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1B. MORTEN P. MORTENSEN AND
MARTINE RASMUSSEN MORTENSEN FAMILY
Martine Rasmussen
1. MORTEN P. MORTENSEN md. second MARTINE RASMUSSEN 19
December 1870 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah. Martine was
b. 23 December 1846 in Stoense, Denmark, near a seaport. She died 19
February 1908 in Colonia Diaz, Mexico.
Martine’s father welcomed the missionaries into the Rasmussen home
until one day when a missionary said to him, “Brother Rasmussen, don’t you
think it’s about time you joined the Church?” This angered old Chris and from
this time on the missionaries were denied the right to enter the home. His
daughter Martine and his wife Marie Lisbeth were baptized secretly. Martine
was baptized 11 December 1866 by Karl H. Nielsen. She left home not long after
this.
She met the Olsen sisters, Karen Katrina, Margrethe and Anna Johanna.
At this time she met her future husband, Morten P. Mortensen who was
Presiding Elder of Odense, Island of Fyn.The Olsen girls and Martine were in a
group led by Ole Olsen that embarked on the Odin July 10, 1869. Martine was
23 years old when she left her beloved Denmark. They reached Ogden, Utah, on
August 8, 1969. Martine and Trina (Karen Katrina) got jobs doing housework in
private homes. They roomed together in Salt Lake City.
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On September 10, 1870, Trina and Martine met the train carrying Saints
and returning missionaries. Among them was Morten P. Mortensen, their future
husband. After a visit with the girls he left for Scipio to visit with his first wife
Dorothea and children.
Morten returned to Salt Lake City in December where he took Martine
and “Trina” to the Salt Lake Endowment House and was married to them
December 19, 1870. They left shortly after for Scipio, Utah, where Dorothea
took the two upstairs rooms of the house her parents had given her and gave
each of the new brides a room downstairs. Here, in this home, Martine’s first
three children, Lauritz, Alma Christopher and Elizabeth were born.
AMONG THE HOPI INDIANS IN NORTHERN ARIZONA
In 1876 Morten was called to assist Jacob Hamblin among the northern
Arizona Indians. He took Dorothea and her children with him. In 1877 Morten
returned from Arizona to move his other two wives to the Indian Reservation at
Moenkopi, a small Hopi Village on the Navajo Reservation where the more
thrifty Hopi Indians lived.
The children often played among the Navajo children. Martine’s fourth
child, Francis, was b. at Moenkopi in 1880. Shortly after this they moved to
Fort Sunset because of the drought. Here Martine’s two younger sons were b.—
Nephi in 1882, Wilford Parley in 1884. Morten made a spinning wheel for Karen
and a loom for Martine.
MEXICO
Persecutions of the Saints who had plural wives was almost unbearable.
When Morten was called to Mexico he took Martine with him. Martine rode into
Mexico in a covered wagon with a baby, Wilford, on her knee, one beside her,
Nephi, and at the side of her husband. Later returning to Arizona for Trina and
Dorothea. Martine continued working as a weaver for the family and the children spent a great deal of time with the other two wives and their children especially Aunt Trina. When dinner time came ate wherever they were.
Martine was a lovable and hard-working woman. One time when having
family prayer, one of the children reached over to tease the cat as she was praying. Martine reached out and swatted the child without missing a word or stopping in her prayer. She seemed to know what was going on and could do two
things at a time.
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MORTEN AND MARTINE’S DEATH
After Morten died June 6, 1891, Martine continued to live in Mexico for
seventeen more years. Martine was quite ill with dropsy and died in her rocking
chair February 19, 1908.
Martine and Morten P. Mortensen had six children:
1B1 LAURITZ (pronounced Larage) FRANCIS MORTENSEN, b. 27 June
1872 in Scipio, Utah. Bpt. 15 April 1981 at Sunset, Utah. Md. AMY ELIZABETH
ROWLEY 20 July 1892 in the President’s Office in Colonia Diaz, Mexico, by
Apostle Teasdale. She was b. 23 March 1872 in Nephi, Utah. Amy died in childbirth 24 April 1918 in Blanding, Utah. He died 21 April 1955 in Blanding,
Utah.
I, Lauritz, was six years old at the time we moved to Arizona to live
among the Indians. We had a cow which mother milked. When I was eight or
nine years old, I peddled milk. Father made a yoke that hung over my shoulders
with ropes hanging down on either side to hold the buckets so the milk could be
carried. I delivered it to a hotel run by Mrs. Ranium. One time the wind was
blowing something awful. I had a little old cap on my head and it blew off. I
tried to catch it and could not, so I went on. She asked me what I did with my
hat. I told her. She gave me a nice black hat and said, “Hold tight to it.” I did.
A fort was built at Sunset where we lived the United Order. We all ate in
the same dining room.
In 1885 we moved to Mexico. I took Apostle Teasdale to Deming where he
caught the train to Salt Lake to conference. He would write a note to the bishop
for me to meet him in Deming on his way back. I paid my tithing that way. The
bishop gave me a receipt after my trip showing my tithing had been paid.
AMY ELIZABETH ROWLEY
I first met Amy Elizabeth Rowley in Old Mexico. I was about eighteen
then. We were both 20 years of age and all I had was fifty cents when we got
married. I went to Ascension, three miles, to buy cloth for Amy’s wedding dress
which she made herself
I was a policeman in Diaz. While Sheriff, I chased bandits such as
Cochise and Geronimo.
Lauritz served as water master in Colonia Diaz. His livelihood was farming
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and masonry work. He also made
molasses better than anyone
around.
FORCED OUT OF MEXICO
At the time they were forced
to leave Mexico “We had a nice
place with eight inch walls of ‘dobie’
brick with real brick on the outside.
It had three rooms downstairs and
three rooms upstairs. We had farming land outside of town, and cows
and horses. I had two race horses.
My wife always had a beautiful
flower garden.”
When in the United States he
finally took up a homestead
between Monticello and Blanding.
Cleared four acres and planted
corn. He had the loveliest corn that
Amy (center back) and Lauritz (back, right)
year. He also worked at quarrying
on
their
wedding day with Lauritz’ mother Martine,
stone.
three brothers and sister
From his son Udell: “Lauritz
loved people and enjoyed talking to them. He was a great story- teller, and
enjoyed telling about some of his experiences with Mexican Rebels, outlaw
Indians, and an exciting horse race, or a hunting trip. He lived an exciting life,
always willing to go the second mile to help someone, even if it meant that his
life might be in danger.”
AMY’S DEATH
Lauritz’ and Amy’s tenth baby was dead at birth and Amy died shortly
after the birth of her daughter. The baby girl was the first headstone in the
cemetery in Blanding. A daughter, Amy Hortense, was not married at the time
and she took care of the house for her dad. The following winter Lauritz and son
Arch went to Arizona. All ten children were born in Mexico
After Lauritz married a second time, they moved to Blue Water, New
Mexico, where they owned a hotel and farmed. In 1930 they moved to Eagar,
Arizona, where they operated a bakery until the death of Phoebe in 1934. After
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Phoebe’s death Lauritz returned to Blue Water,
but lived intermittently with his several children. After his illness in 1953 he lived with his
daughter, Bernice Burtenshaw, until his death
in 1955.
1B1 Lauritz Francis Mortensen md.
second PHOEBE STEVENS 20 February 1920
Monticello, Utah. Phoebe was about ten years
younger than Lauritz.
Lauritz and Amy had ten children:
1B1-1 LESLIE MORTENSEN was b. and d. 19
June 1893 in Colonia Diaz, Mexico.
1B1-2 LAURITZ LEONARD MORTENSEN, b.
18 November 1894 and d. 27 April 1896 in
Colonia Diaz, Mexico.
Lauritz Mortensen and his son Arch
and race horse at Colonia Diaz,1910
1B1-3 BERNICE ADALIA
MORTENSEN, b. 1 April 1897 in
Colonia Diaz, Mexico. Md. ERASTUS
BURTENSHAW 3 July 1917 and was
sealed 9 October 1918 in the Salt Lake
Temple. He was b. 22 September 1888
in Rigby, Idaho. Bernice d. 21 June
1980 Blanding, Utah. Erastus d.4 May
1962.
I, Bernice, when four or five years
old, rode a roan pony to take Dad his
dinner where he was working at the
molasses mill. Once we couldn’t find
the “blind bridle” that we always used,
Bernice and Erastus Burtenshaw
and daughter Zona
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so my mother put a riding bridle on the horse and put me on the horse bareback. She helped me out of the gate and the horse started to run. The horse
had been to the mill many times and ran all the way there. I was crying, holding
Dad’s lunch with one hand and holding onto the mane of the horse with the
other. My dad heard me coming and ran to meet me. When I got to him, I fell
into his arms, lunch and all.
Erastus was a laborer. Bernice did lots for the Relief Society in Blanding
as well as other organizations.
Eleven children:
1. ZONA ELIZABETH BURTENSHAW, b. 12 July 1918 Blanding, Utah, md. RUSSELL
(DICK) RANDOLPH SMITH 28 July 1936 in Moab, Utah. He was b. 24 January 1919 in
Jackson, Ohio. Zona d. 29 October 1996 in Jackson, Ohio.
Zona lived in Blanding, a small southern Utah town, and was a teenager during
the Great Depression of the thirties. Zona as the oldest of eleven children was naturally
the one deemed responsible for the household as well as the younger children.
Besides the normal household chores, water had to be carried daily from the
wells at West Water. Because it was only a couple of miles from the house, and the one
gathering place for most of the young folks of that area, Zona did not mind carrying the
buckets to get the family water. After all, if you had to carry water buckets, you had an
excuse for not taking the little ones.
On several occasions, Zona had noticed one handsome young fellow who must
have been from the CCC camp. The Civilian Conservation Corp had set up a camp near
Blanding in an effort to tunnel through Thompson’s Canyon to bring water to the people in town. Most of the young men were from states back east and were not accustomed to the ways of the Utah Mormons. They had been told to watch their actions
toward the town girls, or they could find themselves in big trouble with the community.
However, the Church planned a dance for the youth one Saturday, and the boys from
the CCC were invited.
Zona and Dick were formally introduced to each other at the church dance, and
he walked her home afterwards. The next few months were filled with happy times, little walks, and hours of small talk. Soon however, Dick received word that he was to be
transferred to a small town in Wyoming, just north of the Utah border. Even during the
Great Depression, love overcomes. While Dick was stationed in Wyoming, they corresponded and the decision was made that they would be married.
Because the end of his duty with the CCC was nearing, Dick arranged for a
weekend pass and then hitchhiked back to Blanding. During those years it was quite
common to hitch a ride with anyone going in the general direction of your destination.
No one thought it strange for a person to just start out walking and thumb for a ride.
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From these humble beginnings, a
companionship was born that has lasted
through fifty-four years. No, this is not a
fairy tale where everyone lives happily
ever after. There were years of great struggle, deprivation, wars, sickness, deaths,
but there were also years of love, of sharing, of birthing and rearing nine children,
caring for aging parents, loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
When Zona reminisces about those
times, she always says, “We didn’t know
we were poor, ‘cause everybody was poor
right along with us!” Perhaps it is a result
of the years of struggle during the
Depression or perhaps it is just her
nature; whatever the reason, Zona has
always been grateful for even the smallest
of blessings. She has always been a very
conservative and industrious individual,
and she has tried to instill those same
traits in each of her children.
As I think of my mother, just recovering from having both knees replaced,
struggling to rise from a chair, every
movement a deliberate effort, I marvel at
her determination to be self-sufficient. I
reflect on what a wonderful example she
has always been to me.
Back row, left to right:
Rickey, Sidney, Richard, and Rodney
Center: Bodine Revoe Smith Rader,
Berneta Louise Smith Knight, Brenda
Joyce Smith Richards, Bernadine
Smith Conkle and Beverly Jean
Smith Griffiths
Seated: Zona and Dick Smith
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Zona and Dick Smith, 1986
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The following was written about Zona Elizabeth Burtenshaw Smith by her granddaughter, Melissa Griffiths Collins on 19 October 1996, just nine days before Zona
passed away. (Taken from the history written by Beverly Griffiths.)
MAMMAW
Penny candy and ice cream on hot summer nights.
Talking about politics and Snyder Family’s fights.
Having her hair fixed in a French Twist.
Tomorrow they’re going to the Flea Market,
They’ll be leaving by six.
Mammaw’s quilting by hand on an old wooden frame.
Pappaw’s in the living room watching the ball game.
Christmas Eve parties with everyone there.
These are some memories that we all share.
Things sure are quiet now out on the west Main.
No one sits at the old quilting frame.
I still have my memories and they will always remain,
Deep down in my heart where they help ease the pain.
The nine children of Dick and Zona Burtenshaw Smith are:
1. BoDINE REVOE SMITH, b. 27 September 1937 in Jackson, Ohio, md.
GARY RICHARD RADER 5 April 1957 in Columbus, Ohio. He was b. 21
October 1937 in Beaver, Ohio. Five children:
1. Mark Gary Rader, b. 23 March 1958 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md. Cheryl
Mullins 4 September 1976 in Jackson, Ohio. She was b. 1 November
1958. Three children, all b. in Portsmouth, Ohio.
1. Dustin Kyle Rader, b. 9 November 1984.
2. Darin Mitchell Rader, b. 25 March 1988.
3. Cody Christian Rader, b. 8 April 1992.
2. Craig Dean Rader, b. 22 May 1959 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md. Mariam
Dawn McGoon 16 March 1979 in Ohio. She was b. 12 October 1959 in
Gallipolis, Ohio. Two children, both b. in Gallipolis, Ohio.
1. Craig Morgan Rader, b. 11 June 1985.
2. Megan Ellen Rader, b. 1 March 1990.
3. Kevin Richard Rader, b. 22 December 1960 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
Hazel Joanne Lemon 21 July 1979 Jackson, Ohio. She was b. 8
February 1958. Two children, both b. in Gallipolis, Ohio.
1. John Nicklaus Rader, b. 17 October 1984.
2. Julia Elizabeth Rader, b. 1 June 1989.
4. Rhonda Lee Rader, b.22 January 1962 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
Edward Kingsland Jones 11 July 1981 in Jackson, Ohio [divorced].
He was b. 9 August 1958.
Rhonda Lee Rader md. second Kenneth Esposita. One child:
1. Katie Michele Esposita, b. 22 March 1992 in Largo, Florida.
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5. Michele Renee Rader, b. 29 July1969 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md. Kenneth
Gerald Moon 23 September 1989 in Jackson, Ohio. He was b. 4 February
1963.
2. BERNETA LOUISE SMITH, b. 3 January 1939 in Jackson, Ohio, md. FOSTER SUMMERS KNIGHT 17 July 1959. He was b. 10 June 1935 in Fenwick,
West Virginia. One child:
1. Vanessa Lynn Knight, b.20 February 1960 in Quantico, Virginia, md.
Jeffrey Wayne Burkitt 13 June 1980 in Elm Grove, Ohio. He was b.
13 August 1952 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Two children:
1. Clarence Jeffrey Burkitt, b. 29 May 1980 in West Union, Ohio.
2. Jessica Rose Burkitt, b. 18 July 1981 in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Berneta Louise Smith md. second Raymond E. Fout Jr. 16 October 1963 in
Carrolton, Ohio. He was b. 9 June 1930 Beaver, Ohio. Two children:
1. Robert William Fout, b. 5 May 1951 in Stockdale, Ohio, md. Vicki Lynn
Dillow about 1974 in Ohio. Two children:
1. Angela Michele Fout, b. 27 August 1975 in Portsmouth, Ohio.
2. Jodi Lee Fout, b. 13 January 1979 in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Robert William Fout md. second Sandra Lois Reese about 1983 in
Ohio. She was b. 23 September 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One
child.
1. Jeremy Ray Fout, b. 8 April 1984 in Chillicothe, Ohio.
2. Jonathan Ray Fout, b. 21 September 1954 in Stockdale, Ohio, md.
Jeanette Lynn Reinsmith about 1973. She was b. 11 March 1955 in
Beaver, Ohio. Two children:
1. Jonathan Wesley Fout, b. 26 July 1974 in Chillicothe, Ohio.
2. Erika Lynnette Fout, b. 20 April 1977 in Chillicothe, Ohio.
3. RICHARD RUDOLPH SMITH, b. 12 March 1940 in Moab, Utah, md.
BRENDA JOYCE BOLEN 24 December 1964 in Columbus, Ohio. She was b. 20
August 1943 in Jackson, Ohio. One child:
1. Infant Smith (stillborn) b. and d. 19 February 1966 in Gallipolis, Ohio.
4. BRENDA JOYCE SMITH, b. 19 June 1941 in Jackson, Ohio, md. FREDDIE
LEROY RICHARDS 2 July 1959 in Columbus, Ohio. He was b. 6 November 1935
in Roseville, Kentucky. Three children:
1. Deke Elson Richards, b. 20 December 1959 in Limestone, Maine, md.
Kimberly Winters 9 March 1980 in Newark, Ohio [divorced]. She was
b. 17 February 1958. One child:
1. Brandon Scott Richards, b. about 1981 in Newark, Ohio.
Deke Elson Richards md. second Brenda Bailes 14 September 1985 in
Newark, Ohio. She was b. about 29 December 1962 in Newark, Ohio. Two
children:
1. Keith Aaron Richards, b. 11 December 1987 in Newark, Ohio.
2. James Edward Richards, b. 9 July 1992 in Newark, Ohio.
2. Clint Aaron Richards, b. 20 September 1963 in Columbus, Ohio, md.
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LYNN GHILONI KLEIN 19 September 1992 in Newark, Ohio [divorced].
She was b. 9 April 1954.
3. Scott Darby Richards, b. 25 February 1970 in Newark, Ohio.
5. BERNADINE GAY SMITH, b. 8 December 1942 in Jackson, Ohio, md. LARRY
EUGENE CONKLE 21 June 1959 in Columbus, Ohio. He was b. 10 May 1938 in
Chillicothe, Ohio. Three children:
1. Lisa Beth Conkle b. 7 April 1960 in Columbus, Ohio, md.John
McGrath 14 June 1980 in Bossier City, Louisiana [divorced]. He was b.
18 February 1960 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Two children:
1. Jennifer Lynn McGrath, b. 26 May 1982 in Bossier, Louisiana.
2. Michael Ryan McGrath, b. 11 October 1984 in Shreveport,
Louisiana.
Lisa Beth Conkle md. second Jackson Lee Cox Jr. 7 June 1990 in
Shreveport, Louisiana.
2. Cynthia Jean Conkle, b. 21 March 1961 in Columbus, Ohio, md. Jon
Roy Wilson 10 August 1979 in Shreveport, Louisiana [divorced]. He was
b. 6 August 1960 in Luling, Louisiana. One child:
1. Christine Diana Wilson, b. 29 February 1980.
Cynthia Jean Conkle md. second Jeffrey Allan Johnson He was b.
18 August 1959 in Bossier City, Louisiana.
3. Michael Eugene Conkle, b.15 April 1964 in Mt. Home, Idaho, md. Niki
Leigh Allen 14 June 1988 in Lecompte, Louisiana. She was b. 15
August 1962 in Houston, Texas. One child:
1. Hannah Elizabeth Conkle, b. 6 March 1992 in Shreveport,
Louisiana.
6. RODNEY LELAND SMITH, b. 15 March 1944 in Jackson, Ohio, md. PAMELA
LOUISE HAMMOND 21 March 1965 in Coalton, Ohio. She was b. 29 December
1946 in Gallipolis, Ohio. Three children.
1. Randel Leland Smith, b. 31 July 1967 in Gallipolis, Ohio
2. Shannan Suzann Smith, b. 21 August 1969 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
John Eston Orender Jr. 10 July 1993 in Jackson, Ohio.He was b.
9 July 1968 in Gallipolis, Ohio.
3. Andrea Leann Smith, b. 11 January 1972 in Gallipolis, Ohio. One
child:
1. Adrianne Brooke Smith, b. 3 November 1994 in Chillicothe,
Ohio.
7. SIDNEY LEE SMITH, b.25 April 1945 in Jackson, Ohio, md. LINDA CAROL
PETERSON 19 May 1963 in Welliston, Ohio. She was b. 30 June 1944 in
Carona, Kentucky. Three children:
1. Brian David Smith, b. 9 February 1954 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
Rebecca Rae Ross about 1991. She was b. 10 November 1968 in
Washington Co., Ohio. Three children:
1. Clayton Nicholas Smith, b. 20 April 1992 in Lima, Ohio.
2. Derek Michael Smith, b. 5 August 1994 in Lima, Ohio.
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3. Kyle Mackenzie Smith, b. 15 October 1999 in Lima, Ohio.
2. Jeffrey Todd Smith, b. 13 March 1967 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
Christiine Lynn Hill 17 August 1991 in Jackson, Ohio. She was b. 19
June 1969 in Gallipolis, Ohio. One child:
1. Erica Hill Smith, b. 17 August 1993 in Gallipolis, Ohio.
3. Stephanie Lynn Smith, b. 13 February 1969 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
William Brent Newsome 23 October 1993 in Jackson, Ohio. He was
b. 23 January 1969 in Chillicothe, Ohio.
8. BEVERLY JEAN SMITH, b. 12 January 1947 in Jackson, Ohio, the daughter
of Zona (Burtenshaw) Smith, md. DANNY THOMAS GRIFFITHS 1 August 1965
and sealed as a family in the Washington D C. Temple 6 April 1979. He was b.
22 July 1947 Gallipolis, Ohio. Bpt. in May 1965.
As you attempt to recap your life in a few short pages, you begin to try to
compartmentalize the important events of a lifetime. What is the single most
important thing that has happened during my life? For me, it was being born to
a Latter-day Saint mother. My life has been affected more by that fact than by
any other thing I can recall.
Being the eighth child, I had four older sisters and three older brothers.
All eight of us were born within a ten-year period. When I was nine my youngest
brother was born.
My mother met my father in Blanding, Utah, while my father was stationed there with the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in 1936. After their marriage, they came back to my father’s family in Jackson, Ohio. Since Ohio was
quite distant from the Church headquarters and there were virtually no other
members of the Latter-day Saint religion in the area, my only source of spiritual
direction came from the influence of my mother. I am grateful to her for her
strength and her guidance.
My youth was relatively uneventful and filled with the normal ups and
downs of childhood. Some of the happy things I recall were times when the missionaries would be traveling through the area and they would somehow find our
house. We would have church in our front room. I can remember singing from
the little tan hymnal that was labeled “Deseret Songbook.” It was from this small
beginning, I learned to love the songs of the church.
When I was old enough to be baptized, arrangements were made with the
Emmanuel Baptist Church on Chestnut Street so some of us could use their
font. I remember being baptized and how important that was to me. Bernadine
and my brothers Rodney and Sidney were also baptized at the same time. My
older sisters BoDine, Berneta and Brenda and my brother Richard were
baptized in a private swimming pool that was owned by a doctor in Jackson. My
youngest brother, Ricky, was baptized.in the LDS chapel in Portsmouth, Ohio.
The reason I mention all of this is to emphasize the fact that even though there
was no local church organization for us to attend, my mother still clung to the
knowledge and testimony that she had learned as a young girl.
My husband and I met through our best friends. I lived in Jackson.
Danny Griffith lived in Wellston, which is a small town just six miles northeast.
His best friend was dating my best friend and they arranged for us to go out
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with them on a blind date. We were both high school juniors at the time. When
Danny and I started discussing marriage, I told him that I would not marry any
one that was not a member of my church.
We were holding Sunday meetings in a rented room above a bar. At this
time priesthood holders from Chillicothe, Ohio (about 35 miles northwest) were
able to come and officiate in Sacrament meetings. Danny would attend with me.
He agreed to take the discussions, and was baptized. We were married after my
high school graduation in a civil ceremony.
I was employed as a clerk in a local insurance office and Danny was
working at a local food store. At the end of August, Danny went to work at
McNally-Pittsburgh Manufacturing plant, a good place of employment in our
local area. We soon learned that we were going to be parents. Our daughter,
Melissa “Missy” was b. August 27, 1966. Talk about a life-changing event—
anyone who has ever had a child will know what I mean. Once you hold that
first child in your arms, you are never the same.
Our life was going along on a smooth and even keel until the first week of
January 1967. Danny had not felt well all week but he thought he was having
problems with the flu. He went to a local physician who prescribed some medication for him. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Danny got up to go to the
bathroom. I heard him fall and I, begrudgingly, got up to see what was going on.
I helped him up and back into bed, not thinking much about why he had fallen.
After all, I was tired and he had disturbed my sleep. When we woke up that
morning, he could not get out of bed without my help. I thought he had been
over medicated so I called the doctor and got him at his home. He said to just
not give him anymore medicine and it would wear off.
By noon Danny could not get up, he could not use his legs at all. We lived
in a small apartment on the second floor of a commercial building. The only
neighbor at the time was the little old lady who we rented from. She also had a
small apartment on the second floor. It was from her phone that I had made the
call to the doctor so she knew that Danny was not feeling well. Now, my question was how was I going to get him down the stairs and into the car. No one
was around on Sunday and the stores were closed. Danny’s parents lived in
town but they were gone, too.
I took our little four-month-old daughter (we nicknamed her Missy) and
placed her in the car. I went back up the steep stairwell. Unfortunately, I didn’t
think to have the car door opened so I had to “drop” him in order to open the
door. He was not hurt, but it was difficult to maneuver him into the seat from off
the sidewalk.
I drove to my parents’ house. When I went in to see if they could watch
Missy while I took Danny to the emergency room, no one believed me when I told
them that he couldn’t get out of the car and walk. My oldest brother, Richard,
and his wife were there and he said he would take us down to Gallipolis to the
hospital. I told him that he could take us but we would have to go in our car
because Danny could not move.
I think he thought I was over-reacting; however, when we got the emergency room, he soon saw what I was saying was true. They had to get him out
and put him in a wheel chair because he literally could not move. After a thor491
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ough exam, the doctor told me that Danny had a rare, and often fatal disease
known as Guillian-Barre Syndrome. His legs were paralyzed and depending on
how far and how fast the paralysis progressed, his next 24 hours were critical.
They admitted him to the hospital and I went home to take care of my baby and
make arrangements to come back the next day.
The next day, I rode to the hospital with Danny’s grandfather and stepgrandmother. Danny had been virtually raised by his grandparents and was like
a son to them. When we got there the doctor told me that the paralysis was still
progressing and they were trying to make arrangements for him to be transferred to the Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus because they were
afraid that the paralysis was going to move to his lungs. I sent his grandparents
home and told them that I was staying until they transported Danny.
About midnight they arranged for an ambulance to take him to
Columbus. One of the nurses at the hospital was my cousin and she volunteered
to drive me to Columbus. One thing that was comforting to me was the fact that
I didn’t have to worry about my baby. She was being cared for by my mom so I
knew she would be fine. When I called to let Danny’s parents know what was
happening, his mother gave me the name and phone number of her sister who
lived in Columbus.
We arrived at the hospital about 1:30 a.m. By the time he was stabilized
and I had talked to all the different admissions people and the doctors, it was
about 3:15 a.m. when I called his aunt and explained who I was and where I
was. She told me to call a taxi and come to their house. Thankfully, Danny’s
Aunt Loll and Uncle Charlie were very kind and extremely helpful. As things
turned out, I remained a guest in their house for almost three months. They
made arrangements for another of Danny’s uncles, Clint Davis, to take me to the
hospital. Every night, Loll and Charlie would pick me up by 9:00 p.m. and take
me back to their house.
Danny’s paralysis moved rapidly toward his lungs. The following day,
Tuesday, they had to perform an emergency tracheotomy and put him on a respirator. The next day, Wednesday, the doctor told me that he had developed a
rapid heart beat and was not expected to live through the night because his
heart would beat itself out. I went to the pay phone and looked up the missionaries’ phone number, soon there were two young missionary elders there to give
him a blessing. We got permission for them to come into the Intensive Care Unit
and administer to Danny. At this time Danny was carrying a high fever and was
semi-comatose. He was unable to communicate with me or anyone else.
I stayed at the hospital that night and early the next morning his doctor
came and told me that he was amazed that Danny was still hanging on. He said
by all rights, he should have been gone by now, His heart beat was slowing
down but it would take at least two weeks to get it back to a normal heart beat.
He told me that Danny wasn’t living because of anything that he had done. I told
him that I had sent for the elders of the Church and they had administered to
him. He told me that it was truly a miracle.
That was not the end of his health problems though, because later that
same day he was diagnosed with pneumonia in one lung. Then the following
morning he had double pneumonia. Each time the situation seemed to get
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worse. He gradually seemed to be improving and then he developed a bleeding
ulcer caused by the high dosage of steroids they were giving him as an experimental drug. They had to give him nineteen units of blood and I remember that
they would pour a Maalox-type medication down a tube that they had inserted
through his nose into his stomach. It was a long, tedious six weeks in the intensive care unit but finally they were able to move him to a step-down unit for a
couple of weeks and then they sent him to Dodd Hall, the rehabilitation unit of
the Ohio State University Hospital.
He was in a wheelchair and could not use his legs but his arms were
beginning to regain some usage. They taught him to use his arms and hands.
They virtually had to retrain him to eat and write. When he was finally able to
come home in May, he was still in a wheelchair and the doctors told us that they
could not tell us whether he would ever regain the use of his legs. They showed
me how to exercise his legs and told me to try to keep him as active as possible.
Finally, in July, he was able to take his first steps. Gradually the paralysis left
and we went on with our lives.
In April 1969, our son Tom was born. We were so excited to have this little baby and Missy was just as excited to have a little brother. Danny went to
work at the Ohio Penitentiary as a guard. We moved to an apartment in
Chillicothe, then to a little house in West Jefferson where it was about a halfhour’s drive to the penitentiary. Then in December 1970, Matt was born. Our little family was complete and we were grateful for three healthy children.
The new prison in Lucasville, Ohio, opened in 1972 and Danny was able
to transfer there and we returned to the southern part of the state. We didn’t
want to raise our children in the area around Columbus. We were able to buy
our first home in Minford, a small town about twenty miles from the prison. I
liked it because it was only thirty miles from Portsmouth, where they had a
small branch of the Church with its own chapel. The next several years were relatively quiet and the kids enjoyed having fun with the neighborhood children.
In February 1975, Danny’s health problems compounded and he was put
on a total permanent disability retirement. After he retired, I went to Portsmouth
Interstate Business school for a junior accounting degree. On September 16,
1977, I went to work at the Goodyear Atomic Corporation. I still work there;
however, the name has changed to United States Enrichment Corporation.
My place of employment was thirty miles from Jackson and Danny’s
mother was very ill with lymphatic cancer. We moved to Jackson in September
1978 to be closer to Wellston so Danny could help his mother. She passed away
in June 1979.
When we moved to Jackson, Missy was in seventh grade, Tom was in
fourth, and Matt in second. The boys were involved in Little League, flag football, and basketball. Then in high school they ran cross country and track. Tom
and Matt were both very good runners and achieved recognition throughout the
league for their abilities. Missy was involved in 4-H and took projects to the
State Fair competition. In high school, she was inducted into the Honor Society
and was a member of the Flag Corp. Her senior year she was captain of the Flag
Corp.
Over the years, Danny’s health has had peaks and valleys. He has had
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fourteen heart cauterizations,
eight angioplasties, and three
stents inserted. He enjoys being
able to get out and ride his lawn
mower and work in the yard.
I enjoy making crafts, attending
classes (on just about anything
but especially computer related
courses), and my church callings. When we moved back to
Jackson in 1978, the Church
was a dependent branch meeting in a rented space at the
Standing, back row, left to right: Matt, Natalie
Agricultural Extension Office on
holding Christopher, and Tom
State Route 93. Finally, in 1987,
we were able to have a firstMiddle: Marc, Missy, Blake, Gable and Greyson
phase meeting house built. Over
the years, I have served several
Front: Alicia, Bev, Danny, Brooke, and
times as Relief Society president
Julie holding Baron
(a combined total of about 10
years), Primary president (twice),
gospel doctrine teacher, and various auxiliary teaching assignments.
Now our children are grown and married with children of their own. We
have eight grandchildren and, of course, they are the joy of our lives. On August
1, 2002, we celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary. Yes, a lot of things have
happened to us the past 37-plus years, but of all the things that have happened,
the best have been our children.
When I try to recall specific events in my life, most of them are very grey
and obscure—not because they were tragic or unhappy but because, for some
reason, I do not have a good memory. Most of what I recall, comes as feelings
not recollections of events. Even life-changing situations that are normally
etched on a person’s mind to me are only shadows. I know that the birth of each
of my three children was for me a time of great blessing and a time of thankfulness. My three children have truly been a joy to me:
1. Melissa Jean Griffiths, b. 27 August 1966 in Gallipolis, Ohio. Melissa
md. Marchus Lance Collins 8 June 1984 in Jackson, Ohio and sealed
19 June 1993 in the Washington, D.C. Temple. He was b. 8 November
1963 in Columbus, Ohio. Three children:
1. Alicia Danielle Collins, b. 7 October 1986 at Fairchild AFB
Spokane, Washington.
2. Mitchell Blake Collins, b. 15 November 1989 in Gallipolis, Ohio.
3. Brooke Kathleen Collins, b. 1 December 1991 in Portsmouth,
Ohio. They live in Jackson.
2. Thomas Devon Griffiths, b. 25 April 1969 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
Julie Elaine Miller 24 July 1992 in Jackson, Ohio and sealed 10 May
1996 in the Washington, D.C. Temple. She was b. 3 March 1974 in
Washington C.H., Ohio. They live in Jackson, Ohio. Three children:
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1. Greyson Elayne Griffiths, b. 12 September 1995 in Columbus,
Ohio.
2. Gabriel Thomas Griffiths, b. 1 September 1996 in Portsmouth,
Ohio.
3. Baron Dolf Griffiths, b 4 August 1999 in Portsmouth, Ohio.
3. Matthew Wayne Griffiths, b. 5 December 1970 in Gallipolis, Ohio, md.
Natalie Wade 8 June 1996 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was b. 13
March 1976 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They live in Draper, Utah. Two sons:
1. Christopher Matthew Griffiths, b. 24 September 1999 in Sandy,
Utah.
2. Garrett Wade Griffiths, b 2 May 2001 in Sandy, Utah.
9. RICKY BLAINE SMITH, b. 7 September 1956 in Jackson, Ohio, md. PATRICIA HAYNES 2 September 1978 in Jackson, Ohio [divorced]. She was b. 15
January 1959 in Oak Hill, Ohio.
Ricky Blaine Smith md. second JANUARY ELLEN WASHAM 26 February 1982
in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was b. 26 May 1953 in Columbus, Ohio. Two children:
1. Emily Lynn Smith, b. 1 August 1984 in Columbus, Ohio.
2. Kelly Elizabeth Smith, b. 24 October 1987 in Columbus, Ohio.
2. VEVA ADELIA BURTENSHAW, b. 22 February 1920 in Blanding, Utah, md.
CLAUDE FRANCIS BARRETT. He was b. 27 September 1916 in Council Bluffs,
Iowa.Veva began to work at age 12 doing housework. Claude was an inspector for the
Virginia Health Department and also retired from the Navy as a chief petty officer. Veva
worked as a clerk. Claude d. 10 September 1996 in Norfolk, Virginia. Three children:
1. DAVID BRUCE
BARRETT, b. 27
October 1945 in
Brooklyn, New York,
md. MARIA ELLEN
BARBARIA June
1965 in Norfolk,
Virginia. She was b.
3 April 1947 in
Norfolk, Virginia.
Three children:
1. Jodi Lynn
Barrett, b. 25
October 1966
in Cheverly,
Maryland,
md. Alan
Wayne Hawks
6 October
Veva and and Claude Barrett
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1990 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
2. David Bruce Barrett Jr., b. 25 November 1970 in Norfolk, Virginia.
3. Cindy Michele Barrett, b. and d. 5 July 1971 in Norfolk Virginia.
2. BRENT NEAL BARRETT, b. 12 March 1952 in St. Albans, New York. Bpt.
6 May 1960, md. PATRICIA LOU McGOVERN 16 December 1972 in Norfolk,
Virginia. She was b. 11 April 1953 in St. Albans, New York. Two children:
1. Zachary David Barrett, b. 12 October 1974 in Norfolk, Virginia. Bpt.
13 July 1985.
2. Brandon Michael Barrett, b. 13 January 1977 in Norfolk, Virginia. Bpt.
12 July 1985.
Brent Neal Barrett md. second ELSIE CAROLYN ROSE 4 June 1988 at
Whitestone, Virginia. One child:
1. Taylor Gavin Barrett, b. 23 November 1992 in Virginia.
3. HARRY ALAN BARRETT, b. in 1958 in Norfolk, Virginia, md. TAMI L. AKIYAMA 5 March 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah. One child:
1. Alan Randall Barrett, b. June 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. VERA “LORETTA” BURTENSHAW, b. 9 December 1921 in Tucson, Arizona, md.
MICHAEL JAMES CAMBERLANGO 3 December 1939 in Blanding, Utah. Sealed in the
Logan Temple [divorced]. Michael came to Blanding, Utah, with the CCC camp in the
1920s. He joined the Navy and fought in World War II. Returned home and worked in
the Uranium Milling industry advancing to superintendent. Moved to Price as a contractor. Vera was a nurse and housewife. Michael d. 13 February 1999.
Vera “Loretta” Burtenshaw md. second CLAUDE F. GARRETT. She d. 19 November
1984 Provo, Utah. He d. 10 September 1996 in Norfolk, Virginia.
Loretta and Michael have six children:
1. ANTHONY LAURITZ CAMBERLANGO, b. 13 May 1940 in Brooklyn, New
York, md. KAREN ELAINE GAGE 28 August 1964 in the Salt Lake Temple. She
was b. 24 March 1945 in Dolores, Colorado, and d. 30 August 1973 in Salt
Lake City, Utah. Anthony worked in investments. Two children:
1. Christopher Anthony Camberlango, b. 20 April 1967 in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
2. Collette Camberlango, b. 10 August 1969 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md.
Brett Manning about 1990.
2. JEANETTE ROSE CAMBERLANGO, b. 29 October 1942 in Brooklyn, New
York, md. JAMES LLOYD HARRISON 5 December 1958 in Monticello, Utah,
[divorced]. She d. 19 November 1971 in Riverton, Utah Two children:
1. Victor James Harrison, b. 23 July 1959 in Monticello, Utah, md.
Theresa ______________ 22 January 1977 in Farmington, New Mexico.
Two children:
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1. James Lee Harrison, b.14 July 1977 in Kirtland, New Mexico.
2. Jeanette Elouise Harrison, b. 19 January 1981.
2. Michael Dean Harrison, b. 21 May 1962 in Monticello, Utah, md.
Rosella Rene Keswaster. One child:
1. Angela Blane Harrison, b. 30 December 1982
Jeanette Rose Camberlango md. second THEODORE TELLER MANZ 17
January 1971.
Standing, left to right: Anthony, Marty and Jim Camberlango
Front, left to right: Vinnie, Vera, Mike and Jeanette Camberlango
Ricci in front of Mike
1964
3. MICHAEL JAMES CAMBERLANGO, b. 6 December 1946 in Moab, Utah, md.
PATRICIA ANN BUTLER 4 September 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was b.
21 November 1950 in Monticello, Utah. He was a banker. Six children:
1. Janice Camberlango, b. 7 September 1972 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md.
Steven Lee Draper 6 June 1992. He was b. 11 December 1969. One
child:
1. Colby Lee Draper, b. 29 October 1992 in Orem, Utah.
2. Stephanie Ann Camberlango, b. 28 February 1975 in Monticello, Utah.
3. Michael James Camberlango, b. 11 March 1977 in Monticello, Utah.
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4. Brian Robert Camberlango, b. 28 October 1978 in Monticello, Utah.
5. Vincent Anthony Camberlango, b. 29 August 1981 in Monticello, Utah.
6. Kristie Camberlango, b. 6 July 1987 in Orem, Utah.
4. MARTY “K” CAMBERLANGO, b. 22 March 1948 in Monticello, Utah, md.
SHERRIE LOU GAFFNEY 3 August 1971 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was b.
8 July 1951. Marty was a banker. Four children:
1. Marty J. Camberlango, b. 31 January 1973 in Provo, Utah, md.
Melanie Rae Tilton 29 September 1992 [divorced]. She was b. January
1973.
2. Kelli Camberlango, b. 12 May 1976 in Murray, Utah.
3. Nicholas Camberlango, b. 3 September 1979 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
4. Chase Gans “Vino” Camberlango, b. September 1985 in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
5. VINCENT EDDY CAMBERLANGO, b. 3 August 1954 in Monticello, Utah, md.
SUSAN D. OLSON 26 July 1975 in Moab, Utah, and sealed 4 March 1978 in the
Salt Lake Temple. Susan was b. 3 December 1957 in Price, Utah. Vincent is a
carpenter/contractor. Three children:
1. Jay Vincent Camberlango, b. 14 February 1977 in Price, Utah.
2. Matthew Taylor Camberlango, b. 14 January 1981 in Moab, Utah.
3. Jenna Camberlango, b. 26 June 1984 in Moab, Utah.
6. RICCI “G” CAMBERLANGO, b. 9 January1958 in Monticello, Utah, md. VIRGINIA IRENE NICHOLS. 27 April 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was b. 22 April
1960 in Price, Utah. He spent most of his life in Moab. He moved to Price, Utah,
at age 17, where he met Virginia. Ricci was a miner and d. in the Wilberg mine
disaster 19 December 1984 in Orangeville, Utah. Two children:
1. Ricci William Camberlango, b. 30 June 1980 in Price, Utah.
2. Tiffany Dawn Camberlango, b. about 4 February 1984 in Price, Utah.
4. AFTON “CLARA” BURTENSHAW, b. 20 May 1923 in Tucson, Arizona, md. FRANK
A. MONTELLA 11 May 1941 and sealed 12 August 1966 in the Manti Temple. He was
b. 16 March 1921 in Brooklyn, New York. Afton taught Sunday School and worked in
other auxiliary organizations. She was a good neighbor, friend, wife and mother and
was an excellent cook and housekeeper. She was a bookkeeper for the Suburban Gas
Co. of Blanding. Her children and husband were her pride and joy. Afton d. 16 October
1971. Six children:
1. FRANK A. MONTELLA JR., b. 24 January 1942 in Blanding, Utah, md. BARBARA JEAN BREWSTER 25 February 1962 and sealed 27 February 1965.
Barbara was b. 20 October 1945 in Orange, Texas. He was a manager/mechanic. They lived in Monticello. Two children:
1. Robert Anthony Montella, b. 24 January 1963 in Monticello, Utah, md.
Taura Torreson 1 March 1985 in St George, Utah, and sealed about
1986. Two children:
1. Tyan Athony Montella, b. 20 February 1992 in St. George, Utah.
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2. Taura Montella, b. 1995 in Monticello, Utah.
2. James Todd Montella, b. 13 July 1966 in St. George, Utah, md. Judy
Hunt 28 March 1984 in the St. George Temple ( divorced). Two children:
1. Todd Colby Montella, b. 26 August 1988 in Monticello, Utah.
2. Tasha Montella, b. 8 June 1990 in Monticello, Utah.
Standing, back row, left to right: Frank, Afton, Frank Jr., Connie and Jack Montella
Front, Teresa, Clara Bo, and Millie Montella
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2. CONNIE LUCILLE MONTELLA, b. 7 May 1944 in Blanding, Utah, md. GARY
WENDELL NELSON. He was b. 13 August 1940 in Summer, Kansas. They live in
California. One child:
1. Jennifer Ann Nelson, b. 27 July 1974 in Harbor, California.
3. JACK BURTEN MONTELLA, b. May 2, 1947 in Blanding, Utah. Jackie is a
manager/welder. Jackie md. KATHRYN NIELSON 12 October 1968 at Blanding,
Utah, and they were sealed 9 October 1970 in the Arizona Temple. Kathryn was
b. 7 December 1947 in Monticello, Utah. Three children:
1. Jeff Burten Montella (twin), b. 8 December 1969 in Monticello, Utah,
md. Sheri Lynn Balch 21 August 1992 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was
b. 21 November 1970 in Soda Springs, Idaho. One child:
1. Kylar Burten Montella, b. 27 January 1995 in Monticello,
2. Cortney Nielson Montella (twin), b. 8 December 1969 in Monticello,
Utah.
3. Stefani Montella, b. 26 January 1976 in Monticello, Utah.
4. TERESA ANN MONTELLA, b. 31 July 1952, md. JOSEPH VIGH DAHLE
6 August 1971 in the Logan Temple. He was b. 19 July 1947 in Logan, Utah.
Teresa and Joseph lived in Blackfoot, Idaho. Five children:
1. Joseph Scott Dahle, b. 9 June 1972 in Logan, Utah, md. Heather
Cowan 11 August 1994 in the Salt Lake Temple.
2. Angela Maria Dahle, b. 26 July 1975 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
3. Corey Dean Dahle, b. 4 March 1978 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
4. Allyson Clarese Dahle, b. 3 October 1981 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
5. Kenneth Paul Dahle, b. 2 August 1984 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
5. CLARA BO MONTELLA, b. 12 March 1954 in Monticello, Utah. Clara worked
in a bank. Clara md. LYMAN BARTON PALMER 23 August 1975 in Blanding,
Utah. Lyman was b. 18 August 1954 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Three children:
1. Lindsay Palmer, b. 10 September 1977 in Monticello, Utah..
2. Ashley Palmer, b. 28 December 1979 in Monticello, Utah.
3. Joshua Lyman Palmer, b. 29 July 1981 in Monticello, Utah.
6. MILDRED MONTELLA), b. 26 January 1957 in Monticello, Utah, md. MYRON
GILBERT ABBOTT 18 July 1975 in Blanding, Utah. Myron was b. 20 October
1955 in Monticello, Utah. Three children:
1. Tori Abbott, b. 29 January 1976 in Monticello, Utah.
2. Kelli Bo Abbott, b. 6 August 1980 in Monticello, Utah.
3. Caleb Blaine Abbott, b. 25 October 1982 in Monticello, Utah.
5. FARRON ERASTUS BURTENSHAW, b. 5 March 1926 in Deeth, Nevada, md. FERN
ANITA WALLACE 28 March 1947 in Long Beach, California. She was b. 14 May 1925 in
Musselshell, Montana, and d. 17 July 2000.
Farron’s parents moved to Bluewater, New Mexico, shortly after Farron was
born. In about 1932 they moved to Blanding where they lived in a tent until a mud
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house was built. It had one room. It was built by digging down two or three feet into
the ground and then mud walls were built higher with poles across them and dirt piled
on top. They lived in the dirt house until the lumber house with two rooms was built,
but the mud house was still used for kids to sleep in.
We finally got a cow and chickens. Eggs were traded at Doug Galbraith’s General
Merc for groceries.
way.
As a little kid I spent most of my time out of doors, maybe to keep out of the
Dad did plowing for other farmers. Farron helped his father and received twentyfive cents a day. Once the barn was full of hay that Dad had taken as part of our
wages. It caught fire. All the hay and the barn were lost but no animals were lost.
After school hours and during the summer, I helped Dad cut firewood. It was cut
into 12” lengths and sold by the cord for $4.00 Once in a while we’d trade a cord of
wood for a family ticket to a movie such as Call of the Wild or a Hopalong Cassidy
movie. School supplies were traded for.
“It seems like we took a cord of wood to the church every week.
Whether there was pay or whether that was Dad’s donation, I don’t know.
We all wore hand-me-downs for clothes. We fashioned boots by wrapping
our shoes in burlap bags held on with wire. We wore these out to get wood.
“In our lunch baskets we took to work, we had two slices of homemade bread with lard for spread sprinkled with white or brown sugar. If
we happened to have venison on hand we might have meat in our lunch.
We killed rabbits for meat too.
“The government provided a cup of hot soup for school lunches so
this was added to the bread with lard on it.”
As a teenager he went with his buddies out hunting for rabbits for the family’s
dinner. Sometimes when they couldn’t find rabbits they killed prairie dogs, skinned
them and passed them off as rabbits.
“I worked in Blanding Mines during three summers while in High
School and got 90 cents an hour for running a jack hammer. Mom needed
all the money for the family. I worked part time after school too.”
One pleasure Farron had was after supper to get behind the wood burning stove
and listen to a program on the radio before going to bed. He liked “Inner Sanctum,”
“The Whistler” and “Lux Theater.”
“We wrapped hot rocks in old blankets and put them at the foot of
the bed to help keep us warm. During the winter, the inside of the walls
were frosty.
“Kerosene lamps were used for light.
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“We were sent to Sunday School and Primary but the folks seldom
went. Once in a while they went to evening service. It was more of a social
gathering place for me. There was no specific religious training at home but
we were expected to be honest, work hard and mind our own business. It
wasn’t until I got into the Navy that I took religion seriously. We did go to
Seminary during high school.
“I quit school at the end of my junior year
and went to Provo, Utah, to a trade school. When I
finished trade school I returned to Blanding for a
few weeks then went back to Salt Lake City to
enlist in the Navy in March right after my 17th
birthday” in 1943.
He received his basic training in Faraget, Idaho,
then had ten days of training aboard ship off the coast
of South Carolina.
“The Navy taught me how to swim right. I
was in the main action in the Philippines,
Christmas Island, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and saw
Corregidor being liberated. In Okinawa the LSM
was destroyed from under us with a load of soldiers, tanks etc. we were to deliver. I swam
toward shore and a P.A. picked me up. I had been
Farron Burtenshaw
hit with shrapnel in the upper left leg and had a
cracked rib. I was treated then transferred to
Honolulu on a hospital ship. After ten days I returned to active duty. We
were part of the invasion of Japan.
“San Diego and Long Beach were home base from 1946 to 1947.
While I was stationed at Long Beach, California, I met Fern Wallace at a
New Year’s Eve dance.
“I was discharged March 10, 1947, and went back to Blanding for a
visit.”
Farron was a mechanic/welder. Fern was a bookkeeper/secretary/historian.
“We really started out on a shoe string. Fern worked as a bookkeeper and I found a job with Golden State Dairies. While there I got locked in
the freezer. I knew if I wasn’t found in a little while I would be frozen. I
couldn’t make them hear me by pounding on the doors because they were
too thick. I saw a wooden-handled tool and kept sticking it in an electric
socket, blowing fuses, until they came to check on the freezer. They kept
replacing fuses and I would keep blowing them out until I finally got their
attention.
“In 1949 we moved to Blanding then to Grand Junction, Colorado,
where I worked as a shop manager, then as a mechanic. I completed a correspondence course for automobile mechanics between 1951 and 1954. I’ve
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Fern and Farron
Burtenshaw
wedding picture
On left of couple, George
and Marge Wallace
On right of couple, Bernice
and ‘Ras Burtenshaw
been vice president and president of the local union when I worked at
Climax. I was loan officer for the Climax Credit Union for about 7 years.
“While in Monticello I got lead poisoning from working with paint.”
In 1965 Farron was working near a vat of acid when one of the connecting pipes
broke and acid sprayed over his face and neck.
“They turned the water hose on me then rushed me to the hospital
where they washed me off again. I just have a light scar now.
“I kept busy after working hours repairing cars for people, doing their
plumbing or electrical work—most of it without charge because these people
couldn’t afford to hire help.
“At church I was elders quorum president, then MIA president. I’ve
taught the elders quorum and was ward clerk, home teacher supervisor,
and high priest group leader.”
(Information taken from a history written by Farron.)
Farron and Fern had two children:
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1. ANITA JOY BURTENSHAW, b. 2 May 1949 in Long Beach, California, md.
MICHAEL EDWARD AHO 19 October 1979 in Ogden, Utah. Michael was b.
22 September 1951 in Ishpeming, Maine. Two children:
1. Michael Stephen Aho, b. 26 February 1977 in Ogden, Utah.
2. Jace Burten Aho, b. 26 August 1979 in Ogden, Utah.
Above: Anita Joy Burtenshaw and Michael Edward Aho
Left: Michael Stephen Aho
Right: Jace Burten Aho
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2. JESCYLE IRENE BURTENSHAW , b. 2 July 1950 in Monticello, Utah, md.
DAVID LAVERN BARNEY 17 July 1970 at Grand Junction, Colorado [divorced].
He was b. 28 November 1947 in Utah. Three children:
1. Jan-Rachelle Barney, b. 8 November 1972 in Orem, Utah, md.
Timothy Edward Tschantz Jr. who was b. 3 October 1971 in Ohio. He was
a sheet metal worker. Jan worked in Special Education. One child:
1. Taylor Ann Tschantz, b. July 18, 1995 in Phoenix, Arizona.
2. Kristofer Beau Barney, b. 29 March 1975 in Provo, Utah.
3. Farrah Renae Barney, b. 13 November 1976 in Provo, Utah.
Jescyle Irene Burtenshaw md. second JAMES HOWARD HECK 3 June 1989 at
Grand Junction. H was b. 14 February in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Left: Jan and Taylor Tschantz
Center: Kristofer Beau Barney
Right: Farrah Renae Barney
6. NINA VIOLET BURTENSHAW, b. 2 September 1927 in
Bluewater, New Mexico, md. ERMAN DEWAYNE WOOD 2 June
1951 at Brooklyn, New York. He was b. 6 August 1928 in
Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and d. 4 March 1991 in West Valley,
Utah. He was a mechanic. Nina was a beautician/clerk. Three
children:
1. DEAN E. WOOD, b. 5 January 1952 in Cleveland,
Ohio, md. LINDA K. BARNES 13 September 1976 and
sealed 13 September 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple. She
was b. 29 December 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Five
children:
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Nina Burtenshaw
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Trevor Dean Wood, b. 21 August 1977 in Magna, Utah.
Shane Everett Wood, b. 7 April 1980 in Magna, Utah.
Deven Coy Wood, b. 1982 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Curtis K. Wood, b. 29 December 1983 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mary Ann Wood, b. 21 February 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. BONNIE LEE WOOD, b. 29 October 1954 in Monticello, Utah, md. BYRON
KIM CROMER 12 October 1973 in Granger, Utah [divorced]. He was b. 3
February 1954 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two children:
1. Amber Cromer, b. 3 October 1975 in Granger, Utah.
2. Justin Cromer, b. 15 November 1978 in Granger, Utah.
3. TINA BEE WOOD, b. 20 January 1959 in Cleveland, Ohio, md. FRANK FLEMING 26 January 1979 in Salt Lake City, Utah [divorced]. He was b. 18 July
1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
7. DELNA BERNICE BURTENSHAW, b. 1929, md. PARLEY KING KNIGHTON 14 July
1950 in the Logan Temple. He was b. 11 August 1930 and d. 7 December 1975. Delna
was a wife and clerk. Nine children:
Left: Parley
Knighton and
Delna
Burtenshaw,
Blanding, Utah,
1950
Right: Wayne,
Gary, Don and
Raymond
Knighton
Joyce and Linda
Knighton
1. WAYNE ELLIOTT KNIGHTON, b. 20 April 1952 at Camp Carson, Colorado,
md. CHARLENE FRANK 26 April 1974 in the Logan Temple. She was b.
5 September 1948 in Logan, Utah. Four children:
1. Jennifer Kae Knighton, b. 31 August 1975 in Kokomo, Indiana.
2. Troy Wayne Knighton, b. 9 January 1978 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. Sean Elliott Knighton, b. 6 February 1980 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
4. Cole Devin Knighton, b. 7 February 1983 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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2. RAYMOND EUGENE KNIGHTON, b. 31 October 1954 in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, md. KATHERINE HELEN BOEHME 18 February 1977 in the Salt Lake
Temple. She was b. 1 August 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Five children:
1. Benjamin Raymond Knighton, b. 22 August 1978 in Logan, Utah.
2. Hilary Catherine Knighton, b. 1 July 1980 in Logan, Utah.
3. Natalie Clair Knighton, b. 15 January 1984 in Ithaca, New York.
4. Jocelyn Christine Knighton, b. 15 February 1986 in Fargo, North
Dakota.
5. Kimberly Candice Knighton, b. 23 October 1988 in Fargo, North
Dakota.
3. GARY EDWARD KNIGHTON, b. 3 August 1956 in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
md. KARREN LEE BAKER 16 March 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was b.
27 April 1958 in Brigham City, Utah. Four children:
1. Nicholas Paul Knighton, b. 20 December 1979 in Logan, Utah.
2. Ryan Keith Knighton, b. 26 August 1982 in Logan, Utah.
3. David Scott Knighton, b. 8 November 1985 in Logan, Utah.
4. Dayna Knighton b., 18 January 1988 in Logan, Utah.
4. DON ELLIS KNIGHTON, b. 13 October 1957 in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
md. CHERYL GITTINS 4 March 1977 in Logan, Utah. They were sealed 4 March
1978. She was b. 28 February 1958 in Logan, Utah. Four children:
1. Ami Evetta Knighton, b. 11August 1977 in Logan, Utah.
2. Justin Ellis Knighton, b. 15 July 1978 in Logan, Utah.
3. Timothy Erron Knighton, b. 14 March 1981 in Logan, Utah.
4. Diana Elise Knighton, b. 9 May 1985 in Logan, Utah.
5. JOYCE ELAINE KNIGHTON, b. 12 July 1960 at Lajes Field, Azores,
Terriceria, Portugal, md. MATTHEW GIRARD CASSELLA 20 March 1981 and
was sealed 8 October 1982. He was b. 11 May 1958 in Reno, Nevada. He was in
the U.S. Air Force. Three children:
1. Chad Morgan Cassella, b. 24 January 1982 in Logan, Utah.
2. Danielle Elaine Cassella, b. 11 April 1983 at Mather Air Force Base,
California.
3. Jamie Allison Cassella, b. 2 September 1985 at K I Sawyer Air Force
Base, Maine.
6. LYNDA EILEEN KNIGHTON, b. 29 January 1963 at Barksdale Air Force
Base, Bossier, Louisiana, md. JAY CALVIN CLARK 11 September 1981 and
sealed 8 October 1982. He was b. 26 April 1962 in Logan, Utah. Six children:
1. Nichole Eileen Clark, b. 16 July 1983 in Logan, Utah.
2. Jay Michael Clark, b. 28 March 1985 in Logan, Utah.
3. Jacob Ian Clark, b. 2 January 1987 in Logan, Utah.
4. Nathan Andrew Clark, b. 1 April 1988 in Logan, Utah.
5. Aaron Jonathan Clark, b.15 June 1990 in Logan, Utah.
6. Candice Marie Clark, b.12 March 1992 in Logan, Utah.
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7. RUTH ELLEN KNIGHTON, b. 5 October 1966 in San Angelo, Texas, md.
DALE J. KRAMER 10 January 1986 at Logan, Utah. He was b. 11 March 1967
in Sacramento, California. Two children:
1. Amanda Kramer, b. 26 March 1988 in Logan, Utah.
2. Andrea Kramer, b. 3 December 1990 in Logan, Utah.
8. SHARON ELIZABETH KNIGHTON, b. 10 December 1968 in Logan, Utah, md.
DARREN KAY HARDMAN 19 December 1987 in the Logan Temple. He was b.
4 August 1965. Two children:
1. Jessica Alyse Hardman, b. 26 November 1988 in Logan, Utah.
2. Holli Ann Hardman, b. 5 July 1993 in Logan, Utah.
9. DONNA ERLENE KNIGHTON, b. 17 October 1970 in Logan, Utah. Donna
had two children:
1. Christopher Tyler Knighton, b. September 1989 in Logan, Utah.
2. Chelsey Knighton, b. 17 July 1992 in Logan, Utah.
8. NELLA JESCILE BURTENSHAW, b. 16 February 1931 in Bluewater, New Mexico, d.
5 March 1942. She had long, beautiful hair.
Her brother Farron and sister Veva wrote about her:
“I can remember sitting in the kitchen helping
her with some school work shortly before she went to
Salt Lake. She was about five years younger than me.
“She started getting bad headaches and got
real thin so Mom and Dad took her to Salt Lake where
she was operated on for a brain tumor. The folks left
me in charge of the kids who were still home. They
sent telegrams to keep us informed. On March 5, my
birthday, we got a telegram saying Jescile had died.
They brought her back to Blanding on March 7, Devon’s birthday.
She was eleven years old.”
“She was very dainty and never liked to wear hand-me-downs.
One day she got part way to school after giving lots of argument
before she left. Turned around and came back home because she had
a patch on her dress. She didn’t want anyone to see her in a dress
like that. She was too proud.
“We had an old truck we used to play on. One day as we were
playing around she tumbled off right on top of her had. I said several
times maybe that caused her tumor.”
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9. KAY DEVON BURTENSHAW, b. 7 March 1932 in
Bluewater, New Mexico in the mud house. Devon was a
garage manager. He md. ANNA LEE PEHRSON 26 March
1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was b. 5 April 1933 in
Monticello, Utah.
Three children:
1. KAYLENE BURTENSHAW, b. 6 July 1952 in
Monticello, Utah, md. DAVID PHILLIPS 28 June
1974 in the Provo Temple. He was b. in 1951 in
Provo, Utah.
Kaylene met David Phillips at a sacrament meeting when David reported his mission. David’s
cousin was Kaylene’s roommate at Snow College.
The two young ladies had gone to a Utah State/
BYU football game and spent the night together
before going to David’s mission report as Kaylene
was on her way to Utah State.
Kay Devon and Anna Lee
Pehrson Burtenshaw,
March 1951
After two years of long distance dating, phone
calls, and letters, Kaylene graduated in Speech
Pathology. Three weeks later Kaylene and David
were married.
Kaylene worked two years at a school for trainable
handicapped children
while David finished a degree in Electronics
Engineering Technology.
David taught Electronics Engineering Technology
at BYU for several years. He then taught at Utah
Technical College and had his own electronics
consulting business.By this time Jessica had
joined our family. David returned to BYU to
teach and Diana was b. during this time. In 1987
we sold our home and moved to Indiana where
David taught at Purdue University for two years.
David then took a job with Novell and we moved
back to Utah with 5-month-old Amanda. We rented while building our current home in Orem.
David is an engineer at Novell and has recently
finished landscaping our yard. He also enjoys
mountain biking and hiking. He is currently serv509
Kaylene Burtenshaw
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ing as elder’s quorum president in the ward. Kaylene’s hobbies include reading,
sewing, biking and hiking. She teaches a Sunbeam class.
Kaylene and David have six children:
1. Jon athan David Phillips, b 9 July 1976 in Provo, Utah just nine days
after his mom quit working and a month before his dad graduated from
college. He is an excellent student and likes biking and basketball.
2. Alysa Phillips, b. 27 July 1978 in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She is a
good student, pianist, and handicrafter.
3. Brian B. Phillips, b. 22 January 1981 in Provo, Utah. He is excited to
be a deacon and a Boy Scout.
4. Jessica Phillips, b. 15 August 1983 in Provo, Utah. Jessica loves biking, roller skating and jumping rope.
5. Diana Phillips, b. 2 January 1986 in Provo, Utah. Diana likes reading,
riding her bike and playing with her friends and her dolls .
6. Amanda Phillips, b. 27 January 1989 in West Lafayette, Indiana..
She likes collecting anything and everything, riding her bike and swinging.
2. LAURIE BURTENSHAW, b. 7 August 1954 in Monticello, Utah, md. ROBERT
REX 11 July 1975. She was a nurse. One child:
1. Valerie Lyn Rex, b. 8 October 1976 in Monticello, Utah.
Laurie Burtenshaw md. second BRECK MURPHY O’STEEN 22 September 1978
in Eastland, Texas [divorced]. One child. Laurie had one more child.
2. Shaun Murphy O’Steen, b. 16 February 1980 in Ranger, Texas.
3. Ryan Von Burtenshaw b. 1986 in Monticello, Utah.
3. ROD “E” KIM BURTENSHAW, b. 7 August1956 in Monticello, Utah, md.
CYNDI LYN SHOEMAKER 14 September 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was
b. 10 August 1961 in Tampa, Florida. Four children:
1. Jeremy Kim Burtenshaw, b. 6 December 1979 in Monticello, Utah.
2. Jennifer Lyn Burtenshaw, b. 11 April 1981 in Monticello, Utah.
3. Ian Michael Burtenshaw, b. 14 January 1983 in Monticello, Utah.
4. Curtis K. Burtenshaw, b. 24 June 1984 in Monticello, Utah.
Laurie and Kim Burtenshaw
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10. DOROTHY LEE BURTENSHAW, b. 20
June 1933 in Blanding, Utah in the mud
house. She md. EDWARD HARVEY SHEPHERD 11 April 1952 (divorced 1954). No
children.
Dorothy Lee Burtenshaw md. second DEE
CURTIS HANCOCK 20 October 1954 and
they were sealed 18 August 1962. He was b.
9 August 1933. She worked as a wife and
clerk. Three children:
1. STEPHEN D. HANCOCK, b. 25
September 1957 in Blanding, Utah,
md. JILL SHUMWAY 18 August 1979
in Blanding, Utah [divorced]. Three
children:
1. Derek Dee Hancock, b. 21
February 1980 in Monticello,
Utah.
2. Stephanie Pauline Hancock,
b. 29 August 1982 in Kanab,
Utah.
3. Justin Devar Hancock, b.
17 June 1986 in Kanab, Utah.
Dorothy Lee Burtenshaw
Stephen D. Hancock md. second DONNA GUY BOWERS 8 April 1993 in Los
Vegas, Nevada. She was b. 27 July 1968 in Ventura,
California.
2. WADE ALLEN HANCOCK, b. 17 September
1959 in Monticello, Utah, md. MODESSA
MARIE TORRES 24 November 1979. She was b.
10 April 1965 in Monticello, Utah. Three children:
1. Nathan Wade Hancock, b. 31 May
1980 in Monticello, Utah.
2. Nina Eva Hancock (twin), b. 4 March
1984 in Monticello, Utah.
3. Deedra Nicole Hancock (twin), b. 4
March 1984 in Monticello, Utah.
Dorothy Lee Burtenshaw and Dee Hancock family
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3. SHERRIE LEE HANCOCK, b. 1 January 1963 in Monticello, Utah, md.
DAVID LESLIE PERKINS 9 March 1979 at Blanding and they were sealed 27
April 1991. He was b. 3 April 1960. Four chil
dren:
1. Adalia Lee Perkins, b. 2 August 1980
in Monticello, Utah, md. Nathan Halls
19 March 1998 in the Salt Lake
Temple.
2. Mary Amanda Perkins, b. 6 March
1983 in Monticello, Utah.
3. Hanson Loyd Perkins, b. 1 April
1985 in Monticello, Utah.
4. Anna Elise Perkins, b. 17 June
1991 in Monticello, Utah.
Adalia Lee Perkins and Nathan Halls
11. FRANKIE LARUE BURTENSHAW, b. 7 January 1936 in
Blanding, Utah, Bpt. 6 February
1944, md. RICHARD COTTAM
SWONSON 3 July 1956. He was b.
15 May 1931 in Salt Lake City,
Utah. Frankie and Richard are each
conservative and perfectionists, he
with a lawn service business.
Frankie has worked at the school
district and has done office work.
She is now a home body.
Frankie L. Burtenshaw and Richard
Cottom Swonson
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1B1-4 AMY HORTENSE MORTENSEN, b. 6 December 1898 in Colonia Diaz,
Mexico, md. MORGAN LEON NIELSEN 23 February 1920 and they were sealed
2 February 1982 in the Washington D.C. Temple. He was b. 22 November 1895
in Colonia Juarez, Mexico, and d. 15 August 1977. Amy d. 26 July 1926.
Morgan was a carpenter helping to build the Avalon Hotel. Amy was ill
most of the time. After moving back to Bluewater, New Mexico, she died six
months after Grace was born..Four children:
1. AMY HORTENSE NIELSEN, b. 20 November 1920 in Blanding, Utah, md. REID
ALBERT SORENSEN 27 April 1940 [divorced].
My mother’s death had a profound and lasting effect on my life. Emotionally I
turned inward and shied away from everyone. I am a real introvert.. I have no memories of Blanding until going back there to live.
My first memories are from my early days in Bluewater. I had three sisters:
Leona, who died while a baby; Alberta, and Grace, who was killed in an auto accident
in Duarte, California, 8 August 1969.
While in Bluewater, adults were always warning us not to talk to strangers as
they might be gypsies and gypsies were known to kidnap small children. One day a
gypsy woman came to our house and wanted food. My mother was sick in bed and she
instructed me to pull a chair up to the cupboard and get the items she picked out to
give the woman. I was terrified, but I sure remember the chair, the cupboard and the
gypsy woman. I don’t know whether she just wanted food or whether she told my mother’s fortune. Gypsies told fortunes a lot in those days, probably for a hand-out.
Another time I remember someone cutting my mother’s hair. Later I decided I
could cut hair too. I don’t remember who the victims were but at least two kids got a
heck of a hair cut. Needless to say I was in deep trouble.
I remember my Uncle Lawrence taking me for a ride in someone’s Model-T. The
kind with no doors, just a scooped out U shape to climb in and out of the thing. On the
way home we were going down a steep dugway, hit a bump and I went flying down the
steep embankment. I don’t remember hurting very much, but there was blood everywhere. Uncle Lawrence wrapped me in a WWII army coat. He was terribly upset. I don’t
remember the treatment, but I still have a long scar under my chin.
I definitely remember all of the poor old houses we lived in and how hard it was
to heat them and how cold and drafty they were. I also remember about the food. In
those days we ate to live, not live to eat. Most everything tasted good because we were
usually hungry and we learned to like everything.
After mother’s funeral we three girls were placed in relatives’ homes. I went to
live with Aunt Abbie Hatch, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She had 11 children of her
own so needless to say my stay there was anything but pleasant. Another memory is of
my going into the bathroom and locking the door and just crying.
We learned to dance the Charleston by getting in a circle. The dancing was fun.
I don’t remember how long I lived with my Hatch cousins, but the next place I
went was to live was with my Grandfather Lauritz Mortensen and his second wife who
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we called Aunt
Phoebe. They lived in
Bluewater, New
Mexico, across the
road from the railroad
tracks and the trains
scared me to death.
The sand there
was great to play in.
But you could never
ever tell what you
might see when you
got up in the mornings if the wind blew
very hard during the
night. There were
chicken wire fences
(drift) and sometime
the sand would be
drifted almost as high
as the fences or even
the houses.
During this
time I had no idea
where Alberta and
Grace were. But the
next place I went to
live was with my
Grandmother Nielsen,
my father’s mother, in
Blanding, Utah. I lived
in Blanding until we
went to St. George,
Utah, in 1938.
My grandmother wanted to work in
the temple. It was
while I lived in St.
George, Utah, that I
met Reid Albert
Sorensen. We lived in
town in the winter
and out on the
famous Arizona Strip
in the summer for five
years.
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Amy Hortense Nielsen
1958-59 • North Sacramento Police Department
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Amy Sorensen
and children,
left to right,
Judi, Scott,
James (JB),
and Randy,
1991
During this time I had three children: Judith, a daughter, and two sons, James
and Scott. With three children it was apparent that we couldn’t live on a cowboy’s
wages of $75.00 per month, so Reid started working in the mines and we lived in mining camps.
What a life. Nothing seems to get any better. Just go from tumbled down ranch
houses to old mining shacks.
We moved to Moab, Utah, in 1955 during the uranium boom. While in Moab I
divorced Reid Sorensen in 1956 and it was there I started working. First I worked for
about a year for the telephone company and then for the Grand County Sheriff’s Office
as a dispatcher. In the mean time I had another boy, Randall. I was divorced by 1957.
I sold the trailer home we had purchased and in September 1957 the children
and I moved to Sacramento, California. I had enough money from the mobile home for
a down payment on a nice three-bedroom house in Sacramento. I got a job as a dispatcher, matron with the North. Sacramento Police Department. For the first time in
our lives we had a nice house to live in. Life was looking up!
I soon joined Theta Chapter of the California Peace Officers Association, and was
later elected their president. It was while I was in the organization that I met so many
nice people; many of them were dignitaries. Two of them were law enforcement officers,
one from Iraq and the other from the Philippines.
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Another girl and I were asked to take them out for the evening and show them
the night life in the U.S. We had a very nice evening.
After ten years in Sacramento, I moved to Seattle, Washington. In the mid 70s I
bought a house on 15th Ave. N. E Shortly afterward I had the opportunity to buy an
apartment building. I had to rent out my house and move into the apartment building.
One of the first tenants turned out to be the Sultan of Qatar, a small country on the
Persian Gulf and their nearest neighbor is Saudi Arabia. The Sultan was here studying
political science at the University of Washington. When he moved he gave me a small,
but nice tapestry. It hangs in a special place in my home.
I have had a lot of callings in the Church, the most important of which was
Relief Society president of the 7th Ward, North Seattle Stake. I am now 80 years old
and hopefully retired. From Blanding, Utah, to here I didn’t do too badly!!
Four children:
1. JUDITH JUNE SORENSEN, , b. 29 July 1941 in St. George, Utah, md. _____
WALKER (divorced).
When we lived in Caliente, Nevada my brother and I went exploring a lot.
We would visit the railroad bums over by the stockyards. Most of them were
really nice. They lived in cardboard shelters. We played army over in the wash.
One time we were hiking in some canyons south of town and found some
stolen jewelry locked in an iron railroad box. We were scared so we went straight
home and told mom and she came back out with us. We then went to the sheriff
and they took everything to their office. It was a neighbor that took the stuff.
While at school I made majorette, cheerleader, played on the football team
and track team. I was also pretty good at baseball and horseshoes, and hated
housework. I talked my brothers, James and Scott, into the housework and I
chopped wood and worked in the yard. I did like to cook some, and tried to help
mom.
We moved to Moab, Utah, when I was in the seventh grade. We lived in a
mobile home across the street from the Apache Motel. They let us swim in their
pool when the guests weren’t using it. A group of kids would go to Lion’s Back,
which is a big red sandstone rock, to swim tn the rain pools.
I learned to drive my dad’s stick shift truck at 15 and got my license.
We moved to Sacramento, California, in 1957 when I was in the ninth
grade so I learned to hot-wire it. I got in trouble doing that one time when I was
supposed to be at home.
I stayed with my grandmother Erma Sorensen several months. Then I
went to Sacramento with my mom and my brothers. Mom decided to move to
the Seattle area and I married Mr. Walker and went to the Los Angeles area in
1959. After having two children, I divorced and moved back to Sacramento.
I am still single and have my own business, “A Classy Hand” which is a
full-service salon which I worked out of my home in Woodinville, Washington. I
am currently going to Lake Washington Technical College taking computer
graphics classes, hoping to get in the graphics field. I visit mother Amy Sorensen
and help her in any way I can. We always have things to talk about.
Judith June Sorensen md. second LARRY CLINTON LUSE 26 November
1966.
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I met Larry in November 1964. He adopted my first two children. In 1977
we moved to the Seattle area. (Divorced in 1989).
Two children adopted by and one by Larry Luse:
1. Mark Albert Walker b. 14 July 1960. Adopted by Larry Luse. Lives in
the Seattle area. One child:
1. Corrina Hansen, b. about 1993.
2. Michelle Marie Walker, b. 11 September 1961. Adopted by Larry Clinton
Luse. On 30 August 1980 just 12 days before her birthday she was shot
and died.
3. Brenda Dianne Luse, b. 31 July 1967 in Sacramento, California. Lives
in the Seattle Area. One child.
2. JAMES BYRON SORENSEN, , b. 29 November 1943 in St. George, Utah, md.
LAURIE ELIZABETH GREGORY October 1967 [divorced].
James Byron Sorensen md. second CHUCHA PAIK 25 November 1973.
3. REID SCOTT SORENSEN, b. 27 January 1945 in St. George, Utah, md.
NORITA CAROL THOMPSON 15 December 1970 and sealed 20 August 1975 in
the Alberta Temple, Canada.. Norita’s two children Dean and Theresa were
sealed to them.
1. Dean Sorensen [adopted].
2. Theresa Sorensen [adopted].
4. RANDALL DOUGLAS SORENSEN, b. 19 April 1953 in Caliente, Nebraska. He
is retarded.
2. LEONA NIELSEN, b. 14 December 1922 in Tucson, Arizona, d. 9 January 1923.
3. ELBERTA NIELSEN, b. 16 December 1923 in Avalon, Catalina Island, California,
md. JAMES VINCENT ALBERTANO 11 May 1941 [divorced]. He d. 15 April 1969.
Elberta’s first recollection was a day she was with her mother in front of the
market. She was not walking but crawled over to a stand and pulled herself up to it. It
had a large pyramid of oranges on top of the stand. She reached up and grabbed one of
the oranges. The oranges came down burying a screaming little kid.
The worst recollection of her life was the burial of her mother. She was two-anda-half years old. Her father was hunched down on his heels and Elberta was between
his knees and had one arm around her. There was the lowering of the coffin and then
the first shovel of dirt hit the top of the coffin, and a voice crying out in anguish,
“Where are they taking my mommie.” From this time the girls lived with many of their
relatives.
She grew up in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. She can’t remember when she
wasn’t interested in drawing and painting. “I started out with pencil and paper—and
when I ran out of paper I drew on grocery sacks.”
She later studied at Ventura College in California, Weber College in Utah and
the Denver Art Center. Her debut as a “professional “ artist came during World War II
when she landed a drafting job that enabled her to attend art school at night.
Elberta had a double wedding with Afton Burtenshaw who married Bo Montella
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when Elberta married. James Vincent Albertano.
Elberta wanted a job near where her husband was stationed. After nearly 20
years as a draftsman in the design department at a west coast missile test center, she
transferred to Denver as an illustrator for the Department of Interior. She finally quit
her job about 1964 “to start painting seriously.”
For Allberta Albertano, paintings are people. Her Indian portraits won her “Best
of Show” titles in Denver two years in a row.
Alberta, which is how she signs her paintings, was lauded by one critic for her
sensitivity and insight. “My aim, then and now, is to be truly realistic, but I still feel
there is room in art for both romanticism and idealism.” She is well known for her portrait work in oil and has taught at the Carbon County Arts Guild.
In February 1983 in the Ked Lodge Weekly, an article reads, “Although her fame
as a portrait artist is rapidly spreading, Alberta’s talents encompass a wide range of
subjects including animals, Indians, cowboys, seascapes, still life, babies, and the list
goes on and on.”
“I know in my mind’s eye exactly what a painting is going to look like when I finish. This is also true of my sculpture. I see it right down to the last detail before I ever
begin.”
Alberta has displayed her works of art from coast to coast.
In about 1974 she made a papier-maché sculpture of a cowboy for Harold’s Club
in Jordan, Montana. A picture of President Bush came out in the paper January 1989
which was resembled the sculpture.
“Montana is the first place that I really felt at home.” Alberta moved to Montana
in 1957, and has lived all over the state. She has been a regular writer for the Montana
Free Press, a cowboy newspaper. She has a big smile and imaginative attire.
Alberta had many adventures and met and associated with many celebrities and
has enjoyed life.
Adra worked for the U.S. Geological Survey on topographical maps and was stationed at Lewistown the summer of 1970.
Taken from material sent by Alberta.
One daughter:
1. LINDA JACQUELINE ALBERTANO. She is a poet/writer and has been
named best female performer/poet by the LA Weekly and offers her personal
brand of comments on politics and love. She stands 6 feet 4 inches tall. She
writes music and has been involved in movies, TV, and stage. She went to New
York with her own show and wrote the music and lyrics for a stage play to be
produced in Los Angeles.
Elberta Nielsen md. second ADRA LEE STONE [divorced]. One son:
2. JAMES ARTHUR ALBERT STONE (adopted by Stone), b. 15 September
1946 in Ogden, Utah, md. LONIE [ZIMNEY] LIEN July 4, 1994. Lonie had two
children, Emily and Tonya Zimney.
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4. GRACE NIELSEN, b. 16 December 1925 in Bluewater, New Mexico, md. WALTER
STANLEY ZARESKY [divorced]. She was six months old when her mother died. She
lived with many relatives while growing up.
Grace Nielsen md. second PETER GRAHAM McLACHLAN 31 August 1950 at Las
Vegas, Nevada. Three children:
1. SHERRIE JANE ZARESKY McLACHLAN, b. 13 October 1948.
2. CURTIS JOY McLACHLAN, b. 23 February 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah,
md. NANCY. One daughter:
1. Becky Mclachlan.
3. ROBERT LYNN McLACHLAN, b. 18 December 1961 in Duarte, California.
1B1-5 FERAL MORTENSEN, b. 12 February 1901 and d. 19 March 1902 in
Colonia Diaz, Mexico.
1B1-6 ARCHIE RAYMOND MORTENSEN, b. 21 November 1902 in Colonia
Diaz, Mexico. Bpt. in an irrigation ditch then confirmed a member of the LDS
Church in 1910. Archie md. HETTIE ROWLEY 29 April 1921 at Bluewater, New
Mexico. She was b. 20 November 1902, Colonia Pacheco, Mexico. Sealed 20
August 1924 in the Salt Lake Temple. Hettie d. 27 April 1952 Farmington, New
Mexico. Archie d. 9 February 1999 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he lived with
his daughter Bette.
Many families from Utah and Arizona and some families from St. George
were called to colonize Mexico. Those called arrived 18 months before the
church completed the land purchase, consequently the pioneers were at the
mercy of the Mexicans. They lived in wagon boxes, tents and dugouts. They
leased the farm lands from the Mexicans for a place to live and a place to farm.
However, after 25 years Colonia Diaz families had built and improved
their homes to equal many homes in El Paso, Texas.
Once on the main street of Colonia Diaz a group of cowboys encountered
an equal number of Pancho Villa’s soldiers. The soldiers demanded their guns.
The cowboy spokesman said, “OK! We will oblige you in this manner. We will
give you the lead, we will keep the shells and burn the powder between us.”
In 1912 the entire population of the colonies was driven out of Mexico.
Most of the people went to Columbus, New Mexico. However, many ended up in
a large refugee lumberyard camp in El Paso, Texas. My family was there. Later
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transportation was provided
to places where refugees had
families, mainly in Utah,
Arizona, and Texas.
At a point in time several families went back and
brought out livestock and
other belongings. Most of the
homes were burned or ransacked and building material
removed. My family came to
Parowan, Utah, and from
there to San Juan County,
Utah. There my parents filed
on a 320-acre homestead of
open land and proved up on
it. I went to school in
Blanding, Utah. I was
ordained a deacon, teacher
and priest there.
We moved to Bluewater,
New Mexico. My first wife and
I, with our daughter, Bette,
Hettie, Arch and Bette Mortensen
Flagstaff, Arizona, about 1930
lived in Bluewater, New Mexico, where I was ordained an
elder and was second counselor to the presiding elder at Bluewater, New Mexico Branch, which was in the
Western States Mission headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Elder Harold B. Lee
was District Leader and visited Bluewater several times while on that mission.
I worked in the woods cutting logs. I had a 2-million-board-feet contract
which I completed in one year. I worked as a bridge carpenter for the Santa Fe
railroad. I was offered a chance to take a civil service job after qualifying as
water development foreman. My first assignment was at Tuba City, Arizona, on
the Navajo reservation I was assigned to supervise the water development for
the Navajo Reservation Day School program. My next responsibility was District
Supervisor of District 13 on the Fruitland Project at Fruitland, New Mexico.
We completed an irrigation dam on the San Juan River, subjugated 2,000
acres of land with irrigation canals, ditches, and structures, and also planted
the first crop.
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In 1936 I took a one-year leave from Civil Service. At this time I lived in
Bluewater, New Mexico, where I had a 10-acre irrigated farm and a 320-acre
ranch five miles from Bluewater.
My main reason for taking leave from the Service was to help promote
land purchased from the Santa Fe Railroad Co. They owned 2,000 acres or
more in Bluewater Valley.
G.P. Roundy, Ed Hakes, Call Hakes, and I were assigned by the Bluewater
Ward to put together a church purchase of the Santa Fe property which we proposed to subdivide into 10- to 40-acre plots plus a subdivision of lots for families to purchase and build homes on. The Santa Fe property had several homes
with irrigation from Bluewater Dam and deepwell pumping.
We met with the first Presidency, President Heber J. Grant, first counselor
J. Reuben Clark, and second counselor David O. McKay in Salt Lake City, Utah,
who tentatively accepted the proposal. Apostle Harold B. Lee was detailed to
investigate potentials of the project. He was very much impressed with the project. Our proposal was well considered and practically accepted. But after one
year of hard negotiating the project was turned down.
The draft classified me as 1-A. I moved my family to Pleasant Grove, Utah.
For 60 days I was a construction foreman for the company who was building
the Geneva Steel plant in Orem, Utah. My draft status changed. I was offered a
transfer to Rivers, Arizona, as Irrigation and Roads Supervisor at the Japanese
relocation camp where 14,000 evacuees were interned. At that time it was the
third largest city in Arizona. After all internees were relocated I returned to
Farmington, New Mexico, and purchased 51 percent of the Basin Motor Co.,
Buick, GMC Dealership.
I was called as second counselor to the bishop. Later I was called to be
counselor to the president of the San Juan Stake. While in the stake presidency
I had the opportunity of attending a six-hour Solemn Assembly in the Salt Lake
Temple. The Authorities blessed and passed the sacrament and bore their testimonies.
After Hettie passed on, I was called on a mission to the Central American
Mission under the new Mission President, Gordon B.Romney. In addition to
missionary work we were detailed to work on construction of the first LDS
Chapel in Guatemala, Central America. After eight months I was transferred to
Managua, Nicaragua, Central America, the first full-time missionary assigned to
that country. We encountered much opposition, the Catholics were so strong.
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I then served in Panama, Central America, where I taught military and
Canal personnel, and also Spanish families in the area.
After my release I returned to Farmington, New Mexico, and acquired the
Lincoln-Mercury dealership.
I moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where I renewed my relationship with
Gypsy Stella Bounds Bundock, with whom I had been corresponding during my
mission.
Logging and trucking was tough so we decided to reenter the government
service. Our first assignment was at Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo
Reservation. Then I transferred to Flagstaff, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian reservation. I was in plant management, Gypsy in the public school.
I initiated the Mutual Help Housing program on the Northern Cheyenne
Indian reservation, and pioneered the first prefab housing in the B.I.A. program.
We completed twelve housing units of two and three bedrooms for government
personnel. With the plant management crew I received a citation from the Area
Director of Bureau of Indian Affairs at Billings, Montana Agency.
At Santa Fe, New Mexico, I supervised a Mutual Help Project of 25 homes
being built at the Indian Pueblo Village at Tesuque, New Mexico. I then transferred to Shiprock Indian Agency at Shiprock, New Mexico, in charge of the
Shiprock Irrigation Project. We lived in Farmington and commuted 30 miles
each day. My tour of duty ended here in 1970 when we retired.
We have remodeled or built twelve homes plus the one we now have. We
live in St. George, Utah, where we are enjoying our retirement of 19 years from
full time employment.
1B1-6 Archie Raymond Mortensen md. second “GYPSY” STELLA BOUNDS BUNDOCK 29 March 1959 in Reno, Nevada. “Gypsy” died 4 June 1996 in Arizona.
Archie and Hettie had one child:
1. BETH “BETTE” MORTENSEN, b. 10 November 1923 in Bluewater, New Mexico, md.
BOYAD TANNER 29 April 1943 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. He was b.12 March 1922
at Kirtland, New Mexico.
My father Arch was employed by the Indian Service, so my early years were
spent near Tuba City, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian Reservation. We later moved to
Fruitland, New Mexico, but lived on the Navajo side of the river where my father continued to work for the Bureau of Land Management.
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I graduated from Central High School in Kirtland, New Mexico. I enrolled in the
LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. I returned to Fruitland and was hired as
a clerk for the Indian Service. Our family moved to Mesa, Arizona, during the war and I
worked at Williams Air Force Base.
When Boyad Tanner returned from his mission to
Eastern Canada, he came from Kirtland to visit me. We had
dated in high school and had corresponded during his mission. Shortly after our marriage Boyad went into the Army Air
‘Corps and my parents moved to a Japanese Relocation Camp
near Chandler, Arizona, where we all worked.
After Boyad was discharged from the military in 1946,
we moved to New Mexico and operated an Indian Trading Post
at Pueblo Alto and lived in Farmington, New Mexico.
Boyad attended Ft. Lewis A & M College on the G.I. Bill
and later the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Returning to Farmington with three daughters we spent a
busy, but happy life. We held many church callings, both
ward and stake. In 1963 we moved the family to Las Vegas,
Nevada. I served in the PTA and was a Welcome Wagon
Hostess, as well as a school secretary. I served as President,
American Mothers, Ind., Eagle Forum, Teacher for DUP, volunteer for political campaigns, and the Coalition for the
Protection of Marriage.
Bette Mortensen and
husband Boyad Tanner
1944 or 1945
Kirtland, New Mexico
Boyad was involved in construction, automobile dealerships, was areal estate broker, insurance, Executive Director
Urban Renewal, City of North Las Vegas and Indio, California. Board of Director;
Cumorah Credit Union; Tancor International; American Vantage Company.
Community: Clark County Planning Commission, Boy Scouts of America, Silver
Beaver Recipient. Church service: Y.M. ward and stake president. bishop’s counselor,
high councilor, bishop, sake president, Regional Representative, first Las Vegas Temple
President in 1991.
Bette has served in the church as teacher, YW ward and stake president, Relief
Society teacher, Birth Parent Outreach Volunteer, temple class instructor, stake Relief
Society Education Counselor, and First Matron of the Las Vegas Temple. Wrote and
directed skits and programs for the YW and Relief Society.
Bette and Boyad had three daughters:
1. BETTE LANE TANNER, b. 27 August 1945 in Farmington, New Mexico, md.
THANN HANCHETT. Two daughters:
1. Terri Lyn Hanchett, b. 14 September 1969.
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2. Shelli Hanchett, b. 30 November 1971, md. Joseph Levine.
Two children:
1. Kylee Jo Levine, b. 10 October 19981
2. Landon Levine, b. 6 May 2000.
2. LYNDA SUE TANNER, b. 21 February 1947 in Farmington, New Mexico, md.
NICHOLAS MANGAN. Two children:
1. Ambre Mangan, b. 30 December 1968, md. Bruce Roper.
Four children:
1. James Roper, b. 7 January 1990.
2. Tristan Roper, b. 23 September 1995.
3. Samuel Roper, b. 26 August 1997.
4. Chandler Roper, b. 3 April 1999.
2. Tanner Mangan, b. 8 September 1970, md. Karen Phillips.
One child.
1. Gavin Mangan, b. 13 July 1999.
3. KAREN JEAN TANNER, b. 6 May 1951 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, md.
ALTON COX. Deceased. Two children:
1. Melinda Cox, b. 12 July 1974.
2. Kimberly Cox, , b. 16 February 1976 md. Mark Hollingshead.
Two children:
1. Drake Hollingshead, b. 24 February 1998.
2. Ella Hollingshead, b. 1 February 2000.
Karen Jean Tanner md. second STEVE CUSTER. One child:
1. Alisia Custer, b. 5 January 1983.
1B1-7 UDELL F. MORTENSEN, b. 15 August 1905 in Colonia Diaz, Mexico,
md. ADA BELL LAMB 8 February 1926 in Bluewater, New Mexico. She was b.
15 March 1909 in Bluewater, New Mexico and d. 2 December 1994 in Mesa,
Arizona. Udell d. 25 July 1996 in Mesa, Arizona.
A hushed stillness filled the room as Sister Keeler worked at the side of
the bed, and death seemed to be lurking outside. Her attention was centered on
the person who lay on the bed, weak and spent from the labors of childbirth.
She would glance up quickly and give instructions to those standing at the foot
of the bed, who were trying to bring life to the body of the baby just born. Sister
Keeler was the midwife, or doctor. My mother was the woman who lay almost
lifeless on the bed, and I was the baby.
I was one of those blue babies and not supposed to live, but perhaps the
Lord had a work for me to do, and that’s why I am here.
Slowly my mother gained back her strength, but I was weak and pale,
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and they were not sure I would make it. Perhaps it was because of my frail body
and sickly appearance that my mother loved me so, and no doubt the reason I
loved her so was because of the loving care she gave me.
We left Diaz when I was six years old but I remember the scent of the
beautiful honeysuckle vine by the side of the front door. I remember the stair
case that led to the upper story, because I jumped from the low landing and
sprained my ankle.
Arch and I were in the field with Dad where he was irrigating. We wanted
to swim in the ditch. Arch could swim, but no, I must only wade. At one time,
when Dad was at the lower end of the field, Arch helped me undress. We were
not going to tell anyone that I had gone swimming. One of our cows came by
smelling of our clothes and ate my panty waist. When my pants would not stay
up, I had to tell what happened, so they knew I had been swimming.
I recall seeing the Mexican rebels march into town, and remember being
very frightened, and I scampered to the seclusion of my mother’s protecting
arms.
We were forced to give up our homes and flee to the United States. We left
our lovely homes, our cattle and horses, all for the safety we could find in the
United States. We traveled around for nearly two years, trying to locate a suitable place to settle. We stayed for a few months in Thatcher, Arizona, then
moved to Salt Lake City for a while. We spent one fall and winter in Parowan,
Utah, and here my brother Robert, was b.. We stayed a short time in Monticello,
Utah, but finally settled in Blanding, San Juan County, Utah. Dad homesteaded
on 260 acres of land two miles north of Verdure, and here is where we spent
our summers. We lived in Blanding in the winter months to go to school. We
remained there until the spring of 1920. Many things took place in these 13
years.
During this time I started to school and was baptized in a dirt tank near
the home of Albert R. Lyman, by Joseph Black.
During the summer and fall of 1917, I noticed my mother looked tired
and weary. My mother had always been something special to me. She was tall
and slender, and her blue eyes sparkled with merriment from her beautiful ovalshaped face. Her dark hair was coiled neatly on top of her head and it gave her
an air of dignity. But the blush from her cheeks and the sparkle from her eyes
were gone, and I knew something was different.
The baby was born dead and mother’s body had been poisoned and weak525
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ened because things were not as they should be. My sister, Pearl, and I were
sent to live with Bernice, in Verdure, because mother was so ill. About a month
later on the morning of April 24, I went back to Blanding because my mother
was asking for me. When I entered the room where mother lay, I realized in a
moment what no one had told me. My mother was not going to get well. A few
hours later a number of neighbors and relatives, along with the bishop, met at
the bedside to have prayer. If mother could not get well, “Please not let her suffer longer.”
While we knelt in prayer, I seemed to see a number of people seated in a
place that seemed like heaven to me, and there was one vacant chair. In my
mind it seemed the vacant chair was for mother. After the prayer was over, I
told some of the folks about what I seemed to see while we knelt in prayer, and
they felt that the vacant chair I saw was for my mother. Less than an hour from
then she passed away.
I was 12 years old now and my body had developed into an active one.
The summer before, on July 24 at the races, I had out-run all the 20 or so boys
who were 11 years old. I noticed the boys at high school; they were broad jumping and high jumping, and I was fascinated with this sport, and I found that I
could jump almost as high and as far as some of them. Then there was baseball
and basketball, and I soon discovered I played them well. I had a new lease on
life. I had something to fill my lonely life. I still attended church meetings, I
could not forget my mother’s teachings. I received the Aaronic Priesthood at the
age of 12.
On February 20, 1920, Dad married Phebe Stevens Rowley. In the spring
of that year I finished the seventh grade, and Dad moved the family to
Bluewater, New Mexico.
On October 22, 1924, I departed for my mission to the Southern States.
Before leaving Salt Lake City, however, I received a patriarchal blessing from
Hyrum G. Smith, and Apostle George Albert Smith set me apart for my mission.
I labored in the South Carolina District. Here I had the pleasure of meeting
President Heber J. Grant.
But my mission was short-lived, owing to an accident my father had. He
lost one eye and had to be operated on to save the sight of the other one. I had
to return home after being out in the mission field a little over eight months.
When I returned home, things were different. People had changed — I had
changed. The girls had grown up. I had grown up, and one little girl, who had
seemed too young for me when I went away, had grown up and her snappy dark
eyes and coal black hair fascinated me. She had run around with my kid sister
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when I left for my mission, but now Ada Lamb was beautiful and grown up.
Later as she sat across the dance hall from me, I looked at her and thought she
was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. Before long all the girls I had known in
the past seemed to fade out of my mind.
I still wanted to go to school, so I enrolled in high school at Bluewater.
This was the year of 1925. It was filled with lots of work, evenings of
pleasure, dances and parties, and courtship. Sunday it was church; I didn’t forget church. I was first counselor in the Sunday School from August 1925 to
October 1925, in Bluewater, New Mexico. At this time I was released and sustained as Superintendent, and I was in this office until May of 1930.
In 1926 my courtship came to a climax and I married the pretty little girl
with dark eyes and coal black hair, the prettiest thing I had ever seen. It was a
simple marriage at the home of her father in Bluewater, New Mexico. My father
performed the marriage as he was Justice of the Peace, and Ada Bell Lamb
became my wife.
At this time I was living on a ranch near the mouth of Bluewater Canyon.
I had several cows I was milking and sold the cream. The ranch was several
miles from town, but we didn’t care, we had each other. After the wedding
reception where we received a few household goods, some dishes, one calf, two
chickens, and some groceries, we went to the ranch.
This setup was not good for us (on the ranch) as far as finances were concerned, so we moved to Foster Canyon, several miles south of Thoreau, New
Mexico. Foster Canyon will ever be dear to us, for here is where we had our
honeymoon cabin which was small, just 10-by-10, but it was large enough for
our bed, a stove, table and chairs, and boxes nailed on the wall for a cupboard.
Here I first realized that my bride had a special gift of making a house look like
a home. This a gift I admire about her even to this day.
I worked at cutting logs through the summer, and these were wonderful
days. My bride and I tramped through the woods together, we were so carefree
and happy. At evening she would walk out along the trail to meet me as I came
from cutting logs. Hand in hand we would return to our honeymoon cabin,
where the evening meal was prepared. The table would be set attractively with
cheery tablecloths and occasionally a wild flower in a vase.
In the fall my sister Bernice had to return to Nevada immediately, on
business, and she needed someone to go with her. We had been wanting to go to
Salt Lake City to go through the temple, so we decided this would help her and
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we could go to the temple. We found ourselves back in Salt Lake City, broke and
no job, but we had each other, and in our young lives, that counted most. We
were carefree and happy, even though we didn’t have much money. But we
accomplished what we went to Salt Lake for, and that was to be sealed to each
other in the temple of our Lord for all our lives and for all eternity on August
20, 1924. While we were in Salt Lake City, my sister Hortense died rather suddenly. Hortense has always been very dear to me. Our lives are one now.
I will try and tell about my church jobs, and the things pertaining to my
making a living.
I worked at different jobs, during the early part of my married life, trying
to find something to my liking, or that was steady. But these were Depression
days, jobs were scarce, and money was hard to come by. During my life I have
worked at almost everything.
Listed here are some of the kinds of jobs I worked at: farm work of all
kinds, including milking cows; crating slab marble, firing lime kiln, rock quarrying, truck driving, making adobes, railroad fireman, and railroad section work. I
worked for the Indian Service, building dams, digging wells, installing pumps,
foreman of a crew of Indians chopping camel thorns.
Finally in the early winter of 1937, I started to work for the Farmer’s
Exchange of Mesa, Arizona, as clerk and delivery man. I started out at a wage of
$60.00 a month. In the next four years the wages were up to $125.00 a month.
On July 13, 1942, I started to work for the City of Mesa, in the Street
Department. In the spring of 1943, I was made foreman of irrigation for the City
of Mesa. After nearly a year I had a chance to work at the U.S. Post Office in
Mesa, having passed the examination a year before. Feeling that there would be
more security in this work, I started to work on April 13, 1944, at the post office
in Mesa, Arizona, and very shortly I was out on the city delivery for Mesa. Later
I transferred into the office in the finance section, and when “A” Station was
opened on First Avenue, I was sent there to be in charge of the finance section.
Mesa had been good to me. I had prospered financially and I had kept
busy in the church. My first job in the church at Mesa was to coach the M Men
Basketball team, and we won the state championship. In September 1939, I was
asked to be activity counselor in the Mutual. During this period I directed one
road show that was a winner. I served as advisor in the deacons and the teachers quorums, and while in these positions I realized that I was suited to work
with young people.
In May 1942, I was released as counselor in the Mutual and sustained as
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second counselor to Bishop J. O. Stradling in the Mesa Second Ward bishopric
on August 23, 1942. After serving for a year and eight months, on April 30,
1944, I was sustained as bishop of the Mesa 2nd Ward. This position made me
feel that I was wanted. I had a complex all my life, that other people were wanted and needed, but I felt that I was neither wanted or needed. I was told by
many that I was a good bishop and I hope I was. This I know, I tried to serve
humbly and do the many things a bishop was called to do. I tried to be friendly
to all and look after the widows, and the lonely, and the Lord blessed me with
wisdom and understanding of the many problems a bishop has.
My testimony is, if you fill your callings faithfully, the Lord will reward
you with His blessings. He has blessed me with health, with a good and loving
wife, and six healthy children. He has kept me busy in the church, and I am
grateful that I had the desire to give of my time when it was needed. While I
have been in the service of my Heavenly Father, I have been blessed and
received a great deal of real joy, comfort and satisfaction.
I was released from being bishop April 13, 1952. The same night I was
released, I was asked to serve on the high council of the stake. While serving as
bishop, I also coached our basketball team for several years. I played softball on
the softball team. I was treasurer to the Bishop’s Council of the Maricopa
Regional Storehouse. The Aaronic Priesthood boys were very active through the
program of the Bishopric.
I coached a junior softball team and we won the stake championship, the
region championship, and went to Salt Lake City for the All-Church Tournament.
The only game we lost that season was in Salt Lake City and we lost it by one
run. I also played on the volleyball team and we won the stake championship,
the district championship, and went to Salt Lake City. The only game we lost
was in the finals of the All-Church Tournament, losing by two points.
The summers in Mesa were long and hot, and the doctor advised my wife
to go to a cooler climate. So we began to shop around for a place to be transferred to. We moved to Pendleton, Oregon, the first of September 1954. Although
we were treated fine, both at the post office and the ward, we did not like it
there, and were very disappointed. While in Pendleton I coached softball, basketball, and volleyball. I was also instructor for the high priest’s class in the
ward. Our volleyball team, which I played on, as well as coached, won the
Union Stake Championship, and we went to Portland for the district, and won
the championship there. We went to Salt Lake City for the All-Church
Tournament where we won our first game, but that was all. I felt proud to think
I could take a few boys who had never played volleyball before, and take them
as far as I did.
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Between the stake championship games of the Union Stake and the tournament at Portland, my father died and I went to Blanding. Dad had lived a full
life and could now find comfort with mother in another world. I was the speaker
at the services held for him in the Blanding Ward.
We transferred to Hawthorne, Nevada, August 9, 1955. I don’t know why
we liked Hawthorne, it was so much different than any place we had been, but
the people were friendly and I liked the post office. Soon I was surrounded with
church work again, and I had another volleyball team that went to Richmond,
California, for a district tournament. While in Hawthorne, I taught the adult
Sunday School class for four years. I was instructor for the high priests class
for two years; pianist for priesthood meeting for six years, and Scoutmaster for
one year. I had 50 boys and ten were LDS, and 40 were non-members. I was
drama director for four years. Our ward placed in the Roadshow, third for two
years and first one year. The show that placed first was “Cinderella Out West.”
We went to Sacramento to represent the Reno Stake, and we were fourth in the
district.
I taught Seminary eight years in Hawthorne, Nevada, I was counselor in
the Sunday School and in June 1962, I went in as Sunday School
Superintendent. The last of January 1957, I moved to the Babbitt Post office to
be Superintendent there.
While in Hawthorne, I spoke at both my brother Robert’s and my sister’s
husband Erastus Burtenshaw’s funerals at Blanding.
Some other things that might be of interest to those who may read this
are: I directed the Book of Mormon play, “Them Also I Must Bring.” I did a short
original play for the PTA about the Pilgrims landing in America. These two plays
were at Hawthorne.
I want to leave to my posterity something that may inspire them to live
close to the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I know the true Gospel has been restored and the teachings found therein
are true. I know that Joseph Smith was the Prophet who restored the true
Gospel of Jesus Christ in these the last days. I know that if we live by the true
teachings of this restored Gospel, and are faithful to the end, we can gain exaltation and eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus
Christ. My prayer is that all of my posterity will have this testimony.
Taken from a history written March 1, 1985, by Udell F. Mortensen
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Udell and Ada have six children:
1. DELL LARRY MORTENSEN, b. 9 February 1927 in Bluewater, New Mexico, md.
RUBY CAROLE ADAMS 26 November 1947 in the Arizona Temple. She was b. 25
December 1929 in Globe, Arizona. Eight children:
1. DELL LARRY MORTENSEN, b. 3 November 1948 in Mesa, Arizona.
Dell md. SUZANNE GALE SZUSZITZKY March 1974 in the Salt Lake
Temple. Dell d. January 22, 1980.
2. DENNIS WAYNE MORTENSEN, b. 29 September 1950 in Anchorage,
Alaska, md. PATSY FLANDERS 27 August 1973 in the Salt Lake
Temple.
3. RONALD KENT MORTENSEN, b. July 1952 in Anchorage, Alaska, md.
CYNTHIA KAY ROBERTS.
4. REED CURTIS MORTENSEN, b. 4 February 1954 in Anchorage,
Alaska, md. DIANA MARIE COWHERD 10 June 1977.
5. CAROLE ANN MORTENSEN, b. 14 January 1956 in Long Beach,
California, d. 11 August 1956.
6. CARRIE LEA MORTENSEN, b. 8 February 1958 in Reno, Nevada, md.
FRANK JOHN DAWES 21 December 1977.
7. MICHAEL EDWARD MORTENSEN, b. 16 February 1960 in Hawthorne,
Nevada.
8. MARK LANNING MORTENSEN, b. and d. 18 October 1962 in Hawthorne,
Nevada.
2. LEON LOUIS MORTENSEN, b. 16 September 1928 in Bluewater, New Mexico, md.
MARY MARGARET SHANE 19 September 1946 in the Arizona Temple. She was b. 2
August 1929 in Wichita, Kansas. Six children:
1. KENNETH LEONE MORTENSEN, b1.3 April 1951 in Ashland, Oregon,
md. SUSAN HINCHEY 22 December 1973.
2. RHENDA RAE MORTENSEN , b. 11 June 1953 in Anchorage, Alaska, md.
JAMES EDWARD WILSON 2 February 1973 in the Arizona Temple.
3. GINA LANE MORTENSEN, b. 2 February 1955 in Ashland, Oregon, md. VAN
COLEMAN 7 July 1973 in the Arizona Temple.
4. KIRBY GRANT MORTENSEN, b. 16 October 1956 in Hawthorne, Nevada.
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5. GLEN SHANE MORTENSEN, b. 5 November 1962 in Ashland, Oregon.
6. TODD SCOTT MORTENSEN, b. 13 July 1964 in Phoenix, Arizona.
3. KENT ARDEN MORTENSEN, b. 11 November 1929 in Eagar, Arizona, md.
BERNARDEEN ANN ALLRED 16 November 1949 in the Arizona Temple [divorced]. She
was b. 7 May 1933 in Mesa, Arizona. Six children:
1. SHERRY ANN MORTENSEN, b. 2 May 1950, md. JOSEPH DAVID BRINKERHOFF 24 November 1974.
2. TAMMY BELL MORTENSEN, b. 22 June 1952 in Mesa, Arizona, md.
RONALD NOEL 12 June 1971 in the Arizona Temple.
3. DAVID KENT MORTENSEN, b. 12 January 1956 in Mesa, Arizona, md.
KATHERINE JOHNSON 23 October 1976.
4. STACEY LYNN MORTENSEN, b. 29 June 1960 in Phoenix, Arizona.
5. TRUDY BETH MORTENSEN, b. 2 March 1963 in Safford, Arizona.
6. LAURY JILL MORTENSEN, b. 23 September 1964 in Mesa, Arizona.
Kent Arden Mortensen md. second PATRICIA ANN BOTTS 3 March 1978 in the
Arizona Temple. She was b. 29 October 1934 in Woodstock, Illinois.
Kent Arden Mortensen md. third MYRNALOY VIRGINIA DAVIS 15 February 1980 in
the Arizona Temple [divorced]. She was b. 1 March 1933 in Estelline, Texas.
4. ARLEEN MORTENSEN, b. 23 August 1932 in Bluewater, New Mexico, md. JAY
MERRILL SMITH 6 June 1952 in the Arizona Temple. He was b. 16 December 1932 in
Riverdale, Idaho. He served in the Air Force. Four children:
1. JAYLENE SMITH, b. 1 October 1954 in Mesa, Arizona.
2. RODNEY JAY SMITH, b. 23 October 1956 in Mesa, Arizona.
3. CYNTHIA LYNN SMITH, b. 1 April 1961 at the Eglin AFB, Olds, Florida.
4. LESLIE DAWN SMITH, b. 30 September 1965 in Mesa, Arizona.
Arleen Mortensen md. second TALMAGE HERBERT.
5. VONA JO MORTENSEN , b. 15 January 1936 in Leupp, Arizona, md. CARL LOUIS
HANCOCK 4 July 1955 in Wickenburg, Arizona [divorced]. He was b. 8 October 1930 in
St. Johns, Arizona. Carl was in the U.S. Navy. Four children:
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1. DANIEL CARL HANCOCK, b. 19 July 1956 in San Diego, California, md.
DEE DEE FISH. They separated.
2. WILLIAM DEVLIN HANCOCK, b. 16 October 1957 in Mesa, Arizona.
3. SUSAN HANCOCK, b. 24 February 1959 in San Diego, California, md.
ARDEN WAYNE BARNEY 24 January 1981 in Arizona.
4. TIMOTHY JOHN HANCOCK, b. 25 January 1961 in San Diego, California.
Vona Jo Mortensen md. second JAMES LEE EDWARDS on 9 August 1977 in the
Arizona Temple. He was b. 1 March 1933 in Phoenix, Arizona. James is a well driller.
6. VAL F. MORTENSEN, b. 24 July 1938 in Mesa, Arizona, md. DIANE LEA BAKER 28
September 1957 and were sealed 29 November 1962 in the Los Angeles Temple. She
was b. 13 December 1937 in Estherville, Iowa. Val was a manager of a brake-wheel
shop. Five children:
1. VALERIE ANN MORTENSEN, b. 10 December 1958 in Hawthorne, Nevada,
md. GLENN REED PAYNE 26 May 1979 in the Los Angeles Temple.
2. LISA GAY MORTENSEN, b. 5 January 1961 in Oceanside, California, md.
MICHAEL JAMES DOVE 20 June 1981.
3. PATTI LEA MORTENSEN, b. 11 November 1964 in La Jolla, California.
4. KATHY LYNN MORTENSEN, b. 24 May 1968 in La Jolla, California.
5. RYAN F. MORTENSEN, b. 27 February 1976 in La Jolla, California.
1B1-8 PEARL MORTENSEN, b. 24 May 1911 in Colonia Diaz, Mexico, md.
FRANK VIVIAN LOVENBURG 24 December 1928 and were sealed 15 July 1978
in the Los Angeles Temple. He was b. 12 February 1905 in Orleans, Nebraska,
and d. 20 June 1977. Pearl d. 18 August 1978 in Banning, California. Pearl
worked in the Relief Society. Three children:
1. VIVIAN BoDINE LOVENBURG, b. 2 February 1930 in Eagar, Arizona, md.
HAROLD LLOYD WILLIAMS 10 January 1948 [divorced]. Vivian BoDine Lovenburg md.
second LEVI GUDMUNDSON 1 June 1956 [divorced] two children:
1. VICKIE LARUE WILLIAMS GUDMUNDSON, , b. 7 December 1949 in San
Bernardino, California, md. PHILLIP ALLEN DAHLBERG 4 October 1969
[divorced]. One child:
1. Heather Noel Dahlberg, b. 1 April 1971.
Vickie LaRue Williams Gudmundson md. second Karlton Burt 14 October
1990.
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2. RORY COLE GUDMUNDSON, , b. 20 September 1951 in Fontana,
California, md. Cathie Reynolds [divorced] in California. Two children:
1. Jason Cole Gudmundson, b. 28 May 1977 in Kent, Washington.
2. Joshua Calib Gudmundson, b. 23 March 1980 in Seattle,
Washington
Rory Cole Gudmundson md. second Karin Henderson 12 August 1989 in
Lynnwood, Washington. Two children:
1. Kyle Nolan Gudmundson, b. 28 July 1990 in Edmonds,
Washington.
2. Amy Nicole Gudmundson, b. 7 May 1992 in Edmonds,
Washington.
2. ALVIN DENEK LOVENBURG, b. and d. 5 June 1933 in Gallup, New Mexico.
3. MERVIN FRANK LOVENBURG, b. 26 September 1936 in Winslow, Arizona
md. JERALDINE KAY FRANTZ 23 June 1961. Two children:
1. JOHN DOUGLAS LOVENBURG, b. 31 October 1964 in Modesto, California.
2. JULIE LANE LOVENBURG, b. 24 February 1967 in Modesto, California, md.
DENNIS EVANGETISTO.
Mervin Frank Lovenburg md. second _____________ ABBEY 9 January 1982 at
LaJolla, California. One child:
1. VANESSA L. LOVENBURG, b. 17 October 1984.
1B1-9 RUPERT “ROBERT” WENDELL MORTENSEN, b. 26 February 1913 in
Parowan, Utah. His parents were not satisfied with the name of Rupert, so they
called him Robert. He md. FAY CHAPMAN in 1936.
1B1-9 Rupert Wendell Mortensen md. second ETHEL ROSE MARTINEZ 4
April 1946 [divorced]. She was b. 8 November 1927 in Perwita, New Mexico.
Rupert d. 3 June 1961 in Blanding, Utah. Three children:
1. WENDELL ROBERT MORTENSEN, b. 11 July 1947 in Grants, New Mexico,
md. CHERLY RODRIGUES 23 December 1966.
2. ZELDA MAE MORTENSEN, b. 25 October 1949 in Grants, New Mexico, md.
EDDIE ANDERSON 29 November 1969.
3. DEAN MORTENSEN, b. 28 January 1954 in Grants, New Mexico.
1B1-10
INFANT MORTENSEN, b. and d. 31 March 1918 in Blanding, Utah.
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1B2 ALMA CHRISTOPHER MORTENSEN, b. 5 April 1874 in Scipio,
Utah, bpt. 15 May 1883, md. MAGGIE BURGESS 7 October 1915 in the Salt
Lake Temple. She was b. 13 June 1895 in Huntington, Utah, d. 20 October
1929 in Price, Utah. Alma d. 20 April 1944.
1B2
ROBBINS.
Alma Christopher Mortensen md. second MARTHA “METTIE”
Since Alma’s father was a polygamist, the family moved to Mexico when
Alma was about eight years old. Alma was living in Colonia Diaz, Mexico, when
he was called on a mission for the Mormon Church in 1908. He served in the
Mexican Mission under Rey L. Pratt, Mission President.
Alma went to Utah February 1915 with his brother Nephi, to visit their
brother Francis Julius and his family who lived in Elmo, Utah. Here he met the
woman who was to become his wife. They made their home in Huntington,
Utah.
Alma was a mason and a farmer. He took pride in his masonry work. Life
was not easy for Alma but he trusted people to pay when they could.
Alma’s strong testimony was shared often with his children and others.
He always counseled his children to keep a journal, but if he kept one, it has
been lost. He was a high priest in the church and Maggie was a Primary
teacher.
Maggie died on Arden’s sixth birthday. A few months later, January 12,
1930, Burana died. This left Alma with three children to raise.
A few weeks before Maggie’s death, and while she was ill, their house
caught fire. It caused major damage to over half the house. After Maggie’s death
the children were taken by relatives and cared for until Alma was able to have
the home repaired, which took about a year. Vila, about ten years old convinced
her father that with her help the family could manage and be a family in their
own home again. When Vila married in September 1936. Alma kept the children
at home for some seven years. He was a sensitive, charitable and kind man. He
was a loving husband and a good father. He was an absolutely honest and hard
working fellow, everyone liked him. Alma would talk about Maggie to his children to help them remember her.
Alma married Mettie, a widow with several children. Alma’s two children
didn’t fit into the family as all had hoped, so they did not remain home very
long. Alma struggled to pay off the large hospital bill and support Mettie and
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her family. Alma left “Mettie” and Jeri returned to keep house for him.
On April 20, 1944, as Alma was preparing to go to work he succumbed to
a heart attack.
The eight children of Alma and Maggie are:
1B2-1 ALMA CLIFFORD MORTENSEN, b. 19 October 1916 in Huntington, Utah, d.
24 January 1917.
1B2-2
JUNIUS MORTENSEN, b. 27 July and d. 29 July 1918 in Elmo, Utah.
1B2-3 VILA ROXENA MORTENSEN, b. 7 January 1920 in Elmo, Utah, md. CLOSS
MERLENE GUYMON 4 September 1936 in Castle Dale, Utah. He was b. 26 November
26 1916 in Castle Dale, Utah, and bpt. 6 December 1924.
Vila, while visiting in Salt Lake City in 1935, stopped to visit some friends.
While there Closs Merlene Guymon came in for lunch, he was boarding there. Vila was
invited back to spend the evening. She thought him a bit old but remembered her visit
as a pleasant experience. He had just had his 20th birthday.
On January 7, 1936, while on the school lunch hour, Vila, with a girlfriend, was
on the way to the local grocery store when Closs approached her, renewing their
acquaintance. Vila ended up ditching school and spending the afternoon with Closs
(the only time she ever sluffed school). It was one birthday that Vila was never to forget.
Closs lived in Castle Dale, nine miles from Huntington. Closs borrowed his
father’s car (about a 1932 Chevy) as often as possible, and came to call on Vila at least
once a week. Closs said it was love at first sight. They talked sharing things they felt
they had in common, the main one was that both had lost a mother in an early death.
Both became very well-acquainted with each other’s family.
The spring passed quickly; Vila and Closs were very deeply in love. Come the
middle of July Closs proposed marriage. They made plans to go to the Temple in
November after Closs’s birthday. He had a job to go to near Salt Lake City. He was to
go and start on the job about the end of the first week in September.
Around the first of July Closs had a sick spell. but he recovered okay and
seemed to be as well as ever. However the doctor (Dr. Nixon, I believe) indicated it was
rather serious. Being in love and young, life was good with years stretching ahead.
In fact, on July 22, Closs wrote a very beautiful love letter, delivering it in person, saying, “this makes my proposal really official.”
Sixteen really was a most magical age. One favorite past-time of Closs’ was
singing. He sang often and some of the songs were “The Merry Mix Up,” “Quaker
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Town,” “Bad Company,” Twenty One Years,” and several old Western folk songs.
However his favorite was “Be Nobody’s Darling But Mine.”
It was mid-morning on September 4, 1936, when Vila opened the door and
found Closs on the other side. He was very upset, having had a disagreement at home.
They decided to be married that day and have the weekend together before Closs left
for his new job. If he could find a place for them to live, he would send for her, or save
his money and return at the end of November when the job would probably be finished
(he was working with horses.) They were married. in Bishop Wakefield’s home with
Bruce Jensen as best man. Just six people were present: the Bishop’s wife, the
Jensens and Closs and Vila. It was a shock to Vi’s father, but he wasn’t angry. Vi had
lied about her age in order to obtain the license.
It was a wonderful, happy weekend. Monday morning, Closs left for his new job.
However, in just one short month, Closs returned. He had quit the job feeling he couldn’t stay any longer without her.
He was a dear sweet gentle loving husband. Closs got a job working in a coal
mine. They lived in a tent. It was a small mining camp with only about 20 men working
in all. No women, with the exception of one other, Roe’s sister-in-law. She had three
children: a little girl about 5 and twin boys who were just a bit over a year old. Vila
helped Labada Burgess bathe, feed, dress, and care for the twins. Closs and Vila were
overjoyed to realize the Lord would be blessing their home with a dear little spirit. At
this time, it was agreed the baby would be named either Merlene if a girl, or Merlin if a
boy.
Vi spent all her spare time (which was a good deal) with Labada and the children. It was upsetting for Closs and so he quit and took Vila to his father’s home after
about two-and-one-half months at the mine. They spent the balance of December at
the Guymon farm. It was a lovely Christmas.
In the middle of January they went to Huntington where Closs had obtained
work from Clara Miller, taking care of a farm of about five or six acres and was across
the river; mostly caring for the livestock and training horses.
When they arrived in Huntington, Vi got sick, so she stayed with her aunt, Roe’s
mother. There was a lot of pain and no food would stay down and so the family doctor
who had delivered most of Vi’s brothers and sisters was called. He diagnosed a kidney
infection along with trouble with her appendix and advised her to have the appendix
removed. Vila wouldn’t consider this, being in about the third month of pregnancy, so
she had a blessing instead and has never had any more problem with her appendix,
but she was very sick for two weeks.
Vila went to live in a very small part of a large old house on Clara Miller’s farm.
It was cold at that time and there was lots of snow, but it was warm and romantic with
just the two of them all alone tucked away from the rest of the world and with a big old
stove to keep them warm. They had no phone and no neighbors. When Closs became ill
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there was no one to turn to for help. Vi went down to the cross road and sent word
with the school bus for the doctor.
Arden visited the farm to see his sister and returning home, he informed his
father of Closs’ illness. Alma in turn sent word to Castle Dale for Closs’ doctor and let
his father, Louis, know.
Vila knew Closs was very, very sick. As soon as Dr. Nixon received word, he felt
he knew what was causing the illness and that in all probability there was very little
that he could do, so instead of coming over to see Closs, he had the family come to
Huntington and pick up Closs and Vila taking them back to the Guymon home.
In the late afternoon Vila was persuaded to leave Closs’ bedside. It was in this
ten minutes that Vila was away that Closs expired. In just one short week of illness,
Closs was dead. They had had six short months together when on March 31, 1937,
Closs died of a serious kidney condition called Bright’s disease.
Vila was pregnant at the time Closs died. We were sealed as a family by proxy in
the Salt Lake Temple with Closs’ oldest brother, Wayne Guymon, standing in for Closs
on November 10, 1937.
Having nowhere to go, Vila was invited to stay on at the Guymon home where
she earned her keep by helping Emma until the baby was nine months old.
Vila’s baby was due in late August; however, the little daughter was born three
weeks early on July 27, 1937, in the Guymon home on the hill near where Closs had
dreamed of building a home for them. She was named Merlene, just as her father had
planned.
Vila R. Mortensen married second John Llewelyn and they lived in Salt Lake
City until about 1948.
She married Mr. Ponsonby who wanted two sons to carry on his family name.
Being of English heritage and a descendant of the 7th Earl of Bessborough, he wanted
to proliferate an aristocratic surname which was slowly fading from the face of the
earth. Vila also wanted a son; she had two daughters who were in their teens from her
two previous marriages. Now, she would be raising another family, it would be nice to
have a son, or perhaps two.
With high expectations my parents set out to begin their family, but unfortunately, their first pregnancy ended tragically in a miscarriage.
Closs and Vila Mortensen had one daughter:
1. MERLENE GUYMON, b. 27 July 1937 in the Guymon Farmhouse in Castle Dale,
Utah, bpt. 4 December 1948, md. ALLEN DARWOOD ALLRED 1 October 1955 in
Redondo Beach, California. The following year on 1 October 1956, they were sealed in
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the Los Angeles Temple [divorced in 1982].
Merlene Guymon md. second JOHN FRANKLIN STOCKMAN July 1, 1989 for
time in the Los Angeles Temple. John was b. 25 May 1926 in Larned, Kansas, bpt. 2
May 1970.
My parents picked out my name before my father died. We were sealed as a family by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple November 10, 1937.
We moved many times and I attended many different schools but I always
adjusted well, probably because I have always been an extrovert and loved people. My
biggest problem was talking too much.
I have many interests and pursued them all with vigor; singing, dancing, acting,
reading, sewing, embroidery, drawing, painting, and the love of American Sign
Language. I know Heavenly Father introduced it into my life through two deaf missionaries who spoke (signed) at a sacrament service when I was in my late thirties. I fell in
love with it and went on to become skilled to the point of being able to establish a
training program in the stake when the deaf ward was established and then serving as
a confidential interpreter for the stake president and deaf ward for ten years. I also
taught it at El Camino College and in adult education and community classes for fifteen years. I served as an interpreter for many years in the community as well as in the
church. This profession also supported me after my divorce.
I graduated from Redondo Union High School and on October 1, 1955, just in
time for our first son, Robert Allen to be born in the covenant. Two years later, we were
blessed with a daughter, Kimmie-Kay Allred AKA Kym. Our last child, another son,
Steven Guy was born on June 25, 1960. These children are the joy of our lives.
Our marriage lasted 27 years, then sadly, in the fall of 1982 we were divorced.
After some difficult years, a few hard-earned lessons, and lots of prayer, I met
John Franklin Stockman. John had lost his wife of 42 years by death. I waited to
marry him until I received affirmation from my Heavenly Father that this was the right
decision. When the affirmation was received it was glorious and left me with no doubt
and it gave me such comfort and peace
When I first met John Stockman, he was the bishop of the Wilshire Ward in
California. John has two lovely daughters: Karen was born June 12, 1944 and married
Stephen Guymon, and Kristin who was born November 19, 1951, and is married to
Michael Coil.
Altogether we have five children and their spouses, sixteen grandchildren and
two great-granddaughters: Lindsay and Alyssa. We moved away from our families to
Port Orford, Oregon, a very small town on the Oregon Coast,
Within a few weeks of moving to Port Orford, John was called to be branch pres539
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ident and has served in this calling for five years. He is currently (1999) serving as a
member of the high council and branch emergency coordinator. I have served as Young
Women’s president, activity counselor, Primary president, and for the past three years
as Relief Society president.
As I write this, ten years after my marriage to John, that comfort and peace that
I received at the time of my affirmation is still just as strong. There is great comfort in
knowing that no matter what happens around you, even in your marriage relationship,
if you are with a person your Heavenly Father approves of and you are in the right
place, doing the right things, you need have no fear of anything.
I leave this testimony that God loves us and sacrificed His Only Begotten Son to
teach us the Plan of Salvation and to make it possible through His Atonement for us to
return to live with Him again. I say these things in the name ov my Savior, Jesus
Christ. Amen.
Merlene and Allen Allred have three children:
1. ROBERT ALLEN ALLRED, b. 16 November 1956 in Hawthorne, California,
bpt. 5 December 1964, md. NATALIE LYNNE SYPRESS in the Los Angeles
Temple 20 June 1980. She was b. 6 March 1960 in Los Angeles, California.
I enjoyed a fun childhood with many close friends, including my uncle Rodger
Ponsonby who is just six months older than me. I was active in church, CCub
Scouts, Boy Scouts, and all sports, and out door activities. As a Boy Scout I
reached the rank of Eagle Scout, thanks to the support of an excellent
Scoutmaster and my family. As a teenager my grandparents and aunts and
uncles would take me on all kinds of trips with them and I really enjoyed traveling seeing the country.
At the age of nineteen, I served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in the
London, England Mission. Due to a knee injury preceding my mission, my sports
interests had to be severely limited.
I attended El Camino Community college for two years following my mission.
About two-and-one-half years after returning from my mission, Natalie and I
were married. by her great-uncle, Robert L. Simpson, who was then the Temple
President.
I have served in a number of callings in the LDS Church, including a counselor
in two different bishoprics, on a high council and as an assistant to the high
priest group leader. Our family has not been spared from the tests of this world,
and we have struggled to keep things together, but the Lord has always stayed
close and we have received tremendous support from our family, for which we
shall be eternally grateful. I have a strong testimony of the gospel and I love the
Lord. Our children are the most wonderful things that have ever happened in
our lives.
Written February 1999.
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Four children:
1. Alisha Allred, b. 6 June 1981. bpt. 11 August 1989.
2. Brittiany Allred, b. 3 July 1984. bpt. 16 July 1992.
3. Robert Allred, b. 6 February1988. bpt. 24 February 1996.
4. Sean Allred, b. 20 December 1990. bpt. 3 January 1999.
2. KIMMIE-KAY ALLRED [aka Kym], b. 10 March 1958 in Long Beach, California. bpt. 2 July 1966, md. WILLIAM JOHNSEN 28 March 1981 in Redondo
Beach, California. Two children:
1. Jessica Johnsen, b. 3 August 1982.
2. William Johnsen, b. 13 April 1984.
3. STEVEN GUY ALLRED, b. 25 June 1960 in Torrance, California, bpt. 6 July
1968, md. his childhood sweetheart, CYNTHIA ANN LAY, 17 July 1982 in Palos
Verdes, California. Sealed 17 July 1992 in the Los Angeles Temple. Cynthia was
b. 2 August 1963 in San Fernando, California, bpt. 15 December 1991. They
have three children, all b. in Torrance, California.
1. Brenden Allen Allred, b. 23 August 1983. bpt. 23 August 1991.
2. Nicholes Owen Allred, b. 28 April 1985, bpt. 28 April 1993.
3. Amanda Nicole Allred, b. 13 June 1987, bpt. 13 June 1995.
1B2-3 Vila Roxena Mortensen md. second JOHN LEROY LLEWELYN in 1939
[divorced]. Two children:
1. GLADYS LLEWELYN, b. 6 October 1940 one month early in Salt Lake City, md.
DONALD CARSWELL in 1960 [divorced in 1962].
Gladys Llewelyn md. second ROBERT “BOB” EDWARD LAURSEN 8 January 1972 in
Redondo Beach, California. Robert was b. 12 June 1939 in Berwyn, Illinois, bpt. 27
July 1938 into the Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church.
My mother, Vila Roxana Mortensen Llewelyn, was 20 years of age at the time of my
birth. My father, John LeRoy Llewelyn, was 24 years of age.
When I was 8 years old my mom, Merlene, my sister 2+ years older than me and I rode
to California with Uncle Bruce. We settled in San Diego and Mom, Merlene and I were
the Three Musketeers for about four years. I was bpt. 4 December 1948 and confirmed
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 5 December 1948.
We moved to Glendale. Mom dated and married David Arthur Ponsonby. We all moved
to Hermosa Beach. Merlene married after she graduated from high school. She and
Mom were both pregnant at the same time, Mom with Rodger Bruce Ponsonby who
was16 years my junior and Merlene with Robert who was just 6 months younger than
Rodger, so I not only gained a new brother, but I became an aunt as well. Later on, I
gained another brother Christopher Greg Ponsonby.
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I graduated from Redondo High School in 1959 and married Donald. I spent the next
few years working “Kelly” [temporary service] and taking care of children. Marco came
to stay with me on and off when he was nine years old. I went back to school when I
was 30 years old and received an AA from El Camino College in Torrance, California. I
then transferred to California State University at Long Beach, California, and received a
master of science in Counseling.
Bob went into the Marines right out of high school. After military service Bob moved
home for awhile and then moved to Manhattan Beach, California, in 1964 and has
stayed there ever since. While Gladys was working at Century Lighting through the
Kelly Temp Services she met Bob Laursen. He worked for Century Lighting from 1965
to 1974 when the business closed down. Bob wanted to do his own thing, so they
opened Surf Side Bike Shop June 1974. As of this date (February 1999) he is still the
owner and operator of the bike shop.
While Gladys was going to college, one project was to be a big sister at the Baptist
Home. She brought a nine-year-old boy named Brian home and they eventually adopted him. We received a foster license to have him live with us until the adoption was
finalized. We had foster babies during this time. Brian moved out when he was 16.
After Brian left, they took care of foster babies and had 14 they cared for over the
years. Bob would take care of the babies at the shop while Gladys was going to school.
When Gladys was working on her master’s degree, they decided not to take in anymore
babies, but the social worker called Bob about a baby boy who needed a home very
badly, so Mike came to live with the Laursens when he was one year old. Then Chris,
Mike’s brother, became their foster baby also. Their mother took them back for awhile
and then asked Bob and Gladys to adopt Mike and Chris, and also her new baby,
Andy. Bob and Gladys took them into their home and adopted all three in 1985. Along
the way a young girl, Tammy, lived with them on and off. She feels that they are her
family so the Laursens have five children, six counting Marco, a boy that Gladys
brought with her.
Gladys and Robert have four children:
1. BRIAN LAURSEN [adopted]
2. MICHAEL LAURSEN, b. in 1981 (adopted in 1985)
3. CHRISTOPHER LAURSEN, b. in 1982 (adopted in 1985)
4. ANDREW DAVID LAURSEN, b.1983 (adopted in 1985)
2. JOHN LEROY LLEWELYN, b. 6 February 1942 and d. April 1942 in Salt Lake City
Utah.
1B2-3 Vila Roxena Mortensen md. third DAVID ARTHUR PONSONBY. Two children:
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1. ROGER BRUCE PONSONBY, b. 6 May 1956 in Hawthorne, California, md. MARY
GAY 24 July 1982 in the Los Angeles Temple. She was b. 24 December 1956 as one of
a set of twins in Montpelier, Idaho.
Before my birth and even before my conception I had existed in the hearts and minds
of two hopeful parents. The first three years of my life began in a small house in
Hermosa Beach. As a small child, on one occasion, I went through my mother’s purse
and found a bottle of children’s aspirin. My mother found me with half a bottle of pills
and immediately rushed me to the hospital to have my stomach pumped.
As a young child, when I would break one of my toys, I would bring it to my dad and
ask him to fix it. He would say, “It can’t be fixed,” so, I would take the toy and mend it
to the best of my ability by wrapping it with tape. I would then be content that the toy
was repaired.
My brother and I grew up with our share of happy times together and of course our
share of sibling rivalry. Chris and I shared one bedroom while growing up.
As a grammar school student I began to take an interest in reptiles, amphibians, and
various animals as pets. Over a period of years I had a snake, tarantulas, lizards,
newts, salamanders, frogs, toads, a squirrel, you name it! Most of these creatures were
kept in the bedroom that my brother and I shared.
At age six I was “signed up” for my first summer class of swimming By the age of ten I
could swim quite well and I went on to Jr. Lifeguard, Jr. Frogman and even a little
surfing by the time I was in junior high.
In high school I was quite average in most of my academic endeavors. But I did excel in
most all of my “elective” courses. I became quite interested in leatherwork, so much so,
that I started a little after school business called ROYAL BLUE LEATHER COMPANY. I
obtained a resale license and was able to earn more for my time than working at minimum wage. I crafted custom made belts, wallets, and handbags.
I received my driver’s license two days after my 16th birthday and my first car when I
was 17 years old, a 1965 Chevy Corvair. I enjoyed going to dances, mostly the ones
sponsored by the church. After graduating from high school, I attended El Camino
Community College.
At age 18, I had a desire to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. I wanted to serve in Japan, and took a college course in Japanese hoping a
knowledge of the language would increase my chances of being called to Japan. In July
1975, I was called to serve a mission in England. Although disappointed at the time, I
accepted the call. It was on my mission that I gained a working knowledge of the scriptures and really developed a testimony of the Gospel. I served from September 1975
until October 1977 in the England Birmingham Mission, which covered the central part
of Britain and North Wales.
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Late in 1981, a friend introduced me to Mary Gay Anderson at church. At the time she
was wearing four-inch heels and towered over me. Over a period of time we became
friends. When she took off her high heels and “came down to earth,” I found that we
were more compatible than I originally thought. I was drawn to Mary by her pleasant
personality, her positive attitude, her humor, charm and charisma. Our friendship
evolved to courtship and marriage.
In high school Mary was involved in basketball, track, softball, swimming, and limited
gymnastics, did volunteer work at an Elks Rehabilitation Center, and was a member of
the flag corps in the band. She was in the top 25 of her graduating class of over 350 in
1975, had a part-time job and saved enough to go see the 1974 World’s Fair at
Spokane, Washington.
After attending two years at BYU, in July 1977, Mary began St. Marks School of
Radiology and completed it successfully on June 29, 1979. Mary Gay received a mission call to the Davao Philippines Mission and served a welfare mission from February
7, 1980, till August of 1981. It was a trying yet wonderful time. Nevertheless, she says,
“I knew that was what I was supposed to be doing with my life at that time. I count it a
blessing. I grew to appreciate many things during this time: my family, country and the
gospel even more.”
Shortly after getting home, while working in Los Angeles, Mary met Rodger Ponsonby.
The biggest joy of Mary Gay’s life has been the adoption of her children. They are, as
any parent usually recognizes, the biggest heartache and the biggest joys of our lives.
“There are three things that have been the most benefit and use in my life:
“1. Accepting and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“2. To marry my best friend and have his love and support, plus being compatible in
our goals and objectives.
“3. My children, who have taught me many things, and continue to do so.
“During these first eight years of our marriage we have been able to work together to
accomplish many family goals. In the spring of 1985 we were able to take a trip to
Europe and see England, Scotland, Wales, France, and Belgium over a period of three
weeks. Applying the principles of hard work and thrift we have been able to purchase a
home in Torrance and invest in two rental properties. We have avoided consumer debt,
except to buy real estate. We have worked hard to get where we are and hope that in
the future our assets will work hard for us in our golden years.”
Mary Gay is a trained X-ray technician and I am a plumber. I have been in the plumbing and heating trade for over 11 years. I attended trade school in Los Angeles with the
Plumbing and Heating and Cooling Contractor’s Association (P.H.C.C.) I completed my
apprenticeship with Phillips Plumbing and Heating Company in Hawthorne. Plumbing
is hard dirty work, but it provides a good living.
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At the present, August 1990, I am in the bishopric of the Torrance 1st Ward,
Torrance Stake. I have had this calling nearly three years. I enjoy teaching and learning
the gospel and working with people. I really do not enjoy all the administrative meetings and functions.
As a couple, we were unable to have our own children. This has been a source of
heartache to us. However, we have three lovely adopted children:
1. CAROLINE MARIE PONSONBY [adopted], b. 2 July 1988 in Harbor City,
California, bpt. 6 July 1996. As beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
2. AMBER ASHLEY PONSONBY [adopted], b. 3 December 1992 in Salt Lake
City, Utah. Our kinetic child — always in motion and always ready with a smile
and a hug!
3. GARRET AARON PONSONBY [adopted], b. 2 April 1996 in Van Nuys,
California. Our most favorite son!
2. CHRISTOPHER GREIG PONSONBY, b. 1 April 1960 in Harbor City, California.
1B2-4
INFANT MORTENSEN (stillborn) about 1921.
1B2-5 ARDEN WILLIAM MORTENSEN, b. 20 October 1923 in Huntington,
Utah, md. GOLDIE ATWOOD 16 November 1946 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Arden’s mother died on his sixth birthday. Then the house burned. After this
Arden and Jeri went to live in Victor, Utah, with their Uncle Nephi and family.
After a year and a half he went back to live with his father.
When Arden was 14, his dad remarried.
“Because of personality problems I decided to move out. I worked for board and
room at different places until I graduated from high school. I then went to
Carbon College for a year taking welding classes, after which I received a job
through the college as a welder in a ship yard at Richmond, California.
“I was drafted into the Air Force in 1943 and spent almost three years in
England with the 8th Air Force as a welder and a sheet metal mechanic. I was
discharged in Tallahassee, Florida in October 1945.”
Arden’s father died while he was stationed in England in 1944.
“I returned to Price and worked there as a welder for Lieb Miller. I met Dal
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Guymon. He had a girlfriend in Idaho and I went there with him and met Jane
I. Woolsey.”
June Woolsey was born January 4, 1922, in St. Anthony, Idaho. She had
worked as a riveter on B-17s and stayed there until early 1943. She enlisted in
the U.S. Navy (Waves) May 20, 1943. After the war she returned to St. Anthony
for a short time, and while there she met Arden Mortensen in the St. Anthony
hospital where they were both visiting Tessie Bell, who was Jane’s cousin.
After a long-distance romance for a year, Arden and Jane were married and
made their home in Price, Utah, where Arden began working as a carpenter. We
went into business for ourselves in 1949 and stayed in the contracting business
for almost 40 years. Arden retired in 1990.
We have had 50 years of love and laughter; a wonderful family with five outstanding children. We are now surrounded by grandchildren, friends and relatives.
Arden and Goldie Atwood have one child:
1. ARDITH LYNN MORTENSEN, b. in 1944.
Arden William Mortensen md. second JANE I. WOOLSEY 16 November 1946. Arden
and Jane’s five children:
1. ARDEN DRAKE MORTENSEN, b. 29 July 1948 in Price, Utah, md. MARIE
GUYMON on 8 August 1973 in Huntington, Emery County, Utah. They were
later sealed in the Manti Temple. Marie was b. 23 October Drake and Marie
have four children:
1. ERICK ARDEN MORTENSEN, b. 11 November 1975 in Price, Utah, md.
Stacey Gwen Snarr 14 June 1997. She was b. 3 November. One child.
1. Hunter Drake Mortensen, b. 1 July 1999 in Price, Utah.
2. CODEY LYNN MORTENSEN, b. 22 May 1977 in Price, Utah, md. Stacy Katz
June 1999.
3. JILL MORTENSEN, b. 15 November 1979 in Price, Utah.
4. TRACEY C. MORTENSEN, b. 14 February 1986 in Price, Utah.
2. KEVEN COLON MORTENSEN, b. 17 March 1951 in Price, Utah. Not married.
3. MURRAY LAMONT MORTENSEN, b. 30 January 1954 in Price, Utah, md.
BETTY LYNN YOUNG on 3 October 1986 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was b. 27
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February. Two children:
1. MELISSA JANE MORTENSEN, b. 11 January 1991.
2. EMALIE D. MORTENSEN, b. 16 March 1996.
4. DARLA NANCY MORTENSEN, b. 1 February 1956 in Price, Utah, md. KERRICK MOORE 24 May 1991 in the Manti Utah Temple. Kerrick d. 27 September 1998.
5. BOYD JAY MORTENSEN, b. 22 December 1957 in Price, Utah, md. DEANN
DAVIS 25 July 1980. She was b. 17 September 1957. Two children:
1. MINDY ANN MORTENSEN, b. 9 August 1982.
2. MEGAN JANAE MORTENSEN, b. 16 May 1986.
1B2-6
ELVA VERNESSA [JERI] MORTENSEN, b. 21 May 1925 in Huntington,
Utah, bpt. 1 July 1934, md. MAX LEROY WAYMAN 3 March 1941 in Castle Dale, Utah
[divorced]. He was b. 4 August 1921 in Castle Dale, Utah, and bpt. 28 December 1929.
After her mother died October 20, 1929, she went with Arden to live in
Victor with their uncle Nephi and his family. After a year she returned to live
with her father in Huntington for about seven years. She helped her dad a lot.
They plowed and cultivated with a horse, and of course, she rode and guided
the horse.
“We had bees. My dad would give me a piece of the cone to chew for gum.
I became very close to my dad.
“We had prayer every night and morning and we went to church every
Sunday. I am very happy with the ways that my Father taught me.
“When I was 11 years old, my sister married and my dad also married
and it seemed as though my world fell apart. The woman Dad married had quite
a large family and it wasn’t just my dad and me anymore.
“I picked berries at the Murray Farm. I got up every morning at 4:00 and
walked to the farm outside of Huntington. My stepmother talked me into taking
berries for my pay and she would pay me instead. But she never did pay me
and I worked all summer for nothing.
“We had a wood/coal stove and my stepmother began to tear the pages
from my mother’s and father’s Bible, using them to start the morning fire. That
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was the last straw and I’d had enough, so I talked my dad into letting me go to
Salt Lake City where my sister lived. She had a baby at this time and her husband had passed away. I lived with her for about two years. When my dad had
left that woman, I went back home to keep house for him and my brother.
“Then at the age of fifteen I got married. I was way too young, I did it
without my dad’s consent and knowledge. After 37 years of being md. we got a
divorce. I found out what it was like to work and make a living and I enjoyed it
and made many friends.”
Jeri continued to work for five more years after her second marriage. They
lived in Green River, Utah, and St. George, Utah, area and finally moved to
Arizona. Troy and Jeri have been married for 17 years. In 1998 they moved
back to Price where Jeri could be closer to her family and friends.
Jeri and Max have three children:
1. JUDITH ANN WAYMAN, b. 27 February 1942 in Standardville, Utah, bpt.
25 November 1951, md. ROGER JAMES NEWTON 18 June 1965 in the Salt
Lake Temple [divorced]. He was b. 11 July 1943 Price, Utah, bpt. 26 December
1951.
I had a lot of illnesses and struggles with physical problems. I have a permanent
hearing loss. I was always the obedient child and have had trouble understanding youth rebelliousness in others or in my own children.
I attended public schools in Price and graduated in 1961. I attended BYU for one
year. I attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City and graduated in 1963,
After recuperating from an auto accident I returned to Salt Lake City in 1964
and worked at the offices of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints until I married. Roger was a high school classmate and had
filled a two year mission in the West Central States Mission. We were married for
19 years before Roger left the family and precipitated the hardest time in my life.
John was “an old sweetheart I met at Price Junior High School and had dated off
and on from 1956 through 1964. John continued in school for 10 years gaining
master’s and doctoral degrees in American History. He also studied for a master’s of business administration. In the late 1970s he left the academic life and
moved to Seattle to be near his brother Jerry and family. John was at this time
working at the Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington, as a computer programmer. He had never married. We rekindled our feelings for each other after two
decades. After a whirlwind visit and with little planning we were married and
moved my household to Kent, Washington.
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I have held many positions in the church over the years and have ben a dedicated visiting teacher since 1961. I enjoy working in the Seattle Temple in the
bride’s waiting room. I am a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
I love my family very much. I want my four children and my four grandchildren
to know I love them and how very special they are to me. Four children:
1. BRIAN WAYMAN NEWTON, b. 1969, bpt. 4 June 1977, md. WENDY BALL 1
May 1992 in the
Manti Temple. Wendy was b. May 25, 1966 Murray, Utah
and bpt. 7 June 1974.
Brian graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1987. In 1990 he
was called to serve a two-year mission in Austria for the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon completion of his mission he married
his sweetheart. They bought Wendy’s grandfather’s house in Coalville,
Utah. He works in Midvale at Livingston Distribution Company as a warehouse foreman and has to commute over the Wasatch Mountains each
day. Brian enjoys the outdoors; mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and skiing with his family. He also loves to golf. He is active in the church and
has held a variety of callings. He has always been an outgoing, friendly,
and popular person.
Most of Wendy’s growing up are of sports and outdoor recreational
activities. Around home she did everything with her family; working on
the farm, riding snowmobiles, and working in the family store. Wendy
graduated in 1984 from high school and studied at Utah State University
and at the University of Utah. She played many years of competitive soccer and was a member of the basketball, softball, volleyball, diving, drill,
and track teams. She coached the North Summit girls basketball
team.Two children:
1. Kyler Jeffrey Newton, b. 26 October 1993 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. Kendrick James Newton, b. 19 December 1994 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. TRACI MICHELE NEWTON, b.30 October 1970 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bpt.
4 November 1978, md. TRENT JAMES BAXENDALE 9 June 1990 in the Salt
Lake Temple. He was b. 9 May 1969 in Murray, Utah.
I lived my whole life in Midvale, Utah. I went to Salt Lake
Community College for two years. I met Trent James Baxendale while
cruising around on State Street. Trent proposed to me on Christmas Eve
1989 on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Two and a half years later we
were married. We bought our home in Murray, Utah, when I was 20 and
Trent was 21.
Trent is a great father and we enjoy spending time with the family.
Trent graduated from Murray High School in 1987 and completed one
year at the Salt Lake Community College. Trent has worked at Hi-Tech
Machining as a CNC ( computerized numerical control) machinist. They
make precision metal parts for many other companies including special
medical and aerospace equipment.
Traci worked for Murray School District teaching Special
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Education. In 1996 she was hired on at Delta Airlines as Connection
Agent. I spend time with my family and enjoy snowmobiling, camping, and
traveling together. I feel I’m very blessed with such a great family. I wouldn’t
trade motherhood for anything.Two children:
1. Taylor Shay Baxendale, b. 27 December 1991 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Named for his uncle Shay.
2. McKinna Traci Baxendale, b.2 August 1993 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Named after her mother.
3. JASON WAYMAN NEWTON, b. 12 October 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bpt.
31 October 1981. He was raised in East Midvale, Utah and in Kent, Washington.
He graduated from high school in 1992. Jason served a two-year mission in Fort
Worth and other parts of West Texas for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints from January 1993 to 1995. He worked driving a delivery truck for
Livingston Distribution Company in Midvale, Utah.
Jason has always been most considerate and sensitive of people. He is
very emotional and caring. He was the peacemaker in the household.
4. TYLER WAYMAN NEWTON, b.12 August 1975 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bpt.
3 September 3, 1983. He grew up in East Midvale, Utah and Kent, Washington.
He graduated from high school in 1994. When growing up his first love was fishing, then basketball. At 6 feet 11 inches tall along with his motor skills and competitiveness have allowed him to excel at basketball. His basketball proficiency is
getting him a college education: first at Eastern Utah in Price, Utah, and then at
Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. In his two years at Fort Hays his
team never lost a game at home. He is studying to become a coach. Tyler has
continued to play basketball on the professional level. In May 1998 he went to
the Far East to play in the Chinese Basketball Association. He also played in
Japan and Malaysia. He is getting a “real education” now and is being taken
care of even better than when in college. Tyler is the strong willed one in the
family. Nothing held him back in trying things on his own.(1998)
Judith Ann Wayman md. second JOHN ERVIN BRINLEY Jr. 25 February 1985
in Midvale, Utah. John was b. 5 August 1943 in Price, Utah.
2. BARBARA JEANNE “BOBBI” WAYMAN, b. 10 June 1944 in Sandarville, Utah,
which has become a ghost town, bpt. 28 February 1954, md. DON W. WINTERTON 27
November 1963 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was b. 4 August 1941 in Roosevelt, Utah,
and bpt. 23 October 1949.
I enjoyed my early years by camping, fishing and swimming at Park RoShay in
Springville. I left home after graduating from Carbon High School and went to Salt Lake
City and worked in the Genealogy Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Through a friend I met Don W. Winterton, who had just returned from a
mission to the Southern Far East Mission, particularly in Hong Kong. We were md. by
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, who had been the presiding apostle over the Southern Far
East Mission.
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We made our home in Orem, Utah, so Don could pursue his studies at
Brigham Young University (BYU) and I worked at a computing company. I worked at an
old key-punch machine which took cards and punched holes in them and they were
run though the computers. We began our family while in Provo.
Don taught school in Roosevelt for three years. He tried his hand in the oil fields
for a year, then joined his father to run the cattle ranch and has been working with
cattle ever since.
I think I made things hard on myself by constantly keeping the older kids enrolled in one thing or another; sports, dancing, singing lessons and piano lessons. I
was running schedules and probably wasn’t much fun because of all the hassle. I have
since learned that those things are expendable and the important things are being at
home with your children and creating a Christ-centered home.
We home-schooled the last two boys for the last four years and have enjoyed the
closeness it brings.
We have a great love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and have tried to serve him
all our lives. Don has served as a teacher in many of the organizations; ward executive
secretary, counselor to the bishop, bishop, stake missionary and counselor to the stake
mission leader. Bobby has worked as a teacher in all the organizations (except the
priesthood quorums, of course), and served as a president in the Primary, Young
Women, and the Relief Society, and at present is a staff member at the Family History
Center and teaching classes on PAF.
Nine children:
1. ALICIA WINTERTON, b. 1 August 1966 Provo, Utah, bpt. 3 August 1974,
md. KRIS LAVON BIRD 20 September 1985 in the Salt Lake Temple. Kris was
b.18 October 1962 and bpt. 3 October 1970.
I was born while my father was completing his schooling. My parents taught us right from wrong, they taught us to love God, and they
taught us to work hard. They instilled in me my love of reading history,
traveling, and gardening. My father didn’t ruin me for life the time he
grounded me and made me weed all the lilac bushes one Saturday,
because I love to weed even now and I especially love to see those lilac
bushes every time I return home for a visit.
In 1985 Alicia met and md. Kris Lavon Bird, from Tendoy, Idaho, at
Ricks College.
Kris started a tire business the year we were married and now owns and
operates “Bird’s Les Schwab Tire Center” in Salmon, Idaho. Kris was a work-aholic but has learned to take time off and enjoy the family fishing and sight-seeing trips.
Alisha started out working in the shop doing the books. She also taught
dancing and thought she hated housework. But found that the only thing worth
all my time and energy is my family, taking care of my children and husband.
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She also holds church callings and tries to be a good friend and a good member
of the community, but our family relationships are the things that matter most
in this world. After we’re gone our families are the ones who will remember us.
I love my family and I’m proud to be a descendant of the men and women
who followed their hearts, gained testimonies of the gospel, and came to this
“promised land.”
Four children:
1. Joshua Kris Bird, b. 26 August 1986 in Salmon, Idaho, bpt. 26
August 1994. Joshua is our only blond. He enjoys playing basketball and riding bikes. He is good at math and likes to do science
experiments. He is fun to have around and is missed when he is
gone.
2. Nida Nicole Bird, b. 14 November 1988 in Salmon, Idaho, bpt.
November 1996. She is sweet just like her Grandma Winterton from
whom she got her first name. She loves to cook, read, sing, dance,
and do crafts.
3. Samuel Winterton Bird, b. 1 June 1991 in Salmon, Idaho, bpt.
4 July 1999. Sam had a hard start in this world, several months in the
hospital and two heart surgeries. He is free from an oxygen tank and
nothing is stopping him.
4. Jacob Lavon Bird, b.16 January 1993 in Salmon, Idaho. He
loves life.
2. MICHAEL “W” WINTERTON, , b. 6 April 1968 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, bpt. 1
May 1976, md. RACHELLE LYNNE DAVIS 19 June 1991 in Duchesne,
Utah. She was b. 3 December 1972. He loved to be sung to sleep with the
song of ”When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again”. Some lullaby! We
wondered if that song had anything to do with Mike’s fighting spirit,
which he seems to have in abundance. He loves the martial arts,
weapons, and motorcycles.
After leaving high school he went to Alaska. When he came home for a
visit he met Rachelle Lynne Davis. They were married right after he graduated
from the Utah Police Academy. He worked in Heber for the city police department, then moved to Roosevelt and worked as a reserve officer for the Duchesne
County Sheriff’s office, while pursuing other employment. In 1995 he joined the
Navy and worked in Naval Intelligence.
They have one daughter:
1. Debrah Dakota Winterton, b. 16 April 1997 in Roosevelt, Utah.
3. SHAUNA WINTERTON, , b. 20 November 1970 in Roosevelt, Utah, bpt. 2
December 1978, md. STEVEN HANEY 27 July 1996 at Roosevelt, Utah. He was
b. 28 November 1974 in Ogden, Utah. She loved to be super-involved, which
included a stint as student body president in high school, all-star drill team and
captain of the girl’s volleyball and basketball teams.
They live in Ogden where Steve is a police officer and Shauna teaches
high school and is the girls head basketball coach.
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4. LIANNE WINTERTON, b. 18 July 1972 in Roosevelt, Utah, bpt. 2 August
1980, md. AARON AMES 10 March 1994 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was b.
7 April 1972 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bpt. 3 May 1980.
At the age of 17 months she broke out singing the chorus of ‘Far,
Far Away On Judea’s Plains’. No mistaking the tune she was singing. She
has been very involved in theater and stage. At the age of ten she danced a pas
de deux with Aaron Ames (who twelve years later became her husband). In 1992
she performed with Young Ambassadors from BYU. And in 1993 she had the
lead female role in BYU’s musical “Chess.” She then went to Skagway, Alaska,
to play the lead female role in their historical play, performing six nights a week
and occasionally during the day from May to September.
Before going on a mission I felt strongly that I was to go visit the Ames
family, especially my ballet teacher and her son that I had danced with at the
age of 10. They had moved to Independence, Missouri. I came home engaged and
decided this was to be the area of my mission.
She is currently working at getting her degree in musical/dance/theater
from BYU.
We moved to Independence. Aaron was called to be the elder’s quorum
president, and I began teaching early morning Seminary for the church. We
moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where we both attended the University. While
there Lianne organized and directed a young performing group and also taught
voice and dance. Aaron graduated from Central Missouri State University in
December 1997. They then moved to Provo where Lianne could finish her degree.
She graduated April 1999. They moved to Salmon, Idaho, and opened the
Salmon Valley Playhouse where Lianne teaches dance/theater/voice and we
have theater productions.
Two children:
1. Mikalyn Camille Ames, b. 19 September 1996 in Warrensburg,
Missouri.
2. Max Harrison Ames, b. 21 July 1999 in Provo, Utah
5. KRISTINE WINTERTON, b. 16 December 1974 in Roosevelt, Utah,. bpt. 1
January 1983, md. DAVID JAMES GUNDERSON 20 June 1996 in Price, Utah.
He was b. 8 August 1973 in Price, Utah, bpt. September 1981. Kristine teaches
cosmetology at the College of Eastern Utah. One child:
1. Jaren James Gunderson, b. 3 April1998 in Price, Utah.
6. STEVEN WINTERTON, b. 5 October 1976 in Roosevelt, Utah, bpt. 3
November 1984, md. DEENA HUFFAKER 18 December 1999 in the Boise Idaho
Temple. She was b. 13 April 1980 in Nampa, Idaho, bpt. in 1988.
He looks most like his father. He served a mission for the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 to 1997 and attended Ricks
College where he majored in architecture.
7. MARK “W” WINTERTON, b.10 October 1978 in Roosevelt, Utah,. bpt. 29
November 1986. Mark served a mission in the Brazil Belem Mission 1997
to 1999.
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8. ROBERT HYRUM WINTERTON, b. 20 March 1981 in Roosevelt, Utah, bpt.
25 March 1989. He is a deep thinker and loves to study and learn.
9. JEFFREY “W” WINTERTON, b.28 January 1983 in Roosevelt, Utah, bpt.
2 February 1991. He loves to learn.
3. VICKIE LEE WAYMAN, b. 28 June 1951 in Price, Utah, md. CALVIN E.
CHRISTIANSEN 4 February 1970 in Brigham City, Utah. He was b. 31 August 1951 in
Price, Utah. Vicki graduated from Carbon High School 28 May 1969. She attended the
College of Eastern Utah for eight months.
Vickie married her high school sweetheart. Calvin graduated from Carbon High
School in 1969 and has been a coal miner for 28 years. Calvin loves to fish and hunt
with his boys and travel the countryside with his wife, “Vic,” on their Harley motorcycle. Four children:
1. TORVAL “TORY” WAYMAN CHRISTIANSEN, b. 3 September 1970 in Price,
Utah, md. AMIE DALYNN PERO 10 March 1990 in Price, Utah. Amie was b.
19 October 1971 in Price, Utah.
His name is Scandinavian and means “Thunder.” Torval was named after
his grandfather Christiansen. He spent four years in the Marine Corps where he
was a military policeman. He spent time in Somalia helping others.
He loves sports, hunting, fishing and lifts weights on a daily basis. Tory
works at Roof Bolter at the Soldier Creek Mine. He is the fourth generation to
make his living working in the coal mines. He recently went to work for the
Police Department in Price.
They have two daughters:
1. Madison Christiansen, b. 10 January 1993 in Price, Utah.
2. Mariah Tori Christiansen, b. 19 November 1997 in Price, Utah.
2. TRENTON WAYMAN CHRISTIANSEN, b. 9 June 1974 in Price, Utah, md.
AMBER JO COBB 17 July 1993 in Price, Utah. She was b. 14 July 1974 in Salt
Lake City, Utah. He has always loved sports: baseball, basketball and rodeos.
Trent married his high school sweetheart. He works for Skyline Mining working
on the longwall and is also the fourth generation to make his living in the coal
mines.Trenton and Amber have two children:
1. Alanis Christiansen, b. 7 May 1997 in Price, Utah.
2. Trenton Wayman Christiansen Jr., b. 9 July 1998 in Price, Utah.
3. VALERIE CHRISTIANSEN, b. 4 July 1975 in Price, Utah, md. CODY MAX
LOPAN 17 July 1993 in Price, Utah. He was b. 28 March 1974 in Price,
Utah. Valerie and her brother Trent were the best of friends from infancy.
As a little girl she loved swimming and dancing. She graduated from
Carbon High. She married her high school sweetheart. Valerie and Cody
shared a double wedding with her brother, Trenton and Amber. Cody works at
Skyline Mining and Valerie enjoys being a wife and mother. Three daughters:
1. Kortnie Lopan, b. 31 December 1995 in Price, Utah.
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2. Baylie Lopan, b. 15 July 1997 in Price, Utah.
3. Kaytlen Lopan, b. 19 January 1999 in Price, Utah.
4. CALI CHRISTIANSEN, b. 6 August 1980 in Price, Utah, md. JACOB BRIAN
WING 15 August 1998 in Price, Utah. He was b. 16 December 1978 in Sandy,
Utah. She was always on the swim team and always loved dancing, especially
clogging and jazz. Cali graduated from Carbon High in January 1998 and works
at the Castle Valley School as a secretary.
1B2-6 Elva Vernessa (Jeri) Mortensen md. second TROY PATRICK 12 February
1980. He was b. 28 December 1923.
1B2-7 JEROLD ROLLA MORTENSEN, b. 19 March 1927 in Huntington,
Utah, d. 26 January 1928.
1B2-8 BURANA LA RUEAL MORTENSEN, b. 9 January 1929 in Huntington,
Utah, d. 12 January 1931.
1B3 MARTINA ELIZABETH MORTENSEN ), b. 26 March 1876 in
Scipio, Utah, to Morten P. and Martine Mortensen, bpt. 28 March 1884, md.
JOSHUA OWEN FIELDING 1 January 1898. He was b. 11 August 1864 in
Parowan, Utah. Apostle George Teasdale performed a sealing ceremony. They
went to the Manti Temple 30 October 1901. Joshua d. 4 February 1944 and
Martina d. 19 February 1962, both in Atascadero, California.
In the Fall of 1875 my father was called by President Brigham Young to
go as a missionary among the Indians at Moencopi, Arizona and in the early
Spring of 1876 was ordained and set apart as Presiding Elder to take the place
vacated by Jacob Hamblin. He moved Aunt Dorothea and her family to
Moencopi first. Father moved our family and Aunt Trina and family later. Thus I
was born at Scipio, Utah.
Many of the Indians accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ, their chief, Tuba
himself, being one of them. Father was then called with his families to help
build up the United Order in Fort Sunset, Arizona, located just across the river
from the present town of Winslow, Arizona, in Navajo County.
I remember Lot Smith was president and Ira Hatch was a counselor. Lot
Smith married my older sister, Diantha (eldest daughter of Dorothea. Once
Martina was asked when talking about her brother, “Was he your brother or
half brother?” “I had no half bothers!” She was quite indignant about the idea.
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THE UNITED ORDER
While we were in the United Order everyone had their separate work to
perform. MartIna and Aunt Polly Foster had the carding, spinning and weaving
to do for the whole Order. I helped my mother, mostly by tending the babies;
but it was here I learned to card and spin, though quite young, as I was the
only girl in Mother’s family.
My father’s first wife, Aunt Dorothea, was head of the dairy, making the
butter and cheeses. The women took turns doing kitchen duties. The boys took
turns herding the cows. The men had different work too. The community was
built like a fort. Each family had one room to themselves..all rooms being built
into a circumference. We had one door and one window facing inward, no windows to the back because of the Indians, and no side windows as the walls were
in common with the neighboring family. In the center of the Fort was built the
Council House.
We all ate at one table with Lot Smith at the head. All shared alike as far
as I could see. I was only a child. We had granaries for storing grains and cellars for vegetables and smoke houses for meats. They were always full as long
as I can remember. We could always ask Lot Smith if we could get popcorn, or
sweet corn, to parch.
We used tallow candles for light; but when we were low on tallow we
would tie a button in a rag — so it would stand up - then light the rag for our
light. It was called a ‘bitch light’. We were as happy as we are today with electricity as we knew no other.
My oldest brother was assigned to blacking our shoes for Sunday. He
used grease, molasses, and soot from the fireplace mixed together.
For our washing and soap making we used lye that was made from our
ashes.
I never learned the Danish language as the American people made fun of
us. All my people were Danes.
I was quite small to be going to school, and the teachers would say:
“Martina, come show these big boys how to do this problem in arithmetic,” or
“Diagram this sentence in English.” Of course, I thought that I was smart and I
would do just that and was not afraid. When I was older I had no confidence in
myself.
noon.
The first time I tried to fast. I could not fast all day so I had to eat at
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The Chapel and school were in the same building, located in the wall.
I do not know much about Sunday School but my brother and I were
given a book each as a reward for attendance. My father picked our books for
us. Lauritz’s was: Spencer’s Letters and I got the Life of Heber C. Kimball.
OLD MEXICO
The law of the United States in 1884 made a great deal of trouble for all
plural families. Families were called to help settle Old Mexico. My father always
obeyed counsel from the Authorities of the Church so we went.
Father was with the Company who settled in northern Old Mexico in
February 1885. He sent for my mother and her family and we moved in
September 1885 driving all the way to Mexico from Sunset, Arizona, by team
and wagon; but we children had a good time. My five brothers and I walked
along and gathered pine nuts and black walnuts and acorns; then we would
have to run to catch up.
When we reached Old Mexico, we first lived on a Mexican’s ranch. Later
we moved on to another ranch with a man named Olquin (Holquin).
We lived in a one-room adobe house. The only light inside came from the
doorway. at night we had light from a kind of fireplace in one corner of the
room. Sometimes we had a lamp.
MARTINA’S VISION
When I was about 11 years old we were still on Mr. Olquin’s farm and
they were celebrating ‘Cinco de Mayo’. May 5 is Mexico’s Independence Day.
Mother had loaned them one of her lamps for their company. I dreamed, or had
a vision, that we were going to go and get the lamp that my mother had loaned
and the Savior appeared unto me; but at first I was afraid and the Savior said
to me: “Be not afraid. It is I.” So I uncovered my head and listened to the Savior.
He said: “Do not go and get the lamp, as you have more light than they.”
And I saw a rod reaching from our house out to the center tree in the
yard. The Savior said it was the ‘Rod of Iron’. And I saw our neighbors a little
ways from us and they were screaming as an earthquake came and swallowed
them up. As the earth opened all were swallowed except Mr. Olquin. (I’d like to
learn the fate of the Olguin family.)
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In the morning I told my father what I had seen and heard. He told me
that the light we had was the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Rod of Iron was
the Rod (Word) of Truth and that I should not be taken up with the Catholic
religion as that was what my playmates had. I was always to cling to the Rod of
Truth.
I can see the Savior just as plain today, May 11, 1950, as I saw Him that
night and now I am 74 years old. It has always been a help to me. I should have
been a better person than I have been; but I hope and pray that the Lord will
forgive me all that I have done that has not been pleasing to Him as I am trying
to be better each day.
COLONIA DIAZ
The Church purchased 7,000 acres of land on which Colonia Diaz was built.
(near La Asencion.)
We settled in Colonia Diaz, the first of several Colonies established by the
Mormons in Mexico. Father had a farm and other parcels in town together with
three water rights which were kept in the family until we had to leave Mexico. I
was a little over nine years old when we went to Mexico
Living in Colonia Diaz my father, Peter Mortensen, was 1st Counselor to
Bishop William Derby Johnson until June 6, 1891, when father died .
I served as Treasurer of the Primary when I was about 14 years old, and
was set apart by my father, M.P. Mortensen, October 25, 1890. I also served as
assistant secretary of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association. In
1893 I was set apart as assistant secretary of the Sunday School and later as
the secretary of the Sunday School.
My first teacher in Old Mexico was Apostle Teasdale. We went to Deming,
New Mexico, about 100 miles, to get all our school supplies. So we had to be
very careful of our things.
One day my girlfriends took my small lead pencil. I told Apostle Teasdale;
but, of course, the girl denied it and said it was hers. Apostle Teasdale said he
would not like the one that told him a lie. Of course, that made me cry as I
thought Brother Teasdale was perfect.
The next morning at school Emma Jane said: “Lizzie, this is your pencil. I
found mine at home.” So this pleased me and I went and told Brother Teasdale
and all he said was: “Well, well.” But my mind was relieved as I knew it was my
pencil.
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Teachers told me if only I had confidence in myself I could accomplish
much more and learn faster. The only thing I had confidence in myself was that
I could out run anyone in our crowd and Charles Fillerup said I was like a deer,
I could jump over ditches just like one. He also said I could talk and make
5,000 people hear me without hurting my voice, my voice carried so well.
At Sunday School there was a class of boys that had an elderly man for
their teacher. They were always glad when he was absent and they called me to
be their teacher. I would read to them as I was a very good reader.
While I was very young I had to tend the babies for my mother and she
gave me the Church works to read and thus I began to read so when I went to
school I had already learned to read well. I had a very good memory. When I
was about 17 or 18 years old, I had a terrible fever. No one could tell us what I
had (possibly scarlet fever), but I think I started back to school too soon after I
got better and I never was able to remember my lessons as well after that.
Before I had only to look over the lessons and I had them almost by memory. I
lost all the hair on my head from the fever.
Apostle Teasdale set me apart for Mutual (YWMIA) and Aunt Din Merrill
said they should have had a scribe as it was just like a patriarchal blessing.
(Martina Elizabeth had three patriarchal blessings pronounced on her
head: At Colonia Diaz March 4, 1894, by Patriarch Henry Lunt; also at Colonia
Diaz by Patriarch W.W.R. Stowell November 22, 1896; and, finally, at Salt Lake
City April 19, 1929 by Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith!)
THE FAIR AT COLONIA DIAZ
President Diaz sent Governor Miguel Ahumada to represent him at this
festive event, held October 23, 1896. I was chosen as interpreter for the visiting
official for I could talk the language just like a native.
At Church picnics everyone slept out at the site. In 1897 at such a picnic
I coughed and coughed and coughed all night long. The next morning a young
man, Joshua Owen Fielding, said to me, “What were you doing barking at me
all night long for?” I just said, “I wasn’t barking at you!!”
COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE
Three or four days after the picnic episode I looked out and saw Will
Anders and Lillian Jackson coming with Owen. I said to Mother: “I believe they
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are coming after me and I don’t want to go with him.”
Mother said I should go with him this time, but I wouldn’t have to go any
more if I didn’t want to. Lil and I were great friends. I rode with my back to
Joshua on the riding trip that afternoon. I can’t remember WHY I ever went out
with him again. We went together seven months before we were married.
In Colonia Diaz, one evening we left the Church after Mutual when
Brother Adams, the sheriff, arrested Owen for speeding. Will Sanders and Lilly
Jackson were with us. This was before we were married. Owen liked to show off
and he had just broken this team of matched bays. He had them (trained) so
they would run with the reins held tightly so their heads were high and necks
beautifully arched.
The trial was a few days later. Will Sanders was one of the witnesses. He
testified that Owen was doing his best to hold the horses back as hard as he
could. The reins were held tightly; but Owen was slyly flicking the horses with
his whip to keep them running. Case dismissed!!
Lola (daughter) went as often as possible with Owen to where he worked.
He had two major occupations — draying, we’d call it trucking today, and
working in timber (lumberjack?). About 1906/7 they (Martina and Owen) left
their five children with their maternal grandmother at Colonia Diaz, Mexico,
while Owen worked in the timber.
The ‘Fielding Ranch’ was Grandpa’s homestead and was located a few
miles north of Douglas. It was a favorite off duty hangout of a few of the soldiers
stationed there during WWI. Besides Charles Pulsipher, Grover Asa (pronounced
Asee), was a frequent visitor. Grover remained a lifelong friend of Julia and
Charles Pulsipher.
Owen cut himself severely with a double-bitted axe. It was miles from any
doctor. He remembered that tobacco, “is an herb for bruises.” So he applied
some tobacco to his wound and bound it up. It healed without any trouble.
Owen smoked cigarettes from an early age. He rolled his own in brown papers
manufactured for that purpose. This was a habit Lola had no patience with, but
which she endured over those many years.
While they were living in Los Angeles she saved the equal of what
Grandpa spent for smoking. I do not recall how long she did this; but she was
able to purchase him a new suit, complete with a vest from that savings. This
was to demonstrate how costly the habit was. It did not work as a deterrent. He
would ‘taper off’ until he would put the short stub on the end of a toothpick to
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hold it in his lips! Shortly thereafter he would be smoking as much as ever.
Finally, after he was beyond 80 years of age, Owen quit smoking!!! He
would tell anyone who would listen that the only way to quit smoking was to
just not take that next cigarette. He wondered why there were no more talks on
the Word of Wisdom.
Martina and Owen have five children:
1B3-1 LOLA FIELDING, b. 5 September 1898 Colonia Diaz, Mexico, md.
WILLIAM GEORGE CARLTON. He was b. in 1897. Lola d. 26 October 1988 in
Wilcox, Arizona.
She was so small she had to be carried on a pillow and a shoe box was
her ‘crib’.
Uncle Martin was a great one to gamble. Uncle Smith, too. Once, when
their mother was hospitalized in Salt Lake City, Lola left California with them to
see her. En route the two sons began gambling in Nevada. They lost and had to
get money from Lola, their sister, to complete the trip.
When Lola had her fifth child, more than six years after the fourth, she
had problems. Robert was a ‘blue baby’ and Lola nearly died . The doctor had
told her she wouldn’t survive another childbirth. That was in January of 1930.
Here it was November of 1930, and another baby nearly due !!
Lola went to stay with her Uncle Wilford and his wife, Maria, at Douglas,
Arizona. This was to be near a doctor and hospital for the expected problems
delivering this baby.
Six children:
1. LOLA ELIZABETH CARLTON, b. in 1918, md. JOHN BRYON McCABE. He was b. in
1917.
Grandma Martina came to “baby sit” the five of us when my mother, Lola, was
expecting her last baby, because of complications. The older four were all in school. We
ranged in age from Robert at less than 1 year to myself at age 12.
This was a vital time during my life. It was then I gained a testimony of fasting
and prayer. Thanksgiving day had arrived. I do not recall the words, but knowing
Grandma I’m sure she explained to us about fasting and how much our mother needed
our help in this way at this time.
The result was we agreed to fasting that morning and were quite serious about
it. I remember laying in the sun on the southern bank of a large ditch across from
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where we lived and thinking about it all. I remember how hungry I was. I do not
remember what time in the afternoon we broke our fast with the Thanksgiving dinner
Grandma had prepared. I do remember how delicious the roast pork and sage dressing
were.
What I remember most of all was that on 27 December 1930 Mother was delivered of a healthy baby girl without problems of any kind! I’ll always believe it was due
entirely to our fasting and Grandma’s prayer on that Thanksgiving Day
Lola and John had five children.
1. JOHN FIELDING McCABE, b. in 1938, md. BARBARA ALICE CRONK.
2. JUANITA DORIS McCABE, b. in 1940, md. DENNIS VERNAL SMITH.
3. LOLA ELIZABETH McCABE, b. in 194, md. JACK WAYNE ZERKLE who was
b. in 1938.
4. WILMA ANN McCABE, b. in 1943.
5. JAMES BYRON McCABE, b. in 1945.
2. JAMES OWEN CARLTON, b. 1920, md. DAPHNE NEAR. She was b. in 1924. Three
children:
1. DONNA LEE CARLTON, b. in 1944, md. TERRANCE GASTON.
2. DELLA DARLENE CARLETON, b. in 1945.
3. DUANE OWEN CARLETON, b. in 1949.
3. WILMA BEA CARLTON, b. in 1921, md. HANS KRUGER who was b. in 1907. Two
children:
1. NANCY KRUGER, b. in 1939. Nancy md. JAMES JOHN HILL. Nancy Kruger
md. second ROBERT DONALD TRAPP.
2. RICHARD KRUGER, b. 1942
Wilma Bea Carleton md. second CHARLES J. WINTON, b. in 1924. Two children:
1. PEARL BEA WINTON, b. in 1949.
2. CHARLES OWEN WINTON, b. in 1950.
4. JOHN GROVER CARLTON, b. in 1923, md. JOSEPHINE GRUEN HOFFMAN . She
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was b. in 1925. Two children:
1. LOLA SUZANNE CARLTON, b. in 1961.
2. JOHANNA ILENE CARLETON, b. in 1963.
5. WILLIAM ROBERT CARLETON, b. in 1930, md. MILDRED HALL. Two children:
1. DEBORAH [DEBBIE] CARLETON, b. in 1952 and died in 1957.
2. RUSSELL OTTO CARLTON, b. in 1957.
6. RUTH ETTA CARLETON, b. in 1930, md. CHARLES ARTHUR CAMACK. Charles
was b. in 1927. Four children:
1. NONA LEA CAMACK, b. in 1948.
2. CHARLENE ANN CAMACK, b. in 1952.
3. GREG THOMAS CAMACK, b. in 1956.
4. CINDY LOU CAMACK.
1B3-2 JOHN OWEN FIELDING, b. 5 September 1899 in Colonia Diaz, Mexico,
md. EMMA ADAMS about 1920 at Los Angeles, California. Emma was b. in
1900. John d. 9 May 1922. He, too, was premature. He was killed when a gas
line broke. No children.
1B3-3 MARTIN JOSHUA FIELDING, b. 30 October1900 in Colonia Diaz,
Mexico, md. LUCILLE WAGNER 18 March 1925. She was b. in Texas 3 March
(no year given). Martin d. 19 April 1964.
Lucille was known to the family as “Lucille Martin.” Uncle Martin, as he
was known by us, though his family knew him as “Jay,” established a very successful business in Los Angeles County known as: “Fielding Electric.” I believe it
had to do with industrial buildings, not homes. His son carried on the business
and still does as far as I know.
Uncle Martin contributed toward the support of his parents for many,
many years on the condition that they never visited his home. I can only suppose the reason was that they were not sophisticated enough for his wife.
Martin was always generous whenever the family had contact with him.
One child:
1. BILLY JAY FIELDING, b. 9 April 1926 in Los Angeles County, California,
md. DORIS MARIE CLAWSEN 12 July 1947. She was b. 19 May 1926. Three
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children:
1. MARY KATHRINE FIELDING, b. 1 September 1948 in Los Angeles
County, California.
2. JAMES DARRELL FIELDING, b. 10 December 1951 in Los Angeles
County, California.
3. SHAUNA LEE FIELDING, b. 23 October 1953 in Los Angeles County,
California.
1B3-4 JULIA FIELDING, b. 13 March 1902 in Colonia Diaz, Mexico, md.
LORENZO CHARLES PULSIPHER 8 November 1918 at Douglas, Arizona. He
was b. in 1900. Julia d. April 1989. Four children (and adopted their granddaughter Janice Lee Winder after a family tragedy):
1. VERA NELMA PULSIPHER, b. 6 April 1920 in Elmo, Utah, and d. in
October 1922 near Malta, Idaho. Two children.
2. RAYMOND CHARLES PULSIPHER, b. 9 July 1924 Salt Lake City, Utah,
md. DELILA JANE HAYES. She was b. in 1924. Raymond d. 7 November 1988
in Texas. Two children:
1. RAYMOND CARL PULSIPHER, b. in 1946, md. PATRICIA ANN HENDRICK.
2. ROBERT O. PULSIPHER, b. in 1947.
Raymond Charles Pulsipher md. second EVELYN ALICE VOGEL. Raymond
served in the U.S. Navy and retired in 1966.
3. THELMA PULSIPHER, md. WILLIAM RALPH SCONYERS. He was b. in 1922.
One child:
1. JAMES RALPH SCONYERS, b. in 1946.
4. DELORES PULSIPHER, b. 13 June 1928 in Declo, Idaho, md. PHILIP
WINDER. Philip was b. in 1928. Three children:.
1. JULIA ELIZABETH WINDER, b. in 1946.
2. RAYOLA JEAN WINDER, b. in 1947.
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3. JANICE LEE WINDER, b. in 1950. After a family tragedy she was
adopted by her grandparents, Julia and Charles Pulsipher.
Delores Pulsipher md. second JAMES WILLIAM OVERTON WARNER. James
was b. in 1904. Two children:
1. CHARLES WARNER, b. in 1952.
2. WILLIAM J. WARNER, b. in 1953.
1B3-5 JOSEPH SMITH FIELDING, b. 29 December 1903 in Calabasas Flats,
Mexico, md. MAUDE LUCILLE BLAKEY. This was a second marriage for the
lovely Lucille. She brought with her a son who was the apple of their eyes.
Joseph d. before December 1994. Joseph Smith Fielding md. second ELSIE
LEONA SMITH.
1B4 FRANCIS JULIAN MORTENSEN, b. 28 March 1880 in Moenkopi,
Arizona, bpt. 2 April 1888, md. JENNIE PULSIPHER 7 January 1902. She was
b. 26 November 1882 in Huntington, Utah, d. in 1959. Francis d. 25 February
1923.
Francis came in a freight wagon to pick up Jennie (for a dance). This
made her feel like she was way up in the air. It was always far and in between
for fun activities. Jennie described her husband as “shy, quite sweet, very
polite, very strong, and a really good person. After the dance he brought her
home. She was sitting in a big swing in the yard when he asked her to marry
him.
They had four children in Colonia Diaz before the exodus from Mexico in
July 1912. They settled in Elmo, Utah. They had five more children in Elmo,
Utah. The first summer they lived in a tent. Francis built a big log room which
they lived in for about three years, then they moved into their new home which
Francis built. It had four rooms. The large room was divided with a sheet as a
wall making two rooms for the girls and boys.
Francis worked in the coal mine after he came from Old Mexico.
Each morning the chairs were turned around and we knelt down and had
our family prayer before we had breakfast. Every night before we went to bed we
knelt and had our family prayer.
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The family had an old Victrola. Francis used to dance and sing to “Bye,
Bye, Black Bird” The evening of February 24, 1923 Francis “danced with each
one of his children.” That day Francis had taken the boys out and showed them
where he wanted everything planted that spring. He told his wife Jennie, that he
was going on a mission.
She said, “How can you go on a mission and leave me here with all these
children?”
He said, “You will be provided for.” They had their family home evening.
The next morning was Sunday. Francis did not “feel well enough to go this
morning, I think I’ll have to stay home, but I want you to go.”
He went out to do the chores, but came back to the house in about a half
an hour with an awful pain. He sat down in his arm chair. He started to gasp
for breath and said, “I’ve got to get out in the air.” Jennie and her daughter
Charlotte opened the door and he fell out in the snow and died.
Francis and Jennie have nine children:
1B4-1 FRANCIS JULIUS MORTENSEN JR., b. 18 November 1902 in Colonia
Diaz, Mexico. bpt. 2 April 1911, d. 3 April 1986.
1B4-2 JANE MARTINE MORTENSEN, b. 13 November 1904 in Colonia Diaz,
Mexico, bpt. 6 July 1913, md. OREN EDWARD WILLSON 19 March 1923 in
Elmo, Utah. Sealed 25 July 1923. He was b. 6 March 1904 in Lawrence, Utah,
d. 22 July 1961 in Provo, Utah. Eight children:
1. INFANT GIRL WILLSON, b. and d. 14 January 1924 in Elmo, Utah.
2. INFANT BOY WILLSON, b. and d. 11 March 1925 in Elmo, Utah.
3. FRANCIS NAVON WILLSON, b. 8 May 1926 in Elmo, Utah, bpt. 6 July 1913, d. 14
May 1945.
4. EDWARD NEWEL WILLSON, b. 4 January and d. 6 June 1930 in Elmo, Utah.
5. OREN VARDAN WILLSON, b. 2 April 1932 in Elmo, Utah,. bpt. 16 June 1940, md.
LUCILLE PICCALO 16 February 1951 in Utah. She was b. in 1932. Three children:
1. BOYD VARDON WILLSON, b. in 1952.
2. CALVIN ORAN WILLSON, b. in 1956.
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3. ROBERT NAVON WILLSON, b. in 1962.
6. INFANT BOY WILLSON, b. and d. 30 July 1936 in Price, Utah.
7. VONDA GAIL WILLSON, b. 10 August 1944 in Price, Utah, bpt. 7 September 1952,
md. JOSEPH HADFIELD 14 June 1968 in Utah.
8. VENOY E. WILLSON, b. 29 November 1946 in Price, Utah, d, 22
October 1948.
1B4-3 MARTIN LEONARD MORTENSEN, b. 8 December 1907 in Colonia Diaz,
Mexico, bpt. 2 July 1916, md. AMANDA VENICE PETERSEN 4 February 1930
in Utah. She was b. 27 January 1912 in Kenelworth, Utah. Eight children:
1. FRANCIS LEONARD MORTENSEN, b. 26 October and d. 19 December 1930 in
Cleveland, Utah.
2. VERDIS E. MORTENSEN, b. 23 November 1932 in Cleveland, Utah, md. BARBARA
REID. Barbara was b. in 1937. Two children:
1. TERRY LYNN MORTENSEN, b. in 1960.
2. JOE ESKEL MORTENSEN, b. in 1962.
3. ZELMA JEAN MORTENSEN, b. 14 October 1934 in Cleveland, Utah,
md. EDWARD LARRY SLADE. Two children:
1. LORIE LYNN SLADE, b. in 1954.
2. CYNTHIA ELAYNE SLADE, b. in 1957.
Zelma Jean Mortensen md. second DANIEL CARL STORPER. He was b. in 1927. Two
children:
1. DIANA ELINOR STORPER, b. in 1961.
2. MARY ANN MILLICENT STORPER, b. in 1963.
4. SONNY JERALD MORTENSEN b. 5 July 1938 in Bountiful, Utah, md. VERLA
REBECCA BECKSTEAD 13 December 1958 in Utah. She was b. 27 August 1942 in
Roosevelt, Utah. Four children:
1. REBECCA JEAN MORTENSEN, b. 4 July 1959 in Murray, Utah, md.
STEVEN CRAIG ANDERSON 5 August 1979.
2. ROSE MARIE MORTENSEN, b. 9 June 1960 in Murray Utah, md. JAMES
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THORNTON 29 January 1980.
3. CHRISTINE KAY MORTENSEN, b. 18 November 1963 in Murray, Utah, md.
WAYNE PRICE 21 August 1981.
4. LEONARD JERALD MORTENSEN, b. 13 June 1968 in Murray, Utah.
5. DELILE SOREN MORTENSEN, b. 15 June 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md. JUDIE
WALKER. She was b. in 1941. Two children:
1. RUSSELL DAVID MORTENSEN, b. in 1962.
2. LU ANN MORTENSEN, b. in 1964.
6. KENT JUEL MORTENSEN, b. 17 October 1942 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md. MARY
EVELYN MUIR. She was b. in 1942. Two children:
1. CATHY LEE MORTENSEN, b. in 1962.
2. KELLY LEE MORTENSEN, b. in 1963.
7. DANNY RONALD MORTENSEN, b. 5 September 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
8. SCOTTY HYRUM MORTENSEN, b. 1 January 1950 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md.
MARY EDITH ROWLEY 25 October 1974 in Utah.
1B4-4 CHARLOTTE MORTENSEN, b. 29 October 1910 in Colonia Diaz,
Mexico, bpt. 6 July 1919, md. IRA MILTON MARSHALL 15 September 1927 in
Price, Utah. They were sealed 23 August 1928. Milton was b. 17 June 1904 in
Huntington, Utah. Charlotte d. 5 August 1989. Eight children:
1. MILTON WAYMOND MARSHALL, b. 13 February 1929 in Elmo, Utah, bpt. 7
August 1937, md. GENEVIEVE NIELSON 7 August 1948 in Alameda, California. Four
children:
1. LARRY MILTON MARSHALL, b. February 21, 1949.
2. JERRY WILFORD OR WAYNE MARSHALL, , b. 16 June 1950 in Mt.
Pleasant, Utah, md. NANCY ANN KELLER 24 June 1972 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
She was b. 4 August 1952 in Gunnison, Utah. Three children:
1. Jodi Marshall, b. 10 May 1974 Tooele, Utah.
2. Lauri Dawn Marshall, b. 14 January 1976 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. Traci Lyn Marshall, b. 10 February 1979 in Tooele, Utah.
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3. KATHY LYNN MARSHALL, b. 14 September 1951.
4. PAUL WAYNE MARSHALL, b. 13 August 1954.
Milton Waymond Marshall md. second CLARA JULIA LAMBRIGHT. Clara was b. in
1939. Three children.
1. STEPHANIE JULIA LAMBRIGHT MARSHALL, b. in 1958.
2. STEVEN WAYMOND LAMBRIGHT MARSHALL, b. in 1958.
3. SUZETTE MARSHALL, b. in 1963.
2. LAVAN J. MARSHALL, b. March 5, and died March 23, 1931 in Elmo, Utah.
3. ARVONNA MARSHALL, b. 30 August 1932 in Elmo, Utah, bpt. 1 September 1940,
md. HAROLD CLIFFORD REYNOLDS 18 June 1952 in a temple. He was b. 30 July
1929 in Columbia, Utah. Three children:
1. HAROLD CLIFFORD REYNOLDS JR., b. 18 April 1950 in Dragerton, Utah,
bpt. 21 August 1970, md. PATRICIA ANN LEDOUX 21 August 1970 in a temple.
She was b. 5 May 1951 in Hayes, Kansas. Two children:
1. Jeremy Michael Reynolds, b. 26 February 1971 in Murray, Utah, bpt.
10 March 1979.
2. Trulee Ann Reynolds, b. 11 February 1973 in Anchorage, Alaska, bpt.
4 July 1981.
2. DAVID KENDALL REYNOLDS, b. 19 April 1952 in Dragerton, Utah, bpt. 24
April 1960, md. CANDYCE CLINE 5 June 1971 in Dragerton, Utah. She was b.
3 April 1954 in Dragerton, Utah. One child:
1. Lisa Reynolds, b.4 September 1973 in Frankfurt, Germany, bpt. 4
September 1981.
3. CHERYLL ANN REYNOLDS, b. 26 March 1956 in Dragerton, Utah, bpt. 28
March 1964, md. JAMES LEROY SPARKS 21 June 1974 in a temple. He was b.
4 April 1956 in Provo, Utah. Four children:
1. Brad Leroy Sparks, b. 19 March 1975 in Ogden, Utah.
2. Julie Ann Sparks, b. 4 June 1976 in Ogden, Utah.
3. Shannon Marie Sparks, b. 3 October 1979 in Murray, Utah.
4. Kara Lynn Sparks, b. 12 April 1981 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
4. DARLENE JANICE MARSHALL, b. 30 May 1935 in Huntington, Utah, bpt. 13
February 1944, md. WENDELL VEARL GARLICK 17 December 1952 in Wellington,
Utah. He was b. 29 June 1923 in Fairview, Utah. Nine children:
1. DARLENE DELIA GARLICK, b. 26 June 1954 in San Diego, California, bpt.
25 July 1961, d. 14 February 1965.
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2. KEVIN WENDELL GARLICK, b. 21 November 1955 in Salt Lake City, Utah,
bpt. 30 November 1963, md. JODEE ANDERSON 27 August 1977. She was b.
9 November 1955 in Tooele, Utah. Two children:
1. Joseph Ryan Garlick, b. 19 June 1978 in Bountiful, Utah.
2. Malinda Jo Gerlick, b. 29 July 1980 in Bountiful, Utah.
3. MICHAEL WAYNE GARLICK, b. 19 April 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah,
bpt. 30 April 1966, md. JULIE DYCHES 25 April 1980. She was b. 13 June
1961 in Murray, Utah. Two children:
1. Infant Garlick, b. and d. 1 January 1981 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. Tyler Jason Garlick, b. 7 January 1982 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
4. BRENT J. GARLICK, b. 11 June 1962 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bpt. 4 July
1970 and endowed May 1981.
5. LYNDA BETH GARLICK, b. 5 May 1965 in Murray, Utah, bpt. 5 May 1973.
6. JOHN TRACY GARLICK, b. 5 November 1967 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bpt.
6 December 1975.
7. PAUL LEON GARLICK, b. 12 March 1970 in Bountiful, Utah. bpt. 25 June
1978.
8. TROY NEAL GARLICK, b. 17 December 1971 in Bountiful, Utah. bpt. 30 May
1981.
9. KRISTINE GARLICK, b. 14 May 1973 in Bountiful, Utah.
5. JAMES DELOY MARSHALL, b.30 September 1939 in Huntington, Utah, bpt. 16
November 1949, md. KOLENE GRACE on 2 March 1957 in San Diego, California. She
was b. 17 January 1939 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Five children:
1. PAMELA JEAN MARSHALL, b. 19 May 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md.
DANNY FEANNY in March 1978.
2. JAMES DELOY MARSHALL, b. 23 May 1959 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md.
JULIA TRAMP 12 April 1980.
3. RICK WAYNE MARSHALL, b. 12 November 1960 in Salt Lake City, Utah,
md. STACEY CARLSON 19 June 1978.
4. KAREN LYNN MARSHALL, b. 10 April 1962 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md.
LONNIE WAITE 2 June 1979 in Montpelier, Idaho. He was b. 15 April 1961 in
Portland, Oregon. Two children:
1. William Deloy Waite, b. 21 December 1979 in Montpelier, Idaho.
2. Bethany Zola Waite, b. 5 August 1981 in Soda Springs, Idaho.
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5. JENNIFER K. MARSHALL, b. April 3, 1968 in Murrray, Utah.
6. CHARLOTTE BERNICE MARSHALL, b. 17 December 1943 in Standerville, Utah,
bpt. 24 February 1952, md. CHARLES GARY ASAY 9 October 1962. He was b. in 1938.
One child:
1. CHARLES GARY ASAY JR., b. in 1962.
7. RONALD FRANCIS MARSHALL, b. 15 February 1949 in Dragerton, Utah, bpt. 26
March 1957, md VIRGINIA _______________________.
8. CARLA JEAN MARSHALL, b. 30 December 1951 in Price, Utah, bpt. 2 February
1960, md. JOSEPH ROBIN AGUIRRE 21 June 1969 in Provo, Utah. HE was b. 22 June
1949 in Provo, Utah. Five children:
1. TIFFANI DARLENE AGUIRRE, b. 24 October 1969 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. CLETE MARSHALL AGUIRRE, b. 5 June 1971 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. DALLAS MARSHALL AGUIRRE, b. 10 June 1975 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
4. CASEY MARSHALL AGUIRRE, b. 7 September 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
5. LANCE MARSHALL AGUIRRE, b. 20 March 1981 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1B4-5 CARL ELIS MORTENSEN, b. 21 December 1912 in Elmo, Utah, bpt. 3
July 1921, md. VERNA ELIZABETH MORTENSEN 14 June 1933 in Utah. She
was b. in 1913. Five children:
1. VANCE MORTENSEN, b. in 1933, md. ALLEN K. LARSEN. He was b. in 1933. Four
children:
1. JEANETTE LARSEN, b. in 1955.
2. KEL E. LARSEN, b. and died in 1956.
3. DIANE LARSEN, b. in 1958.
4. COLIN M. LARSEN, b. in 1965.
2. CARL ELROY MORTENSEN, b. in 1935, md. PHYLLIS BUTOLPH.She was b. in
1929. Four children:
1. JAY ALLEN MORTENSEN, b. in 1958.
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2. MELINDA MARIE MORTENSEN, b. in 1960.
3. DEBRA MORTENSEN, b. in 1961.
4. ________ MORTENSEN, b. in 1963.
3. DENNIS A. MORTENSEN, b. in 1939, md. JANET KAY ERICKSON. She was b. in
1943. Three children:
1. DENNIS CARDELL MORTENSEN, b. in 1959.
2. BRENT MORTENSEN, b. in 1960 and died in 1961.
3. KYLE LYNN MORTENSEN, b. in 1962.
4. MARYLA GAY MORTENSEN, b. in 1947.
5. RICKI JILL MORTENSEN, b. in 1951.
1B4-6 CHARLES ANTHON MORTENSEN, b. 19 December 1915 in Elmo,
Utah, bpt. 1 June 1924, md. SARAH DONABELLE CHIDESTER 29 July 1941 in
Utah. She was b. in 1917. Three children:
1. VONEAL MORTENSEN, b. in 1945.
2. JENALLEE MORTENSEN, b. in 1945.
3. LAVOY ANTHON MORTENSEN, b. in 1956.
1B4-7 TRENA ANN MORTENSEN, b. 14 April 1918 in Elmo, Utah, bpt. 4 July
1926, md. ORVID LEROY RUSSELL 10 August 1937 in Grand Junction,
Colorado. He was b. 15 August 1912 in Jona, Idaho. Six children:
1. CHARLES LEROY RUSSELL, b. 18 August 1938 in Huntington, Utah, and d. 21
April 1940.
2. JENNIE DELORA RUSSELL, b. 24 September 1939 in Price, Utah, bpt. 28
September 19471, md. DUANE DALE BOWLES 11 April 1958. He was b. in
1938. Three children:
1. ALLEN DUANE BOWLES, b. in 1959.
2. DEBORAH ANN BOWLES, b. in 1961.
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3. CATHERINE LEAH BOWLES, b. in 1963.
3. ORVIN JACKSON RUSSELL, b. 4 September 1942 in Price, Utah, bpt. 24
September 1950, md. SHARON KAY RILEY. She was b. in 1942.
4. DARLA ANN RUSSELL, b. 1 October 1943 in Price, Utah, bpt. 30 November 1951,
md. BROWNIE BRUCE CYPHERS 2 October 1963. He was b. in 1941.
5. MARILYN RUSSELL, b. 24 January 1948 in Price, Utah, bpt. 3 February 1956, md.
MICHAEL JERRY VEENENDOAL 13 March 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was b. 14
September 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bpt. 28 September 1955. Four children:
1. MISSY LOU VEENENDOAL, b. 21 July 1977 in Murray, Utah. bpt. 4 August
1979.
2. MICHELLE VEENENDOAL, b. 23 May 1973 in Murray, Utah. bpt. 30 May 1981.
3. MICHAEL RUSSELL VEENENDOAL, b. 22 May 1976 in Murray, Utah.
4. MARCI LYN VEENENDOAL, b. 23 April 1975 in Murray, Utah.
6. TERRY WAYNE RUSSELL, b. 3 September 1956 in Murray, Utah, bpt. 18 February
1964, md. NANCY RILEY 14 December 1973.
1B4-8 AMY MARIE MORTENSEN, b. 18 March 1920 in Elmo, Utah,. bpt. 28
July 1928, md. RALPH DINDAS ERICSON 19 March 1937. He was b. in 1917.
Seven children:
1. JEANNIE ERICSON, b. in 1938.
2. AMY JOLENE ERICSON, b. 31 October 1939 in Tooele, Utah, md. WILLIAM VAN
TUCKER 15 March 1958 in Price, Utah. He was b. 5 September 1939. Four children:
1. SCOTT VAN TUCKER b. 16 October 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah, md. LINDA
RUTH PUTMAN 12 March 1977 in Hunter, Utah. She was b. 17 July 1958 in
Afton, Wyoming. Three children:
1. Cylest Tucker, b. 12 December 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. Clayton Tucker, b. 20 May 1980 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. Melyssa Tucker, b. 30 August 1981 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. WILLIAM RODNEY TUCKER, b. 28 January 1960 in Dragerton, Utah, md.
LAURIE JEAN SWEAT 10 October 1981 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was b.25
January 1960 in Union, Utah.
3. DARRELL BEN TUCKER, b. 20 November 1961 in Dragerton, Utah, bpt. 6
December 1961, md. JULIE RAE PETERSON 29 September 1979 in Hunter,
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Utah. Sealed 29 April 1981 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was b. 13 March 1962
in Magna, Utah. Two children:
1. Michael Ben Tucker, b. 8 September 1980 in Provo, Utah.
2. Melinda Dawn Tucker, b. 23 October 1981 in Provo, Utah.
4. SUSANNE TUCKER, b. 10 March 1966 in Dragerton, Utah.
3. MARJORIE COLLEEN ERICSON, b. in 1944, md. JAMES LEWIS CAVE. He was b.
in 1943. One child:
1. MICHEAL JAMES CAVE, b. in 1964.
4. JOAN ERICSON, b. in 1946.
5. JERRY WAYNE ERICSON, b. about 1948.
6. JANET BLANCHE ERICSON, b. in 1950.
7. EDWIN RALPH ERICSON, b. 26 December 1953 in Price, Utah, md. JENNY AVALINE JONES 3 June 1977 in the Manti Temple. She was b. 1 May 1955 in Price, Utah,
bpt. 6 September 1963. Two children:
1. CARRIE ANN ERICSON, b. 14 April 1978 in Price, Utah.
2. JEREMIAH JAY ERICSON, b. 14 March 1980 in Price, Utah.
1B4-9 VERNA LARNA MORTENSEN, b. 3 October 1922 in Elmo, Utah, bpt 5
July 1931, md. HAROLD ALLRED HANSEN 4 December 1940 in Utah. He was
b. in 1918. Four children:
1. PAUL LEROY HANSEN, b. in 1941, md. NAN VAN WAGGEN. She was b. in
1941. Two children:
1. LORIE HANSEN, b. in 1963.
2. LINDA HANSEN, b. in 1964.
2. VIVIAN LORNA HANSEN, b. in 1944, md. NICHEAL THOMPSON. One child:
1. HOLLY THOMPSON, b. in 1962.
3. SANDRA KAY HANSEN, b. in 1946.
4. HELLY HANSEN, b. in ______.
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1B5 NEPHI MORTENSEN, b. 5 August 1882 in Sunset, Arizona, bpt. 5
August 1890 in Colonia Diaz, md. ELSIE GENA OVIATT 7 June 1916 in the Salt
Lake Temple. She was b. 15 February 1898 in Cleveland, Utah, d. 20 June
1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nephi d. 27 September 1943 in Wellington, Utah.
Nephi was only three years old when he went to Mexico with his parents.
As a small child he would accompany his father on freighting trips. On one
such trip, the horses ran away in the night. His father went looking for them
and while he was gone, Nephi woke up and was hungry. He noticed a Mexican
hut a short distance away which he went to. He climbed into the window. The
family was just finishing eating. He couldn’t speak Spanish but did manage to
say tortilla. When his father returned he found Nephi perched on a chair contentedly eating hot chili and tortillas.
Nephi attended school in Colonia Diaz, Mexico, and went as far as the
fourth grade. Nephi worked as he grew older at different occupations such as
freighting, railroad construction, sawyer, cowboy and quartz miner.
When his mother died February 12, 1908, Nephi received the news on his
return home from a freighting trip several days later.
Nephi was in Montezuma, Mexico, working as a foreman at the time of the
Madero Revolution. He learned the Mexican language here. When he left Old
Mexico he went to Arizona and homesteaded in the Chiricahua Mountains.
Nephi and his brother Alma Christopher were going to Utah February
1915 from Magdalena, New Mexico. Outside of Green River, Utah, they were
asked if they had seen any Mormons yet. The person asking was looking for
people with horns. When Nephi told the party that he was a Mormon, they did
not believe him.
Nephi was 32 years old and Alma was 40 at the time they came to Utah,
neither had married. Nephi was introduced to Elsie Gena Oviatt at a Valentine’s
Day dance in Elmo, Utah.
They moved on July 5, 1916, to Cameron Mine where Nephi got a job. A
son, Edwin Neher, was born to them May 27, 1917. They moved to Elmo in July
1918. While living in this area they had their other eight children. Nephi and
Elsie never argued in front of the children.
Nephi was liked by everybody and his opinion was accepted among the
people as fair and just. He was a fun loving man. He could tease and take a
575
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FAMILIES
joke as well as the next. He led a varied and colorful life and his children would
sit down to a meal with him and he would begin to tell stories of his life and
youth. Many a time the meal lasted for two hours because of the interest in his
stories.
From Harris, Nephi’s son we learn the following:
In spite of his size, Nephi being a heavy set man, he could move fast.
Nephi was very good with horses. He knew how to deal with them
and how to get the most from them. He was not cruel with animals
and even would challenge his team to pull against horses of a larger
size.
Nephi had to go to work on WPA to support the family during the
Depression. This hurt his pride but each day he would rise and go to
work taking his sour cream and onion sandwich.
He was a genius in a blacksmith shop. Some of the welding he did
was fantastic.
He would play roles in PTA productions and support the community
efforts. The only job that Dad had in the church during my life
acquaintance with him was that as a block supervisor over ward
teaching.
The moral character of Nephi Mortensen was very strong when you
consider the importance he placed on the Sabbath, not only for himself and his family but for the animals. A neighbor, a 7th Day
Adventist, wanted to use his horses on Sunday. Once when this
request was granted Dad let the horses rest on Monday. He never
planned any Sunday work outside of the chores and irrigation which
was a must.
In 1940 Nephi built a home, not large, nothing fancy but livable and
paid for. This allowed Nephi and Elsie to have a room outside of a
tent which they had slept in for three years, winter and summer.
In 1942 while working for the county he was affected by some poison
form a weed killer (atlacide poisoning). This put him in the hospital in
early July.
During the summer of 1943 Nephi was unable to do much but accompany his children to the farm. So intent was he upon being part of the
family that we tied his chair to the wagon. This allowed him to relax
576
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while traveling to the field and also gave him a place to sit while
hauling hay or grain.
Elsie loved her children but knew when to stay out of the married
children’s quarrels. One time Georgia and Edwin were discussing
their problems in front of her and asked for her opinion. She wisely
said, “It is your problem, you created it, you must solve it.” She
prayed earnestly that her children would do things right, she never
told them directly what to do but let it be known what should be
done.
When the youngest son, Harris, considered going on a mission, Elsie
consented to move to Salt Lake. This was accomplished at Christmas
time 1949. She spent time at the library, going to the temple, and
working at Welfare Square. This was a new life and gave her an outlet for new activities. She was called on a stake mission and found
much joy and happiness in this calling. In May of 1951 Elsie had a
heart attack.
Nephi and Elsie had nine children:
1B5-1 EDWIN NEHER MORTENSEN, b. 27 May 1917 in Cameron, Utah, md.
ANNA ROSE WAYMAN. She was b. in 1921.
1B5-1 Edwin Neher Mortensen md. second GEORGIA MOLINE WESTOVER.
She was b. in 1914. Five children:
1. MARIAN DELENE MORTENSEN, b. in 1951.
2. EDWIN DALE MORTENSEN, b. in 1953.
3. RALPH ARTHUR MORTENSEN, b. in 1953.
4. JACQUELINE MORTENSEN, b. in 1952.
5. JEWEL MORTENSEN, b. in 1954.
1B5-1 Edwin Neher Mortensen md. third JOHANNA VANDERMEIDE. Edwin
d. 24 June 1995.
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1B5-2 NEPHI MORTENSEN JR., b. 11 June 1920 in Elmo, Utah, md. EMMA
PHYLLIS PORTER. She was b. in 1917.
1B5-2
1B5-2
Nephi Mortensen Jr. md. second FAVETTE CARLEELIA PHILLIPS.
Nephi Mortensen Jr. md. third BETTY PACE.
1B5-3 ELSIE GENEVA MORTENSEN, b. 24 November 1922 in Elmo, Utah,
md. THOMAS EDWARD WILDING Jr. He was b. in 1918. Five children:
1. ELSIE DOWN WILDING, b. in 1949.
2. THOMAS EDWARD WILDING III, b. 1 March 1952. in Salt Lake City
Utah, md. BARBARA A. SINCLAIR in October 1978 and later sealed in the
Salt Lake Temple.
I was raised not far from paternal grand parents. My maternal grandparents died before I was born. I graduated from West High School in Salt Lake
City in June of 1970. I attended the University of Utah for one term, fall of
1970. In the spring of 1971 I was called to serve in the Colombia-Venezuela
Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I learned to speak
Spanish there. I was in Venezuela from July of 1971 to May of 1973.
I met Barbara A. Sinclair of Helena Montana, in the spring of 1978. I have
two step-sons, Jim Galvin and Craig Galvin who both live in California. Jim
works for Libby Glass and has four sons and Craig is in the Navy stationed at
Lemoore, California. He has three step-kids and I treat them just like my grandkids.
Upon returning from my mission I went to work at Duaine Brown
Chevrolet as a driver waiting for school to start but I never went back to school.
I was soon working on the parts counter. I left in May 1976 to work for General
Motors where I worked until Great Basin bought them out. I left Great Basin in
1979 and went back to work for GMC Truck and Coach Division in Los Angeles.
I lived there until 1995 when in August our plant was closed and I moved to
Las Vegas, Nevada, and went to work for Desert Volvo trucks and GMC.
I am the Family History Consultant in my ward at this time. I have been
in the bishopric as executive secretary and as the ward clerk. I have also been a
ward mission leader and one of the presidents of the Seventies in my stake in
California. I have always been interested in my Danish background and I asked
a lot of questions of my mom when she was alive and the history of my grand578
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parents that my mother and my aunts and uncles wrote about them.
I was told that my grandfather Nephi Mortensen fell asleep on the lap of
Lorenzo Snow when he was apostle before being President of the church.
To all my family members that read this I want you to know that Joseph
Smith was a prophet of God. All Presidents of the church were prophets of God.
Even today President Hinckley is a Prophet of God. Our forefathers left their
homelands and faced many hardships to get to Zion. We have been a family
blessed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and been taught by our goodly parents.
I want to meet them and know them as I wish we all could know each other.
Our grandparents gave us a good heritage to live with and I hope someday to
see them. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true! The Book of
Mormon is true. Read about our family, read about what they went through and
when we have hard times it will make things easier for you if you do. I believe
they love us all. In the name of Jesus Christ AMEN.
3. DAVID OVIATT WILDING, b. in 1954.
4. JOHN STEPHEN WILDING, b. in 1955.
5. MARK LELAND WILDING, b. in 1959.
1B5-4 LARS SYLVESTER MORTENSEN, b. 25 March 1925 in Elmo, Utah,
md. JOYCE DERBYSHIRE. She was b. in 1927. Six children:
1. SHERI KATHRENE MORTENSEN, b. in 1948.
2. DAVID LARS MORTENSEN, b. in 1949.
3. LEWIS STANLEY MORTENSEN, b. in 1953.
4. JAMES FREDERICK MORTENSEN, b. in 1954.
5. DONALD LEE MORTENSEN, b. in 1960.
6. RICHARD KEVIN MORTENSEN, b. in 1963.
1B5-4
Lars Sylvester Mortensen md. second VAL DONNA WARDAELL.
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1B5-5 HARRIS ARBOR MORTENSEN, b. 15 April 1927 in Elmo, Utah, md.
MARY SYBIL BROWN. She was b. in 1929. Harris d. 20 April 1987. Five children:
1. MARCIA LYNN MORTENSEN, b. 1953.
2. CURT ARBOR MORTENSEN, b. 1955.
3. GENA MORTENSEN, b. 1956.
4. MARY JO MORTENSEN, b. 1959.
5. HARRIS KAY MORTENSEN, b. 1962.
1B5-6 VIRGINIA PARALIE MORTENSEN), b. 1 June 1929 in Elmo, Utah,
md. WILLIAM THOMAS HOWE Jr.
1B5-6
Virginia Paralie Mortensen md. second EMIL RONALD LOSKOT.
1B5-7 NINA MARIE MORTENSEN, b. 25 June 1932 in Elmo, Utah, md.
ROBERT WILLIAM LINDHARDT. He was b. in 1933. Five children:
1. WILLIAM ROBERT LINDHARDT, b. 1955.
2. CAREY COLLEEN LINDHARDT, b. 1957.
3. SHAWNA LYNN LINDHARDT, b. 1959.
4. GARY ALLEN LINDHARDT, b. 1960.
5. ERIC DEE LINDHARDT, b. 1964.
1B5-8 ELIZABETH MAE MORTENSEN, b. 12 April 1935 and d. 26 June 1936
of double pneumonia.
1B5-9 JUDYTH SALLEE MORTENSEN, b. 23 October 1941 in Wellington,
Utah, md. GORDON JAMES RANCH. He was b. in 1932. Judyth d. 13 October
1984.
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THE
MORTEN
PEDER
MORTENSEN
FAMILIES
1B6 WILFORD PARLEY MORTENSEN, b. 8 September1884 in Fort
Sunset, Arizona, bpt. 8 September 1892, md. MARIA IRIGOYEN 17 January
1923 at Douglas, Arizona. She was b. 11 February 1884 in Chihuahua, Mexico,
d 4 May 1945.
He went with his parents to old Mexico in the fall of 1885 where he grew
up. His wife, Maria, had been married previously to a Mr. Johnson.
Wilford was affectionately known as “Tio Bill” to Maria’s two nieces whom
they raised after the death of their mother. Maria was Tia Maria. She was
Castellon Spanish. She could not speak English but if one spoke slowly to her
she understood.
One child:
1B6-1 CELESTINA JOHNSON, was b. 29 October 1912 in El Paso, Texas, and
d. January 1913. (Sealed to Maria Irigoyen and Wilford Parley Mortensen 6
November 1946 in the Mesa Temple.)
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