HISTORY
OF DARRELL H. SORENSON
As
I write this history I hope that through some of my experiences that I have
had, someone may benefit or grow by reading them. Life has been great to me and
I enjoy people. I like to think I have learned from other people and also from
mistakes I have made. I'm not one for words, I can not express myself like I
would like, so please forgive all my mistakes.
I
think what has benefited me the most in life is my association with other
people. I have been more of a backward person, not liking to talk to people
because I felt I didn't have the vocabulary or knowledge and so I've kinda been
in a shell. Working with the public through my job with the gas company has
really helped me.
I
have found that life is not easy, it is made of ups and downs. Now that I am
older I'm thankful for the opportunity I have had to face challenges and some
heartaches for they have helped me to grow. As I talk with others I find that
most of them have gone though some of same things that I have. I know that we
did not come to this earth to have it easy. I think of Paul in the Bible, what
he went through, and he experienced a little bit of everything. He was rich,
had all the things in life he wanted and yet through trial and tribulation, he
lost everything. However even to his death he did not denounce his beliefs. I
often think of the of the song, "No Man Is An Island", we all need
each other. Life is like a ladder and we take one step at a time and keep on
trying to climb.
I
want everyone to know that I have a testimony of this gospel, it is true. I
really appreciate the opportunities I have had to serve God in my small way.
Although I might not show that I am a religious man, I am. I don't profess to
be a fanatic nor do I want to be one. I just want to be a person that loves
people, honest in my dealings with my fellow men, overlook the bad things
people sometimes do, not judge others, but try and help everyone. I am a firm
believer that everyone has good in them. Someone can always touch someone else
and you never know when you are the one touching and helping someone else in
their trials. I came close to apostasy at one time because of the actions of
some people in the church, but I do know that the church is true no matter what
some of its' member do.
I
think we all have to have goals in life and my goal is to reach for eternity.
Just by reaching for eternity I feel I have taken the first step Education is
very important as is work. We must keep a balance in our life. We must have a
positive attitude, how do we know if we can or can’t accomplish something if we
don't at least try? We may surprise ourselves sometimes if we will just put
forth the effort and really try.
I
am thankful for my family, for my wife and for what she does. Merlyn has been a
patient woman, she would have to be to live with me. I want her to know that I
appreciate everything that she has done for me. I fit wasn't for her I would
not be what or where I am today.
Gay,
I appreciate you, you little Texan. I remember when you were born down in Texas
and us bringing you home to Idaho when you were just 8 days old. I guess we
were kinda stupid in those days, but Gay I want you to know that I love you and
you are special. You have made me proud of you in all your accomplishments. I
hope you remember the real importance of this life and the life hereafter. The
nursing profession you chose is a great one, helping and serving other people.
Gay shoot for the stars, shoot for eternity, it won't be easy, it will take a
lot of effort but it will be worth it. I think back to how well you did in
school, graduating from college, being Miss Bear Lake, the trials you have been
through with your health, the ups and downs, some caused by the choices you've
made but you have endured and come through as I knew you would. Now you have a
great husband and two wonderful girls as well as your career. Stay happy and
don't ever loose sight of what you can accomplish you can do anything you set
your mind to.
Richard,
I guess a father always wants a son and you're a great one. I enjoyed watching
you play football as you grew up, made goals, reached them and made more and
developed into a good husband and father. I have seen your trials and
heartaches come and I have been proud of the way you have handled them and
overcome them. I've been proud to attend games and activities with you. You
know some sons don't like their Dad's around but I can say you have always
included me in some of your plans, not just going to games but camping and
other activities and things you've wanted to achieve. I want you to know I love
you for what you are. I want you to have and keep a love for people like you
did on your mission and you do with the young men in your work with the
scouting programs. You have a good attitude toward life and you take advantage
of the opportunities that come your way. Richard, take time to enjoy your
wonderful family and show your love and stay close to the church and you'll be
happy
Now
to you, RaNae. I hope that you don't ever feel a little left out just because
you are the youngest. I do love you and I hope you know and feel that. I
appreciate the accomplishments you have made in your life and the great love
you show for other people. I have noticed you in your life, how tender hearted and
loving you are and how close you are to our Heavenly Father. I know that you
were kept back to be here upon the earth at this time, so many people need you
now and you can make such a difference in so many lives. You are special not
only as a daughter but as a great wife and mom to your seven children. This
world is sure a lot better place because of you and all you do for others. I
want you and Gay and Richard to know that though I may have failed in many ways
in trying to teach you, and I apologize for this, I hope that we all as a
family may reach for higher goals and obtain them.
Now
on to my history. I, Darrell H. Sorenson, was born the 5th day of July 1932 to
Russell and Elna Mae Hanson Sorenson in Central, Idaho. I had a brother, Eldon
H. (1928) who was about four years older than I. A brother, Russel Kent, born
about ten years later (1942), and Steven H, born in 1947. Our family moved to
Ovid, Idaho when I was three years old. I learned early in life to work. There
on the ranch I fed the chickens, gathered eggs, fed the pigs and calves, got
the wood in, and helped where ever else I could.
I
went to school in Ovid. We had two teachers, a woman for the younger kids and
man for the older kids. At recess and noon we would have sword fights, snowball
fights and tease the girls. I was always shy around the girls. We would also
play tackle football and my side usually won because I could run pretty fast
and most of them couldn't catch me. I learned to run fast because my older
brother, Eldon, was always trying to thump on me for one reason or another and
so I'd run as fast as I could to get away from him. At first he would always
catch me but I kept trying to run faster and finally the day came when I could
our run him. I had poor eye sight and when I got my glasses at the end of the
first grade I was surprised that there were mountains around the valley.
When
I was about seven I was a full time smoke, Eldon taught me how and he’d get
that Bull Durham and make the smokes. When I was 8 my parents had me baptized
and they told me all my sins were washed away so I quit smoking. Then Eldon and
his friends told me they had been baptized and they still smoked so for a while
I started smoking again.
It
was about this time that I went to Central to help Uncle Roy, I was following
his hired man, Russell "Dutch" Nelson along the ditch bank. There was
an electric fence (110 Volt) that ran through a light bulb which went across
the bank, Dutch stepped over it and I took a hold of it to step over, I could
not let go. Dutch happened to glance back and saw me and knocked me as hard as
he could to get me off the fence, saving my life. I bawled for an hour it
scared me to bad.
When
I was 9 years old I was skating on our pond down below the ranch and Mother
called to come home as the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor. This was
December 7, 1941. I ran up to the house and we listened to the radio, I was
scared, I didn't really understand and I thought maybe the Japanese would come
and bomb us and I didn't even know who they were. After that I would make
airplanes and guns out of sticks and fight the Japanese.
I
was so proud of our neighbor, Evran Peterson who was in the Air Force. I
thought he looked so good in his uniform when he came home on leave. Everyone
gathered at the Ovid Store to talk with him. One day when I was taking cows his
dad came out and told me he had been killed, he was a paratrooper and was
dropped behind enemy lines and they shot him before he reached the ground. I
remember flags hanging in windows with silver stars on them if the family had a
member in the armed services during World War II.
Dad
and Mother were not active in the Church so I hardly ever went. When I received
the priesthood I went some and passed the sacrament. Oliver Peterson was the
Bp. And when he talked about Conference being held in Paris I ask his son
LaThair if they passed the sacrament there. I didn't know anything about a
Conference. Bp. Peterson was my Sunday School teacher when I went. He would
always come into class and quote the scripture about “Ye are the salt of the
earth etc." Some of the boys were so rude and he was so patient, I always
tried not to give him any trouble.
Eldon
drummed into my head that sports were so important. He was very good in all
sports and lettered all four years in high school. So when I went to high
school I was determined to do the the same thing. I weighed 135 Ibs. And of
course wore glasses but I went to Coach Wilmore and told him I wanted to try
out for football. He was not going to let me try because he said they didn't
let freshman play but some fellow there told him I was Eldon's brother and if l
was half as good as him the coach should give me a try. I signed up for study
hall the last period and then I would go out and practice with the team. The older
guys on the team would laugh at me and call me "blind bat" but for
once I hung in there and in my first game I tackled a guy so hard he lost the
ball. When the third game of the season came I was a starter, my running speed
was a big asset and I got my letter and lettered every year thereafter.
I
really tried hard in school and I got B's and C's. I think that pride entered
into my life when I was a senior. After being a nothing all my life and not
achieving in many things, then to really achieve in football, I guess I didn't
know how to handle success. I quit band after taking that for three years
because football players thought band was for sissy's. I also got kicked out of
Seminary just for showing off and being the mighty senior.
I
think I said before that I was shy around girls. I didn't date much but I guess
Betty Rose Portela was my 1st love. I really thought a lot of her and I dated
her for about three years. I didn't have a car but my neighbor Dean Peterson
did so I would get him a date and we'd take his Model A Ford and we'd all go.
One night it was her birthday and I took her a present. I saw her through the
window as we drove up but when I knocked her mother said she was not home. I
was so hurt, I left the present and never ask her out again. I would ask a few
girls out but not often. Then at the end of my junior year when the freshman
the next year came to Fielding High, I met Merlyn Pugmire. I thought she was a
cute girl and I really flirted with her. I kinda think it was love at first
sight. Anyway later that following summer some of us Ovid guys were camped at
Bear Lake and decided to go to the lake dance. I remembered Merlyn and called
her up for a date. I knew she was religious as her dad was the Stake President
and I really was not religious but I called anyway. Her brother put in a good
word for me and her Dad let her got with me and so our dating began.
We
dated a lot my senior year and looking back I was not always as nice to her as
I should of been. When a dance was coming up I wouldn't ask her until after the
football game and yet I would have been mad is she had accepted a date from
someone else. One time after the game I ask a friend to go and ask her for a
date for me. I didn't know that he had already ask her and she had told him she
already had a date. Guess it was pretty embarrassing for her. When I went to
Utah State and tried out for the football team I became good friends with Dave
Kragthorpe and I was pretty ignorant to her when I came home weekends and
brought him. Once when I finally went up to see her she was so mad she slammed
by car door so hard it would not shut. It was my first car, a black Plymouth
coupe. I was mad then and said I'd never be back but of course I went back,
love does funny things to people.
I
got discouraged trying out for the team at Utah State. I was good in high
school but on the college level everyone was good. One day at practice with the
main team I got hit so hard it knocked me out. I got a real negative attitude,
without glasses I really could not see very far and I
broke my thumb and just got
thinking I could not do it. I came home hoping my parents would encourage me
and give me a boost to keep trying. Dad said he could surely use some help on
the farm and maybe I should try working for a while. So I quit, I know now that
I should of kept trying and even if I hadn't made the team I should of gone on
with my education. Don't be a quitter!!
I
worked at different jobs as I was growing up. I worked of course for my Dad
then when I was about ten I applied for a job driving pull-up for the
Lauridsens in Montpelier. I think I got about $2.00 a day and board and room.
It was hard, we put up about four stacks of hay a day. We lived in a bunk house
and I got so homesick. I could just see the top of our house across the valley
and how I wished that I was home. I worked there two different summers. Then
when I started high school I got a job raking hay for James Olsen, then I
became a stacker with my cousin Dell and we'd put up about two stacks a day.
When it came to wild hay sometimes the comers would get loose, down would go
the comers and we'd have to start over. We learned much and soon became
excellent stackers. I also worked for the Bear Lake County driving dump trucks.
During
the summers about everyone in Ovid played softball. It was funny when you would
hear the batting order. Eldon was the catcher, I was pitcher, of course both
Sorenson's then Wayne Johnson was 1st with Earl Johnson
2nd, Deloy Sorenson 3rd and Dale Sorenson short stop with Don Sorenson in left
field and Dell Sorenson in right field. Eldon and Earl were real good hitters,
I wasn't but I would bunt a lot and with my speed I would make it on base and
then I loved to steal bases. We played on Sundays, the diamond was right below
the church. Bp. James Olsen went home from church one Sunday, changed his
clothes and came down and started playing ball with us. We said, "Bp., you
shouldn't be playing ball on Sunday". Well, he told us, I guess if you
guys can play then I can. After that we never played ball during church. We did
have a good team and had lots of fun.
Eldon
and I signed up on the signal gang for the Union Pacific Railroad and worked
down in southern Utah. We would climb 75 foot poles and string wire. At first
when I got up that high I was about scared to death. I would really dig my
hooks in, when you came down you had to hold your fanny out, keep your legs
locked and away from the pole. Some guys would just freeze and someone would
have to go up and get them. After a while the heights didn't bother me and I
could go up and down and I quite enjoyed the job. The worst thing about the job
was being down in southern Utah away from home and dating Merlyn. So I quit my
job, moved home and began working for Bear Lake County again driving truck.
I
proposed to Merlyn on her seventeenth birthday while we were parked in front of
the county shed. She said I had to go and ask permission from her folks to
marry her. What a challenge!! We went up to St. Charles her parents had gone to
bed. We went into their bedroom and I told them I sure would like to marry
their daughter. Her Dad ask me what about her schooling, how would she get to
school? Dumb me, I was so nervous I said, "On the school bus". Her
parents realized we were so young but we told them we were so in love and
wanted to be married in the temple in the spring and finally they gave their
permission. We were married May 22, 1953 in the Logan Temple and then went on
our honeymoon through Zions, Bryce, and Grand Canyons. We didn't have much money
but we felt if we kept our covenants we made that day in the temple and worked
together, everything would work out. Now, fifty years later, we know we were
right. Merlyn has been a good faithful wife and a great mother. She is a hard
worker and is always willing to help me out. We have three super kids, Gay born
in 1956, Richard born in 1957, and RaNae born in 1962.
As
I said I worked for the county part time after we were married and for my Dad.
We lived at "The Ranch" and Merlyn got a job keeping books for the
Studebaker Dealership. If she hadn't of worked we probably would have starve. I
was about one down on the draft board so it was hard to get a steady job We
talked it over and decided I should volunteer for the draft and get my service
for my county in so that we could settle down. So I did and left March 8, 1954,
went by bus to Boise, flew to San Francisco and then went by bus to Fort Ord,
California for my basic training in the U.S. Army. When we met our Drill
Sergeant it was just like in the movies, I felt like a lamb going to the
slaughter! I was put in the 63rd Infantry Division. I was the only Mormon and
they told us that if they ridiculed our temple garments we did not have to wear
them. I felt however that they were a shield and a protection for me so I wore
them all the time even though I was ridiculed.
We
were put in a new three story barracks, we were on the top story. There were
five platoons in our barracks. We were issued uniforms, helmets. -1 rifles, and
had our heads shaved. When they gave us our dog tags they ask me which religion
I was, I said LDS. They ask what that was. I either was Catholic,
"C", Protestant "P", or other "X". So they put an
"X" on mine. We would have to get up at four in the mornings,
sometimes they would come in and wake us at one or two 0 'clock just to harass
us and teach us discipline. We were in the Army now and you'd better believe
it!! In the six weeks I was there I only saw the ocean once, it was raining or
foggy every day. I found there that my living the Word of Wisdom really paid
off. I could walk and not be weary and run and not faint and many did.
Inspections were something else, once our platoon beat all the others when we
stole the buffer from the bottom floor and really had our floor shining and
every thing in tip top shape. Our reward was a long march without carrying
anything, the other platoons had to carry it. Boy, the guys on the bottom floor
were so mad at us, they kept the buffer under lock and key after that. I made
it through Basic Training and got my orders, Fort Lewis, Washington, for Cook
School. I couldn't believe it. Here I wanted to fight and defend my country and
I got sent to Cook School, two months of K.P. What a bummer!! This certainly
didn't do anything for my self image. That was a bad as my folks giving me a
second hand girl's bike and Eldon getting a new boy's bike. When I would ride
my bike to school I would hide it in the barrow pit before I got there, I was
so ashamed of it.
I
made it home in time for Merlyn's graduation. We went to Salt Lake and bought a
used 31' house trailer so she could go with me to Washington. They told us
there was very little housing available around the base. We started on our way
and had a blowout on the trailer before we got to Bancroft. We were mighty discouraged
but after we got it fixed, with a kind farmer's help, we had no more trouble
getting to Washington.
We
made some real good friends while we were at Fort Lewis, especially the
Russell's and the Burr's and we were all fortunate to be transferred to the
same place after that. I must admit I learned much at the cooking school and I
graduated with top honors, just beating Sterling Russell out of top place by
two points. Our orders came, Camp Chaffee, Arkansas or North Carolina. We
thought Arkansas sounded closer so we all picked that. We left the cool rainy
weather of Washington and got into 110 degree and higher temperatures of
Arkansas. We about died! We were there only about two weeks and then ordered to
go to Fort Hood, Texas. The Burr's and the Russell's and a kid from California
got the same orders again so we all drove together, the guy from California
leading the way. We went through Dallas, Texas about midnight and I know I ran
about ten red lights as I didn't want to loose sight of them as I didn't know
where we were going in that city and we were the last car. What an experience!!
So glad no cops were out patrolling We decided to find a place to live in
Temple, Texas which was about 25 miles from the base. We couldn't find an
apartment but finally found a bedroom with kitchen privileges and we had to
share the bath. When I reported for duty they ask if l could type. I said yes
and they put me in the office as a clerk typist. So much for my training as a
cook. I served in the service company of Battalion Headquarters for the
remainder of my two years in the service. I made many friends, once when my
name was up for overseas duty a friend pulled it and put another name in my
place so I would not have to leave my wife.
I
was very fortunate and lived off base, so except for guard duty, I was home
most nights. Some times we had to go out on parade drills and march in review.
We would have to stand at attention and then at parade rest for about two hours
or more. When the temperature is 112 to 116 degrees you find yourself getting
dizzy. Soldiers would be passing out and falling over. I would pray for help to
stand there and it seems a little breeze would always come up just when I
thought I could not stand any longer. I really feel my garments helped to
protect me. I was so proud to serve my country. I would do it again anytime to
help keep our freedoms that we all enjoy. I love to watch the flag flutter in
the breeze, my heart just swells and it always brings a tear to my eyes. I
received my honorable discharge on March 8, 1956, just four days after our
first baby daughter was born. We were so worried as we were afraid if she
didn't arrive before I was discharged, instead of the $8.00 bill for her
delivery who knows how much we would have been charged. We were excited to have
our baby finally arrive but rather scared when we thought about the big
responsibility we now had to raise this little one. I guess we were foolish as
we left Texas when Gay was just 8 days old. I remember stopping in Colorado one
night, we were both so tired. Merlyn could hardly walk and was chilling, the
baby was crying, we had slick snowy roads, below zero temperatures and there
we'd left 80 degrees in Texas. What an experience, but we made it home safe and
sound and so glad to be there.
I
worked for the county again after we got home and then for the railroad on the
steel erection gang and then in a service station in Montpelier. We lived in
Paris and our neighbor worked for a gas company. He moved to Logan to work for
another company and he called me saying there might be a job there if I was
interested. I went right down and got the job working as a clerk for the Inland
Gas Company. Later I went on the bulk truck and I remember our branch won a
contest for getting 70,000 gallons of propane out in one month. We lived there
about two years and then I got an offer to go to work for Van Gas Company in
Montpelier. So we moved back to Bear Lake in May of 1960 and I began working
for Van Gas Co., later sold and is now known as Suburban Propane Company. I
started driving bulk truck, then went into service, and finally becoming Area
Manager. The job was a real challenge as it was an up and down economy. At one
time I was the route driver, service man, and bookkeeper, even running the
business from our basement. Then things improved and I ended up working for
this company for 33 years and for the most part I quite liked my job as I
enjoyed giving service to others. I had to take an early retirement in 1993
after I had knee surgery and I have really missed my association with the
customers.
I
have tried to give service to my community. I joined the Sheriff's Jeep Patrol
soon after we moved back from Logan. At that time not many had 4x4 outfits so
at first I went as a rider and then finally was able to get a truck. Shortly
after this the name was changed to Bear Lake County Search and Rescue and I am
still a member. I helped start the EMT's here in the valley, spent many hours
training here, and at classes in Salt Lake every year. I believe I was a member
of this for nearly 20 years and remember well many of the ambulance calls I
went on and the lives we saved. I also have and am serving as a Reserve in the
Sheriff's Department. I assist in the transporting of prisoners in and out of
the valley, guard them while at court, serve as a bailiff, and other things,
also have and am serving as a Reserve in the Sheriff's Department. Another service has been the Bear Lake
County Planning & Zoning Commission where I served for twelve years. I feel
good for the hours I have and am donating to these various causes.
A
little about my church positions. I have served in the Sunday School as an
assistant and President in two wards. I loved this calling and my testimony
really grew. When I was on the bulk truck it would take forty-five minutes to
fill it , so I would read the Book of Mormon while I was
waiting. I think I read the
whole book three times in one winter. Wayne Johnson was the Elders' Quorum
President and he ask me to be one of his assistants, again what a growing
experience. Then when he was called as Bishop of the Ovid Ward he called me as
his 2nd Counselor. This was such a humbling experience. We were raising money
to remodel and add on to our church house. Years before the ward had been asked
to consolidate with Liberty, Lanark, and Sharon Wards and the people would not.
Now the decision had to be made if to remodel or consolidate. We all did much
fasting and praying. Merlyn and I went down to the Logan Temple and it seemed
like everything said in the prayer circle that night was the very words I had
been praying for in my heart. I knew what we should do. When we had our next
meeting I spoke up and said I felt that we should consolidate. Each member of
our bishopric had their opinion as to what we should do and I had the deciding
vote. After much prayer we were all in agreement that yes, we should
consolidate. I know that the Lord had His hand in the decision. I also had the
opportunity to serve as the High Priest Group Leader for seven years. This really
became a challenge for me as I think I kinda got burned out and I just didn't
give my all as I should have, so I asked to be released. Since then I have and
am serving as a Home Teacher and in the Ward Choir, I also served as Financial
Clerk in two wards and now for the past five years I've had the privilege of
serving on the Paris Idaho
Stake High Council. All of
these callings have been such a growing, humbling experience for me and my
testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel has grown so much. I am indeed
thankful for each and every calling.
Merlyn
and I have been fortunate to go on trips and tours with family, friends,
neighbors, and just together. We have attended and enjoyed BYU football games
for over 20 years. We have been to 34 temples and through sessions at 28 of
them. We were so blessed to travel to Sweden and obtain some family names there
and do their temple work. We have been to 33 of the United States, to Mexico,
and Canada. We love to travel and hope to do more. We have had the privilege of
participating in Family Home Evenings with the Peterson, Wigington, and Lewis
families for about six years as we were raising our families. Now we enjoy
these evenings again as couples with the Martindales, Kunzs and Harpers,
learning about the gospel and enjoying these choice friendships.
As
I said in the beginning of my history, I am so thankful and proud of our three
children, Gay, Richard, and RaNae, and also their spouses. I think we have the
greatest 15 grand children in the world. Each of our children, their spouses,
and our grandchildren are all so special, each in their own way. I hope they
can feel my unconditional love for them all. I want you all to know again. I
have a testimony of this gospel, it is true. My advice to all our family members
would be to get a firm foundation of the Church. Remember if you slip you can
always repent and come back if you really want to. Take advantage of all your
many opportunities and don't be a quitter. Remember the
Lord said, "I never
said it would be easy I only said it would be worth it.'"
HISTORY
OF MERL YN PUGMIRE SORENSON
It
had been a beautiful, cold, wintry day in St. Charles, Idaho in the Bear Lake
Valley. The huge drifts of snow made travel very difficult unless you had a
horse or snow shoes. I was so excited as I felt this would be the perfect night
for me to leave my heavenly parents and come down to my earthly parents, Landon
Burdette and Vilda Passey Pugmire. I arrived January 20, 1936 at 2: I 0 a.m,
after putting my sweet mother through endless hours of hard labor. Dr. Spencer
Rich finally made it through the giant drifts on horse back to help her. They
say I tipped the scales at 8 lbs, with blue eyes, black hair, and fat little
cheeks. My Dad said I was a little Esau as I had fuzzy hair around my ears and
down my back. My Mother said it would be alright as it would rub off and they
both had to agree I was the most beautiful little baby girl they had ever seen!
My brother, Merrill Burdette, nearly two, wasn't quite sure what to make of me.
My
first memories of my parents are of them holding, rocking, and singing to me.
Mother would sing," Babes' in the Woods"," I'm a Corning on a
Big Donkey"," Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's
House We'll Go", or " Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam". Dad would
rock me in the brown rocker our daughter has now and sing," Old Lady
Slipper Slopper", and "Old Dan Tucker". I love to sing these
very songs to my grandchildren now.
My parents told me that I was a very happy baby, not saying very many words early but when I did start talking I talked in sentences and very plain. I guess once I got started I’ve just never quit because I love to talk to everyone. When I was 3 years old I gave my first public speech at a Christmas Program. It was, "I guess you think I'm pretty small to stand up here before you all. But even a giant at 9 feet high could make no bigger wish than I-Merry Christmas!!" Mother wrote in my baby book that I noticed boys at a very early age and said when I got bigger I would marry Roger (a neighbor, a year old than I) because when your married you have to kiss and love. I'm sure I got the idea of a happy marriage from my parents example
I started going to Sunday School when I was two. Mother said I just love to go and I learned all the little songs. I loved to sing. Mother kept my hair in ringlets, either one row or two, when I was small. She would braid it once in awhile as I told her I was afraid I might get tired of ringlets.
My
mother was so talented. She was a marvel to me. She made most all of my clothes
using patterns she would cut out of newspaper and fit them to me. I still
remember the red checked sundress with ruffles on the shoulders, a navy blue
dress with cute red buttons and a red and blue plaid collar with a matching
cape. I can remember running out to get in the neighbors car to go to Sunday
School and that little cape just flying!
I
don’t remember a lot about my early years. I know we had one bedroom and it had
the bay window. Mom and Dad's bed was back in that and Merrill and I had a day
bed on either side of theirs. We did not have indoor plumbing and I hated going
out to the "Out house"" when it was coId and at night. We would
bathe in a round galvanized tub filled with warm water from the reservoir on
the end of the wood kitchen stove. We did have a pump in our kitchen though and
I thought that was pretty neat to not have to pack buckets of water in like our
neighbors. I do remember when they put the water system in town and we got
running water in the house and a bathroom. Mom and Dad and moved into the back
bedroom and they took part of that room to make the bathroom. I do know that I
always felt so loved, wanted, and safe. I felt so close to my Heavenly Father
and tired to do the right thing. I always worried that I might do something
that would
make my parents feel sad or ashamed and this I did not want to do.
I
loved my older brother, Merrill. When our parents would go somewhere for a
little while he was suppose to tend me but he was always hearing strange noises
and I think I was the one doing the tending. One Sunday Dad and Mom left for a
meeting the last thin they said was not to rock hard in the brown rocker as it
had tipped over once. Well they were hardly out the door and we piled pillows
in the rocker, rocked real hard, and over it went pinning us somehow under it.
I can’t remember how we finally got out. Merrill was always teasing me, once
gave me this big tablespoon of white bacon grease, telling me it was candy!!!
Needless to say I upchucked. When I got home from school I liked to hurry and
get my chores done while it was light and not so cold. Not my big brother, he
would fool around and after dark he would beg me to help him get the wood in.
We were very close though and as we grew older he was always looking out for
me. If he got in trouble he would threaten to beat me up if I told on him but
soon I learned if I would grab his little finger and twist I could get him to
do most anything for me.
Our
parents both served in many church positions. I don’t remember a time when our
family sat all together in church. Dad was either in the bishopric, Bp. In the
stake presidency, or Stake President. He was always on the stand but I always
felt so proud to have him up there. Members of our ward came often to see Dad
and a good portion of our evenings were spent in the kitchen with the door shut
so Dad could council with them in private. I never ever heard my mother
complain about any service my Dad gave, in fact she was the one suggesting
things he should do for the ward and stake members. Mother always had a hot meal
ready before Dad left for all appointment as well as a clean white shirt. We
learned we had to eat fast if we wanted to eat with Dad and Mom. Mother served
in many positions too. I especially remember her service in Relief Society.
Many times I got to go with her. When I was the 100th Anniversary of the Relief
Society, she made and decorated this beautiful four tiered cake. She kept it
for a few days in her cool bedroom loosely covered. Merrill and I would sneak
in and pinch off a piece of that delicious frosting from under the cover. The
afternoon came when Mom went to take the cake to the church. She took the cover
off and one whole side was nearly bare! To this day I call still feel how
terrible we felt. She did not scold us, she just sat down and cried. Merrill
and I both wished she would spank us, but she didn't. She quite crying, got up
and started to try and repair the cake in the little time she had. What a
lasting lesson we learned that day.
Our
parents rented the two rooms upstairs in our home for a year or so to the
Christensen family, who were both school teachers. They had a daughter, Ila,
and we played together and became very good friends. I was blessed with many
friends as I grew up, our neighbors Sherry and Ann Pugmire, Donna and Monte Monson,
and Ethel Hymas were some. As I grew older Sharlene Rich became my very best
friend. We were so much alike and spent many hours together, staying at each
others homes overnight, going places together and truly loving each other like
sisters. We received most of our "sex" education from a big black
doctor book Mom kept on the high shelf in her closet. Sharlene would stay
Sunday afternoons with me while my parents went to Union Meeting in Paris. As
soon as they pulled out of the driveway, we'd get a chair and get the heavy
doctor book down and "study" until it was nearly time for them to
come home.
A
very wonderful day in my life was when by baby sister Lynette arrived. I was 8
years 5 months and 9 days older than she. Merrill and I were so excited when
Dad called from the hospital. We rode our bikes all over St. Charles telling
everyone we had a sister!! Sometimes as we were growing up I did not appreciate
having to tend her, and as boy friends and girl friends came to our home she
could be a big nuisance. However I did love her very much and as we have grown
up we have become so close, not only as loving sisters but as best friends.
I
attended Wilson School for the 8 years. Wanda Stock and Bryan Booth were
probably my favorite teachers. I loved school and learning. However if I did
not get straight A's I would be absolutely crushed. I worried about tests and
all assignments had to be in early. I was a cheer-leader in the 8th grade, our
outfits were black slacks and white sweaters. We only had one away game at
Emerson School in Paris and I was so nervous to cheer in front of all those
students.
I have never been very athletic. I did not like to play out in the cold and Mom would make me go out sleigh riding, she said I needed the exercise and fresh air was good for me. Well I would be the last to Ieave the house and the first back. I always had weak ankles and ice skating was very hard for me. I did like to roller skate and had loads of fun at Lakota Resort with my friends.
My
parents taught me to have respect for my elders by always speaking to them but
not calling them by their first name but rather uncle, aunt, or brother and
sister. I loved to go to Montpelier with my Dad, as we walked down the street
he would speak to everyone. He would introduce me as his daughter and I felt so
special. He told me I should smile and speak to everyone I met if I knew them
or not. Dad said if I did I would make many great friends.
There
are things that I have done in my life that I am certainly not proud of. When I
was in the oldest class in Primary we were known as the noisy class. Every week
one the presidency would have to come down and sit behind us durnig the opening
exercises. I really think we kept trying to live up to the name they had given
us. I am thankful my parents taught me the principal of repentance because deep
down I always felt bad about the way we acted and felt much better when I made
things right with the Primary Presidency.
I
am so thankful for all my parents taught me. While in high school one of my
teachers, who was married, wanted me to go out with him. He said he would meet
me anywhere, anytime, and take me anyplace I wanted to go. When I told him no,
he threatened to give me an "F" on my report card as he knew how much
my grades meant to me. I told my parents about it and they wanted to report it
to the Principal but I finally talked them out of that as I did not want a
scandal. When I got my report card I got a "C”, I suppose he had a little
bit of a guilty conscience. I can honestly say that was the only "C” I
have ever received but I was certainly proud I got it.
I started going steady with Darrell my junior year. On my seventeenth birthday he gave me my diamond. I told him he had to ask my parents permission so we went to my home. My parents were in bed but we went in their bedroom and Darrell ask my Dad if he could marryy me. My parents realized we were very young but we told them we were so in love and wanted to be married m tile Logan Temple in the spring and they finally gave their permission.
My
parents made us promise I would finish high school. Our plans were for me to take
the last year by correspondence and work. That fall they consolidated the
school districts and would not allow me to do this. I already had a job keeping
books at the Studebaker Car Dealership. If I continued schooling at Fielding
High School I had to go to classes in the morning and afternoon trying to work
in between. If I attended Montpelier High School, our big rival, I could get
all my required classes in the morning and work in the afternoon which I
elected to do. I was rather nervous about doing this but everyone was super
nice to me and it worked out beautifully. So after three years at Fielding High
School I ended up graduating from Montpelier High School. The only problem was
my grades were as high as the two top students there so they decided to have
three speakers at the commencement exercises. I could of cared less, I just
wanted to keep the promise we made to my parents.
When
we got married we lived out at "The Ranch" in Darrell's parents' home
as they were living in Ovid. Darrell worked for his father and Bear Lake
County. It was hard to find a permanent job as Darrell was about two down on
the draft list. We prayed about it, deciding he should volunteer for the draft,
get his basic training over with while I was still in school and then hopefully
I would be able to go with him in the service. This we did, he entered the Army
on March 4th 1954 and took his basic training at Fort Ord, California. I went
to school, kept the books at the Studebaker Car Dealership and at the Bear Lake
Dairy, worked at the Burgoyne Drug Store and wrote to Darrell. These things
kept me occupied while he was away.
At
FOJ1 Hood they were short on clerk typists and when they found Darrell typed,
he served the balance of his enlistment as a clerk typist He could live off
base and we finally found a bedroom with kitchen privileges in Temple, Texas.
This was abou1 30 miles from the base. Money was so tight that I had to find a
job in order to stay with Darrell. I put applications in everywhere. I finally
got a job in a shoe factory lacing moccasins. I had blisters on every finger
from the rough leather lacings. I checked back on my application at Blint &
Goodman Grocery store and landed the job. We were so very grateful and the
owners were so good to me. We moved to a duplex and became good friends with
the lady on the other side. This proved to be a blessing later on. We lived
there until Darrell was transferred to Fort Polk. Louisiana. It was here that
my testimony of tithing was strengthened. I hadn't been able to find a job in
the transfer the records got mixed up, so we went three pay periods with only
Darrell's pay of $35.00. My allotment of $90.00 was lost. We were so broke. We
debated about paying our tithing. We decided to put our trust in the Lord and
paid it as usual. We were so low on food, nearly out of gas so Darrell could
get to the base and I looked for the tenth time at least in my wallet and there
was a $10.00 bill. We were just shocked! Then in a couple of days a letter came
from my parents and out fell a $20.00 bill. We had not told them about our
troubles. They wrote they thought we just might could use all extra twenty. The
records finally got straightened out and we paid tithing on that too. To tins
day the first thing we pay is our tithing and we have always been blessed for
doing so.
We
learned we were going to be parents while we were at Fort Polk and were so
thrilled and excited. We had planned to wait until we had about a year left
before we started a family. We rented a cute little house out by the golf
course in Leesville. It was while we were there that the Lord surely looked
after us as always. One night I felt something crawling on my leg while we were
in bed I grabbed hold of it and Darrell quick turned on the light. It was a
scorpion which has a very poisonous sting. Darrell grabbed it and killed it
before it could sting me. Then a few weeks later I was taking a shower and
tried to turn the water off and could not let go of the handle. I had this
terrible shock going throughout my body but literally couldn’t let go. Then
something seemed to push me back from the handle. I was just shaking and so
worried the shock had injured our baby. When Darrell got home he took me to the
doctor. He said I was very lucky that shock had not caused me to have a
miscarriage. We later found out our next door neighbors had purchased a new
washer and had grounded it to a pipe that came over to our bathroom.
We
lived there in Leesville, where again we made wonderful friends, until my 8th
month. Darrell was going to be transferred back to Fort Hood in about three
weeks and the doctor told me he would not let me travel back if I did not leave
right then. Therefore we left for Killeen, Texas that was right next to the
base. We called Alta our friend who lived in the duplex in Temple and she came
and stayed with me until Darrell was transferred back. It was at Fort Hood,
Texas that our first little girl, Elna Gay, was born on March 4, 1956. She was
ten days late and she arrived just four days before Darrell was discharged. We
were so thrilled with our beautiful daughter, but really rather nervous as we
started to realize our great responsibility.
When she was just 8 days old we left Texas and 80 degrees, arriving home at Ovid, Idaho with blowing snow and below zero temperatures.
When she was just 8 days old we left Texas and 80 degrees, arriving home at Ovid, Idaho with blowing snow and below zero temperatures.
We were happy to be home,
with our own little family. We lived at "The Ranch” again. Darrell found
employment with the railroad in Pocatello. We soon moved there as he was only
able to be home on weekends. He later found a job at a service station in
Montpelier, for $250.00 a month, so we moved back to Bear Lake. We were rather
surprised when we discovered our second baby was on the way. I guess we didn’t
know just how we got babies. So just 13 months after Gay's arrival and 6 weeks
earlier than he should of come, our little boy, Richard Darrell was born on
April 15, 1957. We felt so blessed to have our two children. We were living in
Paris in a basement apartment of Alfred Rogers home and then shortly after
Richard was born we moved to Aunt Merinda's home in Paris. The Gillispies' were
our neighbors there until moving to Logan to a new job. There was another
opening there at the gas company and they called to see if Darrell might be
interested. He was interviewed and we moved to Logan to his new job with Inland
Gas Company. We lived there for two years when Darrell was offered a job back
in Montpelier with Van Gas Company so again in May of 1960 we moved back to
Ovid. This tune we rented his parents home in Ovid. We settled down to raising
our fal11ily, working in the church, working on the ranch and waiting for our
third child to arrive. RaNae, our second beautiful daughter, was born on May
12, 1962. We were so happy, we loved being back in Ovid and now with three
precious children, who could ever want for anything more?
When
I stop and look back it seems like the next years just flew by. I achieved my
Golden Gleaner award, I served in the Young Womens, Sunday School, and Relief
Society Organizations in both ward and stake positions. I tried to support my
husband and children in all their various positions and undertakings. I suppose
one of the hardest decisions I have had to make was should I work outside the
home? The employment situation was not the best in Bear Lake, the pay scale was
very low, but we felt it was a good valley to raise our family in. Therefore we
decided that I should go to work for JC Penney Co. I started working part time
just for special holidays and then when all of our children were in school I
started full time, which I did for 10 years. Then in 1973 I was hired at Tri
State Bank working my way up from bookkeeper to finally a loan officer. I worked
there for 25 years. Then in July of 1997 Tri State Bank was sold to Zions First
National
Bank and at the present time
I am still working there. I'm sure that each member of my family has probably
suffered at times because of me not always being home. I have tried to give
them quality time, teach them right from wrong, tried to always be available to
talk and support them. I hope that above all I have instilled in them a love
for the gospel of Jesus Christ and it's teachings.
There
are so many precious memories I could write of our life together these past
fifty years and experiences we've had raising our three children. We have tried
to be good examples and I hope our children have felt our unconditional love
for them. We always made our home open to all of their friends, all hours. We
have trusted them and tried to let them make most of their own decisions, of
course trying to steer them on the right path. I believe that trials are a big
part of this life, it is our attitude and faith that helps us through them. I
feel that we are much more humble and teachable when we have trials, they can
either be building or stumbling blocks. I know that my faith in God is my
greatest strength and one of my greatest weaknesses is my wanting to make
everything just perfect for everyone even though I know that is not possible.
We
have now lived in Ovid since 1960. We bought this corner lot from Darrell's
parents and had our present home built and we moved in it in October of 1967.
Darrell built the big garage on the east in the 1980's. We added a patio and
put in sliding glass doors on the north. Then in 1989 we took this patio off
and added an apartment on the north for my parents. The decision to move my
parents into our home for their remaining years was probably the second hardest
decision in my life. As Darrell and I discussed it we knew it would affect our
whole life style but we knew the Rest Home was the alternative for Mom and then
probably Dad at a later time and we felt they should be with us. I am so
grateful that we could help make their last eight years happier. We remodeled
our home again in 2001. We put in all shaded windows, added a bay window in
front and a porch on the east, made a slanted roof on the garage, resided the
home adding brick on the front and side and put in a circular cement driveway.
We have many happy and sad memories in our home. We've held open houses for
birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. We've received all different kind of
news such as coming marriages, graduations, births, baptisms, mission calls,
deaths, surgeries, accidents, and calls to positions in the church. We've
enjoyed spending time together over holidays and just being all together as a
family. We have planned camping trips for a week at a time in the hills, family
reunions out at "The Ranch", work and just fun parties there. We had
a garage built to keep the tractors in at the ranch with living quarters above.
We named this "The Eagles Nest" and our whole family enjoys doing
family things there. When we build this building we did it with the idea of it
being a place of safety and refuge for all our family when real hard times
come. Our family means everything to us, each one is so important and unique in
their own way.
I
want to express my love and appreciation to my husband, Darrell, for all the
wonderful things he has done for me. First for a temple marriage and our three
precious children. He has always loved and cared for me, supported me in all my
undertakings and callings, always provided me with nice warm homes, good running
cars, encouragement when I've felt down, taking my parents into our home, being
a good faithful husband and father, and in honoring his priesthood during most
of our life. He has stood by me giving me strength and courage through five
surgeries, having my teeth pulled and five implants in my jaw, and just this
year surgery on my eye lids. What a wonderful mate he is and I truly love him
and I'm so thankful I will be with him throughout eternity if we will keep the
commandments, our covenants, and endure to the end.
I
don't think this history would be complete if l didn't mention my love for
music. It has always been important from the time my parents sang to me as a
baby. When I was growing up I loved to go to my grandmother's and she would
play the piano and we would sing for hours. I mentioned before how I loved to
sing to my dolls, then to my children and grandchildren. I hope I have the
opportunity to sing to my great grandchildren. The night my sweet Mother was
called home, I held her in my arms and sang to her most of the night as it
seemed to calm and comfort her. This was a most sacred privilege. I have served
as ward choir director three times, as the stake choir director, directed music
for stake conference choirs, been a chorister in Jr. Sunday School, the
Primary, Relief Society, Mutual, and this past stake conference had the
opportunity to direct a Stake Youth Choir where 167 youth participated. What a
blessing music has been in my life, in so many different ways.
Darrell
and I have been fortunate to go on trips and tours with friends, neighbors,
family and just by ourselves. We have been to 34 temples and through sessions
at 28 of them. We hope to be able to take more temple trips. We were blessed to
travel to Sweden, obtain 67 names which our family did the work for here, trips
to Mexico, Canada, Nauvoo, Disney World, Branson, Washington D.C., Church
History and Temple Tours, visiting 33 states and making new friends.
My
history would not to complete if I didn't comment a little more on each of our
children, their spouses and our wonderful grandchildren. Our three children,
Gay, Richard, and RaNae have brought so much joy, happiness, and purpose to our
lives. When I think how quickly the years have past, I think of the many things
we have done together but of the many things I wish I would have done. I know I
have made so many mistakes, please forgive me kids, and know that all of the
things I have done while trying to raise you have been with love. I know that
one of my biggest faults is trying to make everyone happy, using my definition
of happiness. I am so proud of each of you and your various accomplishments in
this life. Your Dad and I feel so blessed to have your chosen mates as part of
our family. We truly love them like they were our own daughter and sons.
 |
| Back Row: Maureen, Richard, Leslie, Mike, Landon, Darrell, Jamie, Merlyn, Gay, Rick J, Brenan, Jed, Carrie Next to Gay...Haylee, Kiara, RaKae, RaNae, Keisha, Rick R. Curtis is in front of Leslie, Ciara in Front of Gay, Braden, Sam. The only ones missing are Skyler and Tyler Sorenson. This picture was taken at Ciara's Baptism. |
 |
| Mike and Leslie Perry holding baby Kasen, Devin and RaKae Harris, Samuel and Braden Roberts, Landon and Lucy Sorenson, Tyler, Jamie, Maureen Sorenson, Rick and Gay Jackson Kiara Roberts sitting on ground, inserted picture of Bryce and Keisha Adams, Curtis Sorenson, Darrell and Merlyn, Skyler, RaNae, Rick, Brenan Roberts, Carrie, Jed and Addie Malmberg Ciara sitting on the ground by Darrell, Haylee and Tim Gamble, Richard Sorenson. Picture taken in Farmington Utah at the home of Rick and Gay Jackson. Carrie is pregnant with Jace and RaKae is pregnant with Conner. |
