildred had a divorce. Richard did not have the spiritual emotional strength he needed to endure that much trouble in the home. My regret: "Maybe if I had made sure Richie knew I loved him, that God Loved him, and that God would help him endure and come out OK-with frequent letters from me-maybe he would not have taken his life. "God, help me with my sorrows." "Colleen, I expect you to forgive yourself as well as forgive others." Honor your father and your Mother that your days may be long upon the earth which the Lord God, giveth you."
Monsanto Chemical Co. was a relatively new phosphate Co. Betty Rae was hired as the plant manager's private secretary. She was going with Don Peterson, Arthur's son, Caribou County Forest Ranger, if my memory serves me correctly. It was located in Soda Springs, Idaho, my home town.
CONTINUED
Early 1940's in Soda Springs, Idaho.
One summer the Ozburns invited me to go with Betty and to Yellowstone Park. Mr. Ozburn put a canvas cover over his big truck and there were two beds on it. We headed for the east entrance to the park leaving their farm north of town on the side road which led to Bancroft. The road was extremely washboardy. Betty, Harry Dean and I were riding in the back of the truck. We were all sitting on the big bed. Harry finally grabbed onto the headboard bouncing up and down with a terrible gait. Little by little he bounced right off from the bed still clinging to the metal headboard. We were laughing so hard and it was really funny. I remember there was the old white chamber under the bed along with the groceries. They were so good to me and Betty and I were very close friends. (Pictures)Mr. and Mrs. Ozburn are both dead now and Harry Dean runs the farm north of Soda. He and his wife Connie are at least four years younger than I and Connie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Connie led us in kneeling prayer at Relief Society. meetings. She was a lovely person.
The Ozburns introduced me to Mr. and Mrs. Tolman, who had a farm east of the Ozburns. About 1939 when I was an eighth grader, the Tolmans hired me to work for them during the summer. I did help in the house some, but mostly I kept the sheep out of the alfalfa fields. I stayed with them during the week and spent the weekends at home. I spent the first $5.00 I earned on a lovely red, crepe, dress with a white collar and cuffs for Mother. We had the local photographer (who could not speak nor hear) come to the house and take Mother's picture in the dress. I played and sang "Danny Boy" as the man was taking her picture. She had such a beautiful expression on her face; it vas very natural and the way I remember her as when I was a youngster.
Mother, Margie and I moved into the little house at the Brigham Young Lodge and we were living there the year I graduated from High School in 1943. There were a number of cabins along with east side of the property (located on-Highway 30); in them were small stoves (we had to keep kindling and coal in each) and a bathroom and shower for the men; bathroom and shower for ladies. There were two modern apartments on the south part of the property with the managers little house on the SE corner in front of one of the two huge trees that were on the place. The lawn was in front of all the housing and it was fun for Mother and I to work together and mow it with old fashioned push mowers. Between our house and the two apartments was a little log cabin that had been built by Brigham Young; we kept the wood in there and the linen, the lawn mower, etc. I loved working with mother as we cleaned the cabins and changed the linen; everything seemed to be done so easy and was orderly and clean. Oh, how very precious were those years. Harry Richards, owner, and his wife lived across the highway in an apartment attached to their service station business. Mrs. Richards was a sister to Aaron Ozburn, Betty's father.
One time when we were there at B.Y.L. mother prepared lemon pie and hamburgers for me and my friends for a house party. I remember so well playing spin the bottle then. We girls had written things to do on little pieces of paper and put then in a milk bottle. (glass quart sizes like we used when we had the dairy years earlier) Bob Somsen was destined to have the pointer of the bottle stop right in front of him. (He was one of my most loyal boyfriends for years). His paper read: "Imitate a lady taking a bath." Bob took every item off one at a time, that a lady wears. It was so plain and funny; but the funniest part of all was his shimmying out of the-girdle tugging, twisting pulling moaning. Of course he had none of these things on so he left his clothes on as he went through the "make believe" motions of removing then bathing and putting them on. When it came time for the girdle he pulled, twisted, wiggled shimmied. It was a scream. As I type this., I realize that I had not thought about this for years. No cook cooks as well as mother in my opinion and today at 83 she still has the art. How well I remember how we young folks devoured the hamburgers and lemon pie, and how very good they tasted.
DeVerl Stevens (Curly) from Montpelier came to see me while we were at B.Y.L. It was the last time I ever saw him. He married shortly afterwards and soon was killed in the second world war overseas.
Throughout my high school years music and English grammar were my favorite subjects. I was the secretary of the Pep Club. Mr. Lowe was our principal; I thought a lot of him.
1941 early Fall Mother decided to spend a year in San Francisco where sister Margie was living. Margie never had robust health and was not one to write very often. Driving her green coupe dodge Mother drove us to Boise, Idaho on along the Columbia River and down the west coast of California to San Francisco. I remember we came upon a serious automobile wreck; blood was evident, and it made us both feel ill. In Portland we stayed with friends who had been in Soda Springs and had invited us to come to their home. At one point along the river I saw a sign "Light House" with an arrow to turn right. I persuaded Mother to take the road so we could see the light house. We had not gone very far when we were both holding our breath and wishing that we had not taken that road. The road was very narrow and the bank dropped steeply down the left side to the river. Mother said after she had turned around and reached the main road again, "I'll never let you persuade me to take another road off from the high way again."
When we first saw the Blue Spruce Mt. Forest it was beautiful. And I will never forget the scene when we came up over a hill and there was the majestic Pacific Ocean. Later we spent many hours near the waters edge in San Francisco.
It seemed that every block had a pub on it where liquor could be bought. It was interesting to find that there were numerous military camps: marine; Navy; Merchant Marine; and Army bases. Don't remember how we met some of Uncle Sam's boys but think it was through Margie and her friend Lucille. Mother had located a position managing the San Carlos Hotel on Geary St. It was six stories with ten rooms on each floor and in the basement there was a small baby grand piano and a game room; also, a kitchen in the basement Margie had a friend, Lucille Lynch (If I remember the name correctly), and they each had a boyfriend: Margie Clarence "Cameron"; Lucille, "Harold Sweigart'" (who was later killed in an overseas battle of some kind.) They introduced me to Art Rollins and I dated him. These fellows came often for dinner, or just to visit and play pool. They found our home in the hotel refreshing. On every corner there seemed to be a bar and much drunkenness. Golden Gate Park and all its magnificence is where Art and I went frequently. The little pups in Cameron's pocket were a delight to us all. The black and white dog, Skipper, became mother’s pal and companion for a while after she returned to Soda Springs before school was out for me in San Francisco I remember going out to the Presidio, the army hospital where Art was on the medical team, on a holiday and spending some time with Art.
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| My dog Skipper (cdh0115) |
Mother really loved Abrasha Brodsky, a white Russian former champion foot racer in New' York (I believe it was), but of greater importance to Mother and I, he was a concert pianist. He played an entire concert for Mother. I did not make a point of requesting to hear it. Why, I don’t know. I loved this man; he taught me to love music; and he made me feel important. He looked like pictures of Beethoven, except his countenance was of a loving nature. His daughter, Beebe went to a catholic school. (Her mother had died, or left them, I do not remember which) Beebee spent a lot of time with us too.
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| Clarence Cameron & Pups (CDH0047) |
Mother had two maids to help with the cleaning. When they did not make it, she and I did the work. People who stayed there were interesting. One man was a Captain of a ship and gave us lovely menus that had been on his ship. A couple from New York were there most of the time we were. They wanted me to go back to New York with them and be a companion to their daughter. But I had overcome my homesickness and was anxious to return to Soda Springs to my friends and graduate with them from High School 1943 in May. So I thanked them for their kindness but declined their offer to move to New York with them.
The Sons of the Pioneers were a famous musical group and did many recordings. Aunt Lillis especially liked them. Margie took me to a Cafe where they were playing. I liked that, too. They were friends of Margie’s.
It was really great to be able to do some things with my sister. She was not very well. It was hard to leave her in San Francisco when we returned to Idaho.
A man came into the lobby one night and went upstairs, not a guest. Mother sent me up to check on him. It was scary. he came down without any trouble. I can still remember the almost darkness on each floor as I looked for him.
If you want to have some fun with your dog, put a large tablespoon of peanut butter in his mouth on his tongue. I did that to poor little skipper. One meal time Mother had her dinner on her plate and had to run upstairs to wait on someone. She came back to the kitchen Skipper had eaten all her dinner, climbed into his box and was looking up at her with a guilty look on his dog face when she found him. He was a smart little dog. He learned to sit up and do other tricks.
It was always such a joy to work with Mother. We could cover a lot of ground together. It seemed that we were according to today's jargon "In Sync." Oh the depth of my love for her, honor, respect and absolute trust was so easy for me to give her. Many people have envied our relationship all through the years. Benda Burton who came into my life after 1944 one said, "I wish I could go somewhere and come back with what you bring back from your Mother's."'
One Sunday when we came out of the white church house we received the news that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and many were killed. I remember so well the heavy yet empty feeling I had when hearing the news. In my little 5 yr. diary I recorded different events. For example: "President Roosevelt declared War on Japan." Oh it was terrible. In one San Francisco paper there appeared a song, piano accompaniment and all, "Let's Remember Pearl Harbor." I still have that sheet from the fateful year and headlines etc. Details of some encounters.
From somewhere came the report "Japan will likely attack SAN FRANCISCO”, so we had the well known "Blackout". No light was to be seen from the skies or anywhere. Quilts and blankets were taped to the windows and doors. It was scary, also. Grandma Tippets and Grandpa, too, were worried about us and thought we should come home. We did later.
One of the places we went to and now it is so different than it was in the 1940 was Fisherman's Wharf. We walked on board walks from one shop or place. I remember eating a pile of small shrimp that made a mountain on my plate. Breaking them open one at a time and eating them, I remember how delicious they were.
Oh! Not to mention Golden Gate Park would be foolish. Art and I spent a lot of time basking in its beauty.
Just one or two doors from the High School, and next door to the Opera House (if I remember correctly) was the building with similar construction to the Opera House and where the United Nations was organized while we lived in San Francisco.
There was a zoo at the far west end of the Golden Gate Park, and an amusement park where there were all-kind of rides and food to eat. We were there a number of times.
Mother saw to it that life was interesting; we drove all ever the area on her day off. Some of the things I remember wzere: Twin Peaks, Fisherman's, the Golden Gate Bridge the Oakland Bay bridge and Oakland. We attended concerts; probably the ones I was an usher for.
By January I was well acquainted with the other students, dating, and had grown used to the large city; I loved walking in the fog. Having more fun, my grades dropped down. My sister Margie worked at a small cafe; how good the food tasted that she gave me. She was a very loving, lovely lady.
By May Mother was making plans to return to Soda Springs and take care of the yard work on our property on first north street, about 300 blocks east. She made arrangements for me to work for a dentist, Dr. Smith, his wife and one son, helping in their home part time until my school year was completed. They had a nice home and did a lot of entertaining; for example at dinner one night I had to light the liquor drinks with a match in the kitchen and serve them while they were flaming. Mrs. Smith was a very proper lady, and saw to it that I served the guests and family properly at the table. My work was general housework. I was glad to leave the Dr.'s home, although the son younger than I was nice.
Before telling about my leaving San Francisco, I must mention a bit more about the San Carlos. It was six stories with ten rooms on each for guests. One of our two maids was Jauanita and Gus was our Filipino houseman. Gus sang all the time; two of his songs were Amapola and South of the Border.
There was a switchboard in the office and I helped Mother serving guests and assisting them to their rooms; running the switchboard and answering the telephone.
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| The Home With Beautiful Flowers etc. in 1943 (CDH0045) |
When the time was up I was happy to take the ferry from San Francisco to Oakland and the train from there to Soda Springs. I remember how sad I felt when leaving San Francisco and wished I had stayed longer to see more of my sister and the city. When arriving home Mother had the yard in beautiful condition, although it was too early for Soda Springs for all the flowers to be up and the vegetables garden yield matured. I was surprised how tall my favorite Soda Springs beau, Vaughan Smith, had grown; it was summertime and 1942, I was 17.
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| The Backyard at the same time (CDH0046) |
By this time Betty Rae Bush and I had become friends. Her mother died when she was small and she spent much of her time with her Aunt Chat Vias of Wayan. I had spent several nights and days with Betty at Wayan, going to dances etc. It was then I met her cousin,-Rex Vias (who later took his real names Rex Layland).
May 1943 High School graduation.
Graduation night was very special. How clear are the memories of my friends and the night of graduation in the then High School Auditorium. We graduates sat on the stage of the high school (now it is used for a junior high school) in a semi-circle. I remember looking at each one that I knew so well (all of them and us), with love and sadness, knowing that we might never all be together again. It was in May of 1943 and some of the class members, young men, had been called to military duty due to World War II with President Franklin D. Roosevelt declaring war on Japan after they attacked Pearl Harbor. This took place while Mother and I were still in San Francisco. A few of lost their lives or were lost in action and never found. Glen Perkins and his older brother, Pinky Woody and his older brother, and Keith Lallatin did not return.
Especially one friend I remember and what she wore. Betty Rae Bush wore a white dress; her hair was almost black it was so dark. The guest speaker was an executive in the Boy Scout Program. It seems that he was from Pocatello, Idaho, sixty miles to the west from Soda Springs. The theme of his speech was: "If you want to be happy the best way you will find happiness is: “TO SERVE OTHERS”.
Our beloved grandpa, Jedediah Morgan Tippets, Mother's father died in June of 1943. 1 can still see my Grandma dressed in a black coat sitting and looking so sad at his funeral. Grandpa was a kind man, very deep, and quiet in his way.
All through my years at home with Mother she saw to it that I went to Sunday School and Primary. I gave many talks (2 & 1/2 minutes) in Sunday School; Mother taught me well how to speak clearly, talk slow enough and to memorize thoroughly by repetition. I used to walk around and around the round kitchen table as I memorized, speaking out loud. Much praise came my way for the talks I gave. One would think that Mother was a trained speech director. One talk I gave was by memory and the complete chapter in Luke which tells of the Savior’s birth. Mother wore out several bibles. The open bible was something that I saw every day. She lived and lives still by the scriptures; having many memorized. She has never been a good sleeper; and as a girl I remember her working from early morning to late at night. The home was kept beautiful and clean, the garden, flowers and lawn was kept up. How she ever managed to do .so much is a mystery to me. She has been richly blessed with energy and the divine ability to organize, love and serve. Clark Burriss, our beloved friend mentioned earlier in this history once said: "It is unfair to compare any other woman with Edith; any man as well.'; Many compliments came my way for being such a good helper and loyal to my Mother. (I could and should have been more loyal and helpful to my dear Dad.)
Mother told me that she would pay for me to go on a mission or one year of college. I was not extremely spiritual or desirous of going on a mission (as I was many years later) so I chose the year of college. Being influenced by a woman representing Colorado Women's College in Denver, -who visited the High School and talked with we girls I chose that institution and arrangements were made.
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| Betty Rae Bush, High School Graduation, 1943 (CDH0149) |
We were living in the house at Brigham Young Lodge that summer. We had such a fun party with friends from Soda Springs and Grays Lake attending. Mother served luscious hamburgers and lemon pie. The thing that stands out in my mind about that party was the game we played: Spin The Bottle. We had written ridiculous things that one could do on small pieces of paper and put them in a quart canning jar. Bob Somsen drew, after the bottle was spun and it stopped facing him, "Imitate a woman taking a bath." He was so funny going through the maneuvers. The woman he was imitating wore a girdle and he wiggled out of it with difficulty twisting and pulling with all his might. Each piece of clothing was kept in mind. He washed himself, dried himself, and then went through the strange maneuvers to get everything back on; especially the girdle.
Often I would spend the weekend with Betty Rae at her Aunt Chat's home in Wayan, which was the south part of the Gray's Lake Valley. One of the things that I looked forward to almost every week was the dances at the Wayan school. I dated Merle Cellan-once in awhile, and Rex Layland. As Betty and I readied ourselves for the dance we sat at the pretty little dresser with a mirror to do our hair and make-up; we peered around a coal oil lamp (kerosene) lamp; Grays Lake did not have electricity yet back then. We had lots of fun together. The Saturday night dances were great! My how we did dance and enjoy ourselves and each other. All we had for music was the old fashioned Juke Box. Don't remember if we had to put dimes in it to have music or not. Ray Reese and Farrell Stoor were so much fun to dance with. I remember one time Enid Tingey was dancing (maybe with Max Weaver) and was wearing a skirt with an elastic waist. Folks started laughing hilariously. Lo and behold, Enid's skirt had fallen to the floor.
Betty Rae's mother died back east somewhere when she was a small child and she came to make her home with Aunt Chat and Uncle Isaac Vias, Chat’s son Rex Layland, and Chat's father, Grandpa Dray. Glen Bush, her father, had remarried a woman whose first name was Flora, I believe. The Bushes lived in Soda Springs some years during that time. Betty had a delightful personality, was very popular, was fair with almost black hair and a lot of fun.
The Vias home was a two story home with steep stairs to the upper rooms which consisted of three bedrooms, a hall, and an attic with all kinds of interesting things in it, some very old. Betty had her own room with lovely wooden furniture that Uncle Isaac had made and painted for her. There was no electricity, running water and bathrooms in the house.
Now, a little more about the house where so many people felt at home due to Chat's marvelous warm, loving and friendly personality and big generous heart and Isaac’s patience. How she was loved. (Years later her funeral was attended by more people by far than the average attendance. People came from long distances as well as the Caribou County, Idaho area.) The kitchen was large with geraniums in the double kitchen window., Chat and Isaac shared the only bedroom on that floor. There was as a spacious long pantry where large shallow pans of milk cooled and cream settled on the top for cereal and luscious shortcakes, mostly strawberry. A back room was used for washing clothes, baths, saddle repairs, etc., and Isaac's shoe repair equipment.
Before finishing the description of the house two incidents took place in that back room some years later that I want to share now: The bath tub was the proverbial round, deep metal tub. One day Betty Rae was taking a bath and had just stood up when Isaac came into the room. Instead of squatting back down into the tub Betty panicked and just stood there waving her hands up and down. What was extremely funny was Uncle Isaac imitating her flapping his hands up and down.
The second incident happened a number of years later after Rex and I had two children, Mary Lee and Monna Jean. When Monna was about three and a half years old. A little potty was kept in the back room for the little grandchildren's bathroom needs. We were all at the table, Monna said she had to go potty. I told her to go, that she knew where it was. Everyone else was eating dinner in the kitchen. After a brief time Monna called, "Mother, come and wipe me." I said, "Can't you wipe yourself?" Her response was, "No! I'll get it on my whingah".
The big old fashioned black kitchen stove had a water reservoir-on one side. On the top was a warming oven. Grandpa sat near the right side of the stove in his rocking chair smoking his pipe. (Isaac also smoked a pipe.) He sat there hour after hour. At the side of the stove was the big wooden box. It was Grandpa's job to keep wood chopped and the box filled, and to keep the two metal buckets full of fresh water from the hand water pump outside. Oh! So many memories and details come flooding back to me as I write. An old fashioned dipper hung on a nail near the cupboard that held the water buckets. Betty and I learned a song from Aunt Chat (who later become my second Mother) "An Old Fashioned Dipper". Here are the words:
"The Old Fashioned Dipper"
There's an old fashioned dipper that hangs on a nail
In an old fashioned farmhouse and near it a pail.
There's an old fashioned lady in an old fashioned gown,
Who would oft tines at even’ take the old dipper down.
Then she'd warn us of gold and of greed that destroy
How they rob human hearts of all comfort-and JOY.
Now the wisdom of this maxim in life 'twill never fail:
Be contented with a dipper on a nail.
Oh! How precious was my Mother-in law!. So like the woman in the song. One day she fell and made not a sound. I didn't know if she was dead or alive. We drove so very fast to Soda Springs to the hospital, and I attempted to hold her on my lap. What a relief it was later to find out that the sugar level in her system had malfunctioned and proper treatment and care soon brought her into a normal and safe state. She used to get so tired of having to give herself a shot of insulin every day. She did develop a bad heart condition which may have brought on her death in April, 1955. As I washed her precious body to get her ready for the undertaker, I realized how special she was and how much I loved her. She had been so patient with me. I made a promise to her at that time and still I am trying to keep it. She was appreciated by the multitudes and loved by them.
Well, we are still in the kitchen. Near the much used outside door to the kitchen stood an old fashioned wash stand with the rather- small wash pan and soap, where hands were washed at meal time. A mirror hung on the wall above it. Isaac shaved with a straight edge razor, and the knife was always sharpened with the leather razor strap nearby. The strap was also used sparingly on bottoms of very naughty children. The old fashioned shaving mugs were in use by both Isaac and Grandpa Dray. Above the door to the front room, and also to the bedroom, was a shelf about six to eight inches deep and above it was a small window. Now for something humorous again that happened some years after 1943. Rex's foster brother Buster.(his real name was Frank Stoor) and I were the only ones home, all the rest-of the-family had gone to town or somewhere. We had so much fun that night. The old somewhat rickety table had four legs as ordinary tables and one-in the middle. In playing a game we managed to get one of the legs out of whatever held it in place and we had a dickens of a time getting it together correctly again. Buster decided to show off. He went over to the front room door way, reached up and got a good hold on the shelf above the open door. Then he commenced to do his tricks. With his bottom-end facing me while he hung there I discovered he had a hole in the seat of his pants. When I began laughing he asked me what I was laughing at. When I told him he quickly jumped down.
Many of you who read this may be familiar with the song" This Old House". It certainly might apply, at least in part, to this dear old house of which I write.
Isaac Vias had three sons: Oscar married Verda Tingey; Roy married Wilda Walton, Alfred never married. We shared many wonderful family meals together.
It would be a shame not to mention my first impression when Rex and I first met. Betty had told me about her cousin, Rex, but I had been in the Vias home a number of times and had not yet met him. It was during the haying season on a summer day when two or more men came into the kitchen from the back door. I was standing near the door and washstand in the kitchen. Really, I was only conscious of the one with broad shoulders and the fact that he was at least six feet tall. He came in door and I saw: 'Broad shoulders, a man 6 ft. tall'. Later Rex told me that he saw: "My blue eyes and how neat I was". Now as I write Jan. 23, 1997 tears fall and I realize-how much I loved him. He loved his family and we were the most important thing in his life to him. In fact, all those dear people who were family were very precious to me.
Rex lost his father when he was 7 months old from the horrible flu epidemic in the Raymond, Wyoming area. Mother Chat loved him and reported that it would have been easier to lay her baby Rex away than her beloved Frank. She often told the story of how she lost her love, her memory seemed to be as fresh to her and her love for him until the day she died as the day she lost him.
Fall of 1943
Summertime and its many joys had ended and I prepared to go to College. I chose Colorado Women's College on Poplar St. in Denver, Colorado. From the description the representative from CWC gave I expected attending that college to transform me from an abnormal person magically into a normal gal emotionally and every other magic way. The closeness of my class those years in Soda Springs schools and our decisions now would cause us to drift -apart and I felt sad about that as we all made choices to go different ways.
However there are a couple of things that had happened in the summer that merit being mentioned now. After one of the popular summer dances in the Wayan gym Rex's car (actually Isaac and Chat's car) was parked facing the fence on the southwest side of the school yard. Rex and I were sitting alone in the front-seat of the car. The moon was full and very bright that night. Stars were shining, too, but I remember the big bright moon the best. For sure it was a romantic moon that night. That is when this 6 foot brown eyed, gentle, soft spoken man proposed to me. I felt overcome. I was hesitant and told him that I would give him an answer later. Little did I realize then what a man commits himself to ---- by asking a lady to marry him. There is so much responsibility when a man takes on the care of a wife anal children. Now that I'm 72 and have been widowed twice and Rex has been gone 12 years. I do look back and wish I had been a more loving, attentive caring, supportive and doting wife. His life was so simple, old fashioned and genuine. And wish that I had learned by 1943 that to live happily is to serve others and die to one's self. It has taken an Evangelical Preacher and the philosophy of his church to teach me that last part mentioned. I've learned Christ wants us to acknowledge our weakness and rely on Him. Oh the peace of mind and quiet inner joy that can come to one who has learned these truths. I've even wondered if I had known years ago what I've learned in the 1990s if Rex might have had better health and lived longer.
The 2nd thing I wish to write now is-:- "I hadn't suffered from prejudice and "The Small Town Syndrome" yet in 1943 nor the trouble not only for me but for the family that took place a number of years later. Oh the stigma!"
The scriptures say that there is no room in the church for gossip nor for prejudice. Here I refer to the world wide body of Christ. It would please me if all of my children, their spouses and children made a habit of being like Mother, Edith Hayes, who lived by what she taught me: "If you can't say something good about a person don't say anything."
Let's pray for each other to remember and follow this admonition. Grandma Hayes said something else to all the grandchildren: "Stay faithful to the Gospel." Another trait she had, "Soft Spoken".
I don't know if it was mentioned earlier in my writing or not, but will assume that it was not. When I was eight years old Mother and Daddy had a divorce. How well I remember the uncomfortable feeling I had in the court room. (And every time I have looked into the room in the Court House in Soda Springs). I remember saying something negative to the court about my daddy. I didn't feel good about it then and I've felt more negatively about it since. I remember Daddy's expression on his face as he looked down at the floor when I made the comment.
Mother made out better than Daddy did following the divorce. Memories now going back some years. How I loved to ride with Daddy in one of his big trucks. Even though it was during the depression we were affluent. Sometimes Daddy traveled trucking at night. I remember riding on big sacks of wool or metal machinery wheels etc. We often stayed at Aunt Lou's and Uncle Whaley's in Perry, Utah. one time in Fred's Cafe in Ogden Daddy had me get up on the counter and tap-dance for the folks there which embarrassed me.
Two of the greatest sins of omission that I have on my record in heaven are not doing much more for Rex as his wife, and not doing more as daughter for my Daddy. I have shed a lot of tears over these two situations. It also effected lives of my children negatively compared to what it might have been. There could have been so much more joy for all. I'm hoping that those who believe families will be together in Heaven are right. I guess there is at least one more sin of omission. After Daddy's and Mother's divorce Daddy married Mildred Jensen. She and Daddy had Richard who died a tragic death when about 17 years of age. I was ashamed of the divorce and let if effect my relationship with Richard (Richie). Mildred's daughter died a horrible death from cancer and Daddy and Mildred had a divorce. Richard did not have the spiritual emotional strength he needed to endure that much trouble in the home. My regret: "Maybe if I had made sure Richie knew I loved him, that God Loved him, and that God would help him endure and come out OK-with frequent letters from me-maybe he would not have taken his life. "God, help me with my sorrows." "Colleen, I expect you to forgive yourself as well as forgive others." Honor your father and your Mother that your days may be long upon the earth which the Lord God, giveth you."
Monsanto Chemical Co. was a relatively new phosphate Co. Betty Rae was hired as the plant manager's private secretary. She was going with Don Peterson, Arthur's son, Caribou County Forest Ranger, if my memory serves me correctly. It was located in Soda Springs, Idaho, my home town.
CONTINUED
Colleen's Life History - 3: 1943-1944
Fall 1943 to Spring 1944.
One social event that I remember vividly was the Tea at the President's home. One class event was Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" and I was chosen to play the part of the Shrew. I remember working in the office, folding letters and placing them in envelopes. I remember taking piano from the head of the Piano Department a Professor Garrison, I think was his name. I don't remember practicing a lot like I did when I went to Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho years later. My grades were good however. Music, English and Religions were always my favorite subjects.
Two years earlier I was taking piano from Abrasha Brodsky in San Francisco.
At. C. W. C. I did not really know what I wanted out of life. one thing for sure, I believe I was an insecure young woman who would have benefited greatly from a higher self esteem and self confidence. I just pray that all my children and grandchildren will believe in themselves and what they can and will do with God's help. 2nd prayer: That you will all learn God's will for you according to the scriptures and Holy Ghost.
There is a good reason for that: The scriptures are full of promises made to every one by God of his desire to help us succeed in everything worthwhile in our lives. To name just a few "I will help you. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. I will answer your prayers. Fear not, for I am with you and I will never leave you." And many more. Recently I read an article in the Christian & Missionary Church's Alliance Life Magazine. It told of how people must be secure individuals before they can serve exceptionally well. Many biblical references were given that have helped insecure people. The article also mentioned some of things that cause folks to be insecure. Some were: death, divorce in the family, dysfunctional families and others. I trust someone will have read the last paragraph on the other side of this sheet as well as this sheet. I'm sure there are other things in life that make some folks insecure, but I believe with all my heart that accepting the promises in the bible and living a close walk with the Lord can result in becoming a more secure, self confidant person with a higher self esteem.
I still have a few books from CWC. One is "Food for the Family", another "The Freshman Reports Her World". The latter includes one chapter with this: "The Ten impediments to Happiness. They are listed on page 114. The book is a dull gray green and is fairly thick.
One social event that comes to mind was a dance that we were asked to share with soldiers at an army base near by. A sporting event was a trip by bus to the College's Mountain Lodge. We did go skiing, another sport that I did not do well. But I loved the fellowship and scenery. The drive up there was beautiful, and the food good and plentiful.
Letters from home arrived frequently and how I loved them. Mother was so loyal and expressive of love.
How she gave and gave and gave. My Soft spoken wonderful Madonna. Letters from Rex were romantic, I still have some. Aunt Chat allowed me to address her that way and she wrote wonderful letters.
Ewart Muir was one of the young men from Grays Lake Valley who went into the military - the army. he came to see me at CWC.
During the Christmas Holidays 1943 I visited Mother in California. Lavon Fredericks (who had lived with us for a time in Soda Springs and gone to see Dr. Kackley a number of time) was in the Merchant Marines and stationed there. We dated a few times. It was so good to spend time again with my precious mother. I went on to Idaho and stopped at Vias’ for a visit with them, Rex and Betty; then I went on-to Georgetown, Idaho and visited with Aunt Lillis and Uncle Leon, and Grandma Tippets. That was the last time I saw my Grandma alive. She died May 1944. Grandma thought very highly of Rex and he was fond of her. I wanted to quit school then because I didn’t feel it was what I wanted. Mother insisted: “Don’t quite in the middle of the stream” and I returned to CWC
I wrote to Rex and accepted his proposal of marriage after January 1944. he wrote to me as "Honey Girl" which was very precious to me.
Spring 1944 – A Beautiful Spring Wedding
When Grandma Tippets died Mother did not have enough money for me to come home from CWC in Denver for the funeral. School still had a few weeks to go before the semester finished and Mother did have the money for me to come home after the semester was finished. Oh how I loved my Grandma Tippets. She showed me a piece in her china closet that was cut glass I believe and it was to be for me. I did not ask for it after she died. If I had Aunt Lillis would. have probably given it to me. Aunt Lillis and Uncle Leon had moved from Nounan into Grandma and Grandpa's home in Georgetown. They were doing some remodeling in the home when Grandma was so sick. Her sister Susie had come to take care of her and Mother was there also for a period of time caring for Grandma. Mother said that Grandma was real low and all of a sudden sat up gazing up in the room with her arms extended. She said, "Now Jesus" and laid back down on the bed taking her last breath. She was a very spiritual person. This was May. Grandpa had died the June before in 1943. Grandpa had milked the cows in the morning. Then he sat the bucket down and laid down on the grass. Uncle Leon found him.
Now today, over fifty years after my grandparent's death I have a lovely satin covered pillow that Grandma had crocheted a top for and gave it to Mother and it lies on Mother's bed in her room along with two Mother made. How precious they are to me.
BACK TO THE Honeymoon! Our first stop was Afton, Wyoming. We rented a room in the two story hotel for the second night. The first night we stayed in a Motel in a unit that had been two units previously, with the -door between our room and the other one locked. It had a small kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. After renting the unit we bought a few things and drove, South a few miles to Smoot where some of Rex's ancestors lived and others were in the cemetery. We visited the graves of Grandpa Dray's wife, Rex's great grandparents, the Grahams (Chat's maternal Grandparents) and some others. I think one was the Uncle John Chat spoke of so highly. (When Chat was a girl she and some cousins were in Uncle Johns home. He and his wife had gone somewhere. Two things they did that I though were quite amusing. The first: John's wife had bread rising in a pan. All the kids took the dough and made masks for themselves out of it, then put it carefully back in the pan. One of the boys (I think it was one of the boys) picked up a gun. I'll bet my mother in law when she was a child was really mischievous. Anyway, the Aunt and Uncle had their clothes hanging on a wire in the corner of their bedroom where the guns were. Whether or not it was accidental I don't remember, but the gun discharged and cut a hole right into the middle of all the clothes hanging there. John's wife was quoted as saying to him when she discovered the holes in the clothes: "Upon my soul John! Look what those infernal mice have down to our clothes!"
Just a short distance back down the road from the cemetery and nearer Smoot we found a cozy spot with lots of grass and shade from the tall trees. We spread our picnic out and enjoyed it immensely. There is a picture of Rex taken that day in the shade of one of the trees. Oh how precious all those details seem to me now.
We had packed our clothes together in one red suitcase. I was nervous as time arrived to go to bed. I most certainly did not want anyone peeking through the keyhole from the other half of the unit that used to all be one. Also I had not had a brother or even a father in the home where I was raised except for the first eight or ten years. Even though I had agreed to marry Rex I was not real comfortable with the idea of going to bed with him. (Oh! After living over 70 years how different I am now.)
Taking toilet paper I stuffed the keyhole so full that no one could possibly see anything by peering through it. I put on my light pink long nightgown and sat on the bed waiting, I didn't know what else to do. Soon Rex came part way out of the bathroom, and leaning forward he peeked out into the bedroom where I was. I did look up to him, he was five years older and I felt more of a man than I was a woman. This is about all I remember about our honeymoon except for a very few other incidents. The Hotel had a name but right now I don't remember it. I do remember "Rex, you are so heavy." And I remember walking across the street from the Hotel to a restaurant and thinking, "I'll bet everybody who can see us knows that we were just married; and knows what we've been doing."
The four door Chevrolet full sized car was very comfortable to ride in and it was a joy. It was two toned green and was the property of Isaac and Chat Vias. And so we returned to Wayan, Idaho which would be our home for over twenty years.
Rex and myself called Mr. Vias Dad and "Uncle Isaac." He taught Rex the carpentry skill and he learned to excel in it very highly. So talk was begun about Rex building a home for us on his property. At the time he had 160 acres that his Mother had traded for she and Frank Layland's farm in Thomas' Fork in Wyoming and south of the Pass south. of Smoot.
Betty Rae Bush had married Don Peterson and they had moved to Pocatello, Idaho I believe. Little Gary came to make their home with them. Don was an alcoholic and Betty felt she could no longer stay with him. Betty secured a position (don't remember with whom) in Soda Springs. Mother Chat, Buster, Grandpa Dray, and Betty and Gary rented an apartment there.
Betty’s mother, Kate, was Mother Chat's youngest sister. Vera Sibbett was in middle. These three girls were raised on a farm in "The Dell' which is located South of Smoot just before going over the pass to Thomas's Fork Valley. Their neighbors were Tina and Alvin Walton who were Ree Somsen and Wilda Vias' parents. Their lifestyle as a family was admirable. They were very spiritual and close as a family and friends to others. They knew how to have a lot of fun dancing and to work hard. Tina died before Rex and I married. Mother Chat used to tell me about many things regarding all these folks, but there is one humorous event I will share. These three sisters, Chat, Vera and Kate were out and up in a huckleberry patch. Others were in the patch also. Kate began to act up. (I wish I could remember exactly what Chat and Vera told the other folks that was wrong with Kate.) She indicated that "Kate was crazy and to not pay attention to her".
Kate died when Betty Rae was a small child and Ben was also quite small. They lived a long ways away from Chat and Vera so Betty Rae came to live with the Isaac Vias Family. Ben was there often also for extended periods of time. Life was hard for Ben. He died alone and far away from Betty or Chat. The sad part of it was he felt "No One Cares."
Vera and her first husband separated , Wes Osmond. Later she married Cecil Sibbett. Mother Chat told of a time when after the divorce Vera , I think, was holding their son, Jim Osmond, (he was able to talk but still very small) when Wes happened to come up to them. Little Jim threw one arm around one of them and the other around the 2nd one. He said, "Oh goody! Now I have both of you." Jim also spent a lot of time at the Vias home; he and Betty got into no small amount of mischief.
When Jim was in High School in Brigham City, Utah he had a horrible accident in the Lab. I think the hydrochloric acid blew up and into his eyes. All the sight he had the rest of his life was a little peripheral sight. Many years later Jim died. He may have developed a bad heart condition from the strain he was under; in the 1980's I think. Mother Chat always had a very deep love for Jim, also Betty.
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| Colleen & Dorothy at CWC (CDH0010) |
Earlier in the summer something happened that caused lots of tears on my part. I was working in the cafe as a waitress the day I learned that little Skipper had been poisoned. I remember my friend Bob Somsen said to one of our mutual friends "Colleen loves that dog more than she does me." T Bone steaks were 75 cents and breaded veal about 49 cents. I don't remember what we did with out little dead dog.
I believe Daddy and Mildred, little Richie and Mildred's children Dorothy and Junior had moved to the Pasco, Washington area by this time. Daddy worked in a Defense Business there. World War II was still on. When I took the train for Denver and CWC Mother moved to California and accepted employment. Over a period of some years Mother worked in the Post Office in San Francisco; as a tool chaser at Douglas Air Craft. The plant covered miles of space. She also worked as a care giver for the Heads (I believe it was) in Southern California. Bless her hard working loving heart --- always each month she sent money to the college while I was at a CWC.
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| Colleen Adams & Friend at CWC (CDH0011) |
Berta Bob Bartholomew was my big sister and room mate. However we did not get along with complete and mutual understanding and pleasure together. I requested a change in room mate and was fortunate and getting Colleen Adams from Del Norte, Colorado. As the popular saying went "We hit it off real good!." She was much taller than I so we were dubbed the names "Mutt and Jeff" after the well known comic strip of that time. We shared a suite with two other girls. One was Kathryn Bonar. I wonder if she ever married. She couldn't stand the thought of being close to a hairy man. Also, she told me "Colleen, you talk too plain." She was from the part of the U.S. that spoke syllables gently.
One social event that I remember vividly was the Tea at the President's home. One class event was Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" and I was chosen to play the part of the Shrew. I remember working in the office, folding letters and placing them in envelopes. I remember taking piano from the head of the Piano Department a Professor Garrison, I think was his name. I don't remember practicing a lot like I did when I went to Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho years later. My grades were good however. Music, English and Religions were always my favorite subjects.
Two years earlier I was taking piano from Abrasha Brodsky in San Francisco.
At. C. W. C. I did not really know what I wanted out of life. one thing for sure, I believe I was an insecure young woman who would have benefited greatly from a higher self esteem and self confidence. I just pray that all my children and grandchildren will believe in themselves and what they can and will do with God's help. 2nd prayer: That you will all learn God's will for you according to the scriptures and Holy Ghost.
There is a good reason for that: The scriptures are full of promises made to every one by God of his desire to help us succeed in everything worthwhile in our lives. To name just a few "I will help you. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. I will answer your prayers. Fear not, for I am with you and I will never leave you." And many more. Recently I read an article in the Christian & Missionary Church's Alliance Life Magazine. It told of how people must be secure individuals before they can serve exceptionally well. Many biblical references were given that have helped insecure people. The article also mentioned some of things that cause folks to be insecure. Some were: death, divorce in the family, dysfunctional families and others. I trust someone will have read the last paragraph on the other side of this sheet as well as this sheet. I'm sure there are other things in life that make some folks insecure, but I believe with all my heart that accepting the promises in the bible and living a close walk with the Lord can result in becoming a more secure, self confidant person with a higher self esteem.
Back to CWC. One thing that was really enjoyable for me and where I was very well accepted and treated with loving care. That was the visit to Colleen Adams family in Del Norte, Colorado. Mr. Adams had a Drug Store and the family seemed to be thriving very well. It seems Colleen A. had one or more siblings. How strange that there is still such a warm pleasant feeling in my memory of the Adams family and my time in Del Norte. They attended the Episcopalian Church.
I still have a few books from CWC. One is "Food for the Family", another "The Freshman Reports Her World". The latter includes one chapter with this: "The Ten impediments to Happiness. They are listed on page 114. The book is a dull gray green and is fairly thick.
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| Rex’s Christmas Gift for me in 1943 (CDH0093) |
One thing we did often that was fun. On Colfax nearby there was a store where we bought french fries and would eat them in our room. Or, which was the most fun of all, we would save them and eat them in our closets after "Lights Out.". I remember writing to Rex on toilet paper in the closet one or more times. He had given me a picture and it stood on the dresser in our bedroom. How precious the very thought of it is to me. Also, the mirror, brush and comb set was there that he sent to me for Christmas. I found a picture of one that looked just like it but have misplaced it. If I find it again I'll send it to Frank and he will include it in near this part of my story. Rex's picture and myself receive some teasing. Did I ever tell him?
We did our share of "Being Goofy" as one of the pictures show. Webster says to be goofy is "to be crazy or silly". We did.
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| Colleen Adams "Hillbilly" (cdh0222) |
Colleen A. acquired the nick name of "Mac". Mac was also a pianist with much longer fingers and hands than mine. She also played the accordion. She did the "Old Gray Mare" number dressed as a hillbilly --- all the way. Barefooted with a ribbon around one big toe, a silly bonnet and dress, with a corn cob pipe in her mouth. The 120 bass accordion worked well for her to accompany herself with. Some of the words: "The old gray mare she slid down the Delaware on a piece of silverware without any underwear." She was so funny! She was so lovable. (She deserved better than she got some years later when she married a man who was or who became an alcoholic. When visiting Monna & her sons about 1973 in Denver when Jim was in Thailand Mac and I were able to spend some time together. She was heartbroken over trouble with her husband. I don't remember if they were divorced yet or not. Mac told me that she was the church organist.)
One social event that comes to mind was a dance that we were asked to share with soldiers at an army base near by. A sporting event was a trip by bus to the College's Mountain Lodge. We did go skiing, another sport that I did not do well. But I loved the fellowship and scenery. The drive up there was beautiful, and the food good and plentiful.
Letters from home arrived frequently and how I loved them. Mother was so loyal and expressive of love.
How she gave and gave and gave. My Soft spoken wonderful Madonna. Letters from Rex were romantic, I still have some. Aunt Chat allowed me to address her that way and she wrote wonderful letters.
Ewart Muir was one of the young men from Grays Lake Valley who went into the military - the army. he came to see me at CWC.
During the Christmas Holidays 1943 I visited Mother in California. Lavon Fredericks (who had lived with us for a time in Soda Springs and gone to see Dr. Kackley a number of time) was in the Merchant Marines and stationed there. We dated a few times. It was so good to spend time again with my precious mother. I went on to Idaho and stopped at Vias’ for a visit with them, Rex and Betty; then I went on-to Georgetown, Idaho and visited with Aunt Lillis and Uncle Leon, and Grandma Tippets. That was the last time I saw my Grandma alive. She died May 1944. Grandma thought very highly of Rex and he was fond of her. I wanted to quit school then because I didn’t feel it was what I wanted. Mother insisted: “Don’t quite in the middle of the stream” and I returned to CWC
I wrote to Rex and accepted his proposal of marriage after January 1944. he wrote to me as "Honey Girl" which was very precious to me.
Spring 1944 – A Beautiful Spring Wedding
When Grandma Tippets died Mother did not have enough money for me to come home from CWC in Denver for the funeral. School still had a few weeks to go before the semester finished and Mother did have the money for me to come home after the semester was finished. Oh how I loved my Grandma Tippets. She showed me a piece in her china closet that was cut glass I believe and it was to be for me. I did not ask for it after she died. If I had Aunt Lillis would. have probably given it to me. Aunt Lillis and Uncle Leon had moved from Nounan into Grandma and Grandpa's home in Georgetown. They were doing some remodeling in the home when Grandma was so sick. Her sister Susie had come to take care of her and Mother was there also for a period of time caring for Grandma. Mother said that Grandma was real low and all of a sudden sat up gazing up in the room with her arms extended. She said, "Now Jesus" and laid back down on the bed taking her last breath. She was a very spiritual person. This was May. Grandpa had died the June before in 1943. Grandpa had milked the cows in the morning. Then he sat the bucket down and laid down on the grass. Uncle Leon found him.
Now today, over fifty years after my grandparent's death I have a lovely satin covered pillow that Grandma had crocheted a top for and gave it to Mother and it lies on Mother's bed in her room along with two Mother made. How precious they are to me.
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| Rex & I on our wedding Day (CDH0168) |
It was good to be back in Idaho and with Mother, Rex and my friends again. Summertime in Idaho was always filled with activities and work, and lots of pleasures and fun. Rex and I set the date for our wedding: June 12, 1944. It was to be at the Vias home. The family consisted of Isaac, Chat, Grandpa Dray (Chat's father who had lived there at least twenty years before he died), Buster (real name Frank) Stoor a delightful foster boy, Betty Rae, Rex Layland and myself. Mother stayed there for awhile, also. The lilacs were in full bloom and their fragrance was so special. Bishop Delmar Schnyder married us. I wore my prettiest dress and Rex; wore a brown suit. Betty had made a cake and placed it on a cake stand that had a pedestal. Just up a ways from the cake was the clock and just up from it was the calendar. I don't know for sure but I think we were married at 2 p.m. My wedding dress hangs in the closet today 1997, tan, trimmed with brown. It had started to rain- and we enjoyed cake and maybe some fruit. I changed into a blouse and slacks with a two tone jacket. Rex probably wore Levi’s and a new shirt. I loved the ride to Star Valley in the rain, sitting with my legs doubled up on the car seat. Oh I just do not want to ever forget the way I felt on our trip to Wyoming. Going through Tin Cup Canyon along Tin Cup Creek I just believe that the Lord was telling me: "Colleen, you are going to receive so many blessings." I felt a light hearted contentment. I was intensely aware that Rex and I were very shy. He had a low speaking voice, was gentle and very loving by nature. It was easy for him to show affection, to put his arm around me and give me a kiss. My primary family member that I grew up with was my Mother. We worked very well together but conversation with hugs and kisses was not the usual for us. We were very aware of each others' love however. Rex was a very patient person,-easygoing and assumed to be slow and less ambitious than some folks. Rex was very honest and dependable. For a man he had a beautiful build, broad shoulders, 6 ft tall with narrow hips, thick black hair that was unruly. See the picture of him holding Ann's arm at her wedding in the garden. Rex was not one to become easily upset nor excited. He was methodical. Rex could waltz with a professional manner. What a shame some of his four daughters never waltzed with him.
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| Colleen’s Wedding Announcement in the paper (CDH0287) |
Just a short distance back down the road from the cemetery and nearer Smoot we found a cozy spot with lots of grass and shade from the tall trees. We spread our picnic out and enjoyed it immensely. There is a picture of Rex taken that day in the shade of one of the trees. Oh how precious all those details seem to me now.
We had packed our clothes together in one red suitcase. I was nervous as time arrived to go to bed. I most certainly did not want anyone peeking through the keyhole from the other half of the unit that used to all be one. Also I had not had a brother or even a father in the home where I was raised except for the first eight or ten years. Even though I had agreed to marry Rex I was not real comfortable with the idea of going to bed with him. (Oh! After living over 70 years how different I am now.)
Taking toilet paper I stuffed the keyhole so full that no one could possibly see anything by peering through it. I put on my light pink long nightgown and sat on the bed waiting, I didn't know what else to do. Soon Rex came part way out of the bathroom, and leaning forward he peeked out into the bedroom where I was. I did look up to him, he was five years older and I felt more of a man than I was a woman. This is about all I remember about our honeymoon except for a very few other incidents. The Hotel had a name but right now I don't remember it. I do remember "Rex, you are so heavy." And I remember walking across the street from the Hotel to a restaurant and thinking, "I'll bet everybody who can see us knows that we were just married; and knows what we've been doing."
The four door Chevrolet full sized car was very comfortable to ride in and it was a joy. It was two toned green and was the property of Isaac and Chat Vias. And so we returned to Wayan, Idaho which would be our home for over twenty years.
Rex and myself called Mr. Vias Dad and "Uncle Isaac." He taught Rex the carpentry skill and he learned to excel in it very highly. So talk was begun about Rex building a home for us on his property. At the time he had 160 acres that his Mother had traded for she and Frank Layland's farm in Thomas' Fork in Wyoming and south of the Pass south. of Smoot.
Betty Rae Bush had married Don Peterson and they had moved to Pocatello, Idaho I believe. Little Gary came to make their home with them. Don was an alcoholic and Betty felt she could no longer stay with him. Betty secured a position (don't remember with whom) in Soda Springs. Mother Chat, Buster, Grandpa Dray, and Betty and Gary rented an apartment there.
Betty’s mother, Kate, was Mother Chat's youngest sister. Vera Sibbett was in middle. These three girls were raised on a farm in "The Dell' which is located South of Smoot just before going over the pass to Thomas's Fork Valley. Their neighbors were Tina and Alvin Walton who were Ree Somsen and Wilda Vias' parents. Their lifestyle as a family was admirable. They were very spiritual and close as a family and friends to others. They knew how to have a lot of fun dancing and to work hard. Tina died before Rex and I married. Mother Chat used to tell me about many things regarding all these folks, but there is one humorous event I will share. These three sisters, Chat, Vera and Kate were out and up in a huckleberry patch. Others were in the patch also. Kate began to act up. (I wish I could remember exactly what Chat and Vera told the other folks that was wrong with Kate.) She indicated that "Kate was crazy and to not pay attention to her".
Kate died when Betty Rae was a small child and Ben was also quite small. They lived a long ways away from Chat and Vera so Betty Rae came to live with the Isaac Vias Family. Ben was there often also for extended periods of time. Life was hard for Ben. He died alone and far away from Betty or Chat. The sad part of it was he felt "No One Cares."
Vera and her first husband separated , Wes Osmond. Later she married Cecil Sibbett. Mother Chat told of a time when after the divorce Vera , I think, was holding their son, Jim Osmond, (he was able to talk but still very small) when Wes happened to come up to them. Little Jim threw one arm around one of them and the other around the 2nd one. He said, "Oh goody! Now I have both of you." Jim also spent a lot of time at the Vias home; he and Betty got into no small amount of mischief.
When Jim was in High School in Brigham City, Utah he had a horrible accident in the Lab. I think the hydrochloric acid blew up and into his eyes. All the sight he had the rest of his life was a little peripheral sight. Many years later Jim died. He may have developed a bad heart condition from the strain he was under; in the 1980's I think. Mother Chat always had a very deep love for Jim, also Betty.
Colleen's Life History - 4: Settling Down to Married Life
Settled Down to "Married Life"
After Rex and I returned to the Isaac Vias home it was the beginning of a new adventure for us, and for others as well. neighbors to the North were Robert and Lou Stoor and before too long Tom and Lillian Lallatin were very near North from us. Further down the Caribou County Lane northward was the Jess and Florence Jensen, Relda & sons Melvin and Gerald. Our farm was near the mountains on the west. The Isaac Vias ranch a little south. Southward along the same road was Abe and Johanna Soderman and Edna; Emil and Alice Stoor with the siblings Virgean and Ralph. Up the lane from the extreme southern part of the loop was Martha and John Soderman with Shirley and Vernon. Not far from their home was a campground and huckleberry patches spread widely over the mountain. Traveling east on the loop one would usually find Henry Thomas at home. Rex told me that Henry had the education to be a History teacher at the University level. He had a vast library in his crude log cabin and a collection of all kinds of rocks found mostly somewhere up the hill east to Williamsburg. We were good friends. He gave us a fine horse and taught me German lessons. Still going along the loop we are now headed north and find Mattie and Garrett Somsen, Rex's father's sister with Frank, Bob and Leith. Their home was surrounded with trees. Very near Earl and Ree with Jay and Junior Somsen (note: Earl was the oldest son of Garrett and Mattie). A little further north was Bert and Marie Reese and son Ray. The Wayan Post office was next and home in the building for the Post Master. I do not remember who the Post Master was when I first lived in Wayan. Across from the Post Office and a little ways further North was Bud and Josephine Weaver. They later moved to Soda Springs and son Max took over running the farm and cows. The Swiss cheese plant was operated by the Hirshbruners. The elementary school was next. From the Post Office, Highway 34 was the road traveled on north past Pharis and Wanda Petersen. Their children were Sherry, Karen, Myrna and Pete. Wanda was Relief Society President for quite a few years and Sherry may have been my first piano pupil. Still going North a lane turned off the Highway to the East. Sam and Lizzie Sibbett were at the end of the lane. Back down on Highway 34 and at the foot of the hill were Dan Morgan and his sister Ida. They were very special friends to Rex and for me too. The Highway makes a left turn now going west. Not far from Morgan's a good road turns off from #34 to the right. Some distance north from the Y and to the right was Mae and August Brandford, Vera and Edgar the siblings. Mrs. B. and I were very good friends and appreciated each other very much. Someone told me that the reason she did not go to church anymore was because of the trouble, or criticism, that she had from certain Mormon Church Leaders in the Gray's Lake Ward: She was Relief Society President at the time and helped many people including folks in need who were not members of the church. Because of her helping non-members and criticism, she just quit her position in the church, and helped folks on her own, members and non-members.
Some of these folks had married children that I did not mention on the previous page. One lovely person and good friend was Edna Soderman, Abe's daughter and John's sister. She contacted some kind of crippling disease as a teenager, I think that was the time. Also, Rex's Aunt Mattie had two older children, Elaine who married Bud Stoor, Buster's oldest brother; and Earl Somsen who married Ree Walton, Wilda Vias' sister. (See their picture) Ree and Earl lived on the country road between Mattie and Garrett and Bert and Marie Reese.
Back to the Brandford's location. Bus and Sis (Frances) Morgan Roy lived just a little further North, the only child was Danny. Across the road from Roy's were Lyle and Benda Burton with Ellen, Glen, Fern, Dwain, Lila and Warren. Many were the happy times spent with those two families, and at least one very sad one. Fern was killed in an automobile accident somewhere on the U.S. Alaskan Highway. Fern had been one of my piano pupils, also Lila.
Wiley and Ireta Tingey lived in the area but I don't remember exactly where. How wonderful that as I write so many memories come flooding back to me. North and on roads that go different directions were the following folks. I do hope I do not forget anyone. Glade and Liz Sibbett with Linda, James, Larry, Lisa, Judy, Don & Eugene. They were the musicians and horsemen. Keith and Leatha Tingey with Peggy, Karen, and Shauna. Rex's Aunt Vera and uncle Cecil Sibbett with Buddy and Blaine. Ewart Muir and Luella with, Brian, Will, and the rest of their children. Some of these boys were good friends with Frank L. Charles and Lois Tingey and family lived near the Muirs. Ellis and Marion Johnson, her mother and adopted Indians, Tony and Beverly. They had a post office then since it was now Gray and Bonneville County, Idaho. There was a country store at each Post Office, Wayan and Gray. Mary and Russell Sibbett were towards the north end with Barbara and Mike. Grandma Sibbett not far from Cecil, property later purchased by Reed and Doris Humphreys. Some of these siblings are not listed according to age. Mr. and Mrs. (Lily) Barnard Lindstrom were farther north with sons Al and ??? families. Enoch Valley was located some distance to the west, perhaps south too, from Wayan. It was fun to drive over the canyon and among the beautiful tall pines from one place to the other. The road was very narrow and winding, even a bit scary.
My word! I forgot to mention that the Laylands, when we finally had a house to live in of our own, was located between the Vias home just north of Roy Stoor's and south of the Robert and Lou Stoor place.
Man Alive! What a welcome I received from all these friendly people in Gray's Lake Valley and Enoch Valley where Kate and Warren Petersen lived and Roy and Wilda Vias with Carol, Philip and Mark. Wayan, south of Gray's lake Valley and Gray north of Gray's Lake. If you had a serious need, a sickness, and a serious problem a number of them were right there to help you.
And, the old party line, our telephone system. Will write about that on the next page.
Before writing about the "old party telephone line" I want write of some folks and buildings in Wayan and Gray where our farm was located.
The county line between Caribou County and Bonneville County was north of Highway 34. At the most extreme northern part of the valley the Collins family lived with Charles and Bob the two sons. Also at the extreme north end and perhaps to the west was the Mann family. I did not know them. In the summertime people often took the shortcut through the hills from the north end of Grays Lake Valley to Idaho Falls. They were just dirt roads mostly with a little gravel in some places. The animal stock yards were located in Idaho Falls and farmers trucked their cattle and sheep there to be sold.
Now for the old "party line telephone" system. The phone was a box with a handle on the right side for winding signals according to whom we wished to talk. There were 32 families on the line and our rings were made up of short and long signals. For example "short-long-short", and "long-short-long". Each family owned a certain combination of rings. Everybody eavesdropped and everybody knew it. I remember calling Martha Soderman one day and telling her about a big moose that was quite near the Vias home where were living. I pointed to the direction of the moose, absentmindedly. My Mother-in-law teased me about thinking Martha could see the direction of the moose from my pointing towards it while on the phone.
It may have been while listening to others talks on the phone in the same room as I happened to be that I was somewhat shocked to learn how people gossiped. My Mother was always very careful about not saying negative things about others, which is a trait I followed as an example. Sometimes now in my seventies I realize that I need to get back in the right habit of being more careful of what I say about others.
Something I learned after being married awhile was this: I had always heard that women did most of the talking and I had been wrong. Men talked as much as women.
There was one situation and experience that stands out in my mind regarding the old "party line". One winter, I think it was 1948 and 1949, three ladies were expecting to deliver a new baby right soon. We had one of the hardest winters in a long time that year. The three were Benda Burton, Eldean Muir, and Leatha Tingey. That was the winter we were snowed in at our Layland two room log home for 6 weeks. Eldean and Leatha made it out to the Dr. and Hospital by snow cat and snow plane I think it was. Benda did not make it to the Dr. and hospital. Lillian Lallatin who lived across the road and a little north from us with Tom and little Carmen Sue, was a registered nurse. Everyone was on the phone, almost, wanting to know how Benda was doing and if the baby had come yet. Benda's neighbor Sis Roy was the only one who could get to the Burton home. Sis had never had any experience as a midwife. The snow was deep and would not pack it was so light. The shortest route from Lillian's to Benda had very few farmers living along the way. The longer route which was the loop around the south end of the valley farmers were frequent and lived closer together. I don't know whose idea it was but the men readied their teams and in relay fashion took the nurse to Benda. The horses could not walk naturally they had to lunge one step at a time and would sink way down in the soft deep snow. It was a slow grueling process. I will never forget listening in on the telephone as reports were given like "the nurse just passed here" and "how is Benda now?" etc. By the time Lillian reached the Burton's the baby had been born. Benda knew what to tell Sis needed to be done regarding the chord between mother and baby etc. All was well. I think we must have all in the entire valley breathed a sigh of relief. I also remember how relieved we were after six weeks of closed roads when we saw Bill Lloyd's caterpillar start up the county line from highway 34. In those days there was no a snow plow on the road every day. By the way, they named the baby "Dwain".
There is a song "The Dear Hearts and Gentle People" that describes in part at least how I feel about the people in Grays Lake and my experiences with them for over twenty years. My heart will surely always have a big spot in it for them. Some years later when our first child, Mary Lee, was eighteen we moved a nice three bedroom home out from Dick Torgesen's place along Highway 34 and near Soda Springs. It had a full basement and Rex made a yard. I can remember looking out the two large picture windows in the front room at night. I knew which light was from whose house. I felt I had found my "niche" in life.
Back to Enoch Valley. That is where Wilda and Roy Vias lived with Philip, Carol and Mark. At least that was the case during Rex's and my early marriage. I do not remember where Oscar and Verda Vias lived when Rex and I were first married, nor Alfred.
Off the road to the west the Gentrys lived along Highway 34 and north of Henry. Henry had an interesting background historically. it was the home of the original Henry Stampede---a great rodeo where famous cowboys came from many different states. There is a beautiful reservoir near and people camp nearby. Rex was a cowboy of moderation. He wasn't afraid to try a mean one to buck. I felt proud of his common sense and the fact that people who knew him trusted and respected him.
It is winter time. Only three modes of transportation: 1. On horseback; 2) on a big sleigh pulled by a team of horses; or 3) in a covered sleigh. The first would be very cold because 60 degrees below zero was not uncommon in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. On a big sleigh afforded more protection from the frigid weather because a load of hay on the wrack could be snuggled down into. Also, Mothers heated bricks and wrapped cloths around them. Oh, how good they felt on cold feet. But better than either when it comes to warmth the covered sleigh was best of all. The covered sleigh was a tiny little house on a sleigh. A window was in the front so one could see out. It was pulled by a team of horses. The reins came through two little holes under the window and were used by the driver to guide the team and sleigh. I’ll always remember riding from one house to another visiting teaching with my sister-in-law, Verda Vias, when pregnant with my first baby, Mary Lee. Each step the horses took the little covered sleigh gave a jerk.
We had heard over the 32 family party phone line that a neighbor was having a quilting party. That meant that the whole family could be there eventually for a day or two. The men folks returned home each day to feed the cattle and then most of them came back to the quilting party. Usually the men played Solo, a card game, while the women quilted. Sometimes they tied one or more quilts and sometimes quilted. It was a marvelous time to share time and conversation with each other and no one seemed in a hurry. It was considered entertainment and joyful time with friends. Winters were long with no travel by automobile because no plows were available to open and keep the roads open. The snow was so deep that fence posts were covered with it.
1940s - Matt Stoor playing fiddle, Rex Layland the guitar and Charley Fulton the accordion provided the “Usual Regular Music” for a wonderful time and fun dancing. No matter what house we were in the folks found room.
Of course these folks had problems, sorrows and tragedy struck from time to time. Then they were shared. How quick neighbors were to come to those who had need whether their need was physical: food and sickness; or other events of a serious nature.
How interesting it was when I discovered that some families had more than two holes to accommodate people needing a bathroom. Some holes even had covers on hinges to close after using them. Boys and young men seemed to delight in throwing snowballs at the door of the privy if a girl or young woman they liked was seated inside. The privy was also used by girls in order to avoid “helping with the dishes”.
Beautiful quilts, tied or quilted, were created at those old fashioned Quilting Parties. But the memories of those contented caring neighbors, and time with them is precious to me.
A memory of winter time in Wayan is precious. When I was large being pregnant with Mary.-Lee, our first child, 1945 Verda and I were Visiting Teaching partners. Verda drove a little covered sleigh that had a small stove burning wood or Coal, in it to keep one warm as they drove to destinations. It was pulled by a-team of horses with a window in the front and a hole near where the reins that guided the horses came into the sleigh. I do not remember whose homes we visited that winter but I surely do remember the jerk of the sleigh with each step the horses took. Although I may not of said it out loud I thought with each jerk of the sleigh, "Oh! Oh!" as I held my tummy tight.
Verda's father, Wiley Tingey was the bishop. In the spring I remember him helping big pregnant me, along the pathway-from the church while thawing was taking place.
Wilda and Roy had three children:, Philip, Carol and Mark. See the picture of Mark with Mary Lee in the garden when they were small. Philip was killed in an accident by tractor he was riding on the hillside above the old cheese factory. Roy was Rex's favorite step brother because he was good to him. Wilda and I had a wonderful lot of fun one day playing Mother Chat's old pump organ and singing "Heil! Heil Right in the Fuehrer's Face" blowing the tongue and spitting after each "Heil'.
After we had been married for a short time someone learned that I played the piano and had studied piano at CWC and I was asked to teach their children piano. That was the beginning of many years of teaching. All five of our children learned to play the piano with me as teacher. Later I secured an accordion and paid for it teaching, which was also the foundation of happy times in Boise, Idaho where we attended the Idaho State Accordion Festivals. Lawrence Welk's accordionist, Myron Floren, was the judge and became a much loved friend to all of us. My music business was named Tosoiba (the Indian word for "Sparkling Water” ) in Soda, Wayan, Grace & Bancroft. Mary Lee taught with me. I managed the business. I was successful teaching piano, accordion, guitar and voice.
After Rex and I returned to the Isaac Vias home it was the beginning of a new adventure for us, and for others as well. neighbors to the North were Robert and Lou Stoor and before too long Tom and Lillian Lallatin were very near North from us. Further down the Caribou County Lane northward was the Jess and Florence Jensen, Relda & sons Melvin and Gerald. Our farm was near the mountains on the west. The Isaac Vias ranch a little south. Southward along the same road was Abe and Johanna Soderman and Edna; Emil and Alice Stoor with the siblings Virgean and Ralph. Up the lane from the extreme southern part of the loop was Martha and John Soderman with Shirley and Vernon. Not far from their home was a campground and huckleberry patches spread widely over the mountain. Traveling east on the loop one would usually find Henry Thomas at home. Rex told me that Henry had the education to be a History teacher at the University level. He had a vast library in his crude log cabin and a collection of all kinds of rocks found mostly somewhere up the hill east to Williamsburg. We were good friends. He gave us a fine horse and taught me German lessons. Still going along the loop we are now headed north and find Mattie and Garrett Somsen, Rex's father's sister with Frank, Bob and Leith. Their home was surrounded with trees. Very near Earl and Ree with Jay and Junior Somsen (note: Earl was the oldest son of Garrett and Mattie). A little further north was Bert and Marie Reese and son Ray. The Wayan Post office was next and home in the building for the Post Master. I do not remember who the Post Master was when I first lived in Wayan. Across from the Post Office and a little ways further North was Bud and Josephine Weaver. They later moved to Soda Springs and son Max took over running the farm and cows. The Swiss cheese plant was operated by the Hirshbruners. The elementary school was next. From the Post Office, Highway 34 was the road traveled on north past Pharis and Wanda Petersen. Their children were Sherry, Karen, Myrna and Pete. Wanda was Relief Society President for quite a few years and Sherry may have been my first piano pupil. Still going North a lane turned off the Highway to the East. Sam and Lizzie Sibbett were at the end of the lane. Back down on Highway 34 and at the foot of the hill were Dan Morgan and his sister Ida. They were very special friends to Rex and for me too. The Highway makes a left turn now going west. Not far from Morgan's a good road turns off from #34 to the right. Some distance north from the Y and to the right was Mae and August Brandford, Vera and Edgar the siblings. Mrs. B. and I were very good friends and appreciated each other very much. Someone told me that the reason she did not go to church anymore was because of the trouble, or criticism, that she had from certain Mormon Church Leaders in the Gray's Lake Ward: She was Relief Society President at the time and helped many people including folks in need who were not members of the church. Because of her helping non-members and criticism, she just quit her position in the church, and helped folks on her own, members and non-members.
Some of these folks had married children that I did not mention on the previous page. One lovely person and good friend was Edna Soderman, Abe's daughter and John's sister. She contacted some kind of crippling disease as a teenager, I think that was the time. Also, Rex's Aunt Mattie had two older children, Elaine who married Bud Stoor, Buster's oldest brother; and Earl Somsen who married Ree Walton, Wilda Vias' sister. (See their picture) Ree and Earl lived on the country road between Mattie and Garrett and Bert and Marie Reese.
Back to the Brandford's location. Bus and Sis (Frances) Morgan Roy lived just a little further North, the only child was Danny. Across the road from Roy's were Lyle and Benda Burton with Ellen, Glen, Fern, Dwain, Lila and Warren. Many were the happy times spent with those two families, and at least one very sad one. Fern was killed in an automobile accident somewhere on the U.S. Alaskan Highway. Fern had been one of my piano pupils, also Lila.
Wiley and Ireta Tingey lived in the area but I don't remember exactly where. How wonderful that as I write so many memories come flooding back to me. North and on roads that go different directions were the following folks. I do hope I do not forget anyone. Glade and Liz Sibbett with Linda, James, Larry, Lisa, Judy, Don & Eugene. They were the musicians and horsemen. Keith and Leatha Tingey with Peggy, Karen, and Shauna. Rex's Aunt Vera and uncle Cecil Sibbett with Buddy and Blaine. Ewart Muir and Luella with, Brian, Will, and the rest of their children. Some of these boys were good friends with Frank L. Charles and Lois Tingey and family lived near the Muirs. Ellis and Marion Johnson, her mother and adopted Indians, Tony and Beverly. They had a post office then since it was now Gray and Bonneville County, Idaho. There was a country store at each Post Office, Wayan and Gray. Mary and Russell Sibbett were towards the north end with Barbara and Mike. Grandma Sibbett not far from Cecil, property later purchased by Reed and Doris Humphreys. Some of these siblings are not listed according to age. Mr. and Mrs. (Lily) Barnard Lindstrom were farther north with sons Al and ??? families. Enoch Valley was located some distance to the west, perhaps south too, from Wayan. It was fun to drive over the canyon and among the beautiful tall pines from one place to the other. The road was very narrow and winding, even a bit scary.
My word! I forgot to mention that the Laylands, when we finally had a house to live in of our own, was located between the Vias home just north of Roy Stoor's and south of the Robert and Lou Stoor place.
Man Alive! What a welcome I received from all these friendly people in Gray's Lake Valley and Enoch Valley where Kate and Warren Petersen lived and Roy and Wilda Vias with Carol, Philip and Mark. Wayan, south of Gray's lake Valley and Gray north of Gray's Lake. If you had a serious need, a sickness, and a serious problem a number of them were right there to help you.
And, the old party line, our telephone system. Will write about that on the next page.
Before writing about the "old party telephone line" I want write of some folks and buildings in Wayan and Gray where our farm was located.
The county line between Caribou County and Bonneville County was north of Highway 34. At the most extreme northern part of the valley the Collins family lived with Charles and Bob the two sons. Also at the extreme north end and perhaps to the west was the Mann family. I did not know them. In the summertime people often took the shortcut through the hills from the north end of Grays Lake Valley to Idaho Falls. They were just dirt roads mostly with a little gravel in some places. The animal stock yards were located in Idaho Falls and farmers trucked their cattle and sheep there to be sold.
Now for the old "party line telephone" system. The phone was a box with a handle on the right side for winding signals according to whom we wished to talk. There were 32 families on the line and our rings were made up of short and long signals. For example "short-long-short", and "long-short-long". Each family owned a certain combination of rings. Everybody eavesdropped and everybody knew it. I remember calling Martha Soderman one day and telling her about a big moose that was quite near the Vias home where were living. I pointed to the direction of the moose, absentmindedly. My Mother-in-law teased me about thinking Martha could see the direction of the moose from my pointing towards it while on the phone.
It may have been while listening to others talks on the phone in the same room as I happened to be that I was somewhat shocked to learn how people gossiped. My Mother was always very careful about not saying negative things about others, which is a trait I followed as an example. Sometimes now in my seventies I realize that I need to get back in the right habit of being more careful of what I say about others.
Something I learned after being married awhile was this: I had always heard that women did most of the talking and I had been wrong. Men talked as much as women.
There was one situation and experience that stands out in my mind regarding the old "party line". One winter, I think it was 1948 and 1949, three ladies were expecting to deliver a new baby right soon. We had one of the hardest winters in a long time that year. The three were Benda Burton, Eldean Muir, and Leatha Tingey. That was the winter we were snowed in at our Layland two room log home for 6 weeks. Eldean and Leatha made it out to the Dr. and Hospital by snow cat and snow plane I think it was. Benda did not make it to the Dr. and hospital. Lillian Lallatin who lived across the road and a little north from us with Tom and little Carmen Sue, was a registered nurse. Everyone was on the phone, almost, wanting to know how Benda was doing and if the baby had come yet. Benda's neighbor Sis Roy was the only one who could get to the Burton home. Sis had never had any experience as a midwife. The snow was deep and would not pack it was so light. The shortest route from Lillian's to Benda had very few farmers living along the way. The longer route which was the loop around the south end of the valley farmers were frequent and lived closer together. I don't know whose idea it was but the men readied their teams and in relay fashion took the nurse to Benda. The horses could not walk naturally they had to lunge one step at a time and would sink way down in the soft deep snow. It was a slow grueling process. I will never forget listening in on the telephone as reports were given like "the nurse just passed here" and "how is Benda now?" etc. By the time Lillian reached the Burton's the baby had been born. Benda knew what to tell Sis needed to be done regarding the chord between mother and baby etc. All was well. I think we must have all in the entire valley breathed a sigh of relief. I also remember how relieved we were after six weeks of closed roads when we saw Bill Lloyd's caterpillar start up the county line from highway 34. In those days there was no a snow plow on the road every day. By the way, they named the baby "Dwain".
There is a song "The Dear Hearts and Gentle People" that describes in part at least how I feel about the people in Grays Lake and my experiences with them for over twenty years. My heart will surely always have a big spot in it for them. Some years later when our first child, Mary Lee, was eighteen we moved a nice three bedroom home out from Dick Torgesen's place along Highway 34 and near Soda Springs. It had a full basement and Rex made a yard. I can remember looking out the two large picture windows in the front room at night. I knew which light was from whose house. I felt I had found my "niche" in life.
Back to Enoch Valley. That is where Wilda and Roy Vias lived with Philip, Carol and Mark. At least that was the case during Rex's and my early marriage. I do not remember where Oscar and Verda Vias lived when Rex and I were first married, nor Alfred.
Off the road to the west the Gentrys lived along Highway 34 and north of Henry. Henry had an interesting background historically. it was the home of the original Henry Stampede---a great rodeo where famous cowboys came from many different states. There is a beautiful reservoir near and people camp nearby. Rex was a cowboy of moderation. He wasn't afraid to try a mean one to buck. I felt proud of his common sense and the fact that people who knew him trusted and respected him.
It is winter time. Only three modes of transportation: 1. On horseback; 2) on a big sleigh pulled by a team of horses; or 3) in a covered sleigh. The first would be very cold because 60 degrees below zero was not uncommon in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. On a big sleigh afforded more protection from the frigid weather because a load of hay on the wrack could be snuggled down into. Also, Mothers heated bricks and wrapped cloths around them. Oh, how good they felt on cold feet. But better than either when it comes to warmth the covered sleigh was best of all. The covered sleigh was a tiny little house on a sleigh. A window was in the front so one could see out. It was pulled by a team of horses. The reins came through two little holes under the window and were used by the driver to guide the team and sleigh. I’ll always remember riding from one house to another visiting teaching with my sister-in-law, Verda Vias, when pregnant with my first baby, Mary Lee. Each step the horses took the little covered sleigh gave a jerk.
We had heard over the 32 family party phone line that a neighbor was having a quilting party. That meant that the whole family could be there eventually for a day or two. The men folks returned home each day to feed the cattle and then most of them came back to the quilting party. Usually the men played Solo, a card game, while the women quilted. Sometimes they tied one or more quilts and sometimes quilted. It was a marvelous time to share time and conversation with each other and no one seemed in a hurry. It was considered entertainment and joyful time with friends. Winters were long with no travel by automobile because no plows were available to open and keep the roads open. The snow was so deep that fence posts were covered with it.
1940s - Matt Stoor playing fiddle, Rex Layland the guitar and Charley Fulton the accordion provided the “Usual Regular Music” for a wonderful time and fun dancing. No matter what house we were in the folks found room.
Of course these folks had problems, sorrows and tragedy struck from time to time. Then they were shared. How quick neighbors were to come to those who had need whether their need was physical: food and sickness; or other events of a serious nature.
How interesting it was when I discovered that some families had more than two holes to accommodate people needing a bathroom. Some holes even had covers on hinges to close after using them. Boys and young men seemed to delight in throwing snowballs at the door of the privy if a girl or young woman they liked was seated inside. The privy was also used by girls in order to avoid “helping with the dishes”.
Beautiful quilts, tied or quilted, were created at those old fashioned Quilting Parties. But the memories of those contented caring neighbors, and time with them is precious to me.
A memory of winter time in Wayan is precious. When I was large being pregnant with Mary.-Lee, our first child, 1945 Verda and I were Visiting Teaching partners. Verda drove a little covered sleigh that had a small stove burning wood or Coal, in it to keep one warm as they drove to destinations. It was pulled by a-team of horses with a window in the front and a hole near where the reins that guided the horses came into the sleigh. I do not remember whose homes we visited that winter but I surely do remember the jerk of the sleigh with each step the horses took. Although I may not of said it out loud I thought with each jerk of the sleigh, "Oh! Oh!" as I held my tummy tight.
Verda's father, Wiley Tingey was the bishop. In the spring I remember him helping big pregnant me, along the pathway-from the church while thawing was taking place.
Wilda and Roy had three children:, Philip, Carol and Mark. See the picture of Mark with Mary Lee in the garden when they were small. Philip was killed in an accident by tractor he was riding on the hillside above the old cheese factory. Roy was Rex's favorite step brother because he was good to him. Wilda and I had a wonderful lot of fun one day playing Mother Chat's old pump organ and singing "Heil! Heil Right in the Fuehrer's Face" blowing the tongue and spitting after each "Heil'.
After we had been married for a short time someone learned that I played the piano and had studied piano at CWC and I was asked to teach their children piano. That was the beginning of many years of teaching. All five of our children learned to play the piano with me as teacher. Later I secured an accordion and paid for it teaching, which was also the foundation of happy times in Boise, Idaho where we attended the Idaho State Accordion Festivals. Lawrence Welk's accordionist, Myron Floren, was the judge and became a much loved friend to all of us. My music business was named Tosoiba (the Indian word for "Sparkling Water” ) in Soda, Wayan, Grace & Bancroft. Mary Lee taught with me. I managed the business. I was successful teaching piano, accordion, guitar and voice.
Collen's Life History - 5: Life with Children
The Birth of the Five Children
We lived in the big two story Vias house with Rex's folks for over a year. Our first child, Mary Lee, was born while we lived there on- June 20, 1945. I remember so well that as we drove by Oscar and Verda Vias’ place,-Verda looked out the window and waved, wondering, "Will it be a boy or a girl." Mary weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces, was round, and had lots of dark hair. She was a good baby right from the first. Her grandma Chat adored her. I had a very hard time in birth; Dr. Russell Tigert delivered Mary. He said that my tares were 3rd degree. Mother came to stay and help for a month. She and Grandma Chat made two Grandmas taking care of baby, and I. It may have been during this visit with us that Mother took an umbrella and climbed to the top of a near high hill. She loved Mary Lee too.
Rex built a two room cabin on our farm. he had started on it before Mary Lee came along. When Mary was about 9 months old we moved into the cabin. Oh, how lush was the greenery the pines and the quaking aspens in June. The wild grass around the outside pump was so lovely. We had some very nice vegetable gardens; also raised lots of strawberries and rhubarb. My flowers were very pretty. They were a variety of kinds which included: poppies, marigolds, lilies, pansies and others. It was just yards to the canyon; the wild flowers were abundant there; the huckleberries delicious. One time when Aunt Lillis and Uncle came to visit they went with us to pick huckleberries. Uncle Leon was a little disgusted, and said, "The next time I come to pick huckleberries I am going to pick in a thimble."
The fact that the birth of children and their importance and influence in their parent's lives is not disputed. When Mary Lee, our first child, was born, Mother, Edith Hayes, was working in California. She sent a large box filled with lovely gifts for the "Little Princess" which became the name of our darling Mary Lee. How her Grandma Vias loved this little one and was saddened when we moved into our own little house down the road North a ways. Mary Lee was a very good baby. See the picture of her in the high chair in our little kitchen. When she was about 20 months old she could recite a number of nursery rhymes. So many, many gifts were given to her, miscellaneous things to wear and play with. She was born either just before the close of World War II (between the surrender of Germany and 6 weeks before the Japanese surrendered). LaRue and Al Lindstrom’s baby Nancy was born near the same time and as they grew they become good friends. I was quite ignorant about the care of an raising of babies. Mistakes were made I'm sure and more loving attention could have been given. She was kept clean, and fed but I was the baby in the family I grew up in and I did not have the experience that a sibling from a group of children would have.
Rex was about the same in regards to parental maturity. He was the youngest of four boys for over 11 years until Buster came along. I suffered so much misery for so long after Mary's birth due to the 3rd degree tears and stitches that I couldn't enjoy her as much as if I had not been so miserable. HOWEVER--this beautiful little baby girl with lots of dark hair soon spoke up for herself and won our hearts, minds and souls. It didn't take long for her to become very precious to her Mommy and Daddy, and Grandparents and neighbors as well as other relatives. She was our FIRST.
When Mary was about 2-or 3 1 had already worked with her a lot in teaching her to play the piano, say nursery rhymes, and sing songs by memory. One day she stood on the kitchen table and said "Little Boy Blue" lowering her voice more and more as she said it, and slapping the side of her leg; she was so adorable. Also at about that same age, she went out and climbed into our four door Ford car. By pressing the starter over and over again (the car was in gear) she was able to get the car part way through the fence. We were do relieved that she .was not hurt.
When Mary was three years old she led the Primary Conference in the theme; and again when she was four; this was Ward Primary Conference. The Stake Primary President was Mrs. Christopherson, mother of my girlhood friend, Georgia Lee.
I took the girls to church, (Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School) on Sunday and to Primary on a weekday right after school. Primary was held in the school in Wayan. I served as teacher for different classes, secretary and counselor to the President. One year I was the teacher for Mary Lee's class. She, Beverly Johnson and Nancy Lindstrom were the same age. I remember how Nancy seemed to pay little attention and did a lot of visiting with the other children one day; but the next day of class she was able to answer more questions in the review of the week before than any other class member. THAT GOES TO SHOW THAT YOU CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH 0NE IS LEARNING BY HIS OUTWARD BEHAVIOUR IN CLASS.
Oscar and Verda bought the Sam Sibbett ranch located on the east side of Wayan. Tom Lallatin and Lillian bought the farm where the Vias' had been. They were our closest neighbors. Their daughter Carmen Sue, was the same age as Mary Lee. We spent a lot of time together. The two little girls were mischievous; one time they cut each other’s hair; another time they tried smoking Indian tobacco that grows wild and many other mischievous acts. Tom and Rex had worked together on Jack Young's Dude Ranch years before and were very close friends. Lillian was a nurse, and an extraordinary good manager. She was the supervisor of the hospital for awhile, driving back and forth the 33 miles, approximately, to Soda Springs, Idaho. The Lallatins moved to New Castle, Wyoming where they purchased a Dry Cleaning business. (They are still with it today, 1981) We were extremely sad to see them move so far away.
Other friends that we spent time with were: Paul and June Swain (and their family), Bud and Mable Swain, Reed and Doris Humphreys ( and their family), Keith and Leitha Tingey (and their family), Ruth and Odell Stoor (and-their family. Their second daughter, Julia, was born the same day as our daughter Monna and they were good friends; they shared their birthday parties etc.) Farrell and Margaret Stoor (and their children) --- we spent a lot of time together for a number of years, Lew and Robert Stoor (near neighbors who were bachelor gentlemen), Frances and Bus Ray (and Danny), Dan and Ida Morgan (brother and sister who never married), Buster and Laura McMullin, Jack and Gem Nuffer, Lee and Marvel Nelson (Margaret' parents), John and Martha Soderman, Alice and Emil Stoor, Jess and Florence Jensen, Lyle and Benda-Burton, Ree and Earl Somsen (Rex's cousin) Ray and June Reese and others. We picnicked together, went to rodeos had dinner at each others' homes, went on trips to Jackson Hole and Jenny's Lake, Wyoming, and Yellowstone park. Mary and Russell Sibbetts were our friends that we did things with too. Neighboring men got together for shearing, branding, threshing grain, housewarmings and helping with buildings sometimes. Folks were so quick to help each other and to come when there was sickness, a birth, a death, etc. Any problem usually found a neighbor or a friend there to help. Roy and Wilda Vias, and Oscar and Verda Vias were relatives by marriage and very good friends. 'We did things together, too. Rex had quite a few relatives his father's sister, Mattie Somsen, and husband Garrett, their children Earl, Elaine, Frank (who was nearest Rex's age), Robert (Bob), and Leith; His mother's sister, Vera Sibbett, and husband Cecil, their children , Gayle, Buddy (known as Ray) and Blaine (who was Mary Lee’s age and they shared their birthday parties). His Mother's father-lived with them, William Edison Dray. Rex's step brothers were: Oscar, Roy and Alfred. There may be mistakes in spelling of some names above.
All these relatives lived in Wayan and Gray, in the Grays Lake Valley. Wayan in the south part and Gray in the North. The old church (of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) was located in Gray about 6 miles north of our home. The valley floor was mostly hay, natural and alfalfa, and pastures. Some grain was planted and sometimes matured; our beef cattle, milk cows and sheep gave us some income. Rex also worked for the Lower Valley Power and Light Company (office in Freedom, Wyoming) as pole climber and repairman. This was after electricity came to the valley; Mary was just a very little girl. Rex also climbed poles and did repair work for the Gray's Lake Telephone Company. There were over 30 phones on one line; they were the old fashioned crank type; our rings were something like this: long, short, long, short for the Isaac Vias, and two longs and two shorts was our ring.
Rex worked hard and succeeded in getting a mail route around the loop and past our front gateway. It seemed so nice to have the mail delivered right to our home lane. He also helped organize the American Farm Bureau Organization in Gray's Lake; he sold the first charter insurance for automobiles out there. He also helped effect group health and accident (hospital) insurance for the Gray's Lake people. Rex served as one of the Farm Bureau in Caribou County Board of Directors secretary, and was in the presidency of the Gray's Lake Farm Bureau at one time.
May 8, 1948. Precious Monna Jean made her entrance into the world and our family. By now both Rex and I had matured more. Sweet Monna Jean, also was born with lots of hair, was slender, had blue eyes and weighed in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. All five children were born in the old hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho. I remember laying in the bed and looking across the rather small room to the right of the bed and seeing the little head with dark hair close beside me. A feeling of wonder and awe came over me and I felt blessed to be a Mother. I believe I did the same thing with Mary Lee. Seeing the little tiny fingers and toes so perfectly formed surely must have made me praise and thank God. Little did I know then that this precious one would grow up and be so staunch in her love for the Lord and devotion to the Church. Monna had blue eyes, was slender, and after her dark hair disappeared her hair was very light brown, almost blonde. Each child has a different spirit about them. Mary was stronger in what she wanted and wants to do. If she wanted something on a piece of furniture all the spanking of hands in the world would never stop her from taking it. Monna after one spank on the hand would simply leave it alone. Monna wasn't as confident a person as Mary but how they loved each other from the beginning of their relationship and still do. It was fun dressing them alike. Mother Chat made dresses alike for them. Monna was a breach birth, but two or three weeks after her birth I was able and enjoyed working in the garden. Mother Chat had a relative named "Mona" and that helped us pick our her name. Jean was added. She was blessed and given a name in the LDS Church in Grays Lake, north of our home.
Monna had a way of winning the hearts of people. She was always a cut up and kind to others. She acted and said goofy things that made people laugh. Yes, she was the cut up of the Layland family. I remember the school there in Wayan so well. It had two rooms, boys and girls bath rooms and a big gym. Mrs. Magnusen, the teacher of the four lower grades praised Monna and said "Monna is a very happy child".
Monna, like all our children have, loved to go with whoever in the family went some place. One day Rex and Buster (Frank Stoor. whose mother died when he was born and Grandma Chat raised) started toward the truck to go somewhere Monna said that she wanted to go, could she please go? Her Dad answered go get in the truck'.' She had no idea where he was going when she left the house, but when in the truck she asked, "Where to go, Daddy?"'
Another time, Monna was in the big back room at Grandma Chat's doing her duty on the little potty. All of the rest of us were eating dinner in the next room in the kitchen. Soon a little voice came loud and clear from the back room; “Mother come and wipe me”. I called back, "Can't you wipe yourself?” “No, She replied,, "I'd get it on my whingah.” One time Monna obviously needed to go to the bathroom; I said to her, "Monna, go to the bathroom." She retorted "No, I don't have to go." So I asked, "Then why are you wiggling?” “I’m wiggyen to wait a minute."
In the winter, Monna wore a green coat and a cap with a fuzzy bunny like tail on the top; she was quite small but just high enough that when she rode in the pickup on my lap (with Mary Lee sitting between Rex and I) that darn furry top tickled my chin.
Monna played the piano, learned nursery rhymes, and sang songs by memory too. She still has rather crooked little fingers from playing the piano-when her finger bones hadn't fully developed.
April 1955 after Mother Chat died Rex and I were lambing our sheep in the Sheep shed one time we talked of Mother Chat. Rex became all choked up and had difficulty talking. He and his m other were very close. They planned all the farm work together and decisions were made only after matters were discussed by them together. I do not remember the year that her husband, Isaac Vias died nor her father Grandpa William Edison Dray. He had been a coal miner before coming to Wyoming and then Idaho.) He told Betty and I that if we wanted to not become pregnant again to sleep with both feet in one stocking .( That embarrassed me a great deal.)
Our son, Frank Riley; was born September 22 , 1956. Grandma Chat died the year before on April 5, 1955. My father John Riley Hayes Jr. died on September 7, 1956 a few days before Frank was born. Let's consider his time with us and how the children loved him; how he helped with work on the farm; and how he loved our children. Dad lived with us for what may have been a few years; both when we lived in the big house of Aunt Chat's (while she and Buster lived in Soda long enough for Buster to graduate from high school, returning to the farm for the summer months)and when we were in our humble home. . He lived with us off and on for short periods of time. How the little girls, Mary and Monna, loved him. He raised a beautiful garden for us. He learned the art from his parents. He enjoyed being with us; we were all the family he had who gave him loving attention. We did not give him nearly as much love, attention and care as we should have. Dad helped Rex build the third room onto our cabin and porch. He often did the milking And helped with all the work there was to do. I remember so well when Mary had the flu and was running a high temperature; it was winter time and the Vias Lane was blocked with snow; Dad harnessed the team so we could take Mary Lee to the truck out on the county road; he was so worried about her, or loved her so much probably both, that there were tears in his eyes. I believe that Rex’s Aunt Mattie Somsen died in June of 1956, as Clark Burriss, our beloved friend. Mattie suffered a long time, then died with cancer.
Clark had been out to the ranch to visit and stay overnight quite often; I had used his front room in Soda Springs for months, perhaps a few years, to give music lessons; it was on Saturdays and Mary and Monna went with me. After lessons Clark and I would take a ride in our auto, driving slowly and talking. We nearly always went out to Hooper and had a drink of mineral soda water. Our whole family loved Clark. He had just been the recipient of an old age fishing license, free of charge. He and Rex had a date to go fishing the day after he died. It was he who said of my mother "It wouldn't be fair to compare any other woman with Edith,, nor any man either, for that matter."
Dad left Wayan (where Oscar Vias, for one thought he was an outstanding worker and Oscar liked to have Dad working for him)and moved his little trailer to Sunset, Utah which is located near Hillfield Air Base. Dad worked there until a short while before he died.
One time the girls and I visited Dad when he was working in Ogden. He had a television set. We watched it with amazement and sheer enjoyment. Later, he gave us this set, we were the first family to have TV in Grays Lake. (The TV incidence was before Frank was born,)
Rather early in 1956, Dad’s friend wrote me that his health was quite bad. No, rather Dad wrote quite early that he had a blood problem; I didn't pay the attention to him and go to him then as I should have. But when I received word, in a letter, from one of Dad's closest friends that he was very bad off, I wasted no time getting down to Ogden. He was in the hospital there by the time I arrived in Utah. He had leukemia. The doctor told me that he could make it or he might die; but that if he made it he. would have no resistance to germs and disease. He also told me that he had bronchial pneumonia and a partial bowel obstruction. I sat by his bed for several days, going to Virginia Osmond's home to sleep at night. (Jim Osmond, Rex’s, cousin and son of Rex's Aunt Vera Sibbett married Virginia; they we re later divorced). I called Dad's brother, Uncle Jean (who lived in Georgetown, Idaho) and he, and Aunt Geneva Munk and Uncle Eldon (Dad's brother) came to see Dad. Oh! His poor mouth was so caked and dry; I remember giving him ice cubes. He had an apparatus attached to him that did not work right; I should have called the doctor and reported it. This Dr. was so very kind and interested. I slept for awhile one early night in an adjacent room; I was shocked to hear how the attendant was talking to and shouting at my very sick Dad. The staff all expressed how easy Dad was to care for, and how they liked him.
Dad slipped in and out of being delirious. I think that I was so concerned about him that I didn't feel greatly uncomfortable in my 8th month of pregnancy. The hospital was called: Dee Memorial Hospital and was located in Ogden's East side. The time .immediately before Dad died I sat by his bedside holding his left hand. When he took his one, deep last breath, there was a spiritual being enter the room; a peace and calm permeated my very soul. It must have been a special spirit sent down by the Lord to escort my Dad back to heaven. One thing for sure, he surely suffered a lot the last few years. I was so grateful for a Mr. Rich, who lived in the same trailer park there in Sunset. He was so good to Dad, I learned; had taken him into his trailer that was air conditioned, fed him; and most of all gave warmth and love being a true friend.
Half brother, Edgar, lived in Bountiful. He was the Utah State Meat Inspector; he came to the hospital and while there told me that I should have Dad's belongings and his money, that I had done more than he had. I called the Mathews mortuary in Montpelier, Idaho and they came after Dad, preparing him for burial in Montpelier. In Georgetown, at the home of Uncle Gene Hayes and his wife Dad was viewed by friends and relatives before his funeral in the little old L.D.S., white, church. Mother was there with us, very aware of my being very pregnant. (Frank was born 11 days later.) Many friends and relatives from Gray's Lake were to the viewing and the funeral. I appreciated them so much.
I remember Frank’s birth well. We had three rooms and a porch with no bathrooms, and I don't remember whether Rex had put the water in the house by then or not. Mary, possibly Monna too, were away for overnight. In the morning when I awoke I spurted blood on the bed. Rex called the Dr. and he told him to keep me laying down, not to get up for anything and to bring me right in to Soda Springs. Only a pregnant woman can understand what it was like riding 37 miles laying down and needing so desperately to go to the bathroom and urinate. Having been raised in a home without a father for over 10 years and having had no brothers to grow up with can you imagine my joy when the Dr. said, "It's a boy!" I shouted and shouted with joy!!! I didn't try to tone it down I was so delighted. No offense to my daughters please.
Mary and Monna came home and found the unmade bed with blood on it. They were extremely frightened and worried.
Rex had a son! What a pity that Mother Chat did not live to see it. She used to say, "I would like to live long enough to see two things: Rex to have a son and the second to see Buster married. She loved Rex's father so much Frank Layland, and wanted the Layland name to continue generation after generation. Now in 1997, our son Frank has three sons of his own.
I remember the love I felt for that little life and how I enjoyed him as the time passed along. We named him "Frank Riley" after his two grandfathers. Rex was not very fond of short pants for his son but I made him a summer suit with a jacket and short pants. I remember thinking "Why do girls clothes have to be so pretty and boys so plain". Determined that Frank's clothes were cute I saw to it that they were.
He was a very good baby and very active. All of us went to Boise for the holidays in December, Rex, myself, Mary, Monna and baby Frank. He was just 3 months old. He talked a lot to his daddy. Leafy Simpson, one of the elderly guests Mother cared for in the beautiful Spanish type home on 24th St.. North, was so impressed with Frank talking (not words, but baby sounds) to his daddy so intently, she thought it quite rare. I was so proud to have a son; I had no brother in the home I grew up in, nor a father most of the years; all our children, up to the time he was born, were girls, so Frank was very special. He-had lots of attention.
As Frank grew older Mother and I took him, or me to the Dr.'s office (Tigert Clinic) in Soda Springs one day. Frank moved about the room with much speed and agility; there was another little boy that appeared to be about the same age; mother commented on how much more alert and faster Frank moved than the other little boy did. She was as proud of him as I was. There is a picture of him at that time when I was bathing him in the front bathroom on the main floor in the beautiful mansion on North 24th street.
When Frank had his first hair cut (by Margaret Stoor) his picture was taken; later when he was three we were in town one day when a photographer was taking pictures; Frank very proudly seated himself in the barber's chair in order to get his hair cut and "look nice and have his picture taken."' We have that picture, also. During these years for Frank I was in Relief Society as president and nearly always took Frank along. He liked it, because he had other children to play with. (His sisters were in school during the day) Warren Burton, son of my counselor, Benda Burton, was always there and liked to fight ; he tried to pick fights with Frank and Frank tried to avoid fighting. We spent time in the Burton home and they spent time in ours. One day I was giving Benda a permanent; Frank and Warren were playing in the far room. When it finally dawned on us that they were too quiet we thought we should lo6k in on them. They had found and were using his older sisters' favorite fingernail-polish. They had painted the, top and bottom head and foot boards on our bed. Oh! Brother!
Frank loved to dig in the garden and berry patch on the farm; he had a little red wagon that he hauled dirt in as he made roads and mounds of dirt in his dream world of play. He went with his Daddy after hay at a very early age, even in the winter time. When the weather was cold Rex put Frank in his coat and zipped him up with just his head sticking out and his back against Rex's chest. I remember well one day when Rex and Frank were going to go outside to do some work and easy going Rex was standing in the middle of the floor when Frank took a hold of his legs and pulled on them saying (one leg I believe) "Come on Dad. Let's go."
When Frank was a little older, 1960 on, we were in Soda Springs for the school year terms and on the ranch summers, until we sold it in 1968. Rex started working for Monsanto Chemical company 1960. The parts of the year's locations lapsed over some, and Frank went to school at Wayan. I will always remember the first day he ran from the little home in Wayan down the private lane and to the school bus. I watched him out the front (east) window. He ran fast and his little arms were just pumping like emphatic, enthused arms can pump.
There is a picture in color of Frank standing by the blue pickup parked in the quaking aspens with wild flowers in sight west of our home where they were fencing.
See the picture of Frank and Cindy Stoor on their second birthday tasting their birthday cake. Margaret and I were very close friends. How I loved her and still do. Frank by nature is kind to others and peaceful.
While Frank was a baby and a few years afterwards is when I served as Relief Society President in the Grays Lake Ward. How I grew and matured in my knowledge and love for the scriptures and presidents of the Mormon Church, when I served in that position. Being an officer, my feelings were that I should study all lessons very faithfully and be able to answer questions intelligently - literature, relationships, sewing, quilting, home management, and cooking. This was many years ago, and I have forgotten a lot. The visiting-teaching was my responsibility, and all the Church asked women to do it. I took it all very seriously, and applied myself diligently. The Lord blessed me and gave me messages to write down for delivery to the Sisters at the monthly meetings.
One time when going out the door with a cake or pie for someone in the valley whom I felt should have it, several of my family members, in woe-begone voices, said, "Are you taking that away from home, too?!" Another time, Rex said to me, "Gee! I never thought I would be married to the President!" It was 60 miles from the farthest home in the north to the homes in the south. We brought people into the Relief Society & Church.
I believed everything that was read by me and heard by me during those wonderful three-plus years. The relationships and love that existed between nearly all the sisters and me was so beautiful. Without any doubt, these were three of the most rewarding years of my life. Yes - I am one who loves to be involved, loves to serve, and when I am not doing the same, I am not as content, nor do I feel as fulfilled - particularly on the Spiritual level.
Another time that was fulfilling for me was when I was the accompanist for the Gray's Lake Ward Choir and accompanied them at the Stake Conference. How pleased I was when President Wilford Dredge complimented me on my skill as an accompanist. He was a gentle, loving man, so humble and wise. He drove a distance of over 30 miles to our home in Wayan one time to give needed counsel.
I do want to tell you the names of very special women, who served as my counselors at different times: Mary Sibbett and Ree Somsen were my first counselors. Mary later moved out of Wayan. Ree Somsen became ill with a chronic illness and asked to be relieved from her duties. Benda Burton and Ruth Stoor then served as my counselors. LaRue Coombs and Florence served as secretary at different times.
November 5, 1960 found us living in Soda Springs due to the 30 some miles from our home in Wayan and the Monsanto Plan (phosphate) near Soda Springs where Rex had accepted employment and the deep snow with questionable road conditions. We rented the Maughan home at the end of North Main on the west side of the street. Just over the fence was a hill covered with sagebrush so we sort of felt that we were still in the country. Directly behind the yard was the Bob Torgenson ranch. They were good neighbors, and their sons played with Frank.
These were changing times. I have included a poem by Rex that expresses his feelings about going to work at Monsanto and a letter that I wrote to Rex shortly after he started working there.
“A LETTER TO MY HUSBAND”
Why do I love you? There are so many reasons. Let me name a few. First of all is your steady dependable loyalty, your patience and your demonstrative, gentle affection.
You are a man tall in character whose honesty matches your broad shoulders; your good nature is a gem of priceless worth, your smile radiates warmth to all who know you.
As a girl I admired you for your integrity and manliness, and felt you were the kind of man I wanted for a father to my children.
Many men have I been acquainted with who could not measure up to you. I like the way I feel when we are talking, planning and working out something together in harmony.
And most of all I love you because you are my husband, you are the father and head of the house; because we know happiness as a family unit with many wonderful happy memories, with blessings and challenges in the present, with things to enjoy and build for the future. Could there possibly be anything which brings deeper happiness than family unity and love?
My prayer for you is that God will bless you and help you realize your full potentialities, that your family will each all be a blessing and help to you.
Something else that I love you for, of which the recompense is perhaps of less importance than other things; your willingness to work at something you don’t particularly like in order to provide well for your family. This demonstrates further your love for us. And the money it brings in makes us very comfortable in a worldly way. The money is of less value than your great love and unselfish sacrifice in the form of giving up outdoor work for work in an industrial plant.
The children and I all think you are absolutely “Tops”. We love you!
Your arms encircle us and we accept thankfully the warmth, love and protection they give us.
With love from your wife,
January 15, 1962
I remember carrying 4 year old Frank outside behind the house (west) when he would say, "Let's go sing to the moon." In his pajamas he rode piggy back on his Mamas back and hung there with arms around my neck, as we sang:
"I see the moon and the moon sees me, the moon sees somebody I'd like to see. God bless the moon and God bless me, and God bless the somebody I'd like to see. If you get to heaven before I'm there, please write my name on the golden stair, Write it clear and plain to see so the angels can tell how much you mean to me."
The sisters Mary and Monna often sang it with us. It was a little night time song that was sung many times by one or more of the children and their friends when staying at our home overnight.
I don't remember just when making gingerbread boys became a tradition in our family; but Frank was involved and a picture is available of him with flour on his nose and front as he was taking some of the little men out of the baking dish while we were living in the pink house by the creek on the east side of Earth Main Street. We were there for two school seasons, 1961-2 and 62- 3.
I made several tied quilts by covering old quilts with new material. This caused me to do a lot of stretching and resulted in Ann being born earlier than scheduled. She only weighted 6 lbs compared to Mary at 8 lbs 3 oz and Monna 8 lbs 5 oz, Frank, 7 lbs. Ann was the most beautiful baby that I had. We named her after Rex's Mother, Meletha, and added Ann Layland. She too, like all her siblings, had very dark hair at birth. (All the children were born with a lot of dark hair and stell blue eyes.) Mary Lee's and Ann's eyes turned brown; Monna's and Frank's turned blue. How the entire family adored this new addition to our family. See the picture of all of us leaning over the table watching Ann. She was a rather shy very sweet little girl. When she was still sleeping in the child's crib we moved to the pink brick house by the creek down a block from the first N Main home located on the East side of the road. How I loved the creek and trees. All four children were still home. Ann was an easy child to manage and very pretty. We all adored her. She baby talked at a very few months. One day I looked down at the sparkling brown eyes of Ann and was inspired with a melody and words.
Later when we were living back on the farm, Ann was about 8 years old, the two of us made up a song, melody and words, “Today the Sun is Shining”. Ann was still very small when she started holding her breath often and turned purple. People told me that she would never die from holding her breath but I wasn’t sure and it always frightened me. However, I learned that throwing some cold water in her face brought her out of it. Ann did not like to be held, she tolerated it very briefly and then made it known that she wanted down or to be released from our attempts to hold her close. Rex and I both had matured greatly in our parental understanding and treatment of our children.
There are some adorable pictures of Ann when we lived at the pink house by the creek: One is on a little chair out in front of the house; another where she fell asleep on her potty chair with her bottle in her mouth; another when she climbed out of the potty chair to the front and under the big chair and was peering out. Another picture of Ann is of her sitting in the kitchen sink having her bath with me holding my hands and wet wash rag above her head squeezing water and letting it drip on her head.
While she was still a tiny little girl but walking, she had a problem that we did not know the cause of. When she needed to urinate, she would bend way down, hold her lower front of her body and cry or scream. After Sue was born and was a few years old we took Ann to a urologist in Salt Lake City, Utah. He found that her bladder was shaped like an hour glass. He put her to sleep and stretched the bladder so it was normal in shape. He also checked Sue and found that she had a similar shaped bladder and stretched hers as well.
The older girls were so loving and attentive to Ann. They are not so patient with Frank. Could it be that they thought he was a nuisance?
When Ann was about 18 months old we were at church one Sunday when Ann walked away from where we were sitting. We thought she would come right back but she didn’t. Mary and I went to look for her. I waited a time for an usher to search the building. She was finally found near the speaker with her bottle propped up in her mouth.
In typing this I just remembered that each child had a certain habit when they were frustrated or could not have something they wanted. Mary and Sue stomped their feet, Monna twisted her whole body, Frank jumped up and down, and Ann held her breath.
1960 through 1963 was enough time elapsing that I built up quite a clientele of piano and accordion students. My students and I attended the Idaho State Accordion Festival annually in Boise. My children and I, and sometimes others, stayed with Mother and her guests. Also, my sister, Margie, and her two sons, Donald Spears, and Paige Wakley lived in Boise. Myron Floren, of the Lawrence Welk TV show (accordionist) was our judge for several years. It was a pleasure sitting with Myron, other teachers and the State Festival Board, and learning from each other, sharing the plans and outlines which the festival was to follow. Mary, Monna, and Frank participated and I directed some of my groups. Frank always won a trophy, as did each person that played, (except group numbers received only one) and his Original solo, “My Peace”, that I composed and Wesley Harris arranged, with an amplifier won a superior trophy for him. Mary’s difficult solo in the senior advanced division won the highest score of all superiors in her division; Monna won a superior for one solo.
February 20, 1963 we were still living in the pink house by the creek on North Main Street. If memory serves me correctly my pains began in the afternoon. Word was sent to Rex who was at the Monsanto Plant that I would need to go to the hospital. Little Melinda Sue (Lindy) was born weighing 8 pounds and two ounces. Very soon after being part of the family she showed a high degree of liking to be held, loved, hugged etc. She soon hugged back and gave attention as well as liking to receive it. It was a time of uncertainty, anxiety, impatience with family members, and awareness of feeling being unequal to everything at hand. Sheer joy each time the new born baby is held in your arms. I had a lot of help. Mary gave all my music lessons and did not charge me for it. Peggy Tingey, Margaret Stoor, Barbara Sibbett, Carol Skinner, and Rex and Frank. Frank Grinned from ear to ear as he ran out the front door. Ann couldn’t stay away from “Baby Sisser”. It was almost too much for her to be on top of me and the baby, too. But she was there with her big brown eyes shining and her two year old delight showing itself in many ways. Frank was so cute with Lindy. He loved to hold his little sister.
One Easter Season when Ann was just 2 years old and Sue about 2 months old, Ann wanted to be good and share something nice with her baby sister. She put a jelly bean into Sue’s mouth. It dropped down into her throat and luckily I was near and realized Sue was choking and turning purple. Talk about panic!!! All of us were. We called Dr. Allen Tigert who told us to bring her right down to the clinic. I drove the Car and Rex held Sue. He had the presence of mind (I think it was the Holy Ghost that told him to do it) to pick Sue up by the feet and swat her little bottom hard. Out came the jelly bean. We surely gave forth a great sigh of relief.
Sue looked up to, admired and loved her sister just 2 years older than she. As the girls grew there was a marked difference in their personalities. Sue was very sensitive and is much the same today at age 34. Ann, being older, naturally mistreated her often. (Frank did Ann. One day he hurt her physically very badly. I spanked him for it. So what happened next? Ann was mad at me. It is so funny how the younger child adores the older one. Ann used to watch out the window for Frank to come home from school.) Ann would needle Sue in a way that usually no one was aware of but Sue and Ann. Ann wanted to fight. Sue did not. Ann would hurt Sue’s feelings so bad, but rather than fight, Sue would yell at her. Often times people would think that Sue was being ornery when it was really Ann’s fault.
It was fun dressing the two little girls alike. Because Ann was small at birth their physical size was about the same and folks often asked “Are they twins?”.
The school year of 1964 and 5 found us in Wayan for the first part. The year before we had moved a nice big home from the Dick Torgensen farm near Soda Springs out to our farm; Rex commuted to work and during one snow storm he was caught between work and home when the snow plows that were unable to get through to Wayan or Soda Springs. He spent the night on the road in the snow. At home I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. So in the fall, when the snow roads started to become a problem for commuters again we decided to move nearer to his work at Monsanto Chemical Company. There seemed to be no homes available to rent in Soda Springs, but there were in Grace. Grace was just 12 miles from Soda Springs. We moved to Grace. There was another purpose accomplished by the move: the small minds of some of the church officers in Wayan made a gossip issue out of me and my life; I was discussed in their counsel meeting and it was reported to me by two or more people who were in attendance. Also, they were in the process of building a new chapel; I tried to get Rex to help and to let me use the car (we had just one) to drive to the church and help; no luck. Also, Ann was about 4 and had something wrong with her; she screamed with pain whenever she needed to and did urinate. Soon she had surgery in Salt Lake when the Dr. stretched her bladder (it was shaped like an hour glass) and cut away some of the tissue. Sue had the same thing done. All this was upsetting to me and I lost weight down to less than 100 pounds from 116 or more. I went to Dr. Comstock, internal specialist in Pocatello. He examined me and declared loud and strong: “Move! Nothing is worth ruining your health over.” Rex, the Dr. and I were not in harmony; I with the Dr. and Rex going his own way thinking of what he wanted and felt he had to do. In 1966 he moved us back to Wayan, much against my pleadings, coaxing, and begging, ignoring me and my needs. The children were delighted to be back on the farm. I couldn’t see myself sitting in a house with no furniture and no income to pay the rent, so I went back to Wayan, also. Earlier Rex’s mother said: “One plays Rex’s way or plays alone; and Rex is a very selfish individual.”
I traveled to Soda Springs, and Bancroft once a week where the “Tosoiba Music Studio” built up a fine reputation. I hired a dance and guitar teacher, and both Monna and Mary Lee did some beginning piano and accordion teaching. I sponsored Myron Floren in two concerts; one in Grace and one in Pocatello. His agent had told me to plan on at least 2 thousand people attending each concert; I advertised extensively; the tickets did not even begin to pay for the advertising. All Myron would take was money enough for his plane fare and room rent at the Bannock Hotel in Pocatello. Attendance at the concerts were small but those in attendance praised the quality of the show extremely high.
While Grace Was Home
There is a cute picture of Frank and Jeanie Simmons (neighbors in Grace) playing cards in the bathtub one day while we were busy in all rooms giving lessons. Also, pictures of the Cub Scout Den members, myself, a den mother, and partner, Carol Egbert. We could depend on at least one fist fight each meeting; we traveled to many interesting places and had lots of fun projects, meetings, etc. Frank was in the Den, and also Gene Munk, his pal. Clifford Carver was another of his pals who was in the Den. Two of the most interesting evens were: our snow and sleigh riding activity up Burton Canyon; Chris Egbert climbed up a steep hill which had a heavy crust on it; he sunk in the snow up to his armpits and could not get out. The older boys climbed up with a shovel and shoveled him out. I will never forget how he couldn’t stop his teeth from chattering when he finally got back down to the car. Another event one summer was one which happened after we had moved back to the farm (37 miles from Monsanto and Soda Springs.) The boys all came out from Grace to climb the hills, ride the horse, food and sleep overnight. Chris and his partner must not have followed my directions; they became lost on the mountain; it started to rain; and his folks were due any time at the farm from Grace. We searched; they were found up in the hills west of the farm. By the time we all returned to the farm house we were all soaking wet; the boys only brought their sleeping bags and night clothes; they did no bring a change of slacks, underwear and shirts. So they all dawned their sleeping wear; it was still daylight; and we placed the numerous sleeping bags in our beautiful large front room. What fun we had? There are pictures available. We later decorated a flat bed trailer, Rex pulled it with his auto; the accordion students, part of them, sat on it on chairs and played during one of the parades.
Dr. Comstock also had said: “Go to a psychiatrist”. We did. Rex would not follow Dr. Moench’s advice, “Solve your problems”’ I started trying to do what I could to solve them alone. His attitude seemed to be “I am not going to do anything about this, and I’ll fight you if you try to do anything about it”, one problem after another.
Ann loved picking wild flowers out behind the homes on our farm, and quite near the huckleberry patches. What an adorable child she was; and how sweet Sue was. Frank was serious about his primary, taking the lessons to heart and feeling disgusted with some of the children in his class who would not listen and do what the teachers told them to. Sue voiced the same feeling later in her classes.
While Frank, Ann and Sue were young children, we had a swiveling rocking chair that all four of us would sit in together in the evenings as we read stories before bedtime. Reading stories and singing songs to the moon were two of our favorite things to do at night.
Dale George Hamp came into our lives in 1963 when we were on the farm, just before moving to Grace a few months. He and his father, Kenneth, were at the home sight doing some digging and putting in a sewer line for us to the Torgensen house that we had purchased. Dale and Mary met that day and were married within two weeks. At 18 our Mary was a bride; Sue was a baby. We have some picture of this wonderful event. They were married in the Gray’s Lake Chapel by Bishop Odell (Roy O.) Stoor.
The kids all adored Dale. They used to spend a great deal of time with them in their home. Mary and Dale played games with hem, took them all kinds of places for fun, went fishing, fed them many meals. All three of them loved the Hamps and Mary and Dale loved them. It was the three kids 2nd home but I think they may have preferred being with Hamps more than being at home. Looking back on it now I can see that Mary and Dale were able to provide some stability into their lives when Rex and I were having conflict. Because they were married when Frank, Ann and Sue were so young, Dale has always been more of a brother than a brother in law.
From Mother’s journal for 1965:
“The Myron Floren concerts are over. We are now relaxing in the fragrance of its accomplishments. The pleasure of enjoying the profound showmanship of this wonderful personality and his masterful performance on the accordion. Also, the orkettes Colleen had perform with him, at both the Grace and Pocatello concerts, did well and were very attractive in their lovely costumes. Colleen looked very lovely in her white dress, (white corsage from her pupils) and moved in a gracious manner in her duties of the occasion. Much, much could be said of these 2 concerts and the responsibility ,the time, the planning and sweat that went into them.
Yes, and no, it was a success. Financially, the attendance fell far below expectations. Colleen and I counted the money after the 2nd concert at Pocatello at the Bannock Hotel in the room we shared. It was heart breaking: there would be a debt to pay. Colleen wept and I yearned.
Colleen displayed her great spirit, dried her eyes and began to gather up the broken ends, and to organize and arrange much work out in detail what would have to be done to meet the advertising expenses.
Clayton and Marie came to the concert in Grace. It was so nice to see them again. Lillis was there too. Leon let Colleen drive his lovely car to Idaho Falls where she and Lillis met Mr. Floren”
Another excerpt from Mother’s Diary, dated December 1965.
“Although it was Sunday it was the only chance we had for Colleen to give me a permanent. Then there was a lucious dinner to prepare and enjoy, which we all did. The dishes were left that we might enjoy each other as long as we could. Colleen grouped the children on the davenport where they played the accordion, guitar, sang songs for Christmas. They took turns on the instruments, and all of it had been rehearsed and prepared....I sat and thought of Colleen and listened and through my mind came the assurance of the toil that efforts, the goal, the love, the perseverance, the trial of disadvantages, the drawbacks, and much, much more she had given. I could have wept...but there was only mist to wipe from my eyes; but I knew that there are only a few daughters who would go to so much thought and labor to bring to her mother such a Christmas gesture.”
In May of 1966 Monna graduated from Grace High School. President Davis of the Idaho State University was the speaker. At the beginning of his talk he referred to little Ann & Sue who were dressed alike in red plaid dresses. He said “I wonder if these two little girls in plaid dresses on the front row have someone up here on the stand who is graduating tonight?”. All the class turned around and looked at Monna on the back row. She seemed to be embarrassed. Not because she did not lover her little sisters but because so much attention was unexpectedly focused on her.
Shortly after that we packed up everything to move back to the farm. I didn’t want to move back because Grace held more of what I needed at the time. Part of the problem was probably due to the fact that I had not learned how to express myself properly and adequately to the right person at the right time. I hope that all my children will learn to “believe in yourself and tell why you are feeling and saying what you are. Don’t hesitate to be assertive about important matters even though you may be criticized for it. If you fail to tell others what the reasons are that you are angry or upset, they are apt to misjudge you.”
An instance occurred out to Grays Lake that illustrates that point. The Ward had taken care of the hay with the agreement that they would get half of the profits. That fall it had already snowed, our half of the hay still lay in the field. A letter came to Rex and I from the bank that they had to have the payment which was 2 years past due on a loan. Rex would not even ask for a day off to take care of the hay. My older children would not help with sorting the good hay from the spoiled hay. It was Frank’s birthday. A hay buyer from Idaho Falls that I contacted said he would buy it if the good was sorted. He loaned me a baled hay tester and Paige and I tested each bale of the approximate 2 tons of hay. There was a lot of name calling over the instance and one individual called me sick. The hay finally sold due to pressure, I think, from the Stake. This was the beginning of some very dysfunctional years for our family.
By 1967 Dr. Hart at the Salt Lake Clinic in Salt Lake City had diagnosed Rex’s health irritant as Emphysema; the Dr. told Rex to get out of Monsanto and find work where the air was pure. Rex did not. I knew that financial aid was available for me to finish my degree at ISU in Pocatello. I rented a house across the street from the college; prepared the three little children, Ann, Sue and Frank (Mary was married and Monna was living in Salt Lake studying at the LDS Business College) and we moved to Pocatello. The church leaders and Rex pressured me saying that I was breaking up the family and should be at home. I knew that a degree in music (with the work opportunities in placement guaranteed) would give us income, activities for the children in town, Rex could get out of Monsanto and live longer, build up a cattle operation (which he said was all he ever wanted ) and live on the ranch in the summer. (We all loved the ranch; it makes a great summer home). Again my “Good judgment” was ignored by people I deemed important to me. All the children did well in Pocatello. I withdrew from ISU returning to the farm and very sick at heart.
Mother had moved to Salt Lake by this time; but kept caring for the elderly and ill in the home she and Aunt Laverne bought and shared together. Pictures are available of the family visiting mother.
In 1968 I read in a well known magazine of couples in marital trouble having legal separation and counseling whose marriage was strengthened, problems solved, and happy families resulting. I persuaded Rex to go with me to Emmett Brown of Salt Lake, intending to arrange this same type of help trial. Neither Rex nor Emmet Brown would go along with it. We settled for a marital contract, a lengthy one that we all planned, agreed upon, and signed. It included selling the farm immediately and moving to Grace or Preston, Idaho. This was June. By late August, Rex had refused to do anything about these agreements in the contract. I hired the Mayflower moving Van and moved to Preston (furniture, food, and all), Idaho one day when Rex was away for the day. The children were enrolled in school and in class the first day of school that fall. Part of the contract included my getting some intellectual challenge” and that we counsel with someone whenever there was conflict. I arranged to ride in a car pool and took several classes at Utah State University, Logan, Utah: piano, voice, Doctrine and Covenants, and Successful Living and Management”. All my graded classes were A’s and B’s. I loved them all.
Margie’s health continued to grow worse; she had emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchectisis (sp?), and a heart condition. She died in Boise in September, shortly after we moved to Preston. her youngest son Paige, came to make his home with us; in the spring he joined the army, serving for 6 years. He considered Rex and I his parents then, and does to this day.
While we were enjoying the Fall in Preston, Monna Jean was dating Sgt. James Lienemann who was stationed at Hill Air Force base near Ogden Utah. He was raised in the Lutheran Schools and came from a Lutheran family. I felt Lutherans should marry Lutherans and Mormons should marry Mormons. Monna had always attended, and loved the church, the scriptures and the fellowship; she had earned individual mutual awards which required a lot of time and filling of requirements by the church. When Jim and Monna started making wedding plans I did everything I could to break them up because I was so sure that Monna would not be happy married to a Lutheran who smoked and did some drinking. As a result they eloped. We did have a reception for them at the Wayan gym. Shortly after they were married, Jim went overseas to England. Monna stayed with us for a while.
At Christmas time Monna did most of the housework and cooking; I sewed. See the picture in color of all of us in red and white night clothes and a cap to match with a tassel.
Sept. 1968 My sister Margie was very ill in Boise, Idaho. Mother had moved to Salt Lake City. Margie was in a Nursing Home for a time. Mother went to be with her and I soon followed. Margie was in the hospital by then. One hour she was very low. I had told her that she was going to get better and we were going, she and I, to take a trip by plane. I went over to sit in the corner while two nurses did something for her.. I knew when they put the oxygen mask on her before they turned on the power that it was a mistake. She died immediately. Oh! How often I have thought about her and our relationship as sisters. She was so loving. “Now” I thought, “her boys Don and Paige have not an attentive, loving parent on this earth.” It was just we two siblings who were raised in our home. How I’ve missed her and longed for her to be alive so we could share many things together. Finally by the present 1997 I’ve learned that great comfort is mine when I look into her face (a large picture) and tell her “Good morning!” and 'Good night! I love you’ every day. As I do with my Mother’s picture, Daddy's picture, Grandma and Grandpa Tippets and Aunt LaVerne’s pictures every day.
After Margie’s death, Paige came to live with us in Preston. He won the hearts of our Bishop and his wife and was very well behaved. As a typical High School senior he did not like to do something I asked him to do. I think it was help wash down the porch.) He looked to Rex as a father figure never having known his blood father. Paige left our home and I think went right into the US Army. He served uncle Sam as a helicopter mechanic in the Vietnam War.
We sold the farm to Jack Nuffer in 1969: My feelings were very upset; I was sure that several problems could have been solved, Rex live longer, and my get my degree (as the contract promised) if only........ After I felt it was necessary (but against my grain) to move back into the Idaho Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints.
I looked at houses with Rex and the family. We chose and bought the three bedroom 2 bath brick home with afull basement, attached garage, with a large lawn and in a lovely neighborhood, and we moved into it. I have always loved the house; and felt extreme frustration due to the knowledge that Dr. Comstock was right; except it seemed that being with the children might be more important than my health; and I am not as comfortable living in this stake as I deserve to be. Many men commuted to Monsanto from Preston; I will always feel that Rex should have continued to do so too, as long as he felt he had to work at Monsanto. Quite a few of us tried to get him to quit Monsanto and Work elsewhere. Twelve years later he would be forced to take medical retirement with a serious case of emphysema and a heart condition that he says could kill him at anytime.
Our first grandson, Jason Dale Hamp was born October 1, 1969; what a handsome boy he is. Mary and Dale waited six years for the birth of their first baby. (They met in 1963 when Dale was working for his Dad and they came out to put in the sewer lines to the house we moved out to the ranch.) They were married a short time later. And now they have been together for 34 years. Before Jason was bron Mary had chosen a Dr. in Montpelier. She went to the hospital there and I soon followed them. When I arrived Dale was pacing up and down the floor frantically. Mary was in labor. The phone rang immeditaely after a nurse told Dale that the baby was born but couldn’t tell him what it was. Dale’s Mother, Erlene Hamp, demanded to know what the baby was - a boy or girl. She was angry with Dale for not telling her. Soon we saw Mary coming up the hall on a bed on wheels pushed by the nurse. Dale said that he ran as fast as he could but I was half the length of the hall ahead of him. “I’ve got a boy for you Dale” she said. Tears come to my eyes just remembering that blessed event. Mary had had so much female trouble. Once we thought we were going to lose her.
Jason liked to make ginger bread boys with me. One time when we were making them, he looked up at me and said so seriously, “Grandma, I love you more than anyone else in the whole world.” I am sure that he didn’t really mean it but he surely was a very special little boy.
Monna joined Jim before too long. That is an interesting story. They were stationed at Lakenheath Air Force Base 80 miles from London when their first baby was expected. Jim and Rex shared the expense of a round trip flight for me to be on hand when the baby was born. I was impressed with the green countryside of England; the different architecture of the buildings (many of them connected together and many with thatched roofs), as we rode from the airport to their little trailer at the base. Airplanes constantly zoomed over our heads; Monna and Jim were happy go lucky pair whose relationship drew people to them and their home. Jim read the Book of Mormon twice, had taken the missionary lessons and joined the church. He was in the Sunday School Presidency and served as assistant ward clerk as well. Monna was the ward organist and I substituted for her while I was in England. They had a little English Austin auto; Jim and Monna rode in the front, and their little black Labrador pup, Angel, and I rode in the back seat. We buzzed all around East Anglia District. Some of the interesting tourist attractions that I took in were: the English Countryside, castles, cathedrals, Norfolk, Felix Stowe (a recreational center and city), the North Sea, sights in London (the Thames river, Shakespeare Theatre on the Thames), bridges on the Thames, the Queen’s Palace, Trafalgar Square, Surrey, the LDS Temple and the Temple manor where the temple presidency and their wives and temple workers lived. Gardens and flowers galore; there is very little earth space that is not utilized in England. We saw the ruins of the once grand structure where the Magna Carta was signed centuries before. I loved visiting the English people, listening to their delightful accent and telling about their lives.
Little Sean James came from the hospital to his home in the trailer as a very good natured baby. Right from the beginning, if he was awake, he was not content to sit or lay down; he had to actually stand (supported so he didn’t tip over, of course) on his feet.
One night about bedtime Jim put on Monna’s nightgown. What a clown! Monna had a small flower plant in the trailer that was their home. It was leaning over and Monna asked if Jim would go outside and find something she could prop it up with. A few minutes later in came Jim witha pole like a power pole.
After returning home to Soda Springs, I found a welcoming family, and a beautiful large flower garden in back of our light tan brick home in Soda. Rex and the children had planted them and they were blooming gloriously. It was a happy reunion, and June 1970.
Major surgery was my lot early in the summer of 1970; I had a hysterectomy and repair work from childbirth problems. The Dr. told me that I would feel much better after the surgery: I was having menopause emotional upsets. I was so miserable right after surgery that I was provoked with the Dr. and thought him to be “money seeking” and not really interested in how I felt. I read a lot: was more inactive fore quite awhile during recuperation: It was then that I started gaining weight and became slightly obese: this was a new experience for me.
I wanted to learn more about the bible and knew that the Jehovah Witness people were very knowledgeable so I invited them into my home and studied with them. The Jehovah Witnesses believe that when we die our bodies lie in the grave and the spirit is dead until the resurrection. They also do not believe that polygamy was ever advocated by God. I do not remember what other differences there were: I thanked them for my increased knowledge, our friendship and their interest; and explained that I am a member of the church for which I have a strong testimony. These people were among my favorite acquaintances in Soda Springs. I visited their church at Easter time; they do not celebrate Christ’s birth; but his death as our savior. Howard and Rhea (I have forgotten their last name today) were heads of the church in Soda. Nancy, their daughter-in-law came with Rhea often.
Rex continued to work at Monsanto. His emphysema grew some worse and he often did not feel well; he never spent his pay check on liquor, guns, or other things that many men did. He was always loving and warm (except when he felt pushed). The children grew like weeds. Ann, Frank and Sue were still at home.
Frank had a special chum, Gene Munk; his mother had died and his Dad had an alcohol problem. We wanted to adopt Gene but his father was not willing. The two boys had lots of fun together.
Back to college; commuting with Gwen Budge and Lois Davis. I registered with a full time load, majoring in Music Education. When I started it was due to an order from the Dr. to help me with some depression I was feeling; it was difficult to climb the stairs between classes; I had developed hypoglycemia and lacked energy and drive. by giving myself vitamin shots; eating peanuts every two hours, being involved in interesting studies and activities that I loved the hypoglycemia was overcome and my love for the university involvement grew. The family was fair in helping with the work; we hired Nancy Kunz, about 15, who had cooking experience to begin our evening meal each day that I was away. She was disgusted with the girls and Frank for not helping more in the home. They were typical children; Frank was 14; Ann 10 and Sue 8.
Wesley Harris was my advisor, the Music Education Classes teacher and concert choir director. I loved that teacher; he was so human in his attitude and treatment of others and so humorous as well. Cecil Simmons was very thorough and an excellent Music Theory teacher; Josephine (professor) Berryman was a great piano teacher; we often visited during my lesson and I wondered why she wanted to talk with me so much; I think she was lonely and found me, being a more mature person than most of her students, easy to talk with. Miss Dupin, a short Italian lady, was always late for voice lessons; but she was a good teacher. Mr. Otinger used language that shocked me in Social Problems class; but he made us laugh a lot which was very good for sober minded me; he had the ability to draw out from class members their opposite feelings and opinions about each of the matters of current status that we studied. They included the Transient Workers, the Indian Reservations and poverty, drugs (especially marijuana), and modern sex trends. “The Herod Experiment” was a book that shocked me further, but the idea of genuine love came across. I could go on and on; but time and space does not allow it. I raised my grade point average over what it was in High School.
Fall 1972 the girls, Ann & Sue, and I took an apartment over the landlord’s garage on East Wyeth Street in Pocatello for my second year at Idaho State University. We spent weekends often in Soda Springs; and Rex and Frank came often to Pocatello. Monna, Jim and their children came to visit; as did Mary, Dale and Jason. Rex helped some with expenses, but most of our living expenses and school expenses for me was taken care of by means of the National Defense Loan that I had and the Student Federally Insured Loan from the bank. I also taught voice, piano, and accordion to supplement our income. Directed Broadway Kids Style for Community Education and we did “Mary Poppins”. It was a glorious year for the girls and I; we were never closer nor more highly motivated. They took part in Mary Poppins; Sue was in the Green Acres String Orchestra and learning piano from me; Ann was doing exceptionally well as my piano student and said that when she grew up she was going to get her degree in piano and become a beauty operator. The girls tried out for and was given a part in the Drama Department of I.S.U. play, “Follow The Yellow Brick Road.” They also, along with the Roosevelt Broadway Kids Style Class, sang with the I.S.U. Concert Choir at rehearsal one day; The song was practiced ahead of time: “Above The Mountain”, which is a lovely Christmas lullaby about Mary and baby Jesus. I love that song today still. I taught the girls to share in the household chores; they could clean the bathroom as well as a grown woman; they were respectful and obedient to me; and very loving. Our neighbors were the Redds, John and Sherrill and their children; their girls and ours played together; also, the bishop’s children (Winward’s) and the Carpentars. We had time for candy pulls, Christmas Caroling, etc. We ate with the Redd’s, and they with us. Sherrill and I were classmates at I.S.U. as well as friends; She had a well matured and trained soprano voice; was an excellent pianist and piano teacher, and also played the violin. I respected and loved her dearly.
As president of I.S.U. Dialogue it was my privilege to interview interesting persons from I.S.U. on TV video tape; then watch the TV later. My interest in Henry David Thoreau and his love of the culture and literature of India was the motivating factor in my seeking out and interviewing a Business Professor from India. It was interesting to learn that in India anyone seeking a religious quest is accepted by his people, or at least his religion. Another, rather two other, interesting persons were Dr. and Mrs. McCann; they were from England. In church one day, earlier, the Stake mission leader asked the members to invite non-members into our home to share Family Hove Evening. At the library one day I spoke to a refined looking gentleman who was from England. I invited him to bring his wife and share our Family Hove Evening. They accepted our invitation and they came. I do not remember what the girls and I served for refreshments, but I do remember the game we played as part of our evening. We took turns sitting in the middle of the circle and the others told what they thought we would be doing in the future. All I remember is Mrs. McCann telling Sue and I that we would be working with people. Perhaps Ann and Sue’s letter will hold more enlightenment about this special couple and what was said and done that night. Dr. McCann was (is) a scientist from the Lake District in North England where their 300 year old home is located and the laboratory that he works with; He was at I.S.U. on a fellowship, teaching in the Biology Department, I referred to himself as a naturalist. Mrs. McCann was also interviewed; she is a member (or was before coming to Pocatello in 1971 or 1972) of 32 committees; she was the girl scout leader in the group that Queen Elizabeth was in when she was a girl. She gave me a lovely little, English made gift which contained needles and a threader. It is among my keepsakes and has a note in it telling what kind of handwork it is.
I forgot to mention that during my first year at I.S.U. I taught General Music to one of the 4th grade classes (Mr. Blackwell’s I believe) as part of a music education class under the direction of Wesley Harris. Mr. Harris was my confidant; we often talked in his office and he gave his interested wise counsel and help to me.
In the spring of 1972 Rex was privileged to go with me and the ISU Concert Choir on their annual tour. It was a gloriously happy time; we sang at many schools between Weiser, Idaho and Pocatello. It is a time that both Rex and I cherish; he never seemed to tire of listening to us sing. When hearing the recordings of our singing, I believe that we sounded as good as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
At examination time and proficiency performances recitals, etc., I was under extreme pressure and my stomach bothered me some. Dr. Jentes was the kind Dr. at the Health Center who gave me medication and good counsel. He was acquainted with me since 1967.
Summer of 1972. Still in school at I.S.U. and still at home on East Wyeth, the girls and I enjoyed Mother, Edith Hayes, staying with us for two months. We spent many happy hours reading and discussing good books including a bit of the classics; also, “The Seven Laws for Success” and “The Missing Dimensions of Sex” by Howard Armstrong. We had trees hovering over the little porch where we sat together. Scriptures were among our favorites. Prayer and Fasting was part of life for me.
Studying Beethoven, and attempting to learn his “Pathetique” Sonata for the piano, I developed a deep respect and love for this master musician; his having gone deaf, almost losing his mind, then overcoming it and writing the great 9th Symphony was almost unbelievable. It was the first great musician’s known attempt to include choir with the symphony. The story of this symphony and its message is so beautiful. It was his life: “Struggle and overcoming”. I wrote a lengthy write-up about his life and was so sorry when it was lost. I felt it was one of my favorite works done at the U there.
Fall of 1972 Things were deteriorating for Rex and I. I filed for divorce and the girls and I moved to Provo where I continued my training in Music Education. There are twelve things that I learned from those dysfunctional years in our family. 1. Beware and change if you are a perfectionist. 2. Keep your word. 3. Don’t criticize your mate. 4. Do not lie, not even little white lies. 4. If you are caught up in a conflict don’t play dirty. Edify not destroy the enemy. 5. Don’t be vengeful. 6. Don’t be selfish. 7. When put down and out don’t rely on people but rather rely on the Lord. 8. Memorize scriptures and go over them daily, and pray often. 9. If you can’t, don’t care what people say about you. 10. The “nice” folks are not necessarily the one who will help you when your need is the greatest. 11. Express your feelings. 12. If a family member is considered “off base” stick by him or her, listen, encourage and help them. Defend them.
Letters from our neighbor, the principal and teacher speak of how well we were doing there. Rex and Frank came to see us. It was a special day one day; I remember we all sat on the grassy slope of the botanical garden area south of the BYU (Brigham Young University) campus.
Our 16 year old son, Frank, was on the Soda Springs High School wrestling team; he did very well; trained carefully and endured some defeats along with his wins. The coach praised him, his attitude and his progress and improvement. He really loved the coach, I believe and think his name was Morgan. Coach Robinson had a son Frank’s age, who also wrestled and was one of Frank’s friends. We were very proud of our son; he lived according to high ethical standards, was a fine Christian, and of great integrity. He was admired and appreciated by his schoolmates and his teachers at school, seminary, and in the church. One of his home teaching partners was Earl Gunnell a successful business man and farmer. He really liked Frank. (Earl and wife, Charlotte, attended Frank and Lesa’s wedding reception later in Thatcher 1980) My Dad assisted Earl in getting started in the buying and selling of grain when Dad had the City Transfer and Storage business on Main Street near the railroad tracks when I was small.
Rex served as Elder’s Quorum secretary and was paying tithing to the bishop faithfully. He was very dependable with his work as a mechanic at Monsanto Chemical Company. He had a perfect “Never Late for Work” record; and was well liked by his fellow workers and his foremen. The Monsanto Annual Picnic was always a great event that the entire family looked forward to and enjoyed. There were all kinds of rides; for example, the Ferris wheel and the merry go round; and food of all kinds to eat. All this was free for employees and their families. Our grandchildren always loved going to the Monsanto Picnic. There were races, games, and booths for throwing darts and other types of entertainment; plus a rope pulling contest. It was a gala event. Rex introduced me to many folks. The men at Monsanto had nicknamed Rex “Rowdy”. Rex is quiet, unassuming, gentle and friendly type person; and excellent conversationalist who speaks with convincing manners. He was very well liked; I thought even popular. I forgot to mention the prizes that were given away at the picnic. The children loved these of course.
During the summer Rex, Ann, Sue and I drove to Great Falls, Montana where Monna, Jim and their two boys Sean and Jeff were living at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The Lienemanns and us took a trip to Glacier National Park in Northern Montana and on into Waterton Park in Canada. The two parks join and what beautiful mountainous country it is with the lakes and wildlife. It was a wonderful time. Little Sean was only two and I remember so well when we were driving through underground tunnels Sean said “Honk E Horn, Ganpa, honk e horn.” It echoed in the tunnel and Sean liked that. Jeff was just a baby. We saw deer and mountain goats in the parks.
While on this trip we visited the Hutterite (sp?) colony at Chateau (sp?), Montana. We were so impressed with their healthy clean faces and bright eyes. They raised grain, livestock, and large vegetable gardens. Everyone worked and shared the labors. There was a private school (the old fashioned kind); a kitchen and dining hall where meals were prepared and everyone ate together; also a laundry where families took turns washing. Their homes (we were permitted to visit one) were simple with just a bedroom with homemade furniture and spotless and shining with what looked like fresh paint. They had no radios or television; but they sang in the evenings. Our guide told us that they never had problems with teenage marriages, drugs, and very seldom divorces!!
Mother and Aunt Laverne sold their homes in Boise, Idaho and purchased one on Logan Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, as co-owners. We went to visit them as often as we could. They served delicious meals to us and the love, music, and visiting we shared was wonderful. There are recorded tapes of our visits, singing, memorized scriptures and poetry. These two ladies in their seventies took care of elderly, sick folks in their home for a time; then went into other homes caring for people. What beautiful Christian women they were.
The girls and I did not stay in Provo and complete the school year that was begun there in 1972 because: The summer of 1973 they were in 4H; I was their leader and they completed their projects and entered them in the fair. There is a colored picture of their clothes that they sewed. Ann won a blue ribbon for her cherry pie at the Caribou County Fair. I don’t remember what Sue took in the line of foods. The family enjoyed many close hours together. The girls continued making progress on the piano and we did a special musical program at the nursing home. Frank worked summers for Merlin and Earline Smith in Thatcher. The had a diversified farm and dairy herd. Frank did everything there was to do in the line of work for them.
With Rex’s approval Sue and I moved to Provo in the fall, thinking I would complete my degree in music education. we lived with the Melburn Ford family; I did light housekeeping and cooked two meals a day for them. In return Sue and I had board and room and they furnished a little gray Volkswagen and gas for me to drive to school at Brigham Young University. Sue attended Green Acres School. Ann was at home with her Dad. Frank lived with Smith’s and graduated from Grace High School at the end of the school year in May 1974. Sue was voted the 2nd most popular girl in her class; played her violin in the elementary school string orchestra; and was picked by judges for the part of “Bert” in the Mary Poppins musical I directed. I taught Broadway Kids Style for the Special Courses and Conferences Department and was paid $8.33 an hour for teaching and directing hours. “Mary Poppins” was presented in the Experimental Theatre of the Fine Arts Building in April 1974. Dr. Evan Davis was my voice teacher; Maxine Cameron (wife of the dean of students) was my piano teacher. It was my privilege to visit with other students in the Cameron home and discuss things in general. It was reported at that event that BYU rated 4th in the nation among universities in music and in education; and that Harvard, I believe it was, had a higher suicide rate than BYU and was only about 10,000 in enrollment compared to 25,000 at BYU. We completed the year of school there, Sue and I. I served as treasurer of the BYU Music Education National Conference, the national organization in music education. Sue and I attended the M.E.N.C.’s national convention at Anaheim, California. We attended numerous concerts, and programs given by different groups from all over the U.S. A huge gym like room was filled with booths where books, instruments, and all sorts of supplies were on display. The highlight of our trip, in addition to flying, was seeing quite a lot of Disneyland. Our favorite ride was the one through which were located costumed dolls representing many nations and all singing “I’d Like to Teach The World To Sing”, in perfect harmony, in their native tongues. It was special, and we were very close. “Down Town” and “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” were two of the numbers that Sue played very well on her violin.
While at Provo, Monna and Jim and their two boys came to see us. Sean and Jeff enjoyed standing in the space behind the back seat of the Volkswagen as we buzzed about Provo with Monna and Jim in the car, too.
Ann was very popular with the fellows; although she usually went with just one boy at a time for a number of months at least.
Mother and Aunt Laverne had sold their home in Salt Lake. Mother took and apartment in Preston, Idaho in 1972. Aunt Laverne’s son-in-law, Verl Tippetts died. She and Ruth, her daughter bought a home in Preston. We always enjoyed them very much. We often visited Aunt Lillis, Mother’s youngest sister, and Uncle Leon Sorensen in Georgetown, Idaho. We enjoyed them so much and shared a loving relationship through the years.
In the summer of 1974, after Frank graduated from High School, our family took a trip in a motor home and two trailers to Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. Rex rented a motor home that had sleeping space for six; Dale and Mary had a trailer of their own that slept four (or more); Monna and Jim had a little one that slept four; (they just had Sean and Jeff then) Mary and Dale had little Jason. Paige, Frank, Ann and Sue were with us. It was so much fun traveling and watching the procession of us winding our way on the highway in the mountainous country with wooded slopes of mountains and a creek and Snake River along the way. We were gone a number of days.
We had Family Home Evening around the campfire one night. It was a special joyful time. We had prepared the children during the day by telling them the story of Abraham and his wife Sarah, the biblical characters. Then that night we put robes on the boys and tied towels around their heads in turban fashion as they played the parts of Abraham, Sarah and their son. We sang songs the children knew like: “I Am A Child Of God”, “Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam” and others. We also played the accordions and sang other songs. Folks camping nearby came to listen and voiced appreciation for the music and our family togetherness. We had lots of fun and pulled pranks on each other.
As we camped the first night at the Pine Bar Campground on the Tin Cup Creek we drove down to the gym for the dance. Afterwards Mary sprained her ankle stepping out of the trailer. We thought it might be broken and took her in to the emergency room at the Soda Springs Hospital. We were thankful that it was not broken. It was painful but she didn’t let it dampen her spirits or prevent us from going on our way as planned.
Mary Poppins was again directed by me, rehearsals and performances in the Soda Springs High School auditorium. Songs were done at Thirkill, Thatcher and Grace Schools. Ann Warner Robinette was my assistant director and very talented. Kathy Wright was the drama judge. I believe that Jan Mumford was the music judge. Ann was picked by them for Mary Poppins. They wanted Sue to take the part of Burt but Sue declined due to believing that her friends would feel bad because she had a major role and they didn’t. Mrs. Duane Beins and her sister were assistants who did not want to be paid. Sue (Alice Wilson’s granddaughter) helped where needed by playing games and keeping the children busy who were not rehearsing. We used the tape recorder a lot. Jan Mumford was our accompanist. Alice Wilson was a close friend. Her granddaughter, Sue, and I learned to love one another.
1976
Our first granddaughter Mae Dawn Lienemann, was born May 1976. The Lienemanns ended up with four birthdays right in a row. Sean’s is the 5th, Mae Dawn’s the 6th, Becky’s is the 7th and Monna’s is the 8th. Mae Dawn was a beautiful, plump, dark-haired baby. How she was loved! As Monna wrote it was a cesarean birth. Mae Dawn was named after her two grandmothers, Leila Mae Lienemann and myself as my middle name is Dawn.
I worked for a short time for Louise Brick in her home in Pocatello as housekeeper, cook, and companion. Then for a short time for Apostle Howard W. Hunter in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sister Hunter had a stroke and had to have someone with her all the time. She was mobile but her speech and reasoning was effected. It was a beautiful home, so much in contrast with the little humble home of Louise Brick. Louise and I loved each other. One of the highlights of working at the Hunter’s was taking Clara Mae Hunter to the annual Mormon Church Conference, parking my car among the general authorities like Neil Maxwell, Ezra Taft Benson and President and Sister Spencer W. Kimball. I will always remember the radiant face that shone from Howard Hunter’s countenance as he greeted me when I drove up to his home and he helped me park my car next to his. He and Sister Hunter had a rare loving relationship which was evidenced in their faces and his faithful care of her. Often in the evenings I would visit with him for a few minutes in his study. he always took the time pleasantly and seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. I remember especially one night when I took my lovely tapestry into his study (where two walls were lined with books) and laid it down on the floor for him to look at. It is the one with Jesus holding a lamb and other sheep around his feet. The colors are beautiful with green grass and a pond of water. Elder Hunter got down on his hands and knees and exclaimed, “Oh, How beautiful!” Then he told me about their trip with the Kimballs to the Holy Land. How dirty and crowded Bethlehem is with travelers and traders. It sits on a hill. Out away from the town are cliffs with caves in the sides where the shepherd leads his flock of sheep at night by playing the flute. The sheep follow him and stay in the cave while he guards them from outside and keeps the wolves away. From this experience with Elder Hunter I received inspiration to write the words and music to another original song entitled “I Knelt At The Foot of The Master by the Apostle of the Lord”. Their home was elegant. The glass chandelier over the dining room table was immense. The view from the patio at night of Salt Lake was gorgeous. The home sits high on the east bench, looking down at the city. We were above the pollution level.
A SPECIAL SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE took place one night. I was awakened about 4 a.m. hearing my mother’s voice calling my name in a soft and despairing tone. I learned later that day when I called her that she had awakened from a bad dream at the same time. In her dream her father, Jedediah Morgan Tippets, came to her door carrying me as a small child, I was sick. Mother said in her dream, “Papa, I am going to take her to the hospital.” Grandpa replied, “No, Edith, do for her what you can yourself.” That same day I interpreted the voice calling me as the spirit of the Holy ghost telling me to do what I can to ease her burdens and care for her throughout her elderly years. I interpreted her dream as the spirit of the Holy Ghost telling her not ever to do anything that would effect my hospitalization but to do for me what she can herself. I believe that Grandpa’s speaking to her was effective.
FRANK ACCEPTED HIS CALL TO SERVE A MISSION IN SOUTH AMERICA. Serving until January 1978, I believe it was, he spent time in Colombia but most of the time in Ecuador. How he grew spiritually and in the gospel of Jesus Christ as he worked with and learned to speak the Spanish language with the people he came to love. It was hard at first as he had difficulty loving the people because of the poverty and dirt that the people lived in. He sent cassette tapes to us and we to him. His letters were cherished. One of his mission presidents, President Heward and his wife from Arizona, attended Frank and Lesa’s wedding.
1977
Rex’s relatives in Idaho Falls were visited by us several times this year. His Uncle Alma’s widow, Ruth (known as “Doll”), her daughter Helen and husband Nello Boncelli, and daughter Pat (or maybe it was Pat’s twin Paul) and her husband also lived there. I believe Ann, Sue, Mary and Monna all visited Aunt Doll that year.
1978
Monna and Jim’s fourth child, Dray Diedrick (sp?) was born in April. A little slender baby he was with wobbly arms and legs. We thought he might never hold his own head up. It wasn’t long until he had won all of our hearts over with his darling ways.
Frank returned from his mission. We met him at the airport in Salt Lake City. His arrival did not take place on the aircraft that we expected him on. We were so sad about that and a little worried. Then it was announced that passengers which had been scheduled to arrive on the expected flight would be coming in on the next one. We waited anxiously with anticipation. I was the first one that saw him coming in towards the terminal doorway. I couldn’t stop fairly yelling, “There he is! There he is!” The family members watching me said that I was jumping up and down. If I was, and I guess I was, I surely wasn’t aware of it. We all flooded him with many questions, hardly giving him time to answer one before we asked others. He looked good, had gained weight but lost a lot compared to the heavy fellow he was for a time on his mission. (The chicken foot soup must have agreed with him.)
Frank reported his mission to the High Council in Grace as he represented the Thatcher Ward while on his mission. Thatcher Ward was the home ward of Merlin and Earline Smith. He reported to one or more of the Grace Wards, the Gray’s Lake Ward and our Soda Springs 4th Ward. I heard most of his reports and enjoyed each one of them as did other members of the family.
Rex continued on at Monsanto until January of 1978, at which time he took medical retirement due to emphysema and a heart condition. He was officially retired in August that year.
Ann had first chair in the flute section of the Soda Springs High School Band and Sue was first chair in the clarinet section. Ann was chosen along with a limited number of other High School students to sing in the top choir known as the “Soda Pops Choir”. Sue was chosen to be in the Drill Team. The costumes were beautiful. The name of the Soda Springs mascot is the “Cardinal” and the school colors are red and black. The concerts in the spring and at Christmas were so lovely. Both girls were in the concert choir. The Pops Choir also took a tour to San Francisco and Disneyland in California and then down into Mexico. And became homesick on her trip and called home. Once she was caught in an elevator in one of the big cities and became very frightened. Ann worked part time at the cafe operated by the Ashley family called the “B&T”.
Mother was at home in Preston and we visited her as often as possible. She came and spent a night or so with us once in awhile. She continued to serve the sick, visit the nursing home, attend Choir practice, Sunday meetings, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and the Preston Culture Club. Once a few years ago, Mary, Ann, Sue, myself and Mother entertained the Culture Club with poetry Mother had written, songs, flute, piano and accordion numbers. The latter were the group’s favorite musical numbers and received the loudest applause. Mother kept a journal for years. She took a couple of trips with Ruth and Laverne into parts of interest throughout the western part of the United States. Her home is kept orderly, peaceful and serene, as is her person. She is much loved by people in the family and folks in Preston and highly respected by Bishops Vern Klippert and Joseph Garner. She filled the assignment to write a weekly letter to all the missionaries out in the field from her ward in Preston for Bishop Klippert. While she was in Bishop Garner’s ward she cared for two elderly ladies. In 1979 she took care of 90 year old Mrs. Palmer, walking six blocks to the Palmer home for 8 months at age 80.
The 1980s brought more changes to our family. In the Spring of 1980 Becky, Monna and Jim’s fifth child was born. Her Dad calls her Freddie. I am not sure why.
One of the saddest of instances in our family occurred a few weeks before that. Mary Lee was several months pregnant when the baby, Jeremy was born prematurely. He was so little and he struggled so hard to survive but it wasn’t to be. Mary commented to us one day “One thing I know, if Jeremy dies Grandma Chat will take good care of him in Heaven.” I am sure that she was right. Mary was so broken hearted and commented on how hard it was to go home with empty arms. Rex and I felt so sad for her. We sang some of our favorite songs for her on the way home. I hope it helped. Mary Lee had so many problems carrying her children. If she had carried all of her babies full term, she and Dale would have had a large family. I think they would have had 9 children by 1985.
Even with all of the difficulties we had a lot of wonderful times together. In the spring of 1982 the Lienemanns came for an extended visit and Sue, Lesa and Frank were also here. There were games of Pinochle, Donkey. Sean, Jeff, and Jason put on a play called “The Girlfriend”. I don’t think we have ever laughed quite so hard. One would play the man, one the girlfriend and one the child. The funniest part came when whomever was the girl wanted to kiss the husband.
Of course Dale and Jim spent a lot of time together as they always have. They are so close it is almost like they are brothers. One Sunday before they left we took fired chicken and goodies and had a picnic. On the way over, I told Dray the story of the “Three little Pigs” and “Goldilocks” over and over. Then he climbed onto Dale’s lap, where Mae Dawn had a seat too, and commenced to tell Dale the story of the “Three Little Pigs”. He told just bits and pieces to Dale who bragged about Dray’s story telling. Dray got to the part where the big bad wolf came to the little brick house where all the pigs were and stopped. Dale asked what happened to the three little pigs and Dray answered “Oh, the big bad wolf ate them up.” We all laughed. I had been so careful to not tell anything gory in the stories I told him.
While we were together we all drove out to Gravel Creek for some fishing and picnicking. We had a nice fish fry that night. Gravel Creek, or Nevel’s Canyon as known in the past, was always one of our favorite family spots to camp, hunt, fish, picnic and just enjoy the outdoors. One time when we were fishing out there, Sean, Jason and Jeff were young boys. They decided to go skinny dipping in the creek. Of course the water was really cold and they couldn’t stay in too long. This is the same area that we used to take our sheep through up into the mountains for summer range.
In November of that same year, Lesa and Frank had their first child, a boy whom they named Kelly Rex. A week later Monna had her sixth child, a girl named Callie. In the winter of 1982 Monna and Jim and their family were transferred to Germany. During their last visit at home we had a wonderful time. We all spent Christmas Eve together, even Frank and Lesa. We had a wonderful time sleigh riding. Even Jim and Frank. A couple of little sleighs were flattened.
The little children and I had several “Tea Parties” while they were here. Silver Tea Time is traditional in our family. Even Mary and Monna as little girls drank silver tea (made of hot water, milk and sugar). We used my very prettiest small glasses, pitcher, plates for graham crackers, and chopped up bits of a huge chocolate candy kiss. What a charmer little two and a half year old Becky is. How mischievous and loving is four and a half year old Dray. Mae Dawn is a pretty little girl and growing up so fast. My relationship with them is so special. I love being “Grandma Tea Party”. While the family was all together Rex was beaming one day with big smiles and I asked why he was beaming. He answered “Because I am so happy”. It truly was a wondrous occasion. Sadly it would be the last happy time we would all be together. Before Monna and Jim would return from Germany Rex would be gone.
In the spring of 1983 Frank graduated from BYU and they left for a job in California. They will be living close to Lesa’s family. I think it was hard for Frank to move so far away.
In early September we took a gorgeous drive with Aunt Lillis and Uncle Leon. We drove over to Swan Lake, over the Pine Creek Pass into the Teton Basin. We had a very good time laughing, joking singing and visiting. Rex was a tease. We went over a few miles in the Alpine area looking for an ice cream cone (it had to be a cone, not a bar). Rex said “Well, we’ll go to Idaho Falls (50 miles away) and get one if we have to. We called that strip of road “The Ice Cream Road” and laughed about it. We finally found the cone at a drive in Thayne, Wyoming. Driving back to Soda through Wayan and over Tin Cup was meaningful. Uncle Leon commented that it was like seeing the country where we used to live for the first time because before he had always had to drive. It was one of the last if not the last thing we did with Uncle Leon. He passed away three months later in December.
Just three days after that drive, Rex had a minor stroke. It affected his left arm some but he fortunately was able to recover quickly. It still scared the family pretty bad.
In November Rex and I took a trip to visit Lesa and Frank in Morgan Hill, California where they were living. What a happy reunion. Little Kelly had sure grown. He was very active, running around a little awkwardly, falling down and picking himself up quickly and off he would go again. Kelly would get into everything and was a great scatterer. We have pictures of this happy, smiley little guy pulling all the books off from the book shelf; pulling pots and pans out of the cupboard. Lesa got a picture of him when he had climbed into the cupboard after pulling out the pots, etc. We visited Monterey and the Carmel Mission. I had always wanted to visit one of the old Spanish Missions since I had lived with Mother in San Francisco so many years before. Poor Lesa got so car sick while we were touring. She was pregnant with Tara at the time.
On the way back to Soda Springs we were involved in an accident. We were traveling east on the interstate in the left lane. Ahead of us in the right lane was the big orange snowplow. We drew up close to pass the plow. Just as we did he turned directly in front of us. Rex tried to miss the plow but it was too late. The right side of our bumper struck the plow. Rex managed to steer the car into the barrow pit but our car was so smashed up. A man had left a U-Haul trailer in the middle of the freeway.
December brought a double tragedy. Mary lost another baby and Uncle Leon passed away.
That year also brought another piece of sadness when Sue filed for divorce from Henrik. It did mean however that Rex and I would get to spend a lot more time with Nicolas. Rex wrote a poem for him about sitting by the window, the man with the hair that was graying and the boy who was almost three. He was such an active little boy, just like Frank was when he was little. Once he fell down the 12 steps to the basement. He had a red bump on the side of his forehead and a spot on his leg that hurt. We were worried and took him to the Dr. We were relieved to find out that he was okay.
For a time during 1984 I took care of Aunt Lillis in our home in Soda Springs. She is such a beautiful person. It became too much and she decided to go into the rest home. First she tried the one in Pocatello but quickly asked to be transferred to Soda Springs. The girls are very good about going to visit her.
1985
In April we found out that Rex had liver cancer. He had been suffering all winter with his ulcer. When he finally went to the Doctor in the spring they diagnosed his cancer. He only lived three weeks from the time they discovered it. Monna flew home from Germany and Frank came back from California.
In June of 1985 I wrote the following:
“Yesterday toward evening I looked at the calendar, thinking about the time recently gone by. I remember thinking “Rex died five days ago; two weeks ago; and how it was (June 4, 1985, Tuesday; exactly one 4 week period since Rex was taken to the Caribou Memorial Hospital) 4 weeks since I stayed all night in the room with Rex. I miss him so.
Then my thinking and feelings took me back to another time when I said, or was thinking, “Rex, we’ve been married 96 hours; then a week; three weeks, etc.” And we felt so close. I also remembered the details of our short honeymoon in Star Valley. IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A SHORT TIME AGO June 12, 1944 and the days following. And recently this year Rex and I thought “We will have our 41st wedding anniversary June 12th.” But he is not here to share it with me.
Usually I try to think of Rex as he was when we first met; the fun we had dating and singing; our wedding day; how strong and muscular he was; the warmth ofhis arms holding me close to him. The latter lasted all our lives except when in the minority of times we had some conflict. He had the same love in his heart and strong arms holding me close until he became so ill he could not do it in May. The late night of the 7th, Tuesday, he did hold me for a moment in his arms but soon pushed me away because of the pressure on his side and liver was uncomfortable for him, just hours before he died. The 11 days he was home with the family taking care of him, he reached back and held his arm on my leg for a precious moment then moved away so that the space could be between us and he rested better. This was so unlike my Rex.
Memories flood my heart and mind. How grateful I am for the good things in our lives. There were so many.”
A few days later on our 41st anniversary I was inspired to write a song about our anniversary. The words and melody came to me while I was taking a bath and curling my hair. I think a good tile for it might be “We Said, ‘ I Do’.”
I cannot express the depth of feeling I had realizing the sacredness of marriage; the sweet newness and youth we brought to each other when we married. I remember so well the details of the day. How meaningful it was for a man to take on the responsibilities of marriage and providing for a wife; and then a family of five children and a nephew. How innocent we were and full of dreams and goals for the future. The significance of that day, June 12, 1944, how can we measure it or express it fully? So many mixed emotions. I most often think of Rex when he was youg; Rex, a country boy, so wholesome and trusting; and I, a town girl, knowing little about homemaking. I could make good bread and fry potatoes and that is what I knew about cooking. I’ve always been glad that I learned about housekeeping from Grandma Hayes.
Three things that were especially meaningful just to Rex and me.
We had two songs that we considered our favorites: "Side by Side," and "My Best to You."
We loved these words and sang them often together. A third one we liked really well too was "Side by Side." (If I were a swearing woman, I would swear at this typewriter. I don't know how to control the margins.) The music and words to the first one are in this book. If we can locate the piano score and words for the other two we will include them also.
Here are the words as I remember them to "My Best to You:"
"Here's to love and laughter, yours forever after.
May there always be happiness in your heart:" (chorus)
"My best to you, may your dreams come true;
May old Father Time never be unkind.
So here's to you; may your skies be blue and your love blest;
That's my best to you."
The words to the third song, as I remember them, went like this:
(A jolly, happy song, and not to be sung slowly.)
"Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money;
Maybe we're ragged and funny;
But we travel along, singing a song, side by side.
Don't know what's coming tomorrow;
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow;
But we travel the road, sharing the load, side by side.
Through all kinds of weather, what if the sky should fall;
But it doesn't really matter . . . . . . . . . (don't remember).
When they've all had their troubles and parted;
We'll be the same as we started;
Just traveling along, singing a song, side by side."
It is catchy and fun to sing. Years after Rex died I wrote a letter for Ruth and Odell Stoor's 50th wedding anniversary celebration at Wayan. I used the words, part of them, in this song dedicating it to them.
We lived in the big two story Vias house with Rex's folks for over a year. Our first child, Mary Lee, was born while we lived there on- June 20, 1945. I remember so well that as we drove by Oscar and Verda Vias’ place,-Verda looked out the window and waved, wondering, "Will it be a boy or a girl." Mary weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces, was round, and had lots of dark hair. She was a good baby right from the first. Her grandma Chat adored her. I had a very hard time in birth; Dr. Russell Tigert delivered Mary. He said that my tares were 3rd degree. Mother came to stay and help for a month. She and Grandma Chat made two Grandmas taking care of baby, and I. It may have been during this visit with us that Mother took an umbrella and climbed to the top of a near high hill. She loved Mary Lee too.
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| Our Cabin in Grays Lake (FRL0005) |
The fact that the birth of children and their importance and influence in their parent's lives is not disputed. When Mary Lee, our first child, was born, Mother, Edith Hayes, was working in California. She sent a large box filled with lovely gifts for the "Little Princess" which became the name of our darling Mary Lee. How her Grandma Vias loved this little one and was saddened when we moved into our own little house down the road North a ways. Mary Lee was a very good baby. See the picture of her in the high chair in our little kitchen. When she was about 20 months old she could recite a number of nursery rhymes. So many, many gifts were given to her, miscellaneous things to wear and play with. She was born either just before the close of World War II (between the surrender of Germany and 6 weeks before the Japanese surrendered). LaRue and Al Lindstrom’s baby Nancy was born near the same time and as they grew they become good friends. I was quite ignorant about the care of an raising of babies. Mistakes were made I'm sure and more loving attention could have been given. She was kept clean, and fed but I was the baby in the family I grew up in and I did not have the experience that a sibling from a group of children would have.
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| Precious Mary Lee (CDH0307) |
Rex was about the same in regards to parental maturity. He was the youngest of four boys for over 11 years until Buster came along. I suffered so much misery for so long after Mary's birth due to the 3rd degree tears and stitches that I couldn't enjoy her as much as if I had not been so miserable. HOWEVER--this beautiful little baby girl with lots of dark hair soon spoke up for herself and won our hearts, minds and souls. It didn't take long for her to become very precious to her Mommy and Daddy, and Grandparents and neighbors as well as other relatives. She was our FIRST.
When Mary was about 2-or 3 1 had already worked with her a lot in teaching her to play the piano, say nursery rhymes, and sing songs by memory. One day she stood on the kitchen table and said "Little Boy Blue" lowering her voice more and more as she said it, and slapping the side of her leg; she was so adorable. Also at about that same age, she went out and climbed into our four door Ford car. By pressing the starter over and over again (the car was in gear) she was able to get the car part way through the fence. We were do relieved that she .was not hurt.
When Mary was three years old she led the Primary Conference in the theme; and again when she was four; this was Ward Primary Conference. The Stake Primary President was Mrs. Christopherson, mother of my girlhood friend, Georgia Lee.
I took the girls to church, (Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School) on Sunday and to Primary on a weekday right after school. Primary was held in the school in Wayan. I served as teacher for different classes, secretary and counselor to the President. One year I was the teacher for Mary Lee's class. She, Beverly Johnson and Nancy Lindstrom were the same age. I remember how Nancy seemed to pay little attention and did a lot of visiting with the other children one day; but the next day of class she was able to answer more questions in the review of the week before than any other class member. THAT GOES TO SHOW THAT YOU CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH 0NE IS LEARNING BY HIS OUTWARD BEHAVIOUR IN CLASS.
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| My Relief Society Presidency; Left to Right Alice Stoor, Colleen, Ree Somsen,?, Marry Sibbett, Virginia Muir (CDH0314) |
It was my pleasure to work, from time to time, in the different auxiliaries in the Sunday School I was a teacher, organist and chorister. (Not all at the same time,) In Mutual I was a teacher and helped accompany on the piano for musicals and had a part in several plays. In the Relief Society I taught different classes (at different times), was organist chorister, counselor, and President. I had a delightful taste of fellowship and learned to know and love many people I worked with over the years. I also taught a Beginning Conductor's course at Wayan. While serving-as Relief Society President I visited every home in north Gray's Lake, South Gray's Lake, Enoch Valley and Henry. The distance from one point north to the far point south of the boundary of our ward was 60 miles. This was due to the fact that Grays Lake had the only church in that area. My testimony grew very strong for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Holding the position I did, felt obligated to read the lessons, and as a result I learned a lot and was knowledgeable. Serving as my counselors were (two at a time, with changes occurring due to moving and health problems) Ree Somsen, and Mary Sibbett. Then Benda Burton and Ruth Stoor. Florence Jensen first, then LaRue Coombs as secretary. Some of our teachers were: Martha Soderman, Leatha Tingey, Doris Humphreys, and Eliza Lai Sibbett and others. Men who were bishops during the three years I was Relief Society President were J. C. Smith and Glade Sibbett. Rex was not a member of the church at the time. We often had a lot of snow in our lane that we took north to get to the highway. Whenever Rex said, "You can't make it through that much snow”, I was determined to make it. When approaching the drifts, I poured on the gas and the girls and I went flying through. (Little Frank, too later)
My sister Margie came and stayed to help while I was in Soda having surgery, I believe it was. (or it may have been when I had one of the babies later.) Mary was not very big; perhaps about 7 or 8 years old. Margie said one day, 'Oh! I would like to have a chicken to cook." She didn't think anymore about it. Soon in came Mary Lee with a chicken dripping with blood where its head had been. Mary Lee fulfilled her Aunt Margie’s wish.Oscar and Verda bought the Sam Sibbett ranch located on the east side of Wayan. Tom Lallatin and Lillian bought the farm where the Vias' had been. They were our closest neighbors. Their daughter Carmen Sue, was the same age as Mary Lee. We spent a lot of time together. The two little girls were mischievous; one time they cut each other’s hair; another time they tried smoking Indian tobacco that grows wild and many other mischievous acts. Tom and Rex had worked together on Jack Young's Dude Ranch years before and were very close friends. Lillian was a nurse, and an extraordinary good manager. She was the supervisor of the hospital for awhile, driving back and forth the 33 miles, approximately, to Soda Springs, Idaho. The Lallatins moved to New Castle, Wyoming where they purchased a Dry Cleaning business. (They are still with it today, 1981) We were extremely sad to see them move so far away.
Other friends that we spent time with were: Paul and June Swain (and their family), Bud and Mable Swain, Reed and Doris Humphreys ( and their family), Keith and Leitha Tingey (and their family), Ruth and Odell Stoor (and-their family. Their second daughter, Julia, was born the same day as our daughter Monna and they were good friends; they shared their birthday parties etc.) Farrell and Margaret Stoor (and their children) --- we spent a lot of time together for a number of years, Lew and Robert Stoor (near neighbors who were bachelor gentlemen), Frances and Bus Ray (and Danny), Dan and Ida Morgan (brother and sister who never married), Buster and Laura McMullin, Jack and Gem Nuffer, Lee and Marvel Nelson (Margaret' parents), John and Martha Soderman, Alice and Emil Stoor, Jess and Florence Jensen, Lyle and Benda-Burton, Ree and Earl Somsen (Rex's cousin) Ray and June Reese and others. We picnicked together, went to rodeos had dinner at each others' homes, went on trips to Jackson Hole and Jenny's Lake, Wyoming, and Yellowstone park. Mary and Russell Sibbetts were our friends that we did things with too. Neighboring men got together for shearing, branding, threshing grain, housewarmings and helping with buildings sometimes. Folks were so quick to help each other and to come when there was sickness, a birth, a death, etc. Any problem usually found a neighbor or a friend there to help. Roy and Wilda Vias, and Oscar and Verda Vias were relatives by marriage and very good friends. 'We did things together, too. Rex had quite a few relatives his father's sister, Mattie Somsen, and husband Garrett, their children Earl, Elaine, Frank (who was nearest Rex's age), Robert (Bob), and Leith; His mother's sister, Vera Sibbett, and husband Cecil, their children , Gayle, Buddy (known as Ray) and Blaine (who was Mary Lee’s age and they shared their birthday parties). His Mother's father-lived with them, William Edison Dray. Rex's step brothers were: Oscar, Roy and Alfred. There may be mistakes in spelling of some names above.
All these relatives lived in Wayan and Gray, in the Grays Lake Valley. Wayan in the south part and Gray in the North. The old church (of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) was located in Gray about 6 miles north of our home. The valley floor was mostly hay, natural and alfalfa, and pastures. Some grain was planted and sometimes matured; our beef cattle, milk cows and sheep gave us some income. Rex also worked for the Lower Valley Power and Light Company (office in Freedom, Wyoming) as pole climber and repairman. This was after electricity came to the valley; Mary was just a very little girl. Rex also climbed poles and did repair work for the Gray's Lake Telephone Company. There were over 30 phones on one line; they were the old fashioned crank type; our rings were something like this: long, short, long, short for the Isaac Vias, and two longs and two shorts was our ring.
Rex worked hard and succeeded in getting a mail route around the loop and past our front gateway. It seemed so nice to have the mail delivered right to our home lane. He also helped organize the American Farm Bureau Organization in Gray's Lake; he sold the first charter insurance for automobiles out there. He also helped effect group health and accident (hospital) insurance for the Gray's Lake people. Rex served as one of the Farm Bureau in Caribou County Board of Directors secretary, and was in the presidency of the Gray's Lake Farm Bureau at one time.
May 8, 1948. Precious Monna Jean made her entrance into the world and our family. By now both Rex and I had matured more. Sweet Monna Jean, also was born with lots of hair, was slender, had blue eyes and weighed in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. All five children were born in the old hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho. I remember laying in the bed and looking across the rather small room to the right of the bed and seeing the little head with dark hair close beside me. A feeling of wonder and awe came over me and I felt blessed to be a Mother. I believe I did the same thing with Mary Lee. Seeing the little tiny fingers and toes so perfectly formed surely must have made me praise and thank God. Little did I know then that this precious one would grow up and be so staunch in her love for the Lord and devotion to the Church. Monna had blue eyes, was slender, and after her dark hair disappeared her hair was very light brown, almost blonde. Each child has a different spirit about them. Mary was stronger in what she wanted and wants to do. If she wanted something on a piece of furniture all the spanking of hands in the world would never stop her from taking it. Monna after one spank on the hand would simply leave it alone. Monna wasn't as confident a person as Mary but how they loved each other from the beginning of their relationship and still do. It was fun dressing them alike. Mother Chat made dresses alike for them. Monna was a breach birth, but two or three weeks after her birth I was able and enjoyed working in the garden. Mother Chat had a relative named "Mona" and that helped us pick our her name. Jean was added. She was blessed and given a name in the LDS Church in Grays Lake, north of our home.
Monna had a way of winning the hearts of people. She was always a cut up and kind to others. She acted and said goofy things that made people laugh. Yes, she was the cut up of the Layland family. I remember the school there in Wayan so well. It had two rooms, boys and girls bath rooms and a big gym. Mrs. Magnusen, the teacher of the four lower grades praised Monna and said "Monna is a very happy child".
Monna, like all our children have, loved to go with whoever in the family went some place. One day Rex and Buster (Frank Stoor. whose mother died when he was born and Grandma Chat raised) started toward the truck to go somewhere Monna said that she wanted to go, could she please go? Her Dad answered go get in the truck'.' She had no idea where he was going when she left the house, but when in the truck she asked, "Where to go, Daddy?"'
Another time, Monna was in the big back room at Grandma Chat's doing her duty on the little potty. All of the rest of us were eating dinner in the next room in the kitchen. Soon a little voice came loud and clear from the back room; “Mother come and wipe me”. I called back, "Can't you wipe yourself?” “No, She replied,, "I'd get it on my whingah.” One time Monna obviously needed to go to the bathroom; I said to her, "Monna, go to the bathroom." She retorted "No, I don't have to go." So I asked, "Then why are you wiggling?” “I’m wiggyen to wait a minute."
In the winter, Monna wore a green coat and a cap with a fuzzy bunny like tail on the top; she was quite small but just high enough that when she rode in the pickup on my lap (with Mary Lee sitting between Rex and I) that darn furry top tickled my chin.
Monna played the piano, learned nursery rhymes, and sang songs by memory too. She still has rather crooked little fingers from playing the piano-when her finger bones hadn't fully developed.
April 1955 after Mother Chat died Rex and I were lambing our sheep in the Sheep shed one time we talked of Mother Chat. Rex became all choked up and had difficulty talking. He and his m other were very close. They planned all the farm work together and decisions were made only after matters were discussed by them together. I do not remember the year that her husband, Isaac Vias died nor her father Grandpa William Edison Dray. He had been a coal miner before coming to Wyoming and then Idaho.) He told Betty and I that if we wanted to not become pregnant again to sleep with both feet in one stocking .( That embarrassed me a great deal.)
Our son, Frank Riley; was born September 22 , 1956. Grandma Chat died the year before on April 5, 1955. My father John Riley Hayes Jr. died on September 7, 1956 a few days before Frank was born. Let's consider his time with us and how the children loved him; how he helped with work on the farm; and how he loved our children. Dad lived with us for what may have been a few years; both when we lived in the big house of Aunt Chat's (while she and Buster lived in Soda long enough for Buster to graduate from high school, returning to the farm for the summer months)and when we were in our humble home. . He lived with us off and on for short periods of time. How the little girls, Mary and Monna, loved him. He raised a beautiful garden for us. He learned the art from his parents. He enjoyed being with us; we were all the family he had who gave him loving attention. We did not give him nearly as much love, attention and care as we should have. Dad helped Rex build the third room onto our cabin and porch. He often did the milking And helped with all the work there was to do. I remember so well when Mary had the flu and was running a high temperature; it was winter time and the Vias Lane was blocked with snow; Dad harnessed the team so we could take Mary Lee to the truck out on the county road; he was so worried about her, or loved her so much probably both, that there were tears in his eyes. I believe that Rex’s Aunt Mattie Somsen died in June of 1956, as Clark Burriss, our beloved friend. Mattie suffered a long time, then died with cancer.
Clark had been out to the ranch to visit and stay overnight quite often; I had used his front room in Soda Springs for months, perhaps a few years, to give music lessons; it was on Saturdays and Mary and Monna went with me. After lessons Clark and I would take a ride in our auto, driving slowly and talking. We nearly always went out to Hooper and had a drink of mineral soda water. Our whole family loved Clark. He had just been the recipient of an old age fishing license, free of charge. He and Rex had a date to go fishing the day after he died. It was he who said of my mother "It wouldn't be fair to compare any other woman with Edith,, nor any man either, for that matter."
Dad left Wayan (where Oscar Vias, for one thought he was an outstanding worker and Oscar liked to have Dad working for him)and moved his little trailer to Sunset, Utah which is located near Hillfield Air Base. Dad worked there until a short while before he died.
One time the girls and I visited Dad when he was working in Ogden. He had a television set. We watched it with amazement and sheer enjoyment. Later, he gave us this set, we were the first family to have TV in Grays Lake. (The TV incidence was before Frank was born,)
Rather early in 1956, Dad’s friend wrote me that his health was quite bad. No, rather Dad wrote quite early that he had a blood problem; I didn't pay the attention to him and go to him then as I should have. But when I received word, in a letter, from one of Dad's closest friends that he was very bad off, I wasted no time getting down to Ogden. He was in the hospital there by the time I arrived in Utah. He had leukemia. The doctor told me that he could make it or he might die; but that if he made it he. would have no resistance to germs and disease. He also told me that he had bronchial pneumonia and a partial bowel obstruction. I sat by his bed for several days, going to Virginia Osmond's home to sleep at night. (Jim Osmond, Rex’s, cousin and son of Rex's Aunt Vera Sibbett married Virginia; they we re later divorced). I called Dad's brother, Uncle Jean (who lived in Georgetown, Idaho) and he, and Aunt Geneva Munk and Uncle Eldon (Dad's brother) came to see Dad. Oh! His poor mouth was so caked and dry; I remember giving him ice cubes. He had an apparatus attached to him that did not work right; I should have called the doctor and reported it. This Dr. was so very kind and interested. I slept for awhile one early night in an adjacent room; I was shocked to hear how the attendant was talking to and shouting at my very sick Dad. The staff all expressed how easy Dad was to care for, and how they liked him.
Dad slipped in and out of being delirious. I think that I was so concerned about him that I didn't feel greatly uncomfortable in my 8th month of pregnancy. The hospital was called: Dee Memorial Hospital and was located in Ogden's East side. The time .immediately before Dad died I sat by his bedside holding his left hand. When he took his one, deep last breath, there was a spiritual being enter the room; a peace and calm permeated my very soul. It must have been a special spirit sent down by the Lord to escort my Dad back to heaven. One thing for sure, he surely suffered a lot the last few years. I was so grateful for a Mr. Rich, who lived in the same trailer park there in Sunset. He was so good to Dad, I learned; had taken him into his trailer that was air conditioned, fed him; and most of all gave warmth and love being a true friend.
Half brother, Edgar, lived in Bountiful. He was the Utah State Meat Inspector; he came to the hospital and while there told me that I should have Dad's belongings and his money, that I had done more than he had. I called the Mathews mortuary in Montpelier, Idaho and they came after Dad, preparing him for burial in Montpelier. In Georgetown, at the home of Uncle Gene Hayes and his wife Dad was viewed by friends and relatives before his funeral in the little old L.D.S., white, church. Mother was there with us, very aware of my being very pregnant. (Frank was born 11 days later.) Many friends and relatives from Gray's Lake were to the viewing and the funeral. I appreciated them so much.
I remember Frank’s birth well. We had three rooms and a porch with no bathrooms, and I don't remember whether Rex had put the water in the house by then or not. Mary, possibly Monna too, were away for overnight. In the morning when I awoke I spurted blood on the bed. Rex called the Dr. and he told him to keep me laying down, not to get up for anything and to bring me right in to Soda Springs. Only a pregnant woman can understand what it was like riding 37 miles laying down and needing so desperately to go to the bathroom and urinate. Having been raised in a home without a father for over 10 years and having had no brothers to grow up with can you imagine my joy when the Dr. said, "It's a boy!" I shouted and shouted with joy!!! I didn't try to tone it down I was so delighted. No offense to my daughters please.
Mary and Monna came home and found the unmade bed with blood on it. They were extremely frightened and worried.
Rex had a son! What a pity that Mother Chat did not live to see it. She used to say, "I would like to live long enough to see two things: Rex to have a son and the second to see Buster married. She loved Rex's father so much Frank Layland, and wanted the Layland name to continue generation after generation. Now in 1997, our son Frank has three sons of his own.
I remember the love I felt for that little life and how I enjoyed him as the time passed along. We named him "Frank Riley" after his two grandfathers. Rex was not very fond of short pants for his son but I made him a summer suit with a jacket and short pants. I remember thinking "Why do girls clothes have to be so pretty and boys so plain". Determined that Frank's clothes were cute I saw to it that they were.
He was a very good baby and very active. All of us went to Boise for the holidays in December, Rex, myself, Mary, Monna and baby Frank. He was just 3 months old. He talked a lot to his daddy. Leafy Simpson, one of the elderly guests Mother cared for in the beautiful Spanish type home on 24th St.. North, was so impressed with Frank talking (not words, but baby sounds) to his daddy so intently, she thought it quite rare. I was so proud to have a son; I had no brother in the home I grew up in, nor a father most of the years; all our children, up to the time he was born, were girls, so Frank was very special. He-had lots of attention.
As Frank grew older Mother and I took him, or me to the Dr.'s office (Tigert Clinic) in Soda Springs one day. Frank moved about the room with much speed and agility; there was another little boy that appeared to be about the same age; mother commented on how much more alert and faster Frank moved than the other little boy did. She was as proud of him as I was. There is a picture of him at that time when I was bathing him in the front bathroom on the main floor in the beautiful mansion on North 24th street.
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| Frank’s First Haircut (CDH0351) |
Frank loved to dig in the garden and berry patch on the farm; he had a little red wagon that he hauled dirt in as he made roads and mounds of dirt in his dream world of play. He went with his Daddy after hay at a very early age, even in the winter time. When the weather was cold Rex put Frank in his coat and zipped him up with just his head sticking out and his back against Rex's chest. I remember well one day when Rex and Frank were going to go outside to do some work and easy going Rex was standing in the middle of the floor when Frank took a hold of his legs and pulled on them saying (one leg I believe) "Come on Dad. Let's go."
When Frank was a little older, 1960 on, we were in Soda Springs for the school year terms and on the ranch summers, until we sold it in 1968. Rex started working for Monsanto Chemical company 1960. The parts of the year's locations lapsed over some, and Frank went to school at Wayan. I will always remember the first day he ran from the little home in Wayan down the private lane and to the school bus. I watched him out the front (east) window. He ran fast and his little arms were just pumping like emphatic, enthused arms can pump.
There is a picture in color of Frank standing by the blue pickup parked in the quaking aspens with wild flowers in sight west of our home where they were fencing.
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| Frank & Cindy Stoor tasting his birthday cake (CDH0348) |
While Frank was a baby and a few years afterwards is when I served as Relief Society President in the Grays Lake Ward. How I grew and matured in my knowledge and love for the scriptures and presidents of the Mormon Church, when I served in that position. Being an officer, my feelings were that I should study all lessons very faithfully and be able to answer questions intelligently - literature, relationships, sewing, quilting, home management, and cooking. This was many years ago, and I have forgotten a lot. The visiting-teaching was my responsibility, and all the Church asked women to do it. I took it all very seriously, and applied myself diligently. The Lord blessed me and gave me messages to write down for delivery to the Sisters at the monthly meetings.
One time when going out the door with a cake or pie for someone in the valley whom I felt should have it, several of my family members, in woe-begone voices, said, "Are you taking that away from home, too?!" Another time, Rex said to me, "Gee! I never thought I would be married to the President!" It was 60 miles from the farthest home in the north to the homes in the south. We brought people into the Relief Society & Church.
I believed everything that was read by me and heard by me during those wonderful three-plus years. The relationships and love that existed between nearly all the sisters and me was so beautiful. Without any doubt, these were three of the most rewarding years of my life. Yes - I am one who loves to be involved, loves to serve, and when I am not doing the same, I am not as content, nor do I feel as fulfilled - particularly on the Spiritual level.
Another time that was fulfilling for me was when I was the accompanist for the Gray's Lake Ward Choir and accompanied them at the Stake Conference. How pleased I was when President Wilford Dredge complimented me on my skill as an accompanist. He was a gentle, loving man, so humble and wise. He drove a distance of over 30 miles to our home in Wayan one time to give needed counsel.
I do want to tell you the names of very special women, who served as my counselors at different times: Mary Sibbett and Ree Somsen were my first counselors. Mary later moved out of Wayan. Ree Somsen became ill with a chronic illness and asked to be relieved from her duties. Benda Burton and Ruth Stoor then served as my counselors. LaRue Coombs and Florence served as secretary at different times.
November 5, 1960 found us living in Soda Springs due to the 30 some miles from our home in Wayan and the Monsanto Plan (phosphate) near Soda Springs where Rex had accepted employment and the deep snow with questionable road conditions. We rented the Maughan home at the end of North Main on the west side of the street. Just over the fence was a hill covered with sagebrush so we sort of felt that we were still in the country. Directly behind the yard was the Bob Torgenson ranch. They were good neighbors, and their sons played with Frank.
These were changing times. I have included a poem by Rex that expresses his feelings about going to work at Monsanto and a letter that I wrote to Rex shortly after he started working there.
"Cowboy's Fate"
The old cowboy has put up his saddle,
Chaps and spurs are hung on a nail,
His horse is turned out in the pasture,
And no more will he ride the trail.
He's moved into town with his family
To be nearer his job so they say,
For he works when he ought to be sleeping,
And sleeps when he once worked each day.
There's one thing he now knows for certain,
As he works by the artificial lights,
For every day shift that passes,
There must be at least two midnights.
—Rex Layland
“A LETTER TO MY HUSBAND”
Why do I love you? There are so many reasons. Let me name a few. First of all is your steady dependable loyalty, your patience and your demonstrative, gentle affection.
You are a man tall in character whose honesty matches your broad shoulders; your good nature is a gem of priceless worth, your smile radiates warmth to all who know you.
As a girl I admired you for your integrity and manliness, and felt you were the kind of man I wanted for a father to my children.
Many men have I been acquainted with who could not measure up to you. I like the way I feel when we are talking, planning and working out something together in harmony.
And most of all I love you because you are my husband, you are the father and head of the house; because we know happiness as a family unit with many wonderful happy memories, with blessings and challenges in the present, with things to enjoy and build for the future. Could there possibly be anything which brings deeper happiness than family unity and love?
My prayer for you is that God will bless you and help you realize your full potentialities, that your family will each all be a blessing and help to you.
Something else that I love you for, of which the recompense is perhaps of less importance than other things; your willingness to work at something you don’t particularly like in order to provide well for your family. This demonstrates further your love for us. And the money it brings in makes us very comfortable in a worldly way. The money is of less value than your great love and unselfish sacrifice in the form of giving up outdoor work for work in an industrial plant.
The children and I all think you are absolutely “Tops”. We love you!
Your arms encircle us and we accept thankfully the warmth, love and protection they give us.
With love from your wife,
January 15, 1962
I remember carrying 4 year old Frank outside behind the house (west) when he would say, "Let's go sing to the moon." In his pajamas he rode piggy back on his Mamas back and hung there with arms around my neck, as we sang:
"I see the moon and the moon sees me, the moon sees somebody I'd like to see. God bless the moon and God bless me, and God bless the somebody I'd like to see. If you get to heaven before I'm there, please write my name on the golden stair, Write it clear and plain to see so the angels can tell how much you mean to me."
The sisters Mary and Monna often sang it with us. It was a little night time song that was sung many times by one or more of the children and their friends when staying at our home overnight.
I don't remember just when making gingerbread boys became a tradition in our family; but Frank was involved and a picture is available of him with flour on his nose and front as he was taking some of the little men out of the baking dish while we were living in the pink house by the creek on the east side of Earth Main Street. We were there for two school seasons, 1961-2 and 62- 3.
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| Meletha Ann Layland 1961 (CDH0161) |
“Straight down from heaven there came one day a perfect angel in every way;
Her eyes were shining right from the start. She surely won her Mommy’s heart.
Communicating with Baby is the mostest fun.
Her eyes how they sparkle, my little dimpled one.
“Tis then that I wonder “Could heaven sweeter be?”
Communicating with baby is fun for me.”
Later when we were living back on the farm, Ann was about 8 years old, the two of us made up a song, melody and words, “Today the Sun is Shining”. Ann was still very small when she started holding her breath often and turned purple. People told me that she would never die from holding her breath but I wasn’t sure and it always frightened me. However, I learned that throwing some cold water in her face brought her out of it. Ann did not like to be held, she tolerated it very briefly and then made it known that she wanted down or to be released from our attempts to hold her close. Rex and I both had matured greatly in our parental understanding and treatment of our children.
There are some adorable pictures of Ann when we lived at the pink house by the creek: One is on a little chair out in front of the house; another where she fell asleep on her potty chair with her bottle in her mouth; another when she climbed out of the potty chair to the front and under the big chair and was peering out. Another picture of Ann is of her sitting in the kitchen sink having her bath with me holding my hands and wet wash rag above her head squeezing water and letting it drip on her head.
While she was still a tiny little girl but walking, she had a problem that we did not know the cause of. When she needed to urinate, she would bend way down, hold her lower front of her body and cry or scream. After Sue was born and was a few years old we took Ann to a urologist in Salt Lake City, Utah. He found that her bladder was shaped like an hour glass. He put her to sleep and stretched the bladder so it was normal in shape. He also checked Sue and found that she had a similar shaped bladder and stretched hers as well.
The older girls were so loving and attentive to Ann. They are not so patient with Frank. Could it be that they thought he was a nuisance?
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| Some of my accordion students with Myron Floren at the State Festival (CDH0001) |
In typing this I just remembered that each child had a certain habit when they were frustrated or could not have something they wanted. Mary and Sue stomped their feet, Monna twisted her whole body, Frank jumped up and down, and Ann held her breath.
1960 through 1963 was enough time elapsing that I built up quite a clientele of piano and accordion students. My students and I attended the Idaho State Accordion Festival annually in Boise. My children and I, and sometimes others, stayed with Mother and her guests. Also, my sister, Margie, and her two sons, Donald Spears, and Paige Wakley lived in Boise. Myron Floren, of the Lawrence Welk TV show (accordionist) was our judge for several years. It was a pleasure sitting with Myron, other teachers and the State Festival Board, and learning from each other, sharing the plans and outlines which the festival was to follow. Mary, Monna, and Frank participated and I directed some of my groups. Frank always won a trophy, as did each person that played, (except group numbers received only one) and his Original solo, “My Peace”, that I composed and Wesley Harris arranged, with an amplifier won a superior trophy for him. Mary’s difficult solo in the senior advanced division won the highest score of all superiors in her division; Monna won a superior for one solo.
February 20, 1963 we were still living in the pink house by the creek on North Main Street. If memory serves me correctly my pains began in the afternoon. Word was sent to Rex who was at the Monsanto Plant that I would need to go to the hospital. Little Melinda Sue (Lindy) was born weighing 8 pounds and two ounces. Very soon after being part of the family she showed a high degree of liking to be held, loved, hugged etc. She soon hugged back and gave attention as well as liking to receive it. It was a time of uncertainty, anxiety, impatience with family members, and awareness of feeling being unequal to everything at hand. Sheer joy each time the new born baby is held in your arms. I had a lot of help. Mary gave all my music lessons and did not charge me for it. Peggy Tingey, Margaret Stoor, Barbara Sibbett, Carol Skinner, and Rex and Frank. Frank Grinned from ear to ear as he ran out the front door. Ann couldn’t stay away from “Baby Sisser”. It was almost too much for her to be on top of me and the baby, too. But she was there with her big brown eyes shining and her two year old delight showing itself in many ways. Frank was so cute with Lindy. He loved to hold his little sister.
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| Meletha Ann about 1962 (CDH0162) |
Sue looked up to, admired and loved her sister just 2 years older than she. As the girls grew there was a marked difference in their personalities. Sue was very sensitive and is much the same today at age 34. Ann, being older, naturally mistreated her often. (Frank did Ann. One day he hurt her physically very badly. I spanked him for it. So what happened next? Ann was mad at me. It is so funny how the younger child adores the older one. Ann used to watch out the window for Frank to come home from school.) Ann would needle Sue in a way that usually no one was aware of but Sue and Ann. Ann wanted to fight. Sue did not. Ann would hurt Sue’s feelings so bad, but rather than fight, Sue would yell at her. Often times people would think that Sue was being ornery when it was really Ann’s fault.
It was fun dressing the two little girls alike. Because Ann was small at birth their physical size was about the same and folks often asked “Are they twins?”.
The school year of 1964 and 5 found us in Wayan for the first part. The year before we had moved a nice big home from the Dick Torgensen farm near Soda Springs out to our farm; Rex commuted to work and during one snow storm he was caught between work and home when the snow plows that were unable to get through to Wayan or Soda Springs. He spent the night on the road in the snow. At home I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. So in the fall, when the snow roads started to become a problem for commuters again we decided to move nearer to his work at Monsanto Chemical Company. There seemed to be no homes available to rent in Soda Springs, but there were in Grace. Grace was just 12 miles from Soda Springs. We moved to Grace. There was another purpose accomplished by the move: the small minds of some of the church officers in Wayan made a gossip issue out of me and my life; I was discussed in their counsel meeting and it was reported to me by two or more people who were in attendance. Also, they were in the process of building a new chapel; I tried to get Rex to help and to let me use the car (we had just one) to drive to the church and help; no luck. Also, Ann was about 4 and had something wrong with her; she screamed with pain whenever she needed to and did urinate. Soon she had surgery in Salt Lake when the Dr. stretched her bladder (it was shaped like an hour glass) and cut away some of the tissue. Sue had the same thing done. All this was upsetting to me and I lost weight down to less than 100 pounds from 116 or more. I went to Dr. Comstock, internal specialist in Pocatello. He examined me and declared loud and strong: “Move! Nothing is worth ruining your health over.” Rex, the Dr. and I were not in harmony; I with the Dr. and Rex going his own way thinking of what he wanted and felt he had to do. In 1966 he moved us back to Wayan, much against my pleadings, coaxing, and begging, ignoring me and my needs. The children were delighted to be back on the farm. I couldn’t see myself sitting in a house with no furniture and no income to pay the rent, so I went back to Wayan, also. Earlier Rex’s mother said: “One plays Rex’s way or plays alone; and Rex is a very selfish individual.”
I traveled to Soda Springs, and Bancroft once a week where the “Tosoiba Music Studio” built up a fine reputation. I hired a dance and guitar teacher, and both Monna and Mary Lee did some beginning piano and accordion teaching. I sponsored Myron Floren in two concerts; one in Grace and one in Pocatello. His agent had told me to plan on at least 2 thousand people attending each concert; I advertised extensively; the tickets did not even begin to pay for the advertising. All Myron would take was money enough for his plane fare and room rent at the Bannock Hotel in Pocatello. Attendance at the concerts were small but those in attendance praised the quality of the show extremely high.
While Grace Was Home
There is a cute picture of Frank and Jeanie Simmons (neighbors in Grace) playing cards in the bathtub one day while we were busy in all rooms giving lessons. Also, pictures of the Cub Scout Den members, myself, a den mother, and partner, Carol Egbert. We could depend on at least one fist fight each meeting; we traveled to many interesting places and had lots of fun projects, meetings, etc. Frank was in the Den, and also Gene Munk, his pal. Clifford Carver was another of his pals who was in the Den. Two of the most interesting evens were: our snow and sleigh riding activity up Burton Canyon; Chris Egbert climbed up a steep hill which had a heavy crust on it; he sunk in the snow up to his armpits and could not get out. The older boys climbed up with a shovel and shoveled him out. I will never forget how he couldn’t stop his teeth from chattering when he finally got back down to the car. Another event one summer was one which happened after we had moved back to the farm (37 miles from Monsanto and Soda Springs.) The boys all came out from Grace to climb the hills, ride the horse, food and sleep overnight. Chris and his partner must not have followed my directions; they became lost on the mountain; it started to rain; and his folks were due any time at the farm from Grace. We searched; they were found up in the hills west of the farm. By the time we all returned to the farm house we were all soaking wet; the boys only brought their sleeping bags and night clothes; they did no bring a change of slacks, underwear and shirts. So they all dawned their sleeping wear; it was still daylight; and we placed the numerous sleeping bags in our beautiful large front room. What fun we had? There are pictures available. We later decorated a flat bed trailer, Rex pulled it with his auto; the accordion students, part of them, sat on it on chairs and played during one of the parades.
Dr. Comstock also had said: “Go to a psychiatrist”. We did. Rex would not follow Dr. Moench’s advice, “Solve your problems”’ I started trying to do what I could to solve them alone. His attitude seemed to be “I am not going to do anything about this, and I’ll fight you if you try to do anything about it”, one problem after another.
Ann loved picking wild flowers out behind the homes on our farm, and quite near the huckleberry patches. What an adorable child she was; and how sweet Sue was. Frank was serious about his primary, taking the lessons to heart and feeling disgusted with some of the children in his class who would not listen and do what the teachers told them to. Sue voiced the same feeling later in her classes.
While Frank, Ann and Sue were young children, we had a swiveling rocking chair that all four of us would sit in together in the evenings as we read stories before bedtime. Reading stories and singing songs to the moon were two of our favorite things to do at night.
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| Mary Lee and Dale on their wedding day (CDH0189) |
The kids all adored Dale. They used to spend a great deal of time with them in their home. Mary and Dale played games with hem, took them all kinds of places for fun, went fishing, fed them many meals. All three of them loved the Hamps and Mary and Dale loved them. It was the three kids 2nd home but I think they may have preferred being with Hamps more than being at home. Looking back on it now I can see that Mary and Dale were able to provide some stability into their lives when Rex and I were having conflict. Because they were married when Frank, Ann and Sue were so young, Dale has always been more of a brother than a brother in law.
From Mother’s journal for 1965:
“The Myron Floren concerts are over. We are now relaxing in the fragrance of its accomplishments. The pleasure of enjoying the profound showmanship of this wonderful personality and his masterful performance on the accordion. Also, the orkettes Colleen had perform with him, at both the Grace and Pocatello concerts, did well and were very attractive in their lovely costumes. Colleen looked very lovely in her white dress, (white corsage from her pupils) and moved in a gracious manner in her duties of the occasion. Much, much could be said of these 2 concerts and the responsibility ,the time, the planning and sweat that went into them.
Yes, and no, it was a success. Financially, the attendance fell far below expectations. Colleen and I counted the money after the 2nd concert at Pocatello at the Bannock Hotel in the room we shared. It was heart breaking: there would be a debt to pay. Colleen wept and I yearned.
Colleen displayed her great spirit, dried her eyes and began to gather up the broken ends, and to organize and arrange much work out in detail what would have to be done to meet the advertising expenses.
Clayton and Marie came to the concert in Grace. It was so nice to see them again. Lillis was there too. Leon let Colleen drive his lovely car to Idaho Falls where she and Lillis met Mr. Floren”
Another excerpt from Mother’s Diary, dated December 1965.
“Although it was Sunday it was the only chance we had for Colleen to give me a permanent. Then there was a lucious dinner to prepare and enjoy, which we all did. The dishes were left that we might enjoy each other as long as we could. Colleen grouped the children on the davenport where they played the accordion, guitar, sang songs for Christmas. They took turns on the instruments, and all of it had been rehearsed and prepared....I sat and thought of Colleen and listened and through my mind came the assurance of the toil that efforts, the goal, the love, the perseverance, the trial of disadvantages, the drawbacks, and much, much more she had given. I could have wept...but there was only mist to wipe from my eyes; but I knew that there are only a few daughters who would go to so much thought and labor to bring to her mother such a Christmas gesture.”
In May of 1966 Monna graduated from Grace High School. President Davis of the Idaho State University was the speaker. At the beginning of his talk he referred to little Ann & Sue who were dressed alike in red plaid dresses. He said “I wonder if these two little girls in plaid dresses on the front row have someone up here on the stand who is graduating tonight?”. All the class turned around and looked at Monna on the back row. She seemed to be embarrassed. Not because she did not lover her little sisters but because so much attention was unexpectedly focused on her.
Shortly after that we packed up everything to move back to the farm. I didn’t want to move back because Grace held more of what I needed at the time. Part of the problem was probably due to the fact that I had not learned how to express myself properly and adequately to the right person at the right time. I hope that all my children will learn to “believe in yourself and tell why you are feeling and saying what you are. Don’t hesitate to be assertive about important matters even though you may be criticized for it. If you fail to tell others what the reasons are that you are angry or upset, they are apt to misjudge you.”
An instance occurred out to Grays Lake that illustrates that point. The Ward had taken care of the hay with the agreement that they would get half of the profits. That fall it had already snowed, our half of the hay still lay in the field. A letter came to Rex and I from the bank that they had to have the payment which was 2 years past due on a loan. Rex would not even ask for a day off to take care of the hay. My older children would not help with sorting the good hay from the spoiled hay. It was Frank’s birthday. A hay buyer from Idaho Falls that I contacted said he would buy it if the good was sorted. He loaned me a baled hay tester and Paige and I tested each bale of the approximate 2 tons of hay. There was a lot of name calling over the instance and one individual called me sick. The hay finally sold due to pressure, I think, from the Stake. This was the beginning of some very dysfunctional years for our family.
By 1967 Dr. Hart at the Salt Lake Clinic in Salt Lake City had diagnosed Rex’s health irritant as Emphysema; the Dr. told Rex to get out of Monsanto and find work where the air was pure. Rex did not. I knew that financial aid was available for me to finish my degree at ISU in Pocatello. I rented a house across the street from the college; prepared the three little children, Ann, Sue and Frank (Mary was married and Monna was living in Salt Lake studying at the LDS Business College) and we moved to Pocatello. The church leaders and Rex pressured me saying that I was breaking up the family and should be at home. I knew that a degree in music (with the work opportunities in placement guaranteed) would give us income, activities for the children in town, Rex could get out of Monsanto and live longer, build up a cattle operation (which he said was all he ever wanted ) and live on the ranch in the summer. (We all loved the ranch; it makes a great summer home). Again my “Good judgment” was ignored by people I deemed important to me. All the children did well in Pocatello. I withdrew from ISU returning to the farm and very sick at heart.
Mother had moved to Salt Lake by this time; but kept caring for the elderly and ill in the home she and Aunt Laverne bought and shared together. Pictures are available of the family visiting mother.
In 1968 I read in a well known magazine of couples in marital trouble having legal separation and counseling whose marriage was strengthened, problems solved, and happy families resulting. I persuaded Rex to go with me to Emmett Brown of Salt Lake, intending to arrange this same type of help trial. Neither Rex nor Emmet Brown would go along with it. We settled for a marital contract, a lengthy one that we all planned, agreed upon, and signed. It included selling the farm immediately and moving to Grace or Preston, Idaho. This was June. By late August, Rex had refused to do anything about these agreements in the contract. I hired the Mayflower moving Van and moved to Preston (furniture, food, and all), Idaho one day when Rex was away for the day. The children were enrolled in school and in class the first day of school that fall. Part of the contract included my getting some intellectual challenge” and that we counsel with someone whenever there was conflict. I arranged to ride in a car pool and took several classes at Utah State University, Logan, Utah: piano, voice, Doctrine and Covenants, and Successful Living and Management”. All my graded classes were A’s and B’s. I loved them all.
Margie’s health continued to grow worse; she had emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchectisis (sp?), and a heart condition. She died in Boise in September, shortly after we moved to Preston. her youngest son Paige, came to make his home with us; in the spring he joined the army, serving for 6 years. He considered Rex and I his parents then, and does to this day.
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| Monna Jean and Jim Lienemann’s wedding picture (CDH0364) |
At Christmas time Monna did most of the housework and cooking; I sewed. See the picture in color of all of us in red and white night clothes and a cap to match with a tassel.
Sept. 1968 My sister Margie was very ill in Boise, Idaho. Mother had moved to Salt Lake City. Margie was in a Nursing Home for a time. Mother went to be with her and I soon followed. Margie was in the hospital by then. One hour she was very low. I had told her that she was going to get better and we were going, she and I, to take a trip by plane. I went over to sit in the corner while two nurses did something for her.. I knew when they put the oxygen mask on her before they turned on the power that it was a mistake. She died immediately. Oh! How often I have thought about her and our relationship as sisters. She was so loving. “Now” I thought, “her boys Don and Paige have not an attentive, loving parent on this earth.” It was just we two siblings who were raised in our home. How I’ve missed her and longed for her to be alive so we could share many things together. Finally by the present 1997 I’ve learned that great comfort is mine when I look into her face (a large picture) and tell her “Good morning!” and 'Good night! I love you’ every day. As I do with my Mother’s picture, Daddy's picture, Grandma and Grandpa Tippets and Aunt LaVerne’s pictures every day.
After Margie’s death, Paige came to live with us in Preston. He won the hearts of our Bishop and his wife and was very well behaved. As a typical High School senior he did not like to do something I asked him to do. I think it was help wash down the porch.) He looked to Rex as a father figure never having known his blood father. Paige left our home and I think went right into the US Army. He served uncle Sam as a helicopter mechanic in the Vietnam War.
We sold the farm to Jack Nuffer in 1969: My feelings were very upset; I was sure that several problems could have been solved, Rex live longer, and my get my degree (as the contract promised) if only........ After I felt it was necessary (but against my grain) to move back into the Idaho Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints.
I looked at houses with Rex and the family. We chose and bought the three bedroom 2 bath brick home with afull basement, attached garage, with a large lawn and in a lovely neighborhood, and we moved into it. I have always loved the house; and felt extreme frustration due to the knowledge that Dr. Comstock was right; except it seemed that being with the children might be more important than my health; and I am not as comfortable living in this stake as I deserve to be. Many men commuted to Monsanto from Preston; I will always feel that Rex should have continued to do so too, as long as he felt he had to work at Monsanto. Quite a few of us tried to get him to quit Monsanto and Work elsewhere. Twelve years later he would be forced to take medical retirement with a serious case of emphysema and a heart condition that he says could kill him at anytime.
Our first grandson, Jason Dale Hamp was born October 1, 1969; what a handsome boy he is. Mary and Dale waited six years for the birth of their first baby. (They met in 1963 when Dale was working for his Dad and they came out to put in the sewer lines to the house we moved out to the ranch.) They were married a short time later. And now they have been together for 34 years. Before Jason was bron Mary had chosen a Dr. in Montpelier. She went to the hospital there and I soon followed them. When I arrived Dale was pacing up and down the floor frantically. Mary was in labor. The phone rang immeditaely after a nurse told Dale that the baby was born but couldn’t tell him what it was. Dale’s Mother, Erlene Hamp, demanded to know what the baby was - a boy or girl. She was angry with Dale for not telling her. Soon we saw Mary coming up the hall on a bed on wheels pushed by the nurse. Dale said that he ran as fast as he could but I was half the length of the hall ahead of him. “I’ve got a boy for you Dale” she said. Tears come to my eyes just remembering that blessed event. Mary had had so much female trouble. Once we thought we were going to lose her.
Jason liked to make ginger bread boys with me. One time when we were making them, he looked up at me and said so seriously, “Grandma, I love you more than anyone else in the whole world.” I am sure that he didn’t really mean it but he surely was a very special little boy.
Monna joined Jim before too long. That is an interesting story. They were stationed at Lakenheath Air Force Base 80 miles from London when their first baby was expected. Jim and Rex shared the expense of a round trip flight for me to be on hand when the baby was born. I was impressed with the green countryside of England; the different architecture of the buildings (many of them connected together and many with thatched roofs), as we rode from the airport to their little trailer at the base. Airplanes constantly zoomed over our heads; Monna and Jim were happy go lucky pair whose relationship drew people to them and their home. Jim read the Book of Mormon twice, had taken the missionary lessons and joined the church. He was in the Sunday School Presidency and served as assistant ward clerk as well. Monna was the ward organist and I substituted for her while I was in England. They had a little English Austin auto; Jim and Monna rode in the front, and their little black Labrador pup, Angel, and I rode in the back seat. We buzzed all around East Anglia District. Some of the interesting tourist attractions that I took in were: the English Countryside, castles, cathedrals, Norfolk, Felix Stowe (a recreational center and city), the North Sea, sights in London (the Thames river, Shakespeare Theatre on the Thames), bridges on the Thames, the Queen’s Palace, Trafalgar Square, Surrey, the LDS Temple and the Temple manor where the temple presidency and their wives and temple workers lived. Gardens and flowers galore; there is very little earth space that is not utilized in England. We saw the ruins of the once grand structure where the Magna Carta was signed centuries before. I loved visiting the English people, listening to their delightful accent and telling about their lives.
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| Jim and Sean (CDH0335) |
One night about bedtime Jim put on Monna’s nightgown. What a clown! Monna had a small flower plant in the trailer that was their home. It was leaning over and Monna asked if Jim would go outside and find something she could prop it up with. A few minutes later in came Jim witha pole like a power pole.
After returning home to Soda Springs, I found a welcoming family, and a beautiful large flower garden in back of our light tan brick home in Soda. Rex and the children had planted them and they were blooming gloriously. It was a happy reunion, and June 1970.
Major surgery was my lot early in the summer of 1970; I had a hysterectomy and repair work from childbirth problems. The Dr. told me that I would feel much better after the surgery: I was having menopause emotional upsets. I was so miserable right after surgery that I was provoked with the Dr. and thought him to be “money seeking” and not really interested in how I felt. I read a lot: was more inactive fore quite awhile during recuperation: It was then that I started gaining weight and became slightly obese: this was a new experience for me.
I wanted to learn more about the bible and knew that the Jehovah Witness people were very knowledgeable so I invited them into my home and studied with them. The Jehovah Witnesses believe that when we die our bodies lie in the grave and the spirit is dead until the resurrection. They also do not believe that polygamy was ever advocated by God. I do not remember what other differences there were: I thanked them for my increased knowledge, our friendship and their interest; and explained that I am a member of the church for which I have a strong testimony. These people were among my favorite acquaintances in Soda Springs. I visited their church at Easter time; they do not celebrate Christ’s birth; but his death as our savior. Howard and Rhea (I have forgotten their last name today) were heads of the church in Soda. Nancy, their daughter-in-law came with Rhea often.
Rex continued to work at Monsanto. His emphysema grew some worse and he often did not feel well; he never spent his pay check on liquor, guns, or other things that many men did. He was always loving and warm (except when he felt pushed). The children grew like weeds. Ann, Frank and Sue were still at home.
Frank had a special chum, Gene Munk; his mother had died and his Dad had an alcohol problem. We wanted to adopt Gene but his father was not willing. The two boys had lots of fun together.
Back to college; commuting with Gwen Budge and Lois Davis. I registered with a full time load, majoring in Music Education. When I started it was due to an order from the Dr. to help me with some depression I was feeling; it was difficult to climb the stairs between classes; I had developed hypoglycemia and lacked energy and drive. by giving myself vitamin shots; eating peanuts every two hours, being involved in interesting studies and activities that I loved the hypoglycemia was overcome and my love for the university involvement grew. The family was fair in helping with the work; we hired Nancy Kunz, about 15, who had cooking experience to begin our evening meal each day that I was away. She was disgusted with the girls and Frank for not helping more in the home. They were typical children; Frank was 14; Ann 10 and Sue 8.
Wesley Harris was my advisor, the Music Education Classes teacher and concert choir director. I loved that teacher; he was so human in his attitude and treatment of others and so humorous as well. Cecil Simmons was very thorough and an excellent Music Theory teacher; Josephine (professor) Berryman was a great piano teacher; we often visited during my lesson and I wondered why she wanted to talk with me so much; I think she was lonely and found me, being a more mature person than most of her students, easy to talk with. Miss Dupin, a short Italian lady, was always late for voice lessons; but she was a good teacher. Mr. Otinger used language that shocked me in Social Problems class; but he made us laugh a lot which was very good for sober minded me; he had the ability to draw out from class members their opposite feelings and opinions about each of the matters of current status that we studied. They included the Transient Workers, the Indian Reservations and poverty, drugs (especially marijuana), and modern sex trends. “The Herod Experiment” was a book that shocked me further, but the idea of genuine love came across. I could go on and on; but time and space does not allow it. I raised my grade point average over what it was in High School.
Fall 1972 the girls, Ann & Sue, and I took an apartment over the landlord’s garage on East Wyeth Street in Pocatello for my second year at Idaho State University. We spent weekends often in Soda Springs; and Rex and Frank came often to Pocatello. Monna, Jim and their children came to visit; as did Mary, Dale and Jason. Rex helped some with expenses, but most of our living expenses and school expenses for me was taken care of by means of the National Defense Loan that I had and the Student Federally Insured Loan from the bank. I also taught voice, piano, and accordion to supplement our income. Directed Broadway Kids Style for Community Education and we did “Mary Poppins”. It was a glorious year for the girls and I; we were never closer nor more highly motivated. They took part in Mary Poppins; Sue was in the Green Acres String Orchestra and learning piano from me; Ann was doing exceptionally well as my piano student and said that when she grew up she was going to get her degree in piano and become a beauty operator. The girls tried out for and was given a part in the Drama Department of I.S.U. play, “Follow The Yellow Brick Road.” They also, along with the Roosevelt Broadway Kids Style Class, sang with the I.S.U. Concert Choir at rehearsal one day; The song was practiced ahead of time: “Above The Mountain”, which is a lovely Christmas lullaby about Mary and baby Jesus. I love that song today still. I taught the girls to share in the household chores; they could clean the bathroom as well as a grown woman; they were respectful and obedient to me; and very loving. Our neighbors were the Redds, John and Sherrill and their children; their girls and ours played together; also, the bishop’s children (Winward’s) and the Carpentars. We had time for candy pulls, Christmas Caroling, etc. We ate with the Redd’s, and they with us. Sherrill and I were classmates at I.S.U. as well as friends; She had a well matured and trained soprano voice; was an excellent pianist and piano teacher, and also played the violin. I respected and loved her dearly.
As president of I.S.U. Dialogue it was my privilege to interview interesting persons from I.S.U. on TV video tape; then watch the TV later. My interest in Henry David Thoreau and his love of the culture and literature of India was the motivating factor in my seeking out and interviewing a Business Professor from India. It was interesting to learn that in India anyone seeking a religious quest is accepted by his people, or at least his religion. Another, rather two other, interesting persons were Dr. and Mrs. McCann; they were from England. In church one day, earlier, the Stake mission leader asked the members to invite non-members into our home to share Family Hove Evening. At the library one day I spoke to a refined looking gentleman who was from England. I invited him to bring his wife and share our Family Hove Evening. They accepted our invitation and they came. I do not remember what the girls and I served for refreshments, but I do remember the game we played as part of our evening. We took turns sitting in the middle of the circle and the others told what they thought we would be doing in the future. All I remember is Mrs. McCann telling Sue and I that we would be working with people. Perhaps Ann and Sue’s letter will hold more enlightenment about this special couple and what was said and done that night. Dr. McCann was (is) a scientist from the Lake District in North England where their 300 year old home is located and the laboratory that he works with; He was at I.S.U. on a fellowship, teaching in the Biology Department, I referred to himself as a naturalist. Mrs. McCann was also interviewed; she is a member (or was before coming to Pocatello in 1971 or 1972) of 32 committees; she was the girl scout leader in the group that Queen Elizabeth was in when she was a girl. She gave me a lovely little, English made gift which contained needles and a threader. It is among my keepsakes and has a note in it telling what kind of handwork it is.
I forgot to mention that during my first year at I.S.U. I taught General Music to one of the 4th grade classes (Mr. Blackwell’s I believe) as part of a music education class under the direction of Wesley Harris. Mr. Harris was my confidant; we often talked in his office and he gave his interested wise counsel and help to me.
In the spring of 1972 Rex was privileged to go with me and the ISU Concert Choir on their annual tour. It was a gloriously happy time; we sang at many schools between Weiser, Idaho and Pocatello. It is a time that both Rex and I cherish; he never seemed to tire of listening to us sing. When hearing the recordings of our singing, I believe that we sounded as good as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
At examination time and proficiency performances recitals, etc., I was under extreme pressure and my stomach bothered me some. Dr. Jentes was the kind Dr. at the Health Center who gave me medication and good counsel. He was acquainted with me since 1967.
Summer of 1972. Still in school at I.S.U. and still at home on East Wyeth, the girls and I enjoyed Mother, Edith Hayes, staying with us for two months. We spent many happy hours reading and discussing good books including a bit of the classics; also, “The Seven Laws for Success” and “The Missing Dimensions of Sex” by Howard Armstrong. We had trees hovering over the little porch where we sat together. Scriptures were among our favorites. Prayer and Fasting was part of life for me.
Studying Beethoven, and attempting to learn his “Pathetique” Sonata for the piano, I developed a deep respect and love for this master musician; his having gone deaf, almost losing his mind, then overcoming it and writing the great 9th Symphony was almost unbelievable. It was the first great musician’s known attempt to include choir with the symphony. The story of this symphony and its message is so beautiful. It was his life: “Struggle and overcoming”. I wrote a lengthy write-up about his life and was so sorry when it was lost. I felt it was one of my favorite works done at the U there.
Fall of 1972 Things were deteriorating for Rex and I. I filed for divorce and the girls and I moved to Provo where I continued my training in Music Education. There are twelve things that I learned from those dysfunctional years in our family. 1. Beware and change if you are a perfectionist. 2. Keep your word. 3. Don’t criticize your mate. 4. Do not lie, not even little white lies. 4. If you are caught up in a conflict don’t play dirty. Edify not destroy the enemy. 5. Don’t be vengeful. 6. Don’t be selfish. 7. When put down and out don’t rely on people but rather rely on the Lord. 8. Memorize scriptures and go over them daily, and pray often. 9. If you can’t, don’t care what people say about you. 10. The “nice” folks are not necessarily the one who will help you when your need is the greatest. 11. Express your feelings. 12. If a family member is considered “off base” stick by him or her, listen, encourage and help them. Defend them.
Letters from our neighbor, the principal and teacher speak of how well we were doing there. Rex and Frank came to see us. It was a special day one day; I remember we all sat on the grassy slope of the botanical garden area south of the BYU (Brigham Young University) campus.
Our 16 year old son, Frank, was on the Soda Springs High School wrestling team; he did very well; trained carefully and endured some defeats along with his wins. The coach praised him, his attitude and his progress and improvement. He really loved the coach, I believe and think his name was Morgan. Coach Robinson had a son Frank’s age, who also wrestled and was one of Frank’s friends. We were very proud of our son; he lived according to high ethical standards, was a fine Christian, and of great integrity. He was admired and appreciated by his schoolmates and his teachers at school, seminary, and in the church. One of his home teaching partners was Earl Gunnell a successful business man and farmer. He really liked Frank. (Earl and wife, Charlotte, attended Frank and Lesa’s wedding reception later in Thatcher 1980) My Dad assisted Earl in getting started in the buying and selling of grain when Dad had the City Transfer and Storage business on Main Street near the railroad tracks when I was small.
Rex served as Elder’s Quorum secretary and was paying tithing to the bishop faithfully. He was very dependable with his work as a mechanic at Monsanto Chemical Company. He had a perfect “Never Late for Work” record; and was well liked by his fellow workers and his foremen. The Monsanto Annual Picnic was always a great event that the entire family looked forward to and enjoyed. There were all kinds of rides; for example, the Ferris wheel and the merry go round; and food of all kinds to eat. All this was free for employees and their families. Our grandchildren always loved going to the Monsanto Picnic. There were races, games, and booths for throwing darts and other types of entertainment; plus a rope pulling contest. It was a gala event. Rex introduced me to many folks. The men at Monsanto had nicknamed Rex “Rowdy”. Rex is quiet, unassuming, gentle and friendly type person; and excellent conversationalist who speaks with convincing manners. He was very well liked; I thought even popular. I forgot to mention the prizes that were given away at the picnic. The children loved these of course.
During the summer Rex, Ann, Sue and I drove to Great Falls, Montana where Monna, Jim and their two boys Sean and Jeff were living at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The Lienemanns and us took a trip to Glacier National Park in Northern Montana and on into Waterton Park in Canada. The two parks join and what beautiful mountainous country it is with the lakes and wildlife. It was a wonderful time. Little Sean was only two and I remember so well when we were driving through underground tunnels Sean said “Honk E Horn, Ganpa, honk e horn.” It echoed in the tunnel and Sean liked that. Jeff was just a baby. We saw deer and mountain goats in the parks.
While on this trip we visited the Hutterite (sp?) colony at Chateau (sp?), Montana. We were so impressed with their healthy clean faces and bright eyes. They raised grain, livestock, and large vegetable gardens. Everyone worked and shared the labors. There was a private school (the old fashioned kind); a kitchen and dining hall where meals were prepared and everyone ate together; also a laundry where families took turns washing. Their homes (we were permitted to visit one) were simple with just a bedroom with homemade furniture and spotless and shining with what looked like fresh paint. They had no radios or television; but they sang in the evenings. Our guide told us that they never had problems with teenage marriages, drugs, and very seldom divorces!!
Mother and Aunt Laverne sold their homes in Boise, Idaho and purchased one on Logan Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, as co-owners. We went to visit them as often as we could. They served delicious meals to us and the love, music, and visiting we shared was wonderful. There are recorded tapes of our visits, singing, memorized scriptures and poetry. These two ladies in their seventies took care of elderly, sick folks in their home for a time; then went into other homes caring for people. What beautiful Christian women they were.
The girls and I did not stay in Provo and complete the school year that was begun there in 1972 because: The summer of 1973 they were in 4H; I was their leader and they completed their projects and entered them in the fair. There is a colored picture of their clothes that they sewed. Ann won a blue ribbon for her cherry pie at the Caribou County Fair. I don’t remember what Sue took in the line of foods. The family enjoyed many close hours together. The girls continued making progress on the piano and we did a special musical program at the nursing home. Frank worked summers for Merlin and Earline Smith in Thatcher. The had a diversified farm and dairy herd. Frank did everything there was to do in the line of work for them.
With Rex’s approval Sue and I moved to Provo in the fall, thinking I would complete my degree in music education. we lived with the Melburn Ford family; I did light housekeeping and cooked two meals a day for them. In return Sue and I had board and room and they furnished a little gray Volkswagen and gas for me to drive to school at Brigham Young University. Sue attended Green Acres School. Ann was at home with her Dad. Frank lived with Smith’s and graduated from Grace High School at the end of the school year in May 1974. Sue was voted the 2nd most popular girl in her class; played her violin in the elementary school string orchestra; and was picked by judges for the part of “Bert” in the Mary Poppins musical I directed. I taught Broadway Kids Style for the Special Courses and Conferences Department and was paid $8.33 an hour for teaching and directing hours. “Mary Poppins” was presented in the Experimental Theatre of the Fine Arts Building in April 1974. Dr. Evan Davis was my voice teacher; Maxine Cameron (wife of the dean of students) was my piano teacher. It was my privilege to visit with other students in the Cameron home and discuss things in general. It was reported at that event that BYU rated 4th in the nation among universities in music and in education; and that Harvard, I believe it was, had a higher suicide rate than BYU and was only about 10,000 in enrollment compared to 25,000 at BYU. We completed the year of school there, Sue and I. I served as treasurer of the BYU Music Education National Conference, the national organization in music education. Sue and I attended the M.E.N.C.’s national convention at Anaheim, California. We attended numerous concerts, and programs given by different groups from all over the U.S. A huge gym like room was filled with booths where books, instruments, and all sorts of supplies were on display. The highlight of our trip, in addition to flying, was seeing quite a lot of Disneyland. Our favorite ride was the one through which were located costumed dolls representing many nations and all singing “I’d Like to Teach The World To Sing”, in perfect harmony, in their native tongues. It was special, and we were very close. “Down Town” and “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” were two of the numbers that Sue played very well on her violin.
While at Provo, Monna and Jim and their two boys came to see us. Sean and Jeff enjoyed standing in the space behind the back seat of the Volkswagen as we buzzed about Provo with Monna and Jim in the car, too.
Ann was very popular with the fellows; although she usually went with just one boy at a time for a number of months at least.
Mother and Aunt Laverne had sold their home in Salt Lake. Mother took and apartment in Preston, Idaho in 1972. Aunt Laverne’s son-in-law, Verl Tippetts died. She and Ruth, her daughter bought a home in Preston. We always enjoyed them very much. We often visited Aunt Lillis, Mother’s youngest sister, and Uncle Leon Sorensen in Georgetown, Idaho. We enjoyed them so much and shared a loving relationship through the years.
In the summer of 1974, after Frank graduated from High School, our family took a trip in a motor home and two trailers to Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. Rex rented a motor home that had sleeping space for six; Dale and Mary had a trailer of their own that slept four (or more); Monna and Jim had a little one that slept four; (they just had Sean and Jeff then) Mary and Dale had little Jason. Paige, Frank, Ann and Sue were with us. It was so much fun traveling and watching the procession of us winding our way on the highway in the mountainous country with wooded slopes of mountains and a creek and Snake River along the way. We were gone a number of days.
We had Family Home Evening around the campfire one night. It was a special joyful time. We had prepared the children during the day by telling them the story of Abraham and his wife Sarah, the biblical characters. Then that night we put robes on the boys and tied towels around their heads in turban fashion as they played the parts of Abraham, Sarah and their son. We sang songs the children knew like: “I Am A Child Of God”, “Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam” and others. We also played the accordions and sang other songs. Folks camping nearby came to listen and voiced appreciation for the music and our family togetherness. We had lots of fun and pulled pranks on each other.
As we camped the first night at the Pine Bar Campground on the Tin Cup Creek we drove down to the gym for the dance. Afterwards Mary sprained her ankle stepping out of the trailer. We thought it might be broken and took her in to the emergency room at the Soda Springs Hospital. We were thankful that it was not broken. It was painful but she didn’t let it dampen her spirits or prevent us from going on our way as planned.
Mary Poppins was again directed by me, rehearsals and performances in the Soda Springs High School auditorium. Songs were done at Thirkill, Thatcher and Grace Schools. Ann Warner Robinette was my assistant director and very talented. Kathy Wright was the drama judge. I believe that Jan Mumford was the music judge. Ann was picked by them for Mary Poppins. They wanted Sue to take the part of Burt but Sue declined due to believing that her friends would feel bad because she had a major role and they didn’t. Mrs. Duane Beins and her sister were assistants who did not want to be paid. Sue (Alice Wilson’s granddaughter) helped where needed by playing games and keeping the children busy who were not rehearsing. We used the tape recorder a lot. Jan Mumford was our accompanist. Alice Wilson was a close friend. Her granddaughter, Sue, and I learned to love one another.
1976
Our first granddaughter Mae Dawn Lienemann, was born May 1976. The Lienemanns ended up with four birthdays right in a row. Sean’s is the 5th, Mae Dawn’s the 6th, Becky’s is the 7th and Monna’s is the 8th. Mae Dawn was a beautiful, plump, dark-haired baby. How she was loved! As Monna wrote it was a cesarean birth. Mae Dawn was named after her two grandmothers, Leila Mae Lienemann and myself as my middle name is Dawn.
I worked for a short time for Louise Brick in her home in Pocatello as housekeeper, cook, and companion. Then for a short time for Apostle Howard W. Hunter in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sister Hunter had a stroke and had to have someone with her all the time. She was mobile but her speech and reasoning was effected. It was a beautiful home, so much in contrast with the little humble home of Louise Brick. Louise and I loved each other. One of the highlights of working at the Hunter’s was taking Clara Mae Hunter to the annual Mormon Church Conference, parking my car among the general authorities like Neil Maxwell, Ezra Taft Benson and President and Sister Spencer W. Kimball. I will always remember the radiant face that shone from Howard Hunter’s countenance as he greeted me when I drove up to his home and he helped me park my car next to his. He and Sister Hunter had a rare loving relationship which was evidenced in their faces and his faithful care of her. Often in the evenings I would visit with him for a few minutes in his study. he always took the time pleasantly and seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. I remember especially one night when I took my lovely tapestry into his study (where two walls were lined with books) and laid it down on the floor for him to look at. It is the one with Jesus holding a lamb and other sheep around his feet. The colors are beautiful with green grass and a pond of water. Elder Hunter got down on his hands and knees and exclaimed, “Oh, How beautiful!” Then he told me about their trip with the Kimballs to the Holy Land. How dirty and crowded Bethlehem is with travelers and traders. It sits on a hill. Out away from the town are cliffs with caves in the sides where the shepherd leads his flock of sheep at night by playing the flute. The sheep follow him and stay in the cave while he guards them from outside and keeps the wolves away. From this experience with Elder Hunter I received inspiration to write the words and music to another original song entitled “I Knelt At The Foot of The Master by the Apostle of the Lord”. Their home was elegant. The glass chandelier over the dining room table was immense. The view from the patio at night of Salt Lake was gorgeous. The home sits high on the east bench, looking down at the city. We were above the pollution level.
A SPECIAL SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE took place one night. I was awakened about 4 a.m. hearing my mother’s voice calling my name in a soft and despairing tone. I learned later that day when I called her that she had awakened from a bad dream at the same time. In her dream her father, Jedediah Morgan Tippets, came to her door carrying me as a small child, I was sick. Mother said in her dream, “Papa, I am going to take her to the hospital.” Grandpa replied, “No, Edith, do for her what you can yourself.” That same day I interpreted the voice calling me as the spirit of the Holy ghost telling me to do what I can to ease her burdens and care for her throughout her elderly years. I interpreted her dream as the spirit of the Holy Ghost telling her not ever to do anything that would effect my hospitalization but to do for me what she can herself. I believe that Grandpa’s speaking to her was effective.
FRANK ACCEPTED HIS CALL TO SERVE A MISSION IN SOUTH AMERICA. Serving until January 1978, I believe it was, he spent time in Colombia but most of the time in Ecuador. How he grew spiritually and in the gospel of Jesus Christ as he worked with and learned to speak the Spanish language with the people he came to love. It was hard at first as he had difficulty loving the people because of the poverty and dirt that the people lived in. He sent cassette tapes to us and we to him. His letters were cherished. One of his mission presidents, President Heward and his wife from Arizona, attended Frank and Lesa’s wedding.
1977
Rex’s relatives in Idaho Falls were visited by us several times this year. His Uncle Alma’s widow, Ruth (known as “Doll”), her daughter Helen and husband Nello Boncelli, and daughter Pat (or maybe it was Pat’s twin Paul) and her husband also lived there. I believe Ann, Sue, Mary and Monna all visited Aunt Doll that year.
1978
Monna and Jim’s fourth child, Dray Diedrick (sp?) was born in April. A little slender baby he was with wobbly arms and legs. We thought he might never hold his own head up. It wasn’t long until he had won all of our hearts over with his darling ways.
Frank returned from his mission. We met him at the airport in Salt Lake City. His arrival did not take place on the aircraft that we expected him on. We were so sad about that and a little worried. Then it was announced that passengers which had been scheduled to arrive on the expected flight would be coming in on the next one. We waited anxiously with anticipation. I was the first one that saw him coming in towards the terminal doorway. I couldn’t stop fairly yelling, “There he is! There he is!” The family members watching me said that I was jumping up and down. If I was, and I guess I was, I surely wasn’t aware of it. We all flooded him with many questions, hardly giving him time to answer one before we asked others. He looked good, had gained weight but lost a lot compared to the heavy fellow he was for a time on his mission. (The chicken foot soup must have agreed with him.)
Frank reported his mission to the High Council in Grace as he represented the Thatcher Ward while on his mission. Thatcher Ward was the home ward of Merlin and Earline Smith. He reported to one or more of the Grace Wards, the Gray’s Lake Ward and our Soda Springs 4th Ward. I heard most of his reports and enjoyed each one of them as did other members of the family.
Rex continued on at Monsanto until January of 1978, at which time he took medical retirement due to emphysema and a heart condition. He was officially retired in August that year.
Ann had first chair in the flute section of the Soda Springs High School Band and Sue was first chair in the clarinet section. Ann was chosen along with a limited number of other High School students to sing in the top choir known as the “Soda Pops Choir”. Sue was chosen to be in the Drill Team. The costumes were beautiful. The name of the Soda Springs mascot is the “Cardinal” and the school colors are red and black. The concerts in the spring and at Christmas were so lovely. Both girls were in the concert choir. The Pops Choir also took a tour to San Francisco and Disneyland in California and then down into Mexico. And became homesick on her trip and called home. Once she was caught in an elevator in one of the big cities and became very frightened. Ann worked part time at the cafe operated by the Ashley family called the “B&T”.
Mother was at home in Preston and we visited her as often as possible. She came and spent a night or so with us once in awhile. She continued to serve the sick, visit the nursing home, attend Choir practice, Sunday meetings, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and the Preston Culture Club. Once a few years ago, Mary, Ann, Sue, myself and Mother entertained the Culture Club with poetry Mother had written, songs, flute, piano and accordion numbers. The latter were the group’s favorite musical numbers and received the loudest applause. Mother kept a journal for years. She took a couple of trips with Ruth and Laverne into parts of interest throughout the western part of the United States. Her home is kept orderly, peaceful and serene, as is her person. She is much loved by people in the family and folks in Preston and highly respected by Bishops Vern Klippert and Joseph Garner. She filled the assignment to write a weekly letter to all the missionaries out in the field from her ward in Preston for Bishop Klippert. While she was in Bishop Garner’s ward she cared for two elderly ladies. In 1979 she took care of 90 year old Mrs. Palmer, walking six blocks to the Palmer home for 8 months at age 80.
The 1980s brought more changes to our family. In the Spring of 1980 Becky, Monna and Jim’s fifth child was born. Her Dad calls her Freddie. I am not sure why.
One of the saddest of instances in our family occurred a few weeks before that. Mary Lee was several months pregnant when the baby, Jeremy was born prematurely. He was so little and he struggled so hard to survive but it wasn’t to be. Mary commented to us one day “One thing I know, if Jeremy dies Grandma Chat will take good care of him in Heaven.” I am sure that she was right. Mary was so broken hearted and commented on how hard it was to go home with empty arms. Rex and I felt so sad for her. We sang some of our favorite songs for her on the way home. I hope it helped. Mary Lee had so many problems carrying her children. If she had carried all of her babies full term, she and Dale would have had a large family. I think they would have had 9 children by 1985.
Even with all of the difficulties we had a lot of wonderful times together. In the spring of 1982 the Lienemanns came for an extended visit and Sue, Lesa and Frank were also here. There were games of Pinochle, Donkey. Sean, Jeff, and Jason put on a play called “The Girlfriend”. I don’t think we have ever laughed quite so hard. One would play the man, one the girlfriend and one the child. The funniest part came when whomever was the girl wanted to kiss the husband.
Of course Dale and Jim spent a lot of time together as they always have. They are so close it is almost like they are brothers. One Sunday before they left we took fired chicken and goodies and had a picnic. On the way over, I told Dray the story of the “Three little Pigs” and “Goldilocks” over and over. Then he climbed onto Dale’s lap, where Mae Dawn had a seat too, and commenced to tell Dale the story of the “Three Little Pigs”. He told just bits and pieces to Dale who bragged about Dray’s story telling. Dray got to the part where the big bad wolf came to the little brick house where all the pigs were and stopped. Dale asked what happened to the three little pigs and Dray answered “Oh, the big bad wolf ate them up.” We all laughed. I had been so careful to not tell anything gory in the stories I told him.
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| Ann and Rex on her wedding day (CDH0289) |
In November of that same year, Lesa and Frank had their first child, a boy whom they named Kelly Rex. A week later Monna had her sixth child, a girl named Callie. In the winter of 1982 Monna and Jim and their family were transferred to Germany. During their last visit at home we had a wonderful time. We all spent Christmas Eve together, even Frank and Lesa. We had a wonderful time sleigh riding. Even Jim and Frank. A couple of little sleighs were flattened.
The little children and I had several “Tea Parties” while they were here. Silver Tea Time is traditional in our family. Even Mary and Monna as little girls drank silver tea (made of hot water, milk and sugar). We used my very prettiest small glasses, pitcher, plates for graham crackers, and chopped up bits of a huge chocolate candy kiss. What a charmer little two and a half year old Becky is. How mischievous and loving is four and a half year old Dray. Mae Dawn is a pretty little girl and growing up so fast. My relationship with them is so special. I love being “Grandma Tea Party”. While the family was all together Rex was beaming one day with big smiles and I asked why he was beaming. He answered “Because I am so happy”. It truly was a wondrous occasion. Sadly it would be the last happy time we would all be together. Before Monna and Jim would return from Germany Rex would be gone.
In the spring of 1983 Frank graduated from BYU and they left for a job in California. They will be living close to Lesa’s family. I think it was hard for Frank to move so far away.
In early September we took a gorgeous drive with Aunt Lillis and Uncle Leon. We drove over to Swan Lake, over the Pine Creek Pass into the Teton Basin. We had a very good time laughing, joking singing and visiting. Rex was a tease. We went over a few miles in the Alpine area looking for an ice cream cone (it had to be a cone, not a bar). Rex said “Well, we’ll go to Idaho Falls (50 miles away) and get one if we have to. We called that strip of road “The Ice Cream Road” and laughed about it. We finally found the cone at a drive in Thayne, Wyoming. Driving back to Soda through Wayan and over Tin Cup was meaningful. Uncle Leon commented that it was like seeing the country where we used to live for the first time because before he had always had to drive. It was one of the last if not the last thing we did with Uncle Leon. He passed away three months later in December.
Just three days after that drive, Rex had a minor stroke. It affected his left arm some but he fortunately was able to recover quickly. It still scared the family pretty bad.
In November Rex and I took a trip to visit Lesa and Frank in Morgan Hill, California where they were living. What a happy reunion. Little Kelly had sure grown. He was very active, running around a little awkwardly, falling down and picking himself up quickly and off he would go again. Kelly would get into everything and was a great scatterer. We have pictures of this happy, smiley little guy pulling all the books off from the book shelf; pulling pots and pans out of the cupboard. Lesa got a picture of him when he had climbed into the cupboard after pulling out the pots, etc. We visited Monterey and the Carmel Mission. I had always wanted to visit one of the old Spanish Missions since I had lived with Mother in San Francisco so many years before. Poor Lesa got so car sick while we were touring. She was pregnant with Tara at the time.
On the way back to Soda Springs we were involved in an accident. We were traveling east on the interstate in the left lane. Ahead of us in the right lane was the big orange snowplow. We drew up close to pass the plow. Just as we did he turned directly in front of us. Rex tried to miss the plow but it was too late. The right side of our bumper struck the plow. Rex managed to steer the car into the barrow pit but our car was so smashed up. A man had left a U-Haul trailer in the middle of the freeway.
December brought a double tragedy. Mary lost another baby and Uncle Leon passed away.
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| Nic with Rex & I (CDH0171) |
For a time during 1984 I took care of Aunt Lillis in our home in Soda Springs. She is such a beautiful person. It became too much and she decided to go into the rest home. First she tried the one in Pocatello but quickly asked to be transferred to Soda Springs. The girls are very good about going to visit her.
1985
In April we found out that Rex had liver cancer. He had been suffering all winter with his ulcer. When he finally went to the Doctor in the spring they diagnosed his cancer. He only lived three weeks from the time they discovered it. Monna flew home from Germany and Frank came back from California.
In June of 1985 I wrote the following:
“Yesterday toward evening I looked at the calendar, thinking about the time recently gone by. I remember thinking “Rex died five days ago; two weeks ago; and how it was (June 4, 1985, Tuesday; exactly one 4 week period since Rex was taken to the Caribou Memorial Hospital) 4 weeks since I stayed all night in the room with Rex. I miss him so.
Then my thinking and feelings took me back to another time when I said, or was thinking, “Rex, we’ve been married 96 hours; then a week; three weeks, etc.” And we felt so close. I also remembered the details of our short honeymoon in Star Valley. IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A SHORT TIME AGO June 12, 1944 and the days following. And recently this year Rex and I thought “We will have our 41st wedding anniversary June 12th.” But he is not here to share it with me.
Usually I try to think of Rex as he was when we first met; the fun we had dating and singing; our wedding day; how strong and muscular he was; the warmth ofhis arms holding me close to him. The latter lasted all our lives except when in the minority of times we had some conflict. He had the same love in his heart and strong arms holding me close until he became so ill he could not do it in May. The late night of the 7th, Tuesday, he did hold me for a moment in his arms but soon pushed me away because of the pressure on his side and liver was uncomfortable for him, just hours before he died. The 11 days he was home with the family taking care of him, he reached back and held his arm on my leg for a precious moment then moved away so that the space could be between us and he rested better. This was so unlike my Rex.
Memories flood my heart and mind. How grateful I am for the good things in our lives. There were so many.”
A few days later on our 41st anniversary I was inspired to write a song about our anniversary. The words and melody came to me while I was taking a bath and curling my hair. I think a good tile for it might be “We Said, ‘ I Do’.”
Forty-one years ago today I said, “I Do”, you said “I Do”.
Forty-one years ago Lilacs were in full bloom,
They filled the room with lovely fragrance.
Two Mothers wise had tears in their eyes because they knew
Life holds for all trials joy and sorrows too.
Now you are gone and I linger on. I’m missing you,
Our children and I are doing our best to you to be true.
Forty-one years ago today I said, “I Do”, you said “I Do”.
Forty-one years ago Lilacs were in full bloom,
They filled the room with lovely fragrance.
I cannot express the depth of feeling I had realizing the sacredness of marriage; the sweet newness and youth we brought to each other when we married. I remember so well the details of the day. How meaningful it was for a man to take on the responsibilities of marriage and providing for a wife; and then a family of five children and a nephew. How innocent we were and full of dreams and goals for the future. The significance of that day, June 12, 1944, how can we measure it or express it fully? So many mixed emotions. I most often think of Rex when he was youg; Rex, a country boy, so wholesome and trusting; and I, a town girl, knowing little about homemaking. I could make good bread and fry potatoes and that is what I knew about cooking. I’ve always been glad that I learned about housekeeping from Grandma Hayes.
Three things that were especially meaningful just to Rex and me.
We had two songs that we considered our favorites: "Side by Side," and "My Best to You."
We loved these words and sang them often together. A third one we liked really well too was "Side by Side." (If I were a swearing woman, I would swear at this typewriter. I don't know how to control the margins.) The music and words to the first one are in this book. If we can locate the piano score and words for the other two we will include them also.
Here are the words as I remember them to "My Best to You:"
"Here's to love and laughter, yours forever after.
May there always be happiness in your heart:" (chorus)
"My best to you, may your dreams come true;
May old Father Time never be unkind.
So here's to you; may your skies be blue and your love blest;
That's my best to you."
The words to the third song, as I remember them, went like this:
(A jolly, happy song, and not to be sung slowly.)
"Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money;
Maybe we're ragged and funny;
But we travel along, singing a song, side by side.
Don't know what's coming tomorrow;
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow;
But we travel the road, sharing the load, side by side.
Through all kinds of weather, what if the sky should fall;
But it doesn't really matter . . . . . . . . . (don't remember).
When they've all had their troubles and parted;
We'll be the same as we started;
Just traveling along, singing a song, side by side."
It is catchy and fun to sing. Years after Rex died I wrote a letter for Ruth and Odell Stoor's 50th wedding anniversary celebration at Wayan. I used the words, part of them, in this song dedicating it to them.
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