Ethel Sigrid Larson (1902-1999)

I, Ethel Larson, was born on October 7, 1902 at Ogden, Weber, Utah. I was born in the home of my parents at West 20th street. A midwife Mrs. Hathaway attended my birth. On Dcember 7th I was blessed by Peter Anderson.

I was the last of ten children. My father was Eric Wilhelm Larson. My mother was Sigrid Sofia Ingeborg Ekenberg. I had five sisters: Erica Sofia, Age 20; Ebba Ingeborg, age 13; Ellen Alfreda, age 11; Hildur Margareta, age 9: and Astrid Eleanora, age 3. My brothers were: Carl Wilhelm, age 18; Eric Arvid, age 16; John Elis, age 6; and Edel Harris, who died at age 3, about a year and a half before I was born.

My parents had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Orebro, Sweden in 1884. They were baptized by Joseph Anderson on February 15 and confirmed the same day by Joseph Anderson. Years later, through the help of a Swedish missionary, they were able to borrow money and send my brother Carl to America in 1899 when he was 16 years old.

He went to a home of a former missionary in Ogden, Utah. Then my father left for America and next was mother with the five youngest children. Erica, 18 years old, and Ebba, 11 and Ellen, who was only 9 were left behind.  I can only admire my mother who had such great faith and courage to separate her family and go to a strange country. Whenever my sisters talked of this years later we would all dissolve in tears.

They had only been here a short time when three year old Edel died but it was through this sad occasion that it became known that three children were still in Sweden. Through the kindness of a man named Linquist, a mortician, and the help of Peter Ernstrom, an elder who had converted my parents, money was raised to send for Erica, Ebba, and Ellen. 

Now the whole family was here and it was 1901. I came along the next year, the tenth and last child.

Fond memories are uppermost in my mind when I think of the next 10 years spent in Ogden, Utah. We were able to move to a home with some land and acquire some animals. I was too young to know that my father worked very hard to payoff the debt incurred in getting his family to America. He also worked hard on the acre of ground he owned to grow vegetables and fruit for the family and feed for the cow and horse he owned. We also had chickens.

But I do know my mother worked very hard to help take care of the animals and garden besides the daily chores of keeping a family fed and clean. No one but Mother ever milked the cow. I do not think she trusted anyone else to do it. Later on I helped feed the chickens and during the hot summer months when the cow was milked outdoors I had to stand with a large branch and wave it back and forth over the cow to keep the flies away. I was always afraid of that cow but loved the horse and was never afraid to ride it and as a game ed to run under his stomach. Buck and King were the names I remember of two of the horses we had.


Papa, as we called Father, took great pride in his horse and kept him well-curried and brushed and when Buck was hitched to the surrey with the fringe on top it was a sight I loved. Then Eleanora and I dressed in our best and with Mother and Father would go visiting on a Sunday afternoon, or to Church, or to town on a Saturday night to buy groceries and often take in a movie. I guess I remember the grocery store being the best because we traded with Mr. Olson, a kind man, who had also come from Sweden and always had time to talk with us and when Papa paid the monthly bill he handed us a sack of candy. My parents had many Swedish friends and I will always remember the good times we had together.

Although it seemed many sad incidents happened to my parents they were always fun-loving as well as very faithful in their Church duties and I thank them for a happy childhood. 


My brother Art (Eric Arvid) had left home to join the Navy and Erica worked at the Broom Hotel.


The other children were in school but it was difficult for them until they could speak and understand English. None of them went past the eighth grade and the boys went to work at an early age.

Papa was working at Beckers Brewery as a cooper and eventually Carl and Elis worked there also. Papa had learned his trade in the old country and knew it well. He was later to go on two missions but they always kept his job for him.



My sister Eleanora, three years older than I, became very ill with a crippling disease when she was only three years old. It lasted for nearly three years but she was finally able to walk with the aid of crutches and an iron foundation fastened on the shoe of one foot because one leg had seemed to shorten and not grow during the illness. Her whole body was thrown to one side and as an exercise she would carry a heavy bag of sand to help pull her body to an upright position. Astrid (Eleanora) was always a prayerful child full of faith and she knew if she went through the Salt Lake Temple and received a blessing that she could walk without crutches.

In her early teens this is exactly what happened and she did walk without her crutches. The heavy shoe was also not worn and although she walked with a limp and her head was still slightly forced to one side she was a happy girl and always fun to be with. She played as rough as anyone and I can truly say I did not notice the limp even though I knew it was there.

I remember being with my father so much of the time, sitting on his lap, sharing his hot mush, and tagging along while he was working around the house or yard. I realized later that Mama was probably so busy with Eleanora that Papa must have taken over some of my care.

Now another sadness was to come to us when I was very young and so I can remember very little of

it. At school one day Hildur was hit by a hard snowball thrown playfully by a boy. It struck her on the temple causing her to bleed internally and after three months she died at the age of fourteen. The family always spoke so lovingly of her that I know we all missed having another wonderful sister to grow up with.

A duty that was mine but one I enjoyed was carrying milk to some of the neighbors who bought it from us. Mother would pour it into a large lard bucket and the recipient would take the bucket and empty it into her own pan and hand me back the bucket. I knew all these neighbors well and they treated me fine. One of the families owned a small store and when the Grandma came to the door she would slip me an all day sucker from under her apron. On cool evenings, Mama would take a large black shawl, put it over my shoulders, take the ends and tie them behind my back leaving my hands free to carry the milk. Also if I had a smudge on my face she would lift a corner of her apron and with a little spit in it wipe the smudge off. This practice seemed all right to me, I supposed all mothers did it to some extent.


One Saturday night as I carried the milk to a close neighbor and was going through the gate in the fence that adjoined our yard I saw a man, who had lived in the vicinity some time ago, hiding beside the porch step. As I approached he put his fingers to his lips for me not to say anything, which, of course, frightened me and when the door was slightly opened by George, the not too bright son of the family, I tried to push my way in but George said he was bathing and to wait on the step while he emptied the bucket. No doubt his bath was being taken. in the kitchen in the big wash tub as most of us had in that day. Anyway as soon as I got that bucket I ran home and told Mama. She took my hand and we walked to another neighbor, Mr. Burton, who was a policeman and had a revolver. He ran to George's assistance who was by this time being beaten by the man who was hiding. Soon the Black Maria, as we called the police wagon, was there and the assailant was put in it, but before he left he asked for a drink of water. George shook his head "no" he would not give him one, so at a whisper from Mama once more I ran home and got a drink for the man. Now I never did find out what it was all about but for a short time I thought I had saved George's life. 

I have happy memories of attending Primary in the home of the Wilkinsons, our neighbors, and the family of Ernest Wilkinson, who later became President of BYU. Sister Wilkinson was a wonderful teacher. We were living in the Glasgow Addition and were far away from the 3rd Ward and too small to walk that far. Later we moved and were in the 10th ward and could walk to Church. Sister Elizabeth Shaw was a sweet and loving Primary President with fine teachers I loved. I don't think I ever missed Primary. I was in many programs and first learned to dance the Two Step from one of the teachers. 


I started school at the age of 6 attending the Ogden Mond Fort Elementary School at the corner of 12th Street and Washington. We were driven to school in a covered livery school wagon driven by two horses. All of the children of the neighborhood were picked up at a certain corner. I had a special friend Thelma Kilstrom I would sit with and everything seemed like fun. Some of my other close friends were Gwen Nelson, Elaine Parry, Grace Parry, Lucy Suntz, Edna smith and my sister Eleanora. My favorite teachers were Miss Farr, Miss Powell, Miss Kirkpatrick and Miss Frost. Miss Pearce was our sweet and understanding principal. The outstanding thing I remember was the several programs I took part in and my sister Erica making costumes for me. One was a Japanese kimono for a play put on by several schools in the Orpheum Theater. I sat with a group using our fans and singing.


In April of 1909, Erica, Ellen, John, Eleanora and I were sealed to our parents in the Salt Lake Temple. Edel, who had passed away was also sealed to Mother and Father. I was baptized on June 4, 1911 by Edward Phillips in the 10th Ward of Ogden, Utah. On August 4, 1913 my father was given his patriarchal blessing and then in September 1913 when I was ten my father left on a mission to Sweden so we moved closer to town to a home with no land to take care of. By this time all of my sisters and brothers were either married or supporting themselves except Eleanora and I. It was with the support of the older children that my father was able to go on his mission. We were now living just a few blocks from the 10th ward so we could walk to primary, Religion Class and MIA.

Summers were fun. I now learned to swim in the Ogden River. Peach and cherry orchards were near enough that we got jobs picking fruit. We climbed the mountains and it seemed we were forever walking someplace. Winter was fun because we had a horse drawn sleigh. Tucked in with a lap robe around us and the jingle of the bells on the horses with my Father driving is one of my happiest memories. 


Christmas was a big event in our lives. Being Swedish we celebrated Christmas Eve by having a traditional Swedish supper consisting of a fish called lutefisk. This was a sort of dried cod, that looked like a long stiff board. The fish was soaked in a brine for several weeks and eventually when it was cooked came out white, fluffy and delicious served with milk gravy or melted butter. We also had brown sweet beans, fluffy potatoes, vegetable and for dessert a rice pudding and many sweet breads and cookies. The tree was set in the parlor in the middle of the floor with many colored candles, strings of cranberries and popcorn, apples, candy and cookies and lovely ornaments. We would dance around this tree singing Swedish songs. Later the presents were passed out. Hair ribbons, beads, doll dishes, a toy piano and usually a new dress was among the gifts and one year my sister and I received dolls with two hidden strings. When one was pulled it said "Mama"and the other said "Papa".

Long black stockings, shoes with laces and long legged underwear kept us warm. Central heating was not heard of and we burned coal in the kitchen and a heating stove in the parlor. At night I remember Mama wrapping hot bricks off the stove in newspaper and putting in bed to warm our feet. My clothes were all homemade and made by my older sister Erica. Once I had a coat made out of an old overcoat of my Fathers. It was warm but so heavy I could hardly run in it. I hated the long underwear and so I wouldn't have a ridge around the tops of my shoes I would pull the leg of the underwear under my foot and it kept this shape even when washed. 


MIA was a wonderful experience from the very beginning. I took part in debates and giving talks. I even took the lead in a show that was great fun. Grace Parry was my best friend and we attended many dances after MIA and learned to dance with boys. We took hikes up into the mountains, also. We had fine teachers and a lovely sister Green who was President and did everything to make a success and to keep the members interested and happy. Later special meetings were put on by the MIA on the first Sunday of the month. Arvilla Parry, Grace's sister, was the President and we had many Church speakers who were an inspiration to all of us. There were also beautiful programs of musical numbers which I often took part in.

I attended the Weber State High School. My special friends were Grace and Elaine Parry, Edna Smith, Thelma Khilstrom, Rosabell Nordquist, Helen Hinckley, Melba Browning, and Miriam Woodbury.


Special teachers that I remember were William McKay, David Jacobs, Doc Lind, and sister Tanner. I graduated from high school and went on to a special Business Course which I graduated from in May 1921.

Ever since my father returned from his mission he yearned for a piece of land again so we moved out on 7th Street in the 8th Ward. I loved this place as it had almost every type of fruit tree and many berries. I now had to take the street car to Weber College but we were near the Church. We did get another horse and surrey but there were so few of them on the street anymore that we sadly sold both.



Now my parents were getting older and this place was almost more than they could take care of. Throughout all these years my father had always worked at the brewery and he could still do that so we moved back on 21st Street in the 4th Ward. I could now walk to Weber and we were still near a Church. I taught Sunday School and loved Mutual with the many dances, plays and programs. I had taken a Dramatic Art course in Weber so was called on to give readings. Later on I studied with Minnie Moore Brown and she sent me to other wards and once to the Reform School to appear on their programs. It was probably because of this training I was asked to represent the 4th Ward at Sunday School Conference in Salt Lake City. The other two speakers were Junius Tribe and Llewellyn McKay, both good friends of mine. We were to make up our own talk of 3 minutes. I had worked very hard on mine and had it memorized so well that when I finally gave it in the Tabernacle and was so frightened I could hardly stand, it came out loud and clear.

Apostle David o. McKay and his family lived in the 4th Ward at that time and although the Apostle was away from home a great deal I have many wonderful memories of hearing him speak at Weber and one personal experience when I called for his daughter Lou Jean to attend something at the Ward. He was home and took us each by the arm and walked us to Church. It was really a thrill and I have thought since it was a kindness to his daughter because he was away from home so often. Sister McKay was a beautiful woman with her lovely smile, and dark eyes and hair. The smaller youngsters were all very good looking and I'll always remember little Emma Rae, who I had in my Sunday School Class. Before they moved to Salt Lake City Emma wrapped her arms around me and said she didn't want to leave her Sunday School teacher. We then moved back to the l0th Ward and I lost my personal contact with the McKays.

Weber College was a wonderful experience. We had the opportunity of hearing many of the Church Authorities at the daily assemblies and at one assembly I gave a reading. I loved the basketball and football games and had wonderful times at the dances. After graduating I began to work in the notion counter at the Golden Rule Store. Soon after I was put in the office and remained there until I was married. 


Our family always had a close relationship. Many wonderful family gatherings were held and every Christmas Eve was observed in the Scandinavian tradition with all the family gathering at the home of my parents. The usual lutefisk was served at supper. Gifts were then distributed and we would dance around the Christmas tree singing "Nu De Yule Agin". 


In 1922, my 26 year old brother Elis was killed while walking. A smart alec young man named Dee Mar was driving after he had been drinking and ran over Elis. I remember that early the next morning Papa said not to blame the boy. That same year, Edith, the wife of my brother Carl, died of consumption, leaving two small children, Mildred and Harold. Mother took Harold and Erica had Mildred live with her and Carl lived with my sister Ebba. 


Ferrell Anderson came to work in the shoe department of the Golden Rule in June of 1922 and we were soon dating and were married November 6, 1923 by Bishop Terry of Ogden l0th Ward. We lived in an apartment in the 4th Ward. Our first child Richard was born August 24, 1924, a lovely, healthy baby whom we enjoyed very much. He was blessed by my father Erick W Larson in October of 1924.     

That fall Mother became ill and had to undergo an operation which she never recovered from, dying the 15th of December 1924. Christmas that year was a sad one but we all met together on Christmas Eve and tried to carry on as usual. Some months later my father went on his second mission to Sweden. Ferrell and I moved into his home in the spring of 1925, bought his Ford car and with the rent and payments on the car he was kept on his mission. My brother Carl, his two children who were 9 and 6 now and my sister Eleanora lived with us. 


Dora Soderberg, daughter of Erica and Theo, had trouble with her feet from nearly the time she was born. As a young girl it was hard for her to wear shoes and their doctor decided to operate on her toes of both feet to loosen the cords and make it easier to walk. Both feet and legs were put in casts and kept there for a long time. 


Because of this operation it was decided Dora should have a holiday and I would accompany her for a day of fun before hospitalization. Ellen took care of Dickie, as we called him, for the day. Dora and I had lunch, took in a movie and that night went to a basketball game that Ferrell was playing in. It was a commercial team and he and friends enjoyed it very much. We took Dickie to the game where he cheered and called out for "Snowball". 


A few days after this Dickie began to cough. Ellen was taking care of Dick and, since it was shortly after Christmas, one of Ellen's boys had given him a hazel nut. As he chewed it he was also jumping and began to cough and choke. Ellen went to his assistance and he seemed all right, but she told me about it. Now Dick coughed as though he had a cold and nothing I did seemed to help. I was pregnant and when I went to see the doctor I mentioned Dick's cough and that it started when he choked on a nut. He became alarmed and had an x-ray taken and there in his lung the nut showed up.



Arrangements were made immediately for Dick to have the nut removed. Through Dr. Stranquist arrangements were made for Dr. Stuiffer(sp) of LDS Hospital to do this. Through bad luck the doctor had the nut in his instrument but it slipped off so when Dick was returned from the operation nothing had been accomplished. The next morning Dick was having a difficult time breathing and when the doctor visited him he made ready for an   immediate tracheotomy. We called Ogden and our doctor along with Ferrell's brother Arlow and my sister Erica sped to Salt Lake to be with us. Dick had developed pneumonia and his throat had swelled shutting off his breath. When he was brought back to us a small helpless baby he looked up at me and said "Mama" and no sound came. Dr. Stranquist said it's up to you to explain to him why he can't talk. This I did as best I could telling him that he had a tube in his throat so the sound would not come through. Although Dick was only 28 months he was a very understanding boy.

Everyone went back to Ogden leaving me with Dick. I was allowed to stay right in his room, feed him and take care of him. The tube had to be cleaned out real often as it filled up with pus from his lungs. Dickie was a sweet patient but he was very ill and had no appetite. He was administered to by the visiting Elders and one Elder especially promised he would get well.



Finally, we brought him back to Ogden. By now he felt pretty well but he was very thin and pale and still could not talk so I gave him a bell he would ring when he needed me. One day I took the tube out to clean it and when I tried to put it back the flesh had closed too tightly. I couldn't force it back. I called the doctor and he said to leave it out which I did.

In a few days time it had grown together leaving a small triangle-shaped scar. Dickie was getting along fine but he still coughed. In taking him to several doctors one would say nature will take care of it. The next would say as long as he coughs he will be an invalid. Finally in March 1927 Dr. Stranquist made arrangements for us to go to Dr. Chevelin Jackson's Clinic in Philadelphia to have the famous invention, the bronchoscope, used on him. 


Erica left Dora, who was now recuperating from her operation and had casts on both feet, to come

with me. We borrowed $600 to make the trip. Although this was a costly operation we only had to pay $3 a day while Dick was there. We were told an Indian Prince had just had his son there for the same operation and had paid a handsome sum thus making it easier for those who had no money. 


Erica had written the Elders and they were at the train to meet us and escort us to a hotel. The next day we entered Dick into the hospital. A little pink silkalene quilt Erica had made was a favorite of Dickie's and we had it along for his comfort. It was  hard for us to leave him alone in Dr. Jackson's busy clinic and I was glad he had the quilt for comfort. We were allowed to visit Dick an hour each day and he seemed happy but it broke our hearts to leave him. 


One day when we came to visit we learned that an operation had been performed but they didn't get the nut. We learned from one nurse that Dick hadn't coughed since the operation, however. This was a good sign and Erica suggested we take him home. At this time I couldn't agree so I wrote Dr. Stranquist and also Ferrell. Both answered you are there and will have to decide. It was a hard decision to make and on returning to the hotel after visiting Dick I threw myself on the bed and prayed for help. At once I knew just what to do and ran to the phone and asked that Dick be released the next day. When we arrived at the hospital the next day I was asked to sign a release saying I had refused to abide by the doctor's advice. I readily signed without any qualms. We were thankful for the hospital's care but felt we were doing the right thing. Dick never coughed again and I believe during a coughing spell the nut was loosened. 

Dick and I joined Ferrell in May at Evanston where he had rented a nice large furnished six-room house. I went back to Ogden for the birth of David and stayed at Erica's home who always made us so welcome. David was born June 25, 1927 at Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah. He was blessed by my father Erick W Larson at the Soderberg home and his record was forwarded to Evanston Ward, Woodruff Stake.


In October, 1928 J C Penney purchased the Golden Rule chain and in March 1929 Ferrell was appointed Assistant Manager. Ferrell was being trained for manager and was called first man. Our life style seemed pretty well set. Harold had come with us from Ogden and lived with us. He had a paper route and was a good baby tender.

Ferrell was ordained an Elder on March 12, 1929 by'Joseph Barnes in Evanston Ward. Jeanne was born July 27, 1929 in Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah and was blessed November 3, 1929 in Evanston Ward by Ferrell. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple in June 1930 by Joseph Christensen. Marilyn was born April 5, 1931 in Evanston. Some of the callings we had in the Church while in Evanston was Sunday School teacher and Primary President for myself and Ferrell was the President of the YMMIA.   



Vincent and Marge Ord came to Evanston as Vince also worked at Penney's. We became very good friends and had many a good times together. Vince owned a Ford coupe and somehow we and our children found room in it and had some wonderful picnics. Ferrell and Vince had some good deer and chicken hunting. They were our very good friends for many years even after leaving Evanston. We lived in Evanston for five years.


Then the big depression began to haunt us. Salaries were cut; employees were laid off. Our fifth child was on the way and I began to long for my family in Ogden. When my sisters Erica and Ellen wrote wishing we lived in Ogden and then Theo offered Ferrell work in his Grocery and Meat Market we left Evanston, or rather Em Collins drove up and helped us pack and then drove the children and me to Ogden where we moved into one of the most disreputable homes. But money was very scarce. Ferrell worked a little longer in Evanston but Penney's had reduced his pay from $150 to $125 and now Theo was going to pay him $20 a week.  This home had an apple tree in the back yard which the children loved and was one redeeming feature. The depression was at its worst and we felt lucky to have some money coming in. Peaches were selling for 50 cents a bushel but still were hard to sell. Before Janet was born we moved into a nice home near Ellen and Erica at $20 a month. By now we had acquired our own furniture. Here we used a coal stove and it had no central heating but it had lots of windows and we felt comfortable there.

Our fifth child Janet was born on an early snowy morning on January 22nd, 1933 in Ogden. Ferrell had to walk over to Aunt Erica's and dig the snow away from the garage to get the car. The depression was in full swing so anyone that could pay $25 in cash got full treatment at the Dee Hospital. We managed to save that much. Of course the Doctor was cheap, too, but even then it was hard to pay. My sister Ellen took care of the children while I was in the hospital and we furnished the food to feed both families. So skilled was she in cooking that she spent less for two families than I had for one. Nothing was wasted. We used to save all the peelings from vegetables, cook till tender, put them through a sieve and season and it was good.


It was a bad time for Collins as Em had no work. Ray and Ted were going to the BYU and had very little money to go on. When anyone had a birthday we all chipped in and they would get some article of clothing that was needed. Nevertheless we had a good time. We had the use of Theo's delivery truck and we would pile the kiddies in and have fun. Or Ellen would call and say they had 20 cents, how about a movie. They had a car and we often bought gas and for 50 cents a couple we had a big evening. The depression seemed to bring out the best in everyone and there was much good done for anyone less fortunate. It seemed those that had money were ashamed to spend it, so in my opinion the depression lasted longer than it should.


Ferrell was unhappy in this new type of work so when Lorin wrote from Montana asking Ferrell to manage a store in Glendive we were elated and made plans for Ferrell to leave. Ferrell's brother Lorin had been transferred to a Penney's store in Billings, Montana and then had the opportunity of going to Miles city to manage a store for Karl Johnson. Lorin became a partner and they decided to open a Karl Johnson store in Glendive where a family-owned store was going out of business. Ferrell was urged to come to Glendive (about 80 miles from Miles city) to manage the store and use the experience he was trained for. The store had belonged to the Hollecker family.


Ferrell left for Glendive in February 1934. Our five children and I came in May by train. Dick was 10 years old (the oldest) and Janet (the youngest) was 15 months old.

We felt blessed to be given this opportunity but when I and the five children arrived on the train, it seemed to be the end of nowhere. There were no Mormons! A woman who worked at the store advised us not to mention we were Mormons. But we never hid that fact and began to make friends and take part in the community life. We chose to go to the Congregational Church because of friends next door who had children the same ages as ours. We made many fine friends.

However, in 1934 there was a serious drought in Dawson County and it was the most serious of the depression years! The government was purchasing a majority of the Dawson County cattle for about $5 to $20 a head and nearly all labor except a skeleton railroad force was WPA. Business would be at a low ebb until the start of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project in 1937.


In the summer of 1937 two missionaries arrived much to our joy. We had two children (David and Jeanne) ready for baptism. David had just turned 10 and Jeanne was 8. They were baptized in the Yellowstone River by Elder Ray Smith and confirmed by Elder Clarence Stanger.


Our lives began to change at the start of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project in 1937. Business began to pick up. Best of all it brought in our first Mormons. One summer day in 1937 the Elders arrived at our home with great news. They had just passed a home not too far away with a Utah car parked in front and people were moving in. We were all so happy. I called on the new family a day or so later. I prayed it would be a family, an active family, and someone we could be very friendly with. When a young woman with a smile came to the door I felt disappointed. I don't know why. She said, "Oh, I'm just helping them get settled. I'll call Mrs. Neely." Jo (Josephine) Neely came to the door. We were around the same age and we were friends at that very moment and are still friends today. They live in Spanish Fork. Her husband Parley passed away on May 24, 1986. Parley was an engineer working for the Buffalo Rapids Project.


We began having Church meetings in our homes. We even included Primary and sometimes invited the neighbor children. Our first missionaries to reside in Glendive were Elder Tingey and Elder Smith. The missionaries presided over the meetings for some time. It was a wonderful experience for them and I marveled that such young men could speak so well. It was our first experience with missionaries.

Those missionaries made a fine impression on the Glendive people.  Many would comment to me what fine young men they were. One family especially was impressed enough to open their home for meetings and parties. That family, the Hoffs, eventually moved to Salt Lake city where they all joined the Church. Several other LDS families arrived but when the Project was finished, one by one they were transferred to Williston and other places.

Dick was 15 years old before we acquired a car but we lived near town and did a lot of walking. So it went on for some time. Ferrell was made a Presiding Elder which lessened the work of the missionaries but they still played a big part in teaching and giving us fine spiritual talks which we needed.

If you did not live around the Glendive area before the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project, you would not know the improvement and change for the good it did for the farmers and ranchers and in many ways for all of us.


Our last child Carole was born November 12, 1939 when we were still living on the Southside. Now we had six! The next year we purchased a larger home on the north side of town called the Heights. It was a two story home with a basement and had been built around the 1900s. You could see the whole town from our bedroom window and look out upon the river from our front porch. It was a home we all loved.

In 1941 Loren and Ferrell purchased the Glendive store and it was renamed Anderson's.


The World War II made some changes in our branch, too. Some Elders who were working in Germany came to Glendive to finish their missions and showed us beautiful pictures of Germany. It was sad to hear what was taking place. They were the last Elders we would have for some time. Ferrell worked hard building up the store and the children grew up working there. Dick had a paper route and a bike which David later inherited. All of the children were active in school activities, track, basketball, band, drill team and cheer leading.  We rarely missed a concert or a game and neither did our dogs. It became a familiar sight to see the Anderson dog along with the  Samuelson dog out helping Carole cheer lead at the football games.


Ferrell loved basketball and helped by yelling encouragement and sometimes directions to the team, coach, and referee. Ferrell was also a member of the Elks, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce and the DCHS School Board. We enjoyed playing golf and going fishing and Ferrell took the boys hunting. We had an active, full life in Glendive but I often wished my children had the opportunities of a large primary and MIA program. As it was they were usually the only Mormons in their classes all through school.


Dick and some of his friends worked in Yellowstone Park one summer to help build roads. Dick's job was surveying and it was a great experience for them and lots of fun. Dick graduated from high school in 1942 and instead of getting ready for a mission, he went to Butte School of Mines and was selected to go on for training as an Ensign in Boston and small craft training in Miami. The World War II was raging and missionaries were not being called.

At that time our membership in the Branch was low. Dick was released from active duty in August 1946 at Bainbridge, Maryland and went to BYU and met Mary Templeton from Taos, New Mexico and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in September 1949 and came to Glendive to work in Anderson's Store. Mary has been a true daughter to me and a great support to her husband and family. Mary learned the business quickly and went on her first buying trip a few months after their marriage. They had 3 children who grew up working in the store. Rod would sit listening to his father and grandfather talk store business by the hour. Cheri and Kathy loved going to the buying markets. Cheri liked to be on the floor with the customers while Kathy preferred checking invoices and office work. Dick passed away in November of 1985 and Cheri and her husband took over the Glendive store.

David, because of serious burns on his legs received in an accident while working in a forest in northern Idaho, was not accepted in any part of the war services although he tried. He was told the scar tissue would cause him serious trouble so he did not get into the war nor go on a mission. He did go to college at Utah state in Logan and then married Dorothy Siddoway in the Salt Lake Temple in June 1948 and worked in the Miles city store for several years before becoming the manager of a new store of the Anderson brothers called Ferrells in Idaho Falls.

Jeanne went to Utah State in Logan to college and married Stanley Thayne in the Logan Temple in March of 1949. They ended up in Orem, Utah where they opened a Dairy Queen. Later, during the uranium boom he used his geology (graduated with a Master's Degree) to become a consultant for uranium prospectors. Then for the last 20 years Stan worked for the Utah Department of Transportation as a geologist. They raised four boys Steven, Doug, David and Brian and one daughter Carole.



We began meeting in the Odd Fellows Hall for Church and by this time the Derby Whitmers and Audrey Wilkinsen and her two little boys Karl and Fen had come back to Glendive to live. We had some lady missionaries by then and an active Relief Society. Audrey was a big help with her talents and willingness to serve. I remember we served a turkey dinner at the Odd Fellows Hall and sold tickets to just as many people as we could accommodate. It was a big success under the supervision of Audrey. Later, she married Chris Christianson and they both were very supportive. We were sorry when they moved to Livingston but were happy when Fen moved back as a young man with his wife Margie.


Marilyn and Janet both went to BYU to college where Dick had gone and Marilyn graduated in business and came back to work in the Glendive store. She married Arky Smith on the 23 of November 1954 in a lovely ceremony in our home with Ferrell conducting. Arky was working in the oil business which had boomed Glendive for a time. They lived near us on the Heights for a while and were then transferred to Texas and later Denver, Colorado. They raised three daughters Sherry, Debby, and Laurie and two sons Bobby and Randy.

Janet graduated as an elementary school teacher in 1955 and worked one year in Billings and then in San Diego, Ca where she met and married Richard Hardy in 1959 who was working in the banking business. They raised two daughters, Linda and Maria and two sons, John and James in the San Diego/La Jolla area.

Through the years many fine active families moved in to enlarge our branch. Some stayed longer than others but sooner or later they would be transferred. We hated to see anyone leave but each left their mark and used their talents and energy to keep the Branch going while they were here.


In 1950 at a conference in Glendive, Ferrell was asked to become Branch President. He served until 1960.

We very seldom had a piano player to accompany us in our singing in the early years but we sang anyway. Also, families were building up the branches in Billings, Miles City, Baker and in North Dakota. The Mission President's home was in Minneapolis and we were in the North Dakota District. We attended conferences as far away as Minot and Bismark and Billings. A morning and afternoon meeting would be held with lunch served between meetings. It was prepared by the members of wherever the conference was held. Most always there was one of the General Authorities who traveled with the Mission President and we were thrilled by their presence and the spiritual food they offered us.


In time we acquired the old Lutheran Church and we had fun hanging curtains, furnishing the kitchen with dishes we brought from our own homes along with other donated articles. We held bake sales  to earn money for the things we needed to buy. We had many suppers and get-togethers.

　

Carole went to school at Dawson Junior College and then finished at Montana state in Bozeman. She received her elementary education diploma and also went to San Diego to teach. She married Len Fuqua in June of 1964 and they later came back to Glendive and worked in the store. They raised one daughter Stephanie and five sons Eric, Hunter, David, Jon and Chris.

Ferrell retired and we moved to Idaho Falls to let Dick take over the managing of the store in 1960 and Howard Henabrey became the Branch President. The big dream was finally fulfilled when a new chapel was built on the north side in Glendive.


We spent our summers in Silver Gate, Montana near the Yellowstone Park where we built a cabin next door to the Hagenstons and we had many happy fishing trips and family reunions at the cabin.

Ferrell died of a heart attack while fishing with Arky on the Lamar River on August 14, 1967. Arky said that Ferrell called to him and when he reached him and Ferrell was laying down, of course, Arky felt a spiritual aura around him. Interesting to note that Ferrell's creel was full--he had caught his limit!


I moved back to Glendive to live in a home across the street from Dick and Mary. Later I lived in Orem for a time, back to Glendive and am now in my 91st year living with my daughter Jeanne in Orem.  I have had a full and rich life. This is a poem I wrote when I was a busy wife and mother in Glendive.

I Am Happy

Snow is falling soft and slow, Covering all the ground.
Hiding houses, trees, and bush, Falling lazily without sound.

I am snug and warm inside, Content to do my chores.
Glancing now and then outside, Glad I can stay indoors.

Men must work to make the living, Busy all the day.
But I can stay at home, And watch the children play.

To be a wife and mother, too, Is all that I shall ask.

For God is good and God is wise, In giving me this task.

Ethel Larson Anderson

Final Days with Mom by Jeanne Thayne

I remember well the day I came home for lunch from the Orem-Geneva Times offfice.  It was 1:00 pm.  Mom's soap was on TV and Mom's Visiting Teacher was at the door knocking.  I immediately became alarmed and rushed in the house.  Doug was home, too, but hadn't thought to look for Mom because she was usually sleeping.  I let Debby into the house and ran to the bedroom.  Mom was on the floor in the bathroom.  Looked like she'd just slipped down easily and she was lying full length on the floor.  Her socks were off and in two diffferent places in the bedroom.  Her shoes were scattered also.  I yelled to Doug to call 911.

She stayed at the hospital a couple of days.  They ran tests and determined she'd had a stroke.  anyway, she seemed to improve and appeared no worse for the incident except for difficulty speaking.  She hadn't said a word to me through all this but when her visiting Teachers visited her at the hospitial, Mom smiled and said, "Oh, my two Debbies."  Yes, they were both named Debbie.  I was shocked because I thought she couldn't speak.  I should have tried harder.  I knew she hated questions because her home teacher came one night and hoping to get better acquainted began asking questions such as, where did you live before, what did your husband do, etc. etc.  She got pretty frustrated trying to think and just said, "You ask too many questions!"


When she came home from  the hospital that first time, I moved her into the small bedroom just off the living room in the front part of the house.  I thought she'd enjoy looking out the window.  We got a hospital bed so everything would be easier.  We also had a practical nurse come in and together we bathed her every day.  Insurance and Medicare took care of expenses.  Mom accepted the changes but asked, "What happened?"

I quit my job as an editor-reporter and became a caretaker.  All worked qute well but Mom had a hard time sleeping, especially since she wasn't getting much exercise.  The nurse and I would move her limbs and massage her back and legs.  At night I would put in Shirley Temple videos or others quite simple and comforting and she seemed to enjoy them.  I just stretched out in the lounge chair I'd moved in there and even spent many nights there.  It was very hard to get her up and try to walk with her.  It would have done her good but her balance was poor and it was quite difficult.  Her legs were the heaviest part of her body.  I was afraid we'd both end up on the floor.


To her benefit, Mom was a very grateful patient and appreciated anything anybody did.  She made few demands.  She just slowly slipped into another world.  Carole Fuqua and others visited her.  Remember a family reunion?  Mom was a little confused.  When Mary Anderson came Mom seemed to realize she was a special person but wasn't sure who.  She asked, "Is she my mother?"  She could have meant, "Am I her mother?"  Once she asked me where's Ferrell?  I started to say, "Well, you know.."  "Oh, I know THAT, but WHERE is he?  I guess we'd all like to know the specifics on that.  Mom did say one morning that it's like a party in her room every night.  Everybody is here, she said, but asked, "Where is Elis?"  He was her brother who died when he was 26, and she was about 20.

It was a challenging but great experience having mother with me.  It was wonderful when everybody came for a reunion and Carole F. Kept Mom busy keeping up a lot of conversation and recalling good times and making Mom laugh.  Carole has a gift for that.  The other sisters kept the food coming.  In the end, Mom's practical nurse showed me her feet one day and they were a little purple.  I didn't quite realize what the meant, but she was gone in a day.  The nurse had seen it often.  I hadn't.  That nurse came to the funeral.  She was quite a fine person but now I can't even recall her name, I'm sorry to say.

Eric Wilhelm Larson (1861-1930) Sigrid Sofia Ekenberg (1862-1924)

A Memoir by Erica L. Soderberg, a daughter

My parents, Eric Wilhelm Larson and Sigrid Sofia Ekenberg were married April 24, 1881 in Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.

My father was born April 13, 1861 in Karlskoga, Varmland, Sweden. His parents were farmers. He had to go to work at a very early age for a rich farmer. It was at this place that father met my mother.

She was the daughter of Joachim Ekenberg, a well-to-do Blacksmith in Uppsala. Mother was born August 16, 1862 in Uppsala. Her mother, Margaret Carlson, died when she was two years old. She then had two older brothers. Her father remarried a year later to his wife’s girlfriend. A little girl blessed their union, Aunt Ebba, as we knew her, and a dear friend of mine.


At 10 years of age my mother was obliged to go to work as a nurse girl at a well to do farmer’s house Mr. Celen. My grandfather had been quite wealthy. He had his own nurse-girls, servants, and carriages. He lost everything through the signing of notes for his friends. He was so honest that he let the children’s share of the estate go to help pay for them. His second wife had many jewels and she sold them to help them get out of debt, so honest were both of them.


Joachim Ekenberg with second wife (we believe) and Sigrid Sofia and her brothers David and Richard.

When I was three years old, my step-grandmother died of a broken heart. I have heard my mother relate these trying time, some of them too sad to mention. Her step-mother had among her many silk dresses, a most outstanding one. The silk was imported from German. This one will all of the other things was sold at an auction, where everybody came, even a humble home missionary. He bought this dress for ten crowns and sold it again for enough to keep him on his mission.

My mother had worked several years for Mr. Celen when my father came there to work. When Mr. Celen met my father he said to my mother “Sophia,here is your future husband. All of the servants said the same thing. The estate was a very large one with many servants, both male and female. Mother, at this time, was the trust-servant of the house. She held the keys to everything. She came to the home when very young, and became as one of the family.

Picture of Erick Wilhelm (or it may be the brother Elis who died when he was 26).  

Mr. Celen soon found out that my father, though very young, was very capable and dependable with no bad habits. He was the one to bring the things to market, to drive for Mr. Celen and was soon put in as head man of all outside work. My father fell in love with my mother when he first met her but she would have nothing to do with him. She must have changed her mind because she married him and happily, too.

MORMON MISSIONARIES COME

Mr. and Mr Celen. gave them a wonderful wedding. Mother wore the ladies veil. They were given a home and land for their own to use as long as they worked there. My father worked four days a week for this with no money and two days for himself on his own land. He was allowed to use horses and implements for the cultivation of his land. They also had chickens, two cows and some pigs. From these they raised the money which they needed. A very poor living for such hard work. All went well until some Mormon Elders came to the country. My mother was the first to go to the meeting as she had heard about the Mormons through her brother David. David had joined the church and served as a home missionary but died out of the Church. He never denied the faith and told mother to live it but he could not.


Mother was convinced of the truth and tried to get my father to go with her but he was satisfied with his Lutheran Church. Read the bible and treat everyone right was father’s religion. Mother gave him no rest. Finally, he consented to go with her to the meeting when he was sure no one could see him buts after he heard the young Elders bear their testimony, he was ready for baptism. It seemed he had heard it all before. It was then that mother tried so hard to find something in the Bible that could save her from being a hated Mormon. The more she studied the bible, the more she found that Mormonism was true. My parents joined the Church on the 15th of December 1882. The ice was so thick it took the Elders all day to cut the hole large enough for baptism. My how happy they were. I have heard my father say more than once that he had always read the Bible but now it seemed as though he had never read it. Everything was so clear now and so easy to understand and before it was not. The spirit of the Lord was with them. They were humble and the Lord blessed them with faith, but now trouble began.


Picture of Erica and husband Theo, Ebba and husband Henry, Art and wife Molly with Eleanora, Ethel and Ellen on the first row with their parents.

PERSECUTION BEGINS

Mr. Celen was the worst enemy they had. He thought if he treated them mean they would soon leave Mormonism and come back with open arms. When the Elders were there he would come into the house, put his fist down on the table with a bang and tell them, "Next time you come here I will see to it that you Mormon devils will be hung in the trees”, which he never did. He used to come and talk nice to my mother, even shed tears telling her that if they would not deny the faith he would make it plenty hard for them. He told them they were crazy. Mother said to him, “Mr. Celen, there is nothing you can do to change us in our faith and some day you will know what it means to have crazy people to deal with.”

The persecution got so severe my parents decided to leave and move to Westerrose. By this time there were four children, Ebba being six weeks old. It was midwinter, very cold and lots of snow. I can remember the trip well. I was then 7 years old. Carl, Art and myself were tucked in the bottom of the sled, warm as toast, but poor mother and the baby sat on the front seat. The driver and my father walked all the way, holding the sled up on both sides. It took from early in the morning until late at night. Ebba was blue with cold when we arrived at brother and sister Carlson’s warm home where the Elders also made their home. It was all thrills for we children.


The household goods had arrived and a house was found but now a new problem arrived, that of getting a new job. Father tried day after day all over but always “no”. The food we had with us from the country was getting low, but mother, God bless her memory, she did not give up. This night in our prayer, we always had family prayer, father and mother both prayed as never before. I can well remember the spirit of that prayer now.


The next day my father went in search for work again. While he was gone a man came to the house and asked, “Is there someone here that wants work?” This man wanted a man as a helper in a Cooper shop. We all knelt down and thanked God for his blessings.


After father had worked a few days the boss said, “Would you like to learn the Cooper trade, it seems to me it’s born in you, you can work overtime to learn and you won’t lose any time."  (A Cooper makes wooden tubs and casks).Father was so grateful for this opportunity. Can’t you see the blessings of the Lord to the faithful? He was soon the Foreman of the shop and 2 years later was sent to Orebro where he took full charge of the shop. This was eight years before they immigrated to America.


One day as I was bringing my father’s lunch to him. Mr. Celen met me on the street and asked me where my mother was living. He said he had tried all day to find her. I can still feel a little fear when I think about how I felt when this large man stopped on the street and asked for my mother. I told him I was going to my father and I would show him where to find him.  He said, “No, I would like to see and talk to your mother.” His manner was a little different from what it used to be when he would curse the Mormons. He had come all the way to tell my mother that now he knew what it meant to deal with crazy people. He said he had brought his wife to the insane asylum, he was broken in health and in spirit and wanted to make things right with my parents, poor man, how sorry we all felt for him.


Picture of Ellen, Eleanora, Erica, and Ethel in the 1940s.

THE DREAM OF GOING TO ZION

I have heard my mother pray for Relief Society and hope that some day she would be able to belong to one. I have heard mother pray and father, too but mother would pray that she would be happy to live in a dirt house if we could only go to Zion. I used to think to myself, I hope we never have to live in a dirt house but I did want to go to Utah.


Well, mother got her wish. When we moved to Orebro there were lots of Saints and the Relief Society. Needless to say mother did not wait for an invitation to join that blessed organization. She soon was made secretary and later president. There was always a baby at our house and a long way to Church so I had to go with mother to Church to tend the baby and I was never sorry.


My father was made President of the Sunday School and the presiding Elder of the branch. This was happy days for all of us. Sunday morning we would all go to Church. Father would start a little early with the baby and smaller children and mother would follow with the rest of us and we would soon catch up with them. We had about 4 miles to go to Sunday School. We didn’t think that was very far at the time. When I was 14 years old I was made secretary of the Sunday School which position I held until I immigrated 5 years later.


Gather to Zion was uppermost in our minds. With a large family but not a large salary it was impossible to save enough money for such a long trip. All we could do was pray and fast and leave it with the Lord.


Brother Peter Ernstrom, from Ogden, came to Orebro as a missionary. When he met my father he said, without even being asked or advised, “When I get home I will do something for you toward immigration.” I can see the hope in my parent’s eyes now as I think of it. After Brother Ernstrom’s release came to go home, my father and he corresponded. In one letter my father reminded him of his promise. Brother Ernstrom in turn talked it over with his wife and said, “I would surely like to do something for Brother Larson and his family. If it is alriight with you we will send Brother Larson money for half a ticket.” Sister Ernstrom replied, “No, you send him a whole ticket and then you will be sure he will get here.” They did. It was quite an undertaking for them as his business had suffered a great deal while he was on his mission, but they never regretted it. My father and brother Ernstrom had been bosom friends since they met in the mission field.


THE IMMIGRATION TO ZION BEGINS

My brother Carl, had immigrated to Zion 6 months before this, being 16 years of age. A young Elder had inherited some money and was immigrating and offered a loan for half a ticket for Carl. The two left together. Brother Carl Erickson, from Wilson Lane, was fulfilling a mission at Orebro at this time. He wanted my brother Carl, to go and stay with his parents on the farm as they needed him. So it was all settled and the two immigrated with others.


Picture of all the children but Carl, Elis, Edel and Hildur.

At this time there were nine children in the family with Eleanora just 8 days old. Six months later Eric left for Utah. We were sad but happy. We knew it would soon be our turn. Father made his home with Ernstroms and Ericksons, The people all talked badly because he had left a wife with 8 children in Sweden. They did not understand. The Lord was with my parents. Through the help of others in Utah enough money was raised for my mother and 5 of the children to go to Zion in another six months.

THREE LEFT IN SWEDEN

Art 15, Hildur 7, Elis 5, Edel 2, and Eleanora, 1 year old emigrated with mother. I have no words to express at this separation. Picture it if you can leaving us 3 in Sweden. I was 18, Ebba 11, and Ellen 9 years old. Mother had to take Ebba and Ellen’s citizen papers out and they had to stop school. They were supposed to have immigrated with mother, I was of age. I was willing to do anything so mother and the children, whose tickets would raise in price when older, could go to Utah. Preparation was made. The last day I stayed home from work and helped mother pack. Neither of us dared to speak because our emotions might get the best of us. A friend of mine rented a taxi and surprsed us and we all went to the station in style. Eleanora was a year old and I could hardly let go of her. When they were all on the train and it began moving I got terrified and screamed. Think of poor mother standing there on the train and me carrying on so. There is no word in the dictionary that can tell just what I went through at that time. I never could remember how I got home, but I know I was sitting on the doorstep and just crying. The poor Elders cried themselves. My sister Ebba was always able to control her feelings and she said, “You sit there and cry until I get the room straightened up.” And I did.

Ellen, Erica’s sister, wrote of this time alone. She said Erica worked in a flower shop where they also shipped fruit. Once in awhile she would bring us an orange to divide. We ate dried fruit and had delicious fruit soup. We had very little milk. Ebba worked for some nice people as a nurse girl. Erica would leave me some money to buy breakfast, but I bought cookies and mints, hence I had bad teeth. I waited for Erica to come home and often went to meet her and was so pleased when I knew she was upstairs. We three lived in one room above the chapel with a very nice LDS family. I was with them a great deal and helped out when I could. I played with the neighbor's children. One of the parents ran a bakery and one of my friends worked there. My friend and I spent much time in the bakery. I loved it and wanted to become a baker. Pastries and coffee breads were the thing in Sweden and were they delicious. Two old maids lived close by and I would run errands for them. They would invite me in for a glass of milk and a big piece of sponge cake, which is the only kind that could be made in Sweden. We were always invited with the missionaries to the homes of the Saints for dinner. There was much singing and some spiritual talks. I loved it. But I missed my dear mother and vowed I would never leave her again.

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY LEADS TO A BLESSING

One Sunday morning, I got a letter, a very thick one. On tearing it open out fell some pieces of silk and lace. Reading the first few lines I learned that my little brother, Edel, 3 years old, had passed away. He had only been sick one week. I read no more. Throwing myself on the bed I screamed thinking everything but what was right. The Elders came up and tried to console me, but I would not see any of them. I sent the children to Sunday School so I could be alone to think it all our for myself.


At first I thought God had forsaken us. I had had no experience with either death or sickness. I felt terrible and more sorry for mother. Then a fear came over me and humbled me. I thought if God could take my brother he could just as soon take one of us. I could see now that none of us were safe. I prayed as never before to save our lives until we go to Utah and I would ask for no more. I finally read the rest of the letter and found lots of comfort in it. Both my father and mother wrote comforting words. I thought I knew better than anyone how my poor mother felt. The letter telling me of how many of the missionaries that did not know that my parents were in Utah until they read of the death in the paper. All came with arms full of good things to eat. Mother did not know how to take it at first being very independent and not used to things like this, but the Elders soon put her at ease telling her that they would be just as hurt if she would not receive this as she would have been if they had not taken of her hospitality in the mission field. They had intended to do this often and they could never repay all that she had done for them as much as they would like to. The Elders always made their home at our place. Mother said it was like a homecoming and not like a funeral. They all spoke of their work in Sweden, of their faithfulness and how they all wanted to do something in return and were glad for an opportunity.


Brother Linquist,, the undertaker, suggested something could be done to help the three girls that were left in Sweden. They all were glad to do their part. Saints that did not even know us loaned us money and some gave us money. Brother Linquist and Brother Ernstrom signed a note for me to get money from a sister that had plenty. My parents were poor immigrants but it was hard to take charity. The only thing that gave mother comfort was, she had always done her part in giving as long as long as she could. The Lord sure was mindful of their needs and raised up wonderful friends that made them feel all was well.

ALL GATHERED TO ZION AT LAST

The sixth of June, 1901, at 11 o’clock we three stood on Utah soil.  My brothers, Carl and Art and Elder Carl Erickson met us at the station. I could not wait to get home. I can feel my mother’s arms around me now. We both cried in joy and neither could speak.


We were all starved, not having anything to eat since the day before. Mother had a wonderful dinner ready for us. My parents did not have a mansion but it was not a dirt house either, so I was happy. After father got home from work, he was now working as a Cooper at Becker’s Brewery at $50 a month, it was so good to see him. He was telling me of some of the things they had passed through, and how he acknowledged the hand of the Lord in all things. We had so much to be thankful for. I said “Amen” to all he said.


I went to work at the Reed Hotel and the rest of the children went to school and everything ran smoothly. Mother had her tenth and last baby girl, Ethel Sigrid. We were very poor but very happy. It is no easy job to pay a large sum of immigration money. Father had to pay all of them but mine.

Eleanora, 3 years old, took ill. The doctor said it was hip disease, she limped a little. No one seemed to understand her case. We had five doctors. We fasted and prayed and our friends did also but all to no avail. One day, one of the doctors came down. I’ll never forget it. He said “Mrs. Larson, we cannot do anymore for your daughter. We have never seen anything like this before.” She was skin and bones, her legs drawn from under her. She was the most pitiful sight. She herself, had lots of faith. My father said, “We have done all we could and the doctors have failed, we will dedicate her to the Lord, he will know what to do for her.” We fasted and prayed, she was administered to, still she got worse. Then we all prayed to God to take her out of her suffering. She at last got well but she suffered for 3 years. In March, my sister, Hildur, 14 years old, was hit with a snow ball on the head, she lived for 3 months, her brain was bleeding and she suffered terribly. It was a hard blow for mother when the big girl died suddenly.


It was six years before Eleanora could walk. Father used to carry her to fast meeting every month to be administered to. Faith! Thank God for faith. My mother had more faith than anyone. When Eleanora got so we could take her to the Temple, she was now walking on crutches and an iron foot, she said to her brother Carl, “I bet you one dollar I will walk without crutches when I get home from the Temple.” She did not walk alone all at once but from that day she got stronger and gradually walked without assistance. She is now a mother and President of the Relief Society. “God moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.”

Picture of brother Carl, who died a few years after his wife Edith, leaving Mildred and Harold to live with their Aunt Erica and Aunt Ethel.  Picture of Father before he left for his mission.

My father got a call to go on a mission to Sweden after he had been here 13 years. He was buying a home but he accepted the call with the approval of the family. He sold the home he had and bought a smaller one and got out of debt. Mother was willing to do all she could so father could go. All the children pledged themselves to keep father on his mission. Every month we would give so much. Ellen and Elis were still single and working and would keep the home going. Ethel and Eleanora were going to school.


Everyone kept their promise and was blessed by so doing. War broke out while father was on his mission and serious things were reported. One day mother said, “I can’t stand this any longer, I must know from the right authority if the missionaries are going to stay or if there is any truth in them sending the missionaries elsewhere.” I called President Smith on the telephone telling him what we had heard and that mother would like to know something definite about it. I have never talked face to face with President Smith, but when his voice came over the telephone so sweet and consoling telling us not to worry there was no truth in it and if there was anything he could do for mother he would do all he could. Mother was comforted and father stayed on his full-time mission. Father was thankful for this, it gave him a chance to bear his testimony to Ricksdagen in higher court. Father spent 9 days in jail in Vermland, preaching the gospel. He made many friends and filled a wonderful mission. He baptized 3 souls. He was Conference President over Stockholm Conferecne. He returned home happy and thankful for the opportunity of filling a mission.


Picture of mother and daughters reading a letter from Dad who was on a mission.

For years we were all a happy family again. One night the telephone rang calling father to the phone. My brother Elis had been run over by an automobile and died before he reached the hospital. This was a terrible shock to all of us but worse for mother. He was still single and lived at home. My brother Art and Elis were just ready to sail for France when the Armistice was signed and we were all so thankful that they did not have to go to the front. They themselves were disappointed. Now Elis was killed 2 blocks from home. Elis was always so thoughtful of mother while father was on his mission and otherwise. Oh, how she missed him. Father and mother both said the Lord knew what he was doing and they would not grumble. Elis was 26 years old when he died April 7, 1922.


Picture of Harold (oldest boy) and Mildred (oldest girl).

In June, the same year, Carl’s wife died and left two little children, a boy and girl, it was very sad. Mother took the boy and I took the girl. My brother insisted living in his home alone but he finally sold it and moved to my sister Ethel’s and took his little girl with him. Later he remarried and took both of his children.

BOTH RETURN TO HEAVENLY FATHER STRONG IN THE FAITH

In 1924, my mother took ill. The first time my mother had been ill in her life except when her children were born. She died. This was a sad thing to all of us but the saddest to me, my mother and I had always been such pals. Although I never thought for a minute she would die, she was so young and active, only 62 years old. She was sick only 2 months. I shall always be thankful to my my Father in Heaven for permitting me to take care of her until she died, that had always been my wish. My mother was baptized December 15, came to Utah December 15, and she died December 15.


My father had always wanted to go on a second mission but could not see the way clear to go. After mother was gone he insisted on going on a mission. We all realized it was the best for him as he was a lonely man. Although my sister, Ethel, moved home to keep house for him he was still lonely for he missed mother so much, they had been such companions and such love and harmony existed in their home. They always did things together. Father felt mother had been called on a mission so he should go, too. Arrangements were made and he left in April. Father was 63 years old and cold Sweden did not agree with him very well. He was sick a lot and caused us a lot of worry.

But the Lord blessed him and he fulfilled an honorable mission and was Conference President in Goteborg. As soon as he came home he was well and hearty again and worked every day. After he was released from his mission, he went to Finland to marry a lady he met on the boat going to his mission. She was going home to Finland. She joined the Church. Their acquaintance was mostly through corresponding. Their marriage was a mistake, they both were very unhappy. He never brought her to the Temple as he intended, but I have done the Temple work for her and leave the rest to the Lord. We feel the Lord had his hand in this on Sunday, August 23rd. Father and his wife were on their way to visit his sister, crossing the car track and he misjudged the distance and the street car hit them. Father died that night and his wife 3 days later. It was so terrible. The only thing that gave us comfort we knew father and mother were both happy together again. They had both lived and died in the faith, both active to the last minute. “God bless their Memory.”