2020 - Gratitude Day #7 - Kerry's Siblings

 Gratitude Day #7 - Kerry's Siblings

Today I am grateful for Kerry's brothers and sisters.

Kerry has five brothers and five sisters, and I have enjoyed relationships with nearly all of them. Only one had passed on before I ever met Kerry, so I didn't get to enjoy a relationship with him. But, I surely know about them.

When I first met them, it was foreign to have people in my own age group around me that I could count as relatives. My own parents were old enough to be my grandparents. My sisters were old enough to have been my mother. My cousins were the ages of my sisters.

I had nobody my age around me, which is probably why I have always been more comfortable around older people. This was new ground for me, and I had a bit of trouble keeping everyone straight. Then, when you add their spouses...

Let me tell you about them.

Bill: I never got to meet Bill. He had joined the Army, and was killed in a Jeep accident in Germany when Kerry was just 13 years old. It devastated the family to lose their older brother. However, every group picture that was ever taken of the entire family included a framed photo of Bill. His place in the family was evident by this loving gesture.

Steve: This is the brother who just passed away in August. We found out the evening of our virtual family reunion. Steve's profound grief at the loss of his older brother never went away. Shortly after Bill's death, Steve served and LDS Mission in Nauvoo, Illinois, and returned to be sent to Viet Nam. His wife and four children were such a pleasure to be around at our reunions.

Content: She has always possessed that nurturing part of womanhood as the oldest daughter. She served her LDS Mission to Japan at the same time Kerry was serving in the Delaware/Maryland Mission. Her husband and five children, including one from her husband's previous marriage have been good and contributing adults in the world.

David: David is one of those strong men that hides a gentle heart. His wife Martha was in the Tabernacle Choir for twenty years, and their seven children are scattered around the west, and often communicate with Aunt Peggy. David served his LDS Mission in Finland.

Kerry: Well, we all know about Mr. Kerry. He will have his own post at the end of the month. I will say that our four children have grown up to become our good friends.

Joy: Joy and her husband Reed are nearing the end of their fundraising bike ride on Route 66 to raise money for ALS. Joy can do just about anything, and amazes me at her talent and logic. Her four children are amazing, as well.

Gay: Gay just didn't get to live long enough. She is the one who died of ALS, and I can't tell you how much I miss her. Her artistic talent extended from sculpting to being the set director on movies. If you see the Mount Rushmore scene in "Overboard" - that was her creation. Her husband took such good and tender care of her. She served her LDS Mission in Calgary, Alberta.

Christopher: I have had some of the best conversations with Chris. He is retired military as a Colonel, and has seven wonderful children. The sons followed their father right into military service. Her served his LDS Mission in Bolivia.

Kelly: Following his retirement from the Army as a Bird Colonel, he has continued to work for the State Department with several overseas assignments. I love reading his wife's detailed descriptions of their explorations and adventures of the country where they are assigned. Their four children have also done amazing things with their lives. He served his LDS Mission in Germany.

Charm: Charm's artistic talents are every bit as stellar as her sisters'. I have always been astounded at her simplicity in living, and how to make do with little. When she visited with us several years ago, I watched her prepare such delicious food with a simplistic fair. Her daughter spent many years training in ballet, and her poses were worthy of framing and journal publication. She served her LDS Mission in Argentina.

Harmony: This woman listens with her heart before she speaks. She is an Adult-gerontology Nurse Practitioner, but also possesses the artistic talent that runs through the Lauritzen family. She served her LDS Mission in Finland.

So, these are the brothers and sisters I inherited when I married into the Lauritzen family. This is a good, good family that has always made me feel like I am part of them.

And for that, I am grateful.

 

Gratitude Day #15 - 2018 - Kerry's Family

Gratitude Day #15

Today I am grateful for Kerry's big family.

They are a fine family who welcomed me with opened arms when I first walked into their lives over 41 years ago.

Kerry has five brothers and five sisters; and for the longest time I had trouble remembering all of their names. Then, spouses came along. Then, children by the dozens came along into the families of Kerry's siblings.

I was lost. Remember, I grew up as an only child.

I have learned so many things from them! I learned that there's an awful lot of give and take in a family of that size. I saw siblings sit down and work together on a compromise.

I saw them plan weddings together.

I attended big family gatherings, weddings, and reunions.

Some of his siblings are my age, or thereabouts. That was totally new to me. My sisters were nearly grown when I was born.

There was always a fond and tearful moment when talking about the oldest child, Bill. He died in a Jeep accident in Germany when he was 19 years old. Kerry was 13 years old at the time.

We buried his sister Gay, who died from ALS in 2000. She was one year younger than me.

And, I saw the profound respect each child in this family had for their parents.

Soon, grandchildren would come. I believe at the time Kerry's parents had both passed, there was 46 grandchildren, with more to come. Now, the great-grandchildren are numbering into the dozens.

I have had fun with Kerry's siblings, with my nieces and nephews, and with all of their spouses. Through the power of Facebook, I have been able to see a new baby within moments of their birth, been part of announcements for new babies joining the family, taken a tour through their new house, and literally joined them across the miles -- all because of modern technology.

I am grateful for the siblings, their spouses, their children, and their children's children. They're good people, and I'm grateful to be part of the tribe.

PS...I have included so many photos in this post to share, just in case some of those family members don't have some of them. Love you all!!!

A Tender Birth One Hundred Years Ago Today

It was one hundred years ago that a sweet baby boy came into this world in the desert land of Nevada.

This baby boy would one day become the father to Mr. Kerry, and a beloved father-in-law to me.

I can think of few men who I have loved and admired more than this man. He made me feel welcome the moment he met me. He assured me that Kerry and I were made for each other, despite the fact that we grew up on opposite ends of the country.

We visited his birthplace in Preston, Nevada this summer. I was struck by its barrenness, and how his mother must have felt looking out at the desert as they welcomed another baby into what would become a family of twelve children. I found some sunflowers that were blooming close to where the house of his birth would have stood, and even found a cow posing just for us.

How appropriate, since Orson William Lauritzen was a dairy farmer, and a CPA.

He would have eleven children of his own. And, like my own father, did his best to raise a good family by setting the example of a Godly man. He was one of the most righteous men I've ever known.

His grandfather, Peder, was the original one who joined the LDS Church in Denmark, and would emigrate to the United States. Upon reaching Winter Quarters (near Omaha, NE), he would continue to lead his family on by joining with the handcart companies who walked to the Salt Lake Valley. They eventually would settle in Sanpete Valley in central Utah.

Kerry bears a strong resemblance to his father, as does our oldest son Peter. I often told Peter that if he lived long enough, I would know exactly he would look like as an older man. Sadly, that won't happen.

So, I wish a happy heavenly birthday to Orson...the man who taught Kerry and his brothers how to treat women with the utmost respect. He did it by counseling them, and by setting the example.

Love you, Orson!

Son, Peter...son of Kerry...son of Orson...son of Peter...son of Peder

Orson William Lauritzen

Orson's parents; Peter Lauritzen and Mary Loanna Terry

Orson Lauritzen - probably in his early 20s

Peder Lauritzen, father of Peter, grandfather of Orson.  He originally joined the church in Denmark and walked across the plains with the handcart companies.

Orson's father, Peter.

Kerry, looking a lot like his father.

Kerry, looking like his father.

Our son, Peter

A Day in Ely, Nevada - August 2018

In mid-July of 2018, many of the descendants of

Orson and Shirley Rhoades Lauritzen

gathered at the birthplace of Orson

in Preston, White Pine, Nevada.

Orson and Shirley Rhoades Lauritzen

Kerry and I were unable to attend, due to some prior commitments, so a few weeks later we drove through the area

on our way to another destination.

Kerry had never been there, but I had attended a reunion of the

surviving siblings of Orson

close to thirty years ago.

Here are some things I saw and learned about on this trip.

First of all, why in the world were they there?

Most had lived in and/or been born in Utah.

So, what brought them to Nevada?

This, I believe, may be the answer:  The Edmunds-Tucker Act

It basically boiled down to plural marriage,

otherwise known as polygamy.

Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont, and

John Randolph Tucker of Virginia, 

presented what was to be known 

as the Edmunds-Tucker Act in 1887.

The main focus was the practice of plural marriage,

and the many immigrants entering the country who would be

engaging in this practice.

"Since the people upholding polygamy in our Territories are reenforced by immigration from other lands, I recommend that a law be passed to prevent the importation of Mormons into the country."

It passed by a vote of 38-7,

and even though President Cleveland refused to sign the bill, 

he did not veto it.

It became law on 3 March 1887.

It was not repealed until 1978.

Many who were engaging in the practice of polygamy moved to other areas.

This act meant:

1.  The Church was disincorporated, as well as the

Perpetual Emigration Fund (used to pay forward for those emigrating to the United States).

2.  Public officials, and those who would be willing to serve as a juror, or vote, required an anti-polygamy oath.

3.  Spousal privilege was revoked, requiring wives be able to testify against their husbands.

4.  Replaced local judges with federal judges.

It also meant LDS Chapels were already taken over by the government,

with the threat of the Holy Temples also being confiscated, too.

It was during this time period that the family moved to Nevada.

Whether it was because of the turmoil,

or in spite of it...

I'm not sure yet.

What I do know is that a very good family moved 

to the desert country of Nevada 

where it's hot, and dry, and very forlorn.

I had never quite seen a cow sign like this one.

This beauty just seemed to be posing for us.

Kerry's father, Orson was named for his uncle James Orson Lauritzen.  I believe this is his mother on the right.

Metropolis, Nevada is not really a Metropolis by today's standards.

Mary Elizabeth Baker Terry was born in New Jersey. 
Her parents were both born in England,
and are buried in St. George, Utah
I can only imagine the stark reality of settling in the west after coming from the east, where it is much more green and verdant.

Peter Lauritzen and Mary Loanna Terry,
who were Kerry's grandparents.
Peter was born in Moroni, Utah,
which is in the central part of the state.
Mary was born in St. George, Utah,
which is in the southwest part of Utah.

I am going to assume the above photo was taken in Nevada,
for it matches up with others from that time period

The old school in Preston, Nevada.

I can't even imagine living in this little log cabin
in Preston, Nevada.

The chapel in Lund, Nevada.

 The above four photos are a representation of what 

Kerry's sister, Content Maxwell did

to honor the ancestors who were from this area.

Cemeteries were located both in Preston and Lund.

These contain the ancestors of the Orson William Lauritzen family

when they lived in Nevada.

A reunion was held in mid-July 2018, 

which Kerry and I were unable to attend.

So, a few weeks later, we made a trip there ourselves

on our way to some of my speaking assignments.

Content wrote up some wonderful histories of the family who lived there, and had them covered in very thick lamination.

They are bound with one ring,

and are either hung or laid on the graves.

This is one of the best ideas I have ever seen.

She also had some green indoor/outdoor carpet stretched over the graves, since it's not very green there.

 Little Lauris Elden Lauritzen was the firstborn child of 

Peter and Mary Loanna Terry Lauritzen's twelve children.

And, he only lived 13 days.

Their feelings of losing their oldest child wouldn't have been any different than their son, Orson, who would lose his oldest son.

Nor, of Orson's son Kerry,

who would also lose his oldest son.

Orson William Lauritzen, Kerry's father, was born in this tiny town in 1918.

Flowers were blooming at the edge of the property
where Orson was born.

Gratitude Day #15 - My Nieces and Nephews - 15 Nov 2017

Today I am grateful for nieces and nephews.

And, I do have a bunch of them.

In my own family, sister Jean had two sons, and Betty had two sons and a daughter. They all have families now.

In Kerry's family, I have nearly lost count. I believe at the time of Kerry's parents' death, the county might have been up to 43 grandchildren. It is certainly more than that, and when you factor in their spouses and children, we may be going into infinity!

Everyone is scattered around the United States, so it's nearly impossible to stay in touch. But, through the power of Facebook, and annual Christmas letters, they have included me in their lives.

I have been able to see brand new additions to their families when the babies are just a few hours old, and rejoiced with them.

I have been able to see new homes they have purchased, and rejoiced with them.

I have been able to see their many travels and excursions, and rejoiced with them.

I have been able to see their photos moments after their graduations, and have rejoiced with them.

I have seen them get good jobs, publish books, run for office, get advanced degrees, recuperate from surgeries, run marathons, get married, buy and operate a successful business, serve our country, and turn their lives around...and have rejoiced with them.

I am grateful that I know each of their names, and have seen them grow up. I am grateful that they have chosen to stay in touch with Aunt Peggy, and that I matter in their lives.

Gratitude Day #9 - Kerry's Brothers and Sisters - 9 Nov 2017

Today I am grateful for Kerry's brothers and sisters.

He grew up with ten brothers and sisters! Five brothers and five sisters!!

I can recall forty years ago when he and I flew to Utah so I could meet his family. First of all, the house was so big I wasn't sure I would ever remember where everything was.

Then, all of these people started appearing!

I grew to love them. Actually, I fell in love with them before I fell in love with Kerry. And yes, he knows this.

Kerry has often told me treasured stories from his childhood. Some were good. Some were not so good. Every type of personality you could imagine surrounded him.

Early in our marriage, I couldn't understand why Kerry didn't always answer me when I was asking a question, or just commenting on a tv show. Friend BeLinda Louise Stacks gave me the right way to solve this.

She said, "Peggy, when you grow up in a big family, you probably feel no one is actually talking to you. It's got to be someone else. So, get Kerry's attention first by saying his name or touching his arm. Then, he'll know it's him."

Bingo!

Kerry's siblings are scattered around the globe as of late. There aren't the big family gatherings at his parents' ranch in central Utah anymore. I don't really know if there will ever be any more gatherings like there used to be. Perhaps when one passes.

They're all getting older now. Kerry is 65, and he is #5 in the birth order. An older brother has already passed at age 19. And, one of his sisters passed in 2000 from ALS.

But, I am grateful for these adults who helped mold him into the person he is today. (Again, words from my mother..."if you can get along with your own family, you can get along with anyone in the world")