DEAR GINGER

40!

Really? It seems impossible to me!

I had grandchildren by the time I was 40.
You are definitely not old enough for that!

Don't you dare!!
(Just kidding.)

But I think we are safe at this point. WHEW!!! But the time is getting closer. I think on that often. I could be a great grandmother before I am 60. That is simply mind boggling.

As I think on such things I become aware of how much it has meant to me to be your mom. Having children, and then grandchildren, and now anticipating another new adventure with great grandchildren is the best thing that has ever happened in my life. Nothing else is as wonderful or rewarding.

It is wonderful to see the kind and considerate woman you have become. It is so great to see you organize community projects, guide youth, forgive others and serve with so much compassion and enthusiasm in so many ways. 

Happy Birthday daughter of mine.
Happy Happy Birthday.
And many more.

I love you and wish we lived closer.
Love Mom

THE WORK OF WALLACE WILL AMES

Papa has written about the work his father did and graciously agreed to be a guest blogger in honor of his father's birthday - Saturday, 24 November 1921. Special thanks for sharing, David. 

1965 Wallace Will Ames

"My father told us stories; stories of his childhood; stories of War, of blessings, of work and of whatever came to mind in the situation which inspired the memory.  We loved to listen.  He stories were real life true adventures which he had experienced. 

"My father worked and taught us by precept and example how to do the same.  He tells about plowing with his uncle’s unmatched horses.  When the horses got to the end of the row, they could not work together to turn the plow to go back the other way.  While uncle went to get a whip to help the horses, dad - just a young boy - unhitched one, turned the plow with the other, then hitched them back together.  Uncle was not grateful and warned him severely about spoiling his horses. 

"The first job my father ever told me about was working for a Greek restaurant.  We loved hearing him quote his boss, “Don’t say nothing for the Greeks.”  His boss was a man who was ready to defend his people at all times.  Working for the Greeks Dad became one of his people.

"When Dad first started, all of the other workers spoke in Greek when they didn’t want him to understand what they were talking about.  He decided to do something about that.  While he went about his work from day to day he would listen carefully to what they said.  One day the boss said something and Dad answered in Greek.  After the initial surprise, disbelief, “Who taught you to talk like that?” and denials that such a thing was possible Dad became a Greek.  The boss finished teaching him how to speak that language. 

"His ability to acquire a language would serve him well in the military.  When he was about 17 he joined the National Guard 1. His older brother, Charlie, was in the CCC’s (Civilian Conservation Corps).  Before Dad turned 18 World War II had begun and he wanted to join the army.  The Guard did not want to let him go until he was enlisted.  The army couldn't take him until he was released.  Dad was persistent.  To resolve the issue the army recruiter came to the guard.  His description of the transfer eludes me but the fact that papers were signed and exchange in such a manner that he was never out of the military was important.  Papers were signed and exchanged and he went suddenly from the National Guard to being an enlisted man."

"Dad had not told his step mother Irene that he was going into the army and Irene knew that he was not old enough to do so.  On the day he joined he went to the door with his bags packed.  His step mother asked him where he thought he was going.  He told her to the army.  She was emphatic that he was not going to the army.  Setting down his bags and leaving the door open Dad went back in the house and sat down and tried to appear submissive, (probably for the first time since Irene had become his step mother.) 

"He watched out the door until he could see the bus coming down the road.  He jumped up and ran, grabbing his bags as he went.  Dad did not stop running until he was on the bus.  The stories of the military are too numerous to be considered as part of a work history.  War is much more than work but a way of life.  Some of the stories do, however fit here.  

"Dad had to move sacks of grain.  They were heavy and he decided that he might as well use them to build up some muscle while he was working.  Rather than move one sack at a time he moved two.  As a result his neck became so large that the military could not issue him a shirt which would button on the top button. 

 

"Dad had learned how to type.  At some point in his military career he was given the job of typing.  There was a disagreement between the men and the commanding officer and Dad began to type one letter at a time.  He claims to have been able to copy a Zane Gray novel at 80 words a minute, but in the military typing one letter at a time or typing 80 words a minute was obeying orders.  Until the commanding officer got problems straightened out, Dad obeyed orders.

Sgt. Wallace Will Ames

"His [military] tour took him through Australia, Korea, and the Philippines.  He was careful to learn the language of the people he lived with wherever he went.  One time in a lunch line he noticed an unhappy server. Each man would ask for just a little bit of potatoes by saying ‘skoshi’ [sukoshi *– Japanese for ‘a little bit’]. The server would dip his spoon deep into the pot and slap as big a spoonful of potatoes on the soldier’s plate as he could get. When my dad’s turn came he said 'cho kum' [Korean*  for ‘a little bit’]. The server smiled, dipped his spoon into the potatoes and put a nice serving on Dad’s plate, “You number one Korea speak,” he said.

"One of his stories of language is the other way around.  A young boy had been helping in the camp and Dad decided to let him go.  “O.K,” he told him, “get a handful of gone.”  The boy looked at him as if puzzled and answered, “Handful gone, handful gone, what kind of talk that?”

"My dad had an experience in the military which would determine the choice of his life’s career.  He injured his shoulder and went to the military hospital for treatment.  The doctor sprayed it with something which deadened the pain.  Dad had heard of Chiropractic and asked the doctor about it.  The doctor declared that Chiropractors were nothing but quacks and if he went to one he would be harmed.

"My older sister DD tells us, 'According to Chapter 24, page 2 of his last journal, it was a swelling on his back between the shoulder blade and the spine that he was sent to the infirmary for by the sergeant.'

"Dad was released and declared to be better.  As soon as the deadening wore off the pain was back.  He went back to the military hospital but was not admitted. The doctor there determined that he was just trying to get out of work.  A friend knew a chiropractor and told Dad to go to him.  The chiropractor fixed dad’s shoulder and directed him in the start of a new career.

Sgt. Ames with Chinese POW

"In Korea Dad was a front line Medic.  I remember standing with him in the airport talking to a young soldier about a patch the man had on his uniform.   The youth explained that it was a medical corps patch and was very difficult to get.  My father told him that he had been in the first unit of that corps.  The soldier’s admiration and respect for my father were genuine as they talked of now and then.

"I was with my father again as he was preparing for bypass surgery.  His surgeon came into the room and Dad addressed him in one of the languages of the Philippines. After conversing for a while in this language my dad told him that he had served there as an army medic.  He asked the Philippine surgeon what his chances were.  The answer was emphatic, “We can’t lose you.”  This was not the statistical answer normally expected from a professional surgeon to an anxious patient.  This was a man who held the life of what he considered to be a great hero in his hands.  I’m not sure how it would appear on a resume but dad was a front line hero.

"One of the jobs my father had was stacking chairs for the Seventh Day Adventists.   He said the job paid about the same as the cost of the bus pass to get there and go home again.

"While completing his education Dad taught X-ray in college.  At the end of Dad’s education he had acquired an addition to his name.   He was now Wallace Will Ames D.C., N.D., D.PT.  (Doctor of Chiropractic, Naturopathic Doctor, Doctor of Physiotherapy.)  Mom just called him ‘Doc’.

"After graduation he got a job for Spears Chiropractic Hospital.  Dr Spears often took him to task about not following the college’s practice of painless manipulation.  One day Dad asked why it was that all the patients asked for him and another Dr who were not practicing the Spears method. 

"Dr Spears told him how wonderful it was to have the security of working in the hospital.  He told him, 'It’s a hard world out there.'

"Dad asked, 'How much notice would you need if I were to leave here.'

“ 'Two weeks', he replied.

"Dad gave his two week’s notice and went out into the hard world. In Delta he struggled to pay rent with patients paying in kind.  He ordered a correspondence course in writing and thought to support his family as an author if his practice should fail.

1965 Lt. Gov Kiwanis Club in Delta Colorado **

"In 1969 we moved to Canada after much fasting and prayer.  Dad applied for a license in beautiful British Columbia, also in the province of Alberta.  

"One day he received letters from both provinces in the mail.  BC said, ‘be here tomorrow with the fee and we will give you the test’ and then listed all the obstacles which would need to be overcome to become a chiropractor in BC.  The letter from Alberta said, ‘we have looked at your grades and work history.  We will license you without further testing if you come in the next six months’.  Part of that work history [credential's Alberta licensing looked at] was Dad’s determination to keep up on education.  He learned and studied all the advances in physiology as they happened.

"In Grande Prairie, Alberta my father’s chiropractic practice flourished. 

 

"While practicing in Grande Prairie, Dad introduced us to a new branch of psychology called Neuro-Linguistic Programming or NLP.  Among other things NLP exposed the physiology of learning.  After he had become somewhat satisfied with this new science he checked into something which was touted as ‘photo learning’.  He took the course in photo learning, then became certified in teaching it.  As a service to the community Dad began teaching a photo reading course locally.  I believe the only charge was for the materials his students needed to complete the course. 

1983 Wallace Will Ames Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada

"When he retired his patients continued to come to his house for treatment because there was no one else who could do what my father could do.  I often heard him say, “I used to get paid for what I do.  Now I am good for nothing.”

1. National Guard: The Militia Act of 1903 organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system. With the passage of the 1916 National Defense Act approximately one half of the United States Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organizations were National Guard units. The Air National Guard as part of the United States Air Force was established in 1947.

Title 10 of the US Code states:
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

* sukoshi – Japanese for ‘a little bit’;

* cho kum - Korean ; possibly also Tagalog, a language from the Philipines
  

** presenting Driver of Month Award to a High School student

WILLIAM DAVID CAMPBELL and ELNA BOHNE marriage and family

About 1926 - sharing a chocolate bar 

Married: 22 December 1926
Place: Cardston, Alberta, Canada
Sealed: 22 December 1926
Cardston, Alberta LDS Temple

Alberta, Canada Marriage Certificate 

About 1974 my grandfather wrote a short history of his life. I quote his own words to tell his story.

"I, William David Campbell, met my wife Elna Bohne in 1924, on the street in Cardston. She was with my sister Pearl. It was on a Conference day."

Pearl Campbell and Elna Bohne 1922

In a short biography written about the same time, Grandma Elna says,"In 1924 I came to Hillspring to visit my sister, Annie Orr, who had moved there.  At this time I met William D. Campbell and on Dec. 26 1926 we were married in the Cardston Temple."  From her personal record we learn their first date was 24 July 1924 to the 24 of July celebration in Hill Spring, Alberta, Canada.

Temple Certificate of Marriage, copy courtesy of Allen Campbell and family

She also tells us, "We came to Hillspring and lived on the farm west of Hillspring by the Waterton River for two years.  Then built us a home about 1 mile east from the river.  Here we farmed for about 10 years." In the 90's while visiting Hillspring, my mother pointed out the lot this home was built on and we took a picture of the lot looking SW. An old log building there was falling down but mom did not know if it was something from the past or more recent.

view of lot where home in Hill Spring was built circa 1990

Grandpa Campbell continues, "We were married one year later on December 22, 1926 in the Cardston Mormon Temple. Then we came to live in Hillspring on the farm 4 miles west of the town. Here we built us a home and lived there for about 10 years. Then sold the farm and moved into town as our children grew old enough to go to school. We have ten children, 6 boys and 5 girls. One little girl passed away.
- 

Elna and Bill Campbell

"Our first child, a girl, Laura Ruth [Campbell] was born in Hillspring. My mother and another lady, a Mrs. Meekum were the ones who took care of my wife and child. The roads were blocked with snow and ice. It was a bad storm on the 21st of September 1927. Ruth did her schooling in Hillspring and passed most of her school grades with honors. …

"Our son Walton [William Campbell], born in Cardston, also did his schooling in Hillspring. He likes mechanics, and is now a truck driver [1974]. He worked in the mountains cutting mine props after he left school. …

Elna Campbell with baby Jean circa 1931

"Elna Jean [Campbell], born in Cardston, attended school in Hillspring. She married Garth Forsyth, farmer and carpenter in 1948 Oct 14th. …

"Flora Bell [Campbell] was born on the farm … a very cold and stormy day. She also had her schooling in Hillspring. …

"Allen Garth [Campbell], born in Hillspring … My mother took care of him at birth. He also had his schooling in Hillspring and High School in Cardston for grades 11 and 12. …

"Colleen Alice [Campbell]… also did her schooling in Hillspring. …

buried in Hill Spring Alberta Canada

"Annetta Lou [Campbell] born February 23, 1938 died one year later of pneumonia March 31, 1939…

"David Junior [Campbell] … got his schooling in Hillspring. Then he was trained as a welder by Horten Steel Company. He worked for them for some time, travelling as far north as Enuvic, and East to Montreal, and many places in Alberta. …

"Blaine Bohne [Campbell], born … at home in Hillspring. The snow was so deep cars couldn't move. The roads were all blocked. He went to school in Hillspring. When he was about 12 years old he was thrown from a horse. He landed on his shoulder, mashing the shoulder sockets together. He spent some time in the Cardston Hospital, then in Lethbridge. It took about 6 weeks for it to heal. …

"Darrel Henry [Campbell] …  He attended school in Hillspring and Glenwood.

"Wendell Glen [Campbell] … He took his Junior schooling at Hillspring and Glenwood. Then took his High School at Pincher Creek. He passed with honors. He worked for Palmer Ranch for 2 years ....

Bill and Elna Campbell's 50th Wedding Anniversary with their children.

"We had a good life together, sharing our joys and sorrows all together, with fishing trips and the boys and their father. Camping trips in the summer, was holiday time with the whole family together.

We have been married 48 years and have 48 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren now." [1974] 

In 1989 The Lethbridge Herald published an article honoring my grandparents. They had 101 great grandchildren.

We have had so many fun family camps and reunions.*

Elna Campbell far left, with all her daughters at Westcastle camp

It seemed Grandpa and Grandma could do almost anything they put their mind to - if they thought about doing things and tried them they accomplished what they set out to do.  Grandpa could usually be found in his shops painting or carving when we visited and was always glad to take time to show off his many collections of rocks, bottles, coins, pictures  (he liked to take photographs and develop them), antique tools and other memorabilia.  And always his own paintings - we always looked at all his paintings. He sold many oil paintings but likely gave away almost as many as he sold. He was always giving away something.

Oil Paintings for sale in Grandpa's studio

Their home and yard was a marvel of interesting things to look at, as well as a large garden, many trees, flowers, and works in progress. His humour always delighted me. I will never forget driving into the yard and seeing realistic paintings of birds of prey in the trees or other places. At first I was so surprised - then I realized it was a painting. He loved that - my surprise -  and gave me a similar shaped eagle painting.

Grandpa and Grandma in their yard in front of the garden. about mid 1990's

Grandma made hand embroidered quilts for most of her great grandchildren. Her stitches were even and her piece work skillful. She was a skilled seamstress and almost always wore an apron as she bustled about cooking and cleaning, smiling and serving.

Their posterity consists of 11 children, 54 grandchildren, 165 great grandchildren** and now, an exponential number of great great grandchildren. The yearly camps and reunions each summer in the mountains are a known refuge we carry close to our hearts in sweet memories.

I will never forget standing in the timber with my grandfather next to a tree so large he could not have spanned it with his arms - and he had long arms! It was majestic and so was he. I carry that image indelibly printed in my very soul. We had him and grandma print and sign their own names in some family history books my mother gave each of our children that year. 

Elna with 9 of her 10 living children at her brother Mike Bohne's funeral 1989

They both lived a long time and were relatively healthy and physically active all of their life. Many of their siblings passed away before they did and I particularly remember how Grandma missed her brothers and sisters. She often spoke of them and how she was the last one to go. She outlived each one and was alone left after the last living sister died 2 years before she did.

* Family and friends are invited to share memories you may have of Grandpa and Grandma (and pictures if you happen to have any available). It would be especially nice to have a picture of their family as children. Does anyone happen to have one?

** Last count was taken in 2011. If you can correct or add to these numbers please let me know.

The numbers breakdown as follow: 
     Ruth -      grandchildren 15
     Walton -  grandchildren 12
     Jean -      grandchildren 55 ... great grandchildren 110
     Flora -     grandchildren 10
     Allen -     grandchildren 19
     Colleen - grandchildren 16
     Annetta Lou - died as a child
     David -      grandchildren  4
     Blaine -    grandchildren  5
     Darrell -  grandchildren 19
    Wendell - grandchildren 10
       

ACT or BE ACTED UPON

My mother and father lived in their home for more that 50 years.

Those years had more happiness than misery.
They chose to make the best of all things.
They chose to find and see 'silver linings' in clouds.
They chose to accept the blessings of rain as well as sunshine.

Recently they counseled together, choose an assisted living home, and moved at their own time and in their own way to their new residence. Driving 15 minutes to town and 15 minutes home had become somewhat 'iff-ish' for Dad (at 85) and since her strokes, although rehabilitated and able to do most things again, Mom had stopped driving.

The process took a few years and it was a process - for all of us. Their many children and grandchildren and great grandchildren also had to process the planned changes. They made a false attempt once: moved to town in an apartment and 3 weeks later moved home again. They were and are still able to do pretty much what ever they want but they had 'seen the writing on the wall'. They did not wait to be 'acted upon' - pushed by circumstance or chance to make undesired choices they could avoid.

Last summer we had a family reunion; 151 of their posterity attended - and of course we had a picture taken (see update above). They told us they hoped to move before winter and to come out to the farm and say our goodbyes. Papa and I spent a couple days with them. They wanted help to go through a few things.

It was hard, and I felt like I might never see my mother again in this life. I felt like I was saying good bye to her as well as the farm and my childhood. It felt like an aging process but I can't decide if I feel finally old or if I have regressed.

They moved at the end of October. A few days later Alberta received heavy snow fall. I was so glad (as were most all of you) that they were safely snug in their new apartment without the many cares life has imposed upon them for so long.

Just 3 weeks after the move mother became very ill. She had immediate nursing care and was transferred to a hospital for full medical attention, evaluation and treatment. She is now 'home' again - home to their new residence and the conscientious concern of many caring and professional hands.

A key part of the teaching and example of my parents is summarized in the Book of Mormon. They taught us to think and to act for good. They taught that agency is a prized gift and blessing from God to all men and women - to all His children. He permits us to 'act for ourselves'.

2 Nephi 2: 25-27 declares: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. And the Messiah cometh ..., that he may redeem the children of men ... And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, ... Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

Mom and dad 'acted' to choose for themselves. They have chosen well. They have greater freedom to continue to 'act to choose' and to bless the lives of all around them - especially all of us. How we treasure their wisdom and love, their patience and prudence.

May God bless them as they continue to set such a powerful and careful example to each of us - that we too may act to have more happiness and real joy that will continue through all time and all eternity. Many of you also acted to help them as they planned and then implemented their plan. Special thanks to each of you that so lovingly live as they have taught and 'chose to act' even as they do.

As I consider their long range planning I often think on their example. They model marriage. They model parenting and family relationships. They model enduring kindness and forbearance. I pray each of us may follow their examples in continuing to care for them and each other - in choosing kindness, forgiveness, and all other good things.

I believe Mom is alive this week because of considered choices to 'act'.Thank you, again, to every one that helps them, and loves them and prays for them.

I think mother also lives today because of the habits built into their lives to obey true principles. They model how to find enduring joy. They consistently 'act' in faith and believe the promises found in the scriptures and words of prophets.

One of my favorites scriptures encourages us to share their outlook and happy way of living. "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life". 2 Nephi 10:23.

HOPE

When I was a child I learned a song that forever changed my life. 

"Jesus once was a little child, 

A little child like me;

And he was pure, and meek and mild,

As a little child should be. 

So, little children, let's you and I 

Try to be like him,

Try, try, try.

I often pondered that Jesus was a baby and child. I had baby brothers. They grew. I was a child. I was growing. The pleasant melody surfaces every so often and runs through my mind, calling for me to remember that I am God's child. I consider being a child  - me, right now - as unlearned and simple as a little child - and growing. 

Jesus taught, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mathew 18:3)"

Henry B. Eyring, of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints taught, " ... to become like a child is ... to be like the Savior, who prayed to his Father for strength to be able to do His will .... when we have yielded in faith to Him, have responded to the Holy Spirit's direction to keep the commandments long enough and faithfully enough that the power of the Atonement has changed our hearts .... We will become as a little child, obedient to God and more loving. ( April 2006 General Conference)

How do I, an adult, grow like a child?

This week, while studying my Book of Mormon student Manual (page 139-141) along with the first part of the Book of Mosiah, I learned much about having hope from Neil A Maxwell, of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as he discussed how we might accomplish the task of changing our 'natures' to become more [child like] - like the Savior, "Personal righteousness, worship, prayer, and scripture study are so crucial in order to '[put] off the natural man'.(Oct 2000 General Conference)" 

In an earlier 1994 address 'Brightness of Hope' he suggested another tool, along with a caution for putting off the natural man: "Hope helps us to walk by faith, not by sight. This can actually be safer. When unaided spiritually, natural sight often shrinks from the odds (see 2 Cor. 5:7). It is immobilized by improbabilities. Mauled by his moods and intimidated by his fears, the natural man overreacts to, while hope overrides, the disappointments of the day. 

Hope is particularly needed in the hand-to-hand combat required to put off the natural man (Mosiah 3:19). Giving up on God and on oneself constitutes simultaneous surrender to the natural man. Daily hope is vital, since the 'Winter Quarters' of our lives are not immediately adjacent to our promised land either. An arduous trek still awaits, but hope spurs weary disciples on."

I experience such growing. 

Sometimes it is difficult.

President Eyring further taught, "... the things we do are the means not the end we seek. What we do allows the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change us into what we must be. Our faith in Jesus Christ brings us to repentance and to keeping His commandments ... In time our natures will change. We will become as a little child." 

I want to change.

I want to become His child. 

CHLOE ROSELTHA FORSTYH nee HATCH death

My paternal grandmother left this life a few weeks after my 8th birthday.

My paternal grandparents as I remember them being when I was a child

I often think of her and can almost smell the sweet peas that always grew along her fence. She encouraged us to pick bouquets to take home each time we visited and carefully placed a bit of wet paper napkin (or towel) around the stems until we could get them home. The more they are picked and shared the more they bloom. She loved beautiful things and loved to share them.

sweet peas from my garden

Her kind gentleness has been a model for my life. Although more than 50 years have passed I still miss her and when she comes to mind my eyes may fill with tears of longing to see her again.

Grandpa Neil's history** tells us a few details about their last years together. Grandpa was often asked to travel to small branches in Montana and other surrounding areas as a speaker. Grandma usually traveled with him. They traveled by car and bus generally. I quote now from that history for their final years, 1959 through January 1963:

"Jan 1, 1959 – Scott and Gladys left for Moses Lake. January has started out very cold and snowy. Mar 30, Chloe and I left for Washington with Duane and his family to visit Scott and Kenneth and families. We had snow most of the way to Moses Lake. We returned to Cardston April 3, it was nice weather and 55 degrees. April 12 it was 85 above. I got the front of the lot in lawn and ¼ of the back 
in garden. **This is summer temp, not spring.**

"July 1959 – I painted our house, then I started making 2 bedrooms and a bathroom in the west half of our basement, as all the family were coming for my 80th birthday. I had it all finished before they came. They were all here by August 23. We went to Woolford Park Aug 24, for the birthday dinner. There was 42 of us and we had a family photo taken in the park.

Neil Snow Forsyth family Aug 1959

"Sep 1959 – I did some small carpentry jobs in Cardston, about the middle of Nov. Chloe had a very bad heart attack, and was in the hospital for 10 days. She started taking heart pills while there, and she took them regular for the rest of her life. She felt better after getting out of the hospital.

"Dec 18 – We left for Utah with Dick Smith from Hillspring. He had a big station wagon and Chloe had the back seat all to herself. We went to Pocatello that day, and on to Salt Lake the next day in time for dinner at Ruth’s. Chloe stood the trip very well and we spent Christmas with the Horne’s. 

"Dec 27^th I attended a high priests meeting where Earl J Glade (S.L. mayor) gave a very good talk on character building and personality. Chloe never left the Horne home all the time we were in Salt Lake. I had a doctor come and give her a checkup, and he left her some pills. I arranged for us to return home with Wilford Hansen and his wife Jan 4, 1960, and we arrived in Cardston the next day at 2:00 PM. I had to take Chloe to the hospital that night, and didn't bring her home until Jan 14.

"Mar 20, I have spent most of my time in the temple since returning from Utah, doing 54 endowments.

"Mar 25, I put a concrete wall out 2 ft from the south of the house a ft high along the lawn for about 20 ft to make a flower bed. Mar 28, I planted sweet peas in my new flower bed. April 7, I planted peas, radishes, lettuce and set out strawberries." 

* I, Linda, would have been about 5 1/2 years old. I remember well this wall. It is where I saw THE owl.*

"April 20, we went to Claresholm in a snow storm to visit with Mary Oviatt. April 22, we went on to Calgary, it snowed most of the way. I left Chloe there at Bryce’s and on Apr 24, I went home on the bus. Scott, Gladys and Ryan came from Moses Lake to-night and stayed with me until April 27, then they went home. **Chloe must have had some doctor care while in Calgary, and there is no record of when she returned home.**

"Aug 17 – Bob, Ruth and their family, and another family from Salt Lake City were here. That night we watched the satellite Echo go over. It was more than a 1,000 miles away and we watched it for 20 mins. 90 mins. later we watched it again. [** Ruth records in her record, 'Aug 13th - Today we started our vacation to Canada, along with our neighbors John and Tess VanKatwyk. Diane's friend Connie Johnson rode with us and Connie's brother David rode with VanKatwyks. We stayed in my Dad's motel, in Cardston, then took a short trip to Waterton Lakes one day, along with my brother Duane and his family who brought my Dad along too. When we left Canada we drove the scenic route home through Glacier Park, over Logan Pass, then along Flathead Lake in Montana...'**]

"Aug 18 – All the family was here for my 81^st birthday and we went to Waterton for dinner. We had a camp kitchen on Cameron Creek and had a very enjoyable day. When I turned 70 I thought I would quit building, but people keep calling me to do their work.

"Nov 20, 1960 – It was real mild today and Victor and Susan [Hatch nee Lybbert], Chloe and I went to Raymond to John Lybberts farewell testimonial.

"Dec 10, Chloe and I went to Calgary. We visited with Bryce and Mylo’s families till Sat Dec 17. Bryce brought us home and we went to 2 sessions of the temple that day. Dec 23, we went to Duane's in Welling and spent Christmas with them. Dec 26, Duane brought us to Magrath, and we left Chloe in the hospital there for Dr. Brewerton to give her a good check up. Duane brought me on home. He brought Chloe home Dec 28, but she isn't doing very well. I took her to the hospital here Dec 29, her temperature is 101 and I have someone stay with her overnight, and I go early every morning. The doctor let me bring her home Jan 5, she is very weak.

"Mar 30, 1961 – Chloe and I left with Victor and Susan Hatch and went to Moses Lake. We stayed with Scott and Gladys there that night. The next day we went on to Seattle to visit Ken and June and family and Victor and Susan's daughter Idell and her family. April 4, we returned to Moses Lake and visited there till April 6. We went on to Green Acres near Spokane and Hatchs stayed there with her brother. Chloe and I stayed with my nephew, Charles Forsyth* and his family. We went on to Cardston Apr 7.

"May 12, I planted garden all day and it got to 62 above. Scott and Gladys came that night, and we went to Calgary with them the next morning and spent the day with Mylo and Bryce and families, then came home that evening.

"July 15, we held the Snow reunion in Waterton Park, we had a very good turnout. July 16, Forest Wood and I were sent to Browning Mont. to be speakers at their sacrament meeting. Forests wife Edyth went along to sing between the talks.

"Aug 1, I went to Lethbridge airport and got a plane and went to Calgary. There I got on a jet that took me to Toronto. My niece Marie Templeton met me at the airport and took me to her home. Aug 3, she took me and her family to see the pageant at Hill Cumorah. We returned to Toronto Aug 4. On Sunday I went to church with them. After church we went to visit her sister Velma and her husband Wendel Roven. Aug 7 and 8 Marie showed me the places of interest in and around Toronto. I flew back to Calgary Aug 9. I visited with the boys in Calgary till noon the next day, then flew to Lethbridge. Duane met me and took me to his place in Welling. I had dinner with them, then he took me to Cardston that afternoon.

Sep 8, Chloe and I went into Lethbridge and bought a bedroom suite and an ornamental fence for our front lawn. Sep 10, Victor and I took our wives with us to Browning, Montana where we had been called to speak in sacrament meeting. It rained on us most of the trip.

Sep 16, Bryce and June came from Calgary and we 4 went to the temple, then we went back to Calgary with them. Sep 17, we all went to church. Sep 19, the 4 of us went to see “The Promised Valley” in the Calgary Stake House, put on by the MIA. It was very good. The next day Chloe and I went home on the bus.

"Oct 27, I laid linoleum on the floor of our basement bedrooms and bathroom. Dec 17, we had a real blizzard with 3 inches of snow, the next day a Chinook came and took all the snow off. Bob, Ruth and family came tonight from Salt Lake. They had good roads and good weather all the way. Ruth had come early to take over in getting ready for our golden wedding Dec 20.

Golden Wedding Announcement cover

Golden Wedding Announcement

"Dec 21, Scott, Ken, Mylo, Duane, Garth and Bryce and spouses and children all arrived in time for the temple that evening. Garth’s wife Jean was in the hospital as her baby was due to arrive, the rest of the adults went to the temple. It was the first endowment session Chloe had been to for more than a year. Pres. Matkin asked me if Chloe was well enough to act as witness. I told him I thought she was able to act as a witness, but she would not be able to stand in the prayer circle. He said that would be all right, and he would call the rest of the family for the prayer circle. That was quite a thrill for us to have all of our family in the temple for our golden wedding."

Garth and Jean Forsyth and family

 [Jean attended the public reception Dec 22nd as Bonnie did not arrive until Dec 28th.] 

Neil and Chloe Forsyth

"Dec 22, We held our reception in the Stake House and had a very enjoyable time with a large crowd of relatives and friends. Scott was master of ceremonies, and everything went smoothly. Scott and Gladys left the next day for Claresholm to spend Christmas with her family. Mylo, Duane, Garth and Bryce and their families all went home after the reception. Ken and his family stayed till after Christmas, and the Horne family left for home the 28^th, and went through to Salt Lake that day. The good Lord blessed us with good weather, and I thank Him that He has blessed me with such a wonderful family, and a wonderful wife. I want them all to know, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the important thing in life, and I pray continually that our posterity will continue to live and teach it.

"1962 – I started having a lot of pain in my head and neck. Dr. Spackman said it must be arthritis, and the best thing he gave me for it was aspirin. I stayed home all one week in Feb, but didn’t feel any better, so I started going to the temple again. As the weather warmed up I began to feel better and the more I worked the better I felt.

"April 19, I transplanted strawberries, planted potatoes, and by May 2 I had most of my garden in and the sweet peas were up doing fine. May 18, I set my tomato plants and onion sets out.

"July 6, it was nice weather for the rodeo. They had a very nice parade in the morning. Travis Smith had me ride one of his thoroughbred mares in the parade. The rodeo continued for a week, celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the founding of Cardston. My bro. Frank from Salt Lake spent 2 weeks with us and went home July 18.

"July 31, we had green corn out of our garden for dinner to-day. The first week in August, I got paint and gave our house its 3^rd coat. I had asked a painter what it would cost to paint it. He gave me a price of $140 for paint and labor. I paid $17 for paint and painted it in less than two days.

Victor and Susan Hatch nee Lybbert

"Aug 11, Chloe and I went to Calgary with Victor and Susan Hatch to a barbeque supper at Etta Hatch Hurds, Etta’s bro, Fred Hatch from Ottowa was there. They are the children of Chloe and Victors oldest bro [Thomas Lafayette Hatch], who died of the flu in 1918. Aug 12, we went to church in Calgary in the morning then returned to Cardston that evening. Aug 21, Fred Hatch came to Victors and stayed overnight. The next morning we all went to Waterton for breakfast, then returned to Cardston.

"Aug 23, the Horne family came from Salt Lake for my 83^rd birthday. Aug 24, we all went to Waterton for my birthday dinner. [** Ruth records they drove to Cardston August 13th for an early birthday party at Garth's farm in Kimball. Then we spent a day in Waterton, taking the boat to the head of the lakes, hiking and eating.] The Hornes went on to Calgary and we came home. They returned to Cardston Aug 25 and left for Salt Lake Aug 27.

"Aug 28, Mylo and Matilda brought her brother and family who are visiting from Port Arthur. They had dinner with us, then we all went to Garths. From there we went to Duanes in Welling and had supper. Then Mylo and his bunch went back to Calgary and Chloe and I returned home.

"Sep 27, I had most of my garden gathered. I had a big garden, and all who came wondered at there being no weeds. I told them that I never let the sun catch them up, I always got them before sunup!

"Oct 4, Chloe was quite bad and I called the doctor. He came and took her to the hospital. Oct 12, Chloe is showing no improvement, but she insisted on coming home so the doctor let me bring her. Oct 16, she was much worse, and I couldn't get her up for breakfast nor she couldn't eat in bed. I called the doctor. He came but said she was as well off here as in the hospital and he left her with me. I tried to find a woman to come and care for her. But could find no one. I stayed from the temple and I got her to eat some dinner. She continued to get weaker.

"Oct 19, 1962 – I had to carry her into the bathroom and bathe her and put on clean clothes and put her to bed. Garth and Jean came in and stayed all night. The next morning we took her to the hospital practically unconscious. She lay in a stupor all day. The next morning Victor [Hatch] and I administered to her, and she seemed to revive some, but was still in critical condition. Mylo, Matilda, Garth, Jean, and Duane were all here that night.

"Oct 21, Duane phoned Ruth in Salt Lake, Ruth phoned Scott in Moses Lake, and he phoned Ken in Seattle. Scott, Ken and Gladys all came to Cardston Oct 22 and stayed till Oct 25. As she seemed better they went home. Mylo and Matilda came from Calgary and stayed with her the night of Oct 27. I relieved them at 6 the next morning and they went home. She hardly slept or ate that day. Friends in town have been very good to come, so there has been one or two with her all the time since she went to the hospital this time. Garth stayed with her all night Oct 30, I always relieve the ones who stay overnight at 6 every morning. Her sister Mary Oviatt and her husband from Claresholm came and stayed Oct 31^st till 3 PM Nov 1.

"Nov 2, I picked a nice dish of strawberries and again Nov 3, it was the warmest day on record in the province, it was 72 above.

"Nov 3, when I went to the hospital this morning to relieve Sis. Della Stewart, Chloe was out of bed wanting to get dressed to go home. I helped her back in bed, then let Della go home. A few minutes later she seemed to pass out, and I thought she was gone. I found she was still breathing, and I held her pulse till she came to. Her pulse was 45 to 50 for some time then it rose to 60. She was very bad all that day. The doctor says her heart is beyond repair and that she can’t last much longer.

"Nov 4, we arranged to take her home as she was pleading with me to take her. I could not find the woman I had arranged with to come take care of her, so Jean said they would take her out there and that Nisha [Necia] Bennett would come and help with her. We put her in Duane's big car and took her out there that night. She rallied some on the 5^th. I kept in touch with them by phone. When I phoned at noon on the 6^th, she was at the table eating and they handed her the phone. I talked with her and she talked quite cheerful. She was also in the kitchen for dinner on the 7^th. About 3 PM she took a sudden turn for the worse. About 5 that evening Jean called me and said she was failing fast and wanted to come home. I got my brother John to take me in his big car. Victor and Susan went out in their car and we brought her in. Jean and Susan both stayed with her that night.

"Nov 8, Jack and Mary [Oviatt] came from Claresholm and Mary stayed with us until the end. I had the doctor come this morning, and he said she would not last many days. Florence Oviatt stayed with her that night. Mary and Jean sat with her the next night. Mylo and Bryce came from Calgary and stayed the next night. Duane and Verna came and spent the evening.

"Nov 8, 1962 – Ruth phoned from Salt Lake that evening and again the next morning, and suggested that she would come right up, but I felt it would be better for her to wait till I called her, as I didn't want her to see her mother in her present condition. The weather was fine and I was still picking strawberries and sweet peas off our vines.

"Nov 11, Chloe had a very restless night and all the next day. Johns wife Jennie and Sis. Bertha Gregson sat with her that night till 3 AM. I got up at 3 and called Mary and Jean to relieve Jennie and Bertha. Chloe was lying very quiet and I went back to bed. I got up at 6 and Mary said Chloe had never moved since they took over.

"Nov 13, when Mary, Susan and I kneeled for prayer at 7:00 AM I asked the Lord to relieve her of her suffering. About 10 to 8 I stood by her bed holding her hand, her pulse was very slow and weak. Susan was sitting there and I walked away. In about 5 minutes Susan said she was gone, I knelt by her bed and prayed for strength. All through her illness many people came, offering to help in any way they could, so we never lacked for help, day or night. She had passed peacefully away at 8 AM.

Death Certificate Chloe Roseltha Forsyth nee Hatch

Died: 13 November 1962 Carsdton, Alberta, Canada
Buried: 16 November 1962 Carsdton, Alberta, Canada

** Ruth records, "Nov 13th - My mother has been suffering from a stroke for about a month, and she passed away today. We made arrangements ... to attend Mother's funeral Nov 16th. She will long be remembered for her love and goodness to everyone she knew."

Grandpa Neil wrote, "Nov 14, Scott, Gladys and Cheryl came at 3 AM, Bob, Ruth, Diane and Danny arrived from Salt Lake at noon. Nov 15, Ken, June and Jill arrived from Seattle at 6 PM. Many called offering condolence and assistance in any way they could. Nov 16, Mylo, Bryce and their families came from Calgary, also Hugh and Lila Stanford, Charley and Della Timms all of Calgary. The Stake House was overflowing before 2 o’clock. 

Chloe Hatch Forsyth funeral program

Chloe looked as beautiful as she did the day we were married. She had a very pleasant, peaceful expression on her face. That was the way I wanted Ruth to see her, and not the look of misery before she had passed away."

I, Linda,* attended my grandmother's funeral. I was a bit puzzled that everyone was weeping and that they stood looking into the satiny smooth box [her casket]. I was very small for my age and eventually someone lifted me up for a turn to see what everyone else was looking at. I was disinterested in the person apparently sleeping there. It was not my grandmother.

My father asked if I knew that I would not be seeing her again. This also puzzled me. I thought I could see her moving about and standing in the same dignified quiet way she always had. (I realize now that dad meant I would not see her again in this life.)

Someday I know I will see her again.

I look forward to that day.


Grandpa's record continues, "Nov 17, the night of Nov 16 we got our first frost. The next morning I went out and picked some nice ripe strawberries, frozen hard. The Horne family was getting ready to leave for home so I gave the frozen berries to Ruth to show her Salt Lake friends what was picked in November in Cardston Alberta Canada. The house was desolate after everyone left. I just could not take it there alone. 

"Nov 19, I heard Chloe call my name in the night, as plain as I ever heard it. When I felt in the bed for her she wasn’t there. 

"Nov 21, I went to Claresholm and stayed with Oviatts overnight, and went on to Calgary the next day. I stayed with the boys till Nov 26, then returned to Cardston.

"Nov 30, I made plans to go to Vancouver Dec 7, and sent word to Ken that I would be in Seattle the next week, and to Scott that I would be in Moses Lake about Dec 15. I had told Ruth I would be in Salt Lake for Christmas.

"Dec 4, I went to the temple to the sealing session in the morning and to the 6 and 8 o’clock sessions that night. Dec 5, I woke about 3 AM with a pain in my right side, and I couldn’t go to sleep, so about 4:30 I got up and had a bath and shave and ate my breakfast, but I still had that pain. I went up to Hatchs and told them I did not feel like going to the temple, then I went for my mail and back home. I was feeling some better and fixed me some dinner, but got sick and had to go to the bathroom. About 3 PM I phoned Dr. Roy Spackman and he came and gave me an examination. Then he took me to the hospital, where Dr. Larsen gave me the once over. The last I remember the two doctors were standing by the door talking.

"Dec 6, about 5 in the morning, I awoke, rather dazed, not knowing where I was. I started to get out of bed and Susan Hatch grabbed me, and asked me what I wanted. I knew then I was in the hospital, I said I have to go to the bathroom, she said she would call a nurse, I said I didn’t want a nurse and out I went. When I came back, she told me I shouldn’t have done that, didn’t you know they operated on you last night? Dec 7, the doctor said they operated on me for appendicitis, but there was just a little dried up stuff there that caused inflammation of the bowels. Then I recalled when it broke in 1925 and Dr. Woolf took me to the hospital but I got better without an operation. **Duane cancelled my travel plans and notified Scott, Ken and Ruth.**

"Dec 15, Duane came and took me to Welling, I went to church with them the next day. Dec 17, Verna took me to Cardston, I went to a sealing session Tues. morning and to Patrarch Fishers funeral in the afternoon and an endowment session that night. I attended 4 sessions each day Dec 19 and 20.

"Dec 21, I had my phone cut off, my business all done and my house locked. Then Robert came and took me to Welling, in a blizzard. I had Duane make my plane reservation from Great Falls for the 22^nd, when Duane and Verna drove me to Great Falls and I flew to Salt Lake. Ruth and the whole family met me in Salt Lake, we went to the airport café for supper, then on to their home.

"Dec 24, 1962 – We all went to Dick and Evelyn Hornes at Bountiful for dinner.

"Dec 25, I had Christmas dinner with Bob and Ruth and family. Then the whole Horne family went to Walter Hornes for the afternoon and evening, where they had a very good Christmas program.

"Dec 29, my grandson, David Horne, took me to Bountiful to spend the day with my sis. Florence Mercer. That evening Ruth came and took Florence and I into Salt Lake to attend a party at the Lion house, in honor of Mamie Weeks Wirthlin on her 80^th birthday. I met my cousin Edna Snow Nielson and her husband Pete Nielson, Tirzah Hanson Eckersly, Frances Grundy Callahan, Chap Morrell and his wife Dora and several others.

"Dec 31, I visited Aunt Alice Swain* (Chloe's aunt) and Marion Grundy and his wife Lill Stringham Grundy. He is 88 and Lill 84. They reminded me that I was one of the witnesses who signed their marriage license in Loa, 56 years ago.

"Jan 1, 1963 – I spent the day with Florence and Ammon Mercer [Neil's younger sister] in Bountiful. In the next two weeks I partitioned off the Hornes middle bedroom, closed up the door opening to the kitchen and tore part of the kitchen cabinets out.

"Jan 8, to-night Bob, Ruth and 2 neighbors and I went to the temple in Logan. Bob and Ruth were witnesses at the altar and I worked at the veil that session.

"Jan 10, I went by bus to St. George. It was cold and stormy all the way. I got a boy with a car to take me to the temple cottages, but they were full, so I went to my cousins, Fern Musser, and stayed with them that night. The next day they helped me look for an apartment but found none. The next day I went to the temple, there I met my niece Tirzah Gardner Hendrix * and her husband. When we came out of the temple they took me to look for an apartment, but found none. Finally Jan 15, I found a Brother Stewart had an apartment I could rent. Mussers took me and my things there and I moved in."

The life story for Neil Snow Forsyth continues on an additional post.

* Linda Forsyth Ames daughter of Garth and Jean Forsyth

* Cousin Neil L. Forsyth, Mylo's son,  identified Charles according to "The John and Jennie Book, a Forsyth Family Record" published in 2003 by Zanthym House. Charles Heap Forsyth is the 3rd son and 5th child born 18 Nov 1915 at Magrath Alberta to John James and Jennie Heap Forsyth. John James in Grandpa Neil's younger brother who also immigrated to Magrath in 1904. Charles married Thea Bell Hudson 16 September 1941. They had two children, Danny and Sandra. Charles moved his family to Spokane in 1948 and became an iron worker in the region. Charles and Thea returned to Cardston regularly beginning in 1982, to do family history work as German name extraction workers. It appears that most of their grandchildren and families still live in the Spokane area ( as of 2003).

* Alice Ermina Pearce Swain (1885-1966), daughter of Sylvester Henry Pearce and Roseltha Melissa Reynolds, is a sister to Chloe's mother, Viola Melissa Pearce. Alice married Emanuel Swain 29 November 1905.

* Orvill and Tirza Gardner Hendrix: Tirza (1904) is the daughter of Neil's older sister, Sarah Isabella Forsyth Gardner. Her husband, Orvil is the son of Edmund Allen Hendrix (1855). Tirza's younger sister, Alice Snow Gardner (1917) married Shirley W Hendrix (1917), the son of Orvil's brother Edmund Allen Hendrix (1882).

* Roscoe S Musser, born 1884, married Leila Fern Seegmiller, born 1885 to Charles William Seegmiller and Mariamne/Minnie Forsyth - born 1848 to Thomas and Isabella (Donald) Forsyth. Minnie is Neil's father's younger sister.


** Grandpa Neil's own history, compiled and arranged in 1996 by his daughter, Ruth Forsyth Horne (Robert), from his many handwritten and typed journals, may be accessed at the LDS Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. You may need an LDS account and log in using your password to access it. We sincerely appreciate her work on these and other records as well as pictures she has shared. As much as possible she retained his spelling and punctuation.