Gary R Ostler and Velva Ruth Nyborg

 Perhaps the most difficult family history couple to share is that of your own parents.  I have written more in my own story which has been added to bit by bit but not finished.  This is a brief history of my parents who I admire so much for their ability to endure hard things and for their love and service, especially my mother.  The above picture is one of only two I have seen where both are in the same picture.

Gary R Ostler was born on 26 May 1928 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to George Lloyd Ostler and Georgianna Ricks. He grew up on a farm near Sugar City, Idaho that had originally been been homesteaded by his great grandfather, John Lloyd Roberts, then farmed by his grandfather, Alfred Ricks, and his father, George. He bought the farm from his father in 1955. He continued to farm much as his father had and with a large herd of Jersey cows. He grew mostly alfalfa on his 80 acres. He would often take his prize cows to the Madison County Fair. He would create a "play pen" out of straw bales. People going by would compliment him on his "blue ribbon" children. During the winter he worked in the laboratory at the sugar factory in Ammon, Idaho. He had rheumatic fever as a boy and many health problems during his life. He attended Idaho State University, served in the Southern States Mission, and met his wife while in the Ashton Hospital. One day he came in from the fields having lost sight in one eye. His health continued to decline from that point. He and his family moved to Tempe, Arizona in 1964. In 1976 the family then moved to Provo, Utah where he continued to be bed ridden until his death on 17 January 1978. He is buried in the Provo Cemetery.

 Gary with his brother, Max

A closeup of Max and Gary

I think my school pictures as a child looked most like this one and I had freckles, too!

He had lots of black wavy hair his whole 49 years but his facial and body hair was red.

That squalling baby he is holding is me. 

Gary holding his only son, Farrell

His children through the years. . . when there were five.

Now there are six with their sweet mother, Velva.
Gary was now bedridden and unable to be in the picture.

All six children together in 2009;
Laurel, Farrell, Janis, Lynette, Becky, and Jolene.

 Velva on front porch of her parents' home in Ashton, Idaho.

Velva between her two oldest brothers on back row at the beginning of WWII.

Velva Ruth Nyborg was born 7 July 1924 at the ranch in a log home on a hill north of Conant Creek. She married Gary R Ostler from Sugar City, Idaho, and they became the parents of six children: Laurel Ann, Farrell Lynn, Janis Ruth, Lynette Deon, Rebecca Jean, Jolene Nyborg 

She received three years of schooling at Drummond and five years at France. She attended the first three years of high school in St. Anthony where she lived with the Roy Callow family who had a farm in the France area and a winter home in St. Anthony. She attended her last year of high school in Ashton graduating in the Class of 1941. 

Upon completion of high school, she began nurses training, and during World War II, joined the Women's Army Corp (WACS) serving most of the time in an Army hospital in Oakland, California. Upon her discharge, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, where she completed her studies as a medical laboratory technician. She was the first in her family to attend college and it was made possible by the GI Bill.  She returned to the Ashton area and worked in the new Ashton Hospital with Dr. A.A. Krueger as the first lab technician when Ashton Memorial Hospital opened in June 1950. Her father was so proud to have his oldest daughter serving the community. While working at the hospital, she met a young man from Sugar City, who was a patient there, and they later married. They lived south of Sugar City and north of Rexburg for several years where they farmed, had a dairy, and Velva worked at Madison Memorial Hospital. In the mid 1960s they moved to Tempe, Arizona, because of Gary's failing health.  Velva worked at the Arizona State Hospital for a time before joining a medical clinic and opening a lab for several doctors. When their children were of college age, they moved to Provo, Utah, where Gary passed away.  Velva worked at Utah Valley Hospital as the laboratory supervisor until she retired and moved back to Arizona.  Velva died on 12 October 1999 in Arizona.  Velva is buried in the Provo Utah Cemetery next to Gary.

Velva with her brother, Lowell, on the ranch at Conant Creek.

Her brother, Elden, pulls Velva and Lowell in their wagon.

Percy Nyborg sits in his car while his children sit on the running board.
Velva is holding her younger sister, Elna.

 Velva signing in as a WAC during WWII with her brother, Elden, in the background.

Elden and Velva in Ogden, Utah

Formal WAC portrait

Velva with her mother and siblings on the ranch in 1967.

Back row L to R; Elden, Nola, Lowell, Elna, Milton Gerald, Velva, Keith.

Rhoda Ann Foote Nyborg sits in front.

Picture taken in early stages of dementia which would slowly take her life for eight years 

Sketch by my son, Ryan, from a picture taken in the later stages of the disease.

Grave marker in the Provo Cemetery

Jordan Clay Jensen and Elma Baker

Jordan Clay Jenson was born in Duchesne, Duchesne, Utah on 7 January 1928 to George Lawrence Jenson and Della Maretta Brady. Jordan grew up in a very rural setting.  With blond hair and blue eyes he ran all over the area on the hills north of Duchesne.  With a bunch of sisters and a brother about his age he had fun.  From rolling burning tires down the hill to setting up electrical circuits to shocking his sisters when they touched the doorknob on the porch, he was known to be mischievous. Even though times were tough during his childhood (1930s depression) he learned to just move ahead.  As he grew into his teenage years he would help his family with lumber cutting and hauling.  He attended high school in Roosevelt, Utah.  He was too young to join the fight in WWII until the very end. He then enlisted in the Navy.  While enlisting with his brother, the woman who filled out their paperwork misspelled their last name.  They were not about to correct her, so they have the last name JENSEN. (We recently looked up his father George's WWI draft registration card.  It also had Jensen with and "e.")

He became fascinated with communication systems on board ship, which served him well in his lifetime career. Traveling around the Pacific he was able to visit many countries including Japan after the war.  His sister, Gloria, introduced him to her friend, Elma.  She had dark hair, beautiful eyes, and lots of personality.  She was 16 when they met.  They married shortly thereafter. Then came five children over 8 years.

Jordan moved the family to Hawthorne, California.  He got a job there winding motors while working on improving his education at El Camino College to become an electronic engineer.  He would fix televisions and radios as a hobby and for extra income.  His interest and love for electronics landed him a career in the aerospace industry at TRW.  He rapidly became known for his knowledge and abilities.  He was smart!  He eventually headed up a large team of engineers that developed and launched satellites in orbits around the earth to allow instant television, radio, and personal communications everywhere on the planet.  He loved his involvement with the space industry.

The center of his life was his wife, Elma. He loved his children and his grandkids.

He later developed heart problems and had bypass surgery.  After an early retirement, he passed away while sleeping in his bed in Draper, Utah on 14 January 1991, at age 63.  He and his wife are buried next to each other in Larkin Sunset Cemetery in Sandy, Utah.

Elma was born 24 of May 1932 in Provo, Utah to Raymond Orestes Baker and Elma June Smith as her father attended BYU to become a teacher.  The young family moved around working various teaching and other jobs. They ended up in Draper, Utah. They built a home on family land by themselves starting with the basement where they lived while they built the rest.

A nice self-sustaining farm was developed with horses, cows, pigs, chickens, cats and dogs. When she was a sophomore at Jordan High School she played the flute in the band. She met a tall, skinny young Navy man with clear blue eyes. It wasn't long before they married on September 18, 1948.  They had a family of five children in 8 years.

Relocating to Hawthorne, California from Utah in 1954 took 3 days travel by car and truck. Elma raised the kids as Jordan took on responsibility for the support of the family.  Elma loved art and she painted a mountain scene on the garage door which many came to see. She was very active and engaged in service at her LDS ward and loved doing Bazaars. She was social with many friends. She loved to laugh and scare people. She enjoyed parties and water fights. She loved sharing Disneyland with family members.

She placed over 50 babies in LDS homes through her doctor. She advised a college sorority for several years. She learned sign language and was the YW president for the deaf. She loved her 28 grandkids.  At age 50 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She suffered for five years. She died on August 12, 1987 in Draper, Utah. 

Raymond Orestes Baker and Elma June Smith

Raymond Orestes Baker was born at Beaver, Utah 14 May 1904 to Daniel Ray Baker and Edith Sylvia Twitchell.  He was the oldest of six children.

He graduated from eighth grade in a school of 26 pupils and six grades when 13 years of age.  During this school year a terrible thing happened that should never happen to any boy. His father took sick and died from appendicitis at 3:45 am on 11 November 1917. His mother was just 32 years old and now had six children, including a baby, and a 46 acre farm to care for by herself.  When Raymond was just 14, it was time for raking the hay and the neighbors had turned out to help. The young mare took off and Raymond fell down in front of the hay rake.  His head and shoulders bounced along the ground for over 100 yards. His Uncle Alvin Twitchell was the first to reach him.  He turned him over and knowing some first aid attempted to straighten his twisted neck.  Raymond grunted and started breathing again. He was told that he was at death's door for 4 days and nights fully unconscious.  The elders administered to him and he soon awoke asking for his brother, Shirley, who had gone to town to celebrate the 4th of July. Raymond continued going to school as insisted upon by his mother and he graduated from Beaver High School in 1922. This same year his mother married a neighbor and friend of her deceased husband, Harry Green, who had lost his wife and only child.  This opened the way for Raymond to attend BYU. While a student, he worked on walkways and landscaping on the hill where Maeser Memorial Building is located.  He also worked as a janitor for 25 cents an hour while a student. After two years he taught at the one room school in Frisco after which he taught history in American Fork. He decided to go back to BYU for a higher degree.  He met June Smith, a fellow student, at a get acquainted dance.  They were married 9 May 1928 in the Salt Lake Temple and both worked hard so that Raymond could finish his degree.  Unfortunately, his mother passed away before seeing him graduate.  Raymond taught and was principal at several schools while working various jobs during the summer. They finally built a home in Draper on family land and Raymond continued to teach and to farm.

Elma June Baker (known as June) was born 3 June 1908 to Joseph Lauritz Smith and Melissa Ann Fitzgerald in Draper, Utah.  She became the oldest of nine children.

She grew up on Relation Street in a small home originally built by her great grandfather, Lauritz Smith, for his wife Maren (Mary).  She and Raymond and children built their first home just down the street from her parents.

 First three children, Rita, Ray, and Elma

In her younger years she loved to play softball and was a pitcher.

She kept a beautiful garden and enjoyed sitting on her front porch in the evenings watching the Wasatch Mountains change colors.  June and Raymond had seven children and adopted another daughter for a total of eight.

 Raymond and Elma with adopted daughter, LaRee

Her own father died at the fairly young age of 62, from cancer.  Unfortunately June's husband, Raymond, also died of cancer on 25 August 1975 at just 71 years of age.  June lived as a widow, just as her mother had, for many years. Her mother, Melissa, died in 1982.  June continued on until 21 May 2002 and was a wonderful grandma and great grandma.  She continued to enjoy life.

 June with her daughters, Kathleen, Rita, Elma, and Bonnie

When a new ride opened in an amusement park in California, she would fly down to visit her daughter, Elma, so that they could be the first ones in line.  Raymond and June are buried in the Draper, Cemetery.

Raymond and Elma with all of their children 
and Melissa Ann Fitzgerald Smith

Back row L to R; Phil, Elma, Ray, Rita, Kathleen, Joe

Front row L to R; LaRee, Bonnie, Raymond, June, Melissa

Jordan Brady and Mary Lavina Howell

Timeline: Life of Jordan Brady and Mary Lavina Howell

1843 June 7 - Jordan was born in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois to Lindsey Anderson Brady and Elizabeth A Hendrickson

1844 Nov 27 - Mary was born in New York, New York to Edmund Wheeler Howell  and Sarah Vail

1850's - Jordan and Mary become acquainted as children at Union Fort near Salt Lake City

1861 Dec 10 - Jordan Brady and Mary Lovina Howell are married in Fairview, Sanpete, Utah

1880 Census: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah with spouse; 9 kids
1900 Census: Fairview, Santpete, Utah with spouse; 4 kids
1910 Census: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah with spouse
1930 Census: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah with spouse

1934 May 27 - Jordan died in Fairview
1934 Sep 20 - Mary died in Fairview
Both are buried in the Upper Fairview Cemetery

At Union Fort in Utah, Jordan and Mary became close friends and met again at North Bend (Fairview) where their romance blossomed into a marriage ceremony performed by Jehu Cox on December 10, 1861. Jordan was 18; Mary was 17. They were among the first settlers of North Bend. In these early pioneer years at Fairview, Jordan helped build the fort, roads and bridges. He helped clear the unbroken land and dig the ditches. With his father, he helped plant and harvest the few acres allotted to them. He helped herd the community flocks and guard against the treacherous Indians. He took part in the skirmishes and became a veteran of the notable Black Hawk War. Their first home which was built of logs, like other homes, could boast of a dirt floor and roof which leaked terribly that first winter. In 1866 they made a team and wagon trip to the Endowment House in Salt Lake City where they were sealed for time and all eternity on April 30, with Apostle Wilford Woodruff officiating. Those early years at Fairview, were fraught with trial, adventure and hardship, But joy and happiness also were felt in their modest home. It was the year 1882 and Jordan was in the prime of life; just beginning his 40th year. The Lord had blessed their home with ten lovely children; a comfortable home; farm property; horses and other animals; as well as stock in the Co-op Store and a sheep herd. But again, they heard and gave heed to the voice of Prophet Brigham Young and responded to a Colorado settlement mission call. Fairview had grown into a beautiful Mormon village, and they loved it. The parting was hard. With two well-equipped covered wagon outfits, they joined the mission caravan on August 10 and began the long trek which ended September 20 of that eventful year, 1882. Little did they realize the trials of poverty and hardship which lay ahead in this unbroken and barren land of alkali and greasewood brush. For nine years the Brady family struggled through this mission call and was blessed with three more precious children; one of whom lived only three months. Following the mission release in 1894 they returned to Fairview.

 

Jordan and Mary Lavina with family in Fairview Canyon

  

The following pages are a memoir written by Jordan Brady

Family picture with 10 children before leaving for the settlement mission to Colorado.

Family picture including all their children after returning to Fairview in 1894.  Sarah Matilda Brady, great grandmother of my husband, Glen, is on the back row on the right side of the first picture and on the bottom row left side in the bottom picture.