Sunday, June 25, 2017

Memorial for Len

On July 24th in Glendive, Montana the Fuquas had the Memorial for Len.  The services were at the LDS Church on Anderson Avenue and lunch was served.  Later friends and family traveled to Macoshika State Park where his ashes were scattered.  

One highlight of the services was the "Churchlarks" story book by Len that was presented to all who attended.

These are just a few of the pictures from that day.




Kathy, Stephanie, Debbie
Marilyn and Kathy
The Fuqua boys and their friends.

The Fuqua children used their silver baby cups from Len's mother to spread his ashes with.







Carole overseeing all the arrangements she had made to honor Len.




Davis played a tribute to his grandfather.


Len Abbott Fuqua Obituary






Len Abbott Fuqua has been set free and passed away from this earth on Saturday morning, April 29, 2017. At home, peacefully, like a good book, it ended at the right time but his stories...amazing stories will be read over and over. Len could imagine and dream of more things than anyone and he passed this passion on to his six children.

He was born in Higgins, Texas to Frank Duane Fuqua and Idyleglenn Abbott on January 4, 1938. He graduated from Texas Tech University and entered OCS stationed in San Diego, Calif. as a Lieutenant JG on the US Valley Forge and legal officer for Sea Bees. This is where he met his lifelong partner, Carole Anderson, a kindergarten teacher, and began their journey of almost 53 years.


They were married the day after school was out in Pacific Beach on June 20, 1964. The marriage was later solemnized for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To this union was born their crown jewels, Stephanie (Dustan Diede) of Livingston, Eric of Glendive, Hunter (Toni) of Fort Meyers, Fla. and Lolo, Mont., David of Glendive, Jonathan (Bethany) of Billings and Christopher of Billings. They have 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.


Len was employed with the family business, Anderson’s Dept. Store in Glendive for many years but his lifelong pursuits were in his writing. He encompassed his world travels in stories of fact and fiction to the entertainment of his family. He leaves a legacy of devotion to family, a fascination of the world both spiritual and temporal. He was a remarkable pianist, talented swimmer and tennis player, which he shared by coaching the youth of Glendive. He taught many how to play Chess and they visited the house often for a challenge. He introduced Karate to his friends and family as well as Dr. Pepper to Buttery’s (Albertsons) with the help of then manager, Pat Moran. He obtained his pilots’ license in 1971 at the Glendive Airport and enjoyed many flights over the Eastern Montana terrain. Even performing emergency runs to Billings for friends.


He fought non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 17 years but it was the Alzheimer’s that finally over took his beautiful brain and body. He never complained, not once, and was often able to laugh at himself. He was the center of laughter and the heart of his family. He will be greatly missed.


His family expresses great thanks to the loving care of Riverstone Hospice. Aliica, Judy, Amber, Melissa, Kathy and Bob you made his days so much happier.


We are grateful to the Veterans Healthcare System who took care of Len for so long from his eyes to his toes in Miles City, Fort Harrison, Billings and Salt Lake City.


Len is survived by his wife and children, grandchildren and five younger brothers, Rob Fuqua (Judi) of Kimberling, Mo. Murray Young (Jane) of Denver, Colo. and Mark, Gregg and Daniel  Fuqua of Texas.


A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 24 at the Glendive Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Military Honors.


Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences can be sent through www.cfgbillings.com through “Our Families.”


Friday, June 23, 2017

Jacob Graduates from Torrey Pines High School


I sent Jacob a card with money in it.  I am just never sure if the Hardys receive anything I send?????
Jacob has become a champion surfer and plans to continue his surfing this next year at BYU Hawaii!!!

Saturday, June 03, 2017

Charlotte Olive Travis--Charli Arrives!

Amy is a Traveling Nurse and has been working in San Diego so Amy had her baby in San Diego!  She will be taking time off and be in Henderson for the rest of the summer.  Joe has been finishing his education at Las Vegas so these amazing two have really been managing a life of driving, working, schooling, nesting, planning and now a new baby and a summer of rest and fun with the baby I hope.

Charli with her Daddy Joe.

Charli with her Aunt Sarah.

Molly looks with wonder at Charli.

Monday, May 22, 2017

Health Update

I was overdue for my annual exam and had not set it up yet with Dr. Nielsen in Susanville.  I had decided to leave the Seneca Hospital Group after not being able to be treated last fall.  But when I called Dr. Nielsen's office to give them the requested information the receptionist said they had a new system and no matter what I was told before I would have to get them two years of records and then the Dr. would decide if he would take me.  The last receptionist said all she needed was the date of last annual exam and Dr. Nielsen had told me, no problem, he would be glad to have me come back. I got nowhere with an explanation to the new receptionist so I hung up on her and called Seneca back.


Within the hour Seneca had called me back and I had an appointment with Dr.  Salehi, a new woman doctor.  I met with her on Friday and after looking at all my records which she had up on the computer on the wall, she sent me over for an EKG and had made an appointment with a cardiologist.  I felt like she really cared about me!!!


Surprisingly she called me at home after supper and asked about my status again and said it appears I had an incident sometime in the past and she made me promise that if I had the least problem breathing etc. that I would call 911 and not just sluff it off.   She called again to remind me of taking the baby aspirin every day.  So I thought about that night February 22 and wonder if that is when it happened.  I was sick for three weeks after!!!!   I wrote about that incident on March 14.


Today I went in for the complete blood test and urine analysis and tomorrow morning I see the cardiologist and Wednesday I see Dr. Salehi again....so what is this all about?  We will see.


Yesterday I went to the Community Concert with Karin, Church was especially good.  I could not hear but one of the talks well.  Why don't people speak into the microphone???  And enunciate and speak with projection???  If I am the only one who can't hear I guess it does not matter but SS was good.  Bro Thurgood knows The Plan of Salvation very well and Kathy did a wonderful job on her lesson of tolerance and love for everyone.


Yesterday I learned that Will (across the street) had died on May 7.  His children are preparing to sell the house as "it will not be the same without Mom and Dad".  I think some of his children are hurting for money also.  It is free and clear.  Marilyn, who was a widow, also, and lived next to Will, died in April and her children are keeping the home in the family.


I will really miss Will, he was 91, but he was my "go to guy" for any inside or outside help I needed on my place.  And he loved helping.  Usually called me "Sweetheart".  He was missing his wife!!! I am glad I did finally go out to dinner with him before he left for the winter vacation with his sister. His son said he had gotten pneumonia in Texas and came back a different man than when he left.


That will be two homes across from me For Sale and also the vacant lot!!!!

Mother's Day 2017

I took this picture before I left for Church.  I had not slept a wink last night.  For some reason some times my mind gets going and I cannot shut it off.  Finally at 2 am I worked on Family Search until 3:30 am and then tried to sleep again.  Still could not sleep.  I got up and watched 3 episodes of the old Mary Tyler Moore show.  It was good.  Still could not sleep.  Why can't I turn my mind off???

I dressed and went to church anyway and the Duerkson family spoke.  The children are always refreshing and Melinda told about her Mom being an alchoholic but would leave home to drink rather than be around them.  Her father raised them and she has a close attachment to him.  She did say, however, that when her mother was there she always made them feel loved.  Poor Forest was so emotional as he told about his 9th place in a family of ten.  His mother cleaned at night and he never felt he saw enough of her but his brothers and sisters tended to him.  Still he always wanted to goto work with his Mom.  I have heard several of his family speak.  They all seem to be a close knit family with testimonies.  I have never seen the Mom but the father is as large as life and seems a very happy person.

I did not stay for SS and RS, too tired...anyway I had a nice dinner and talked or snapchatted with most of the family. I realized later that 5 of us went home after Sacrament Meeting, all for different reasons.  Karen is getting her house ready to sell!!!

I really am blessed with a wonderful family and posterity.  I had a very caring and happy upbringing but never expected more than I got from my wonderful mother but was always very hard on myself as not being a perfect mother.  But the proof is in the pudding.  I do have super great  children so hope I did not scar any of them too much.  Maria was so sensitive, she felt my imperfections the most.  She is a  very compassionate and caring person though so maybe she learned from my imperfections.  Who is to say?  Motherhood is a blessing but also a great challenge.  I was very blessed to be able to be a mother and Richard was a very loving father.  So many people want for children and yet are not able to have them for some reason.  It was fun being a mother while I was in 7th Ward, we did lots of Mom and children activities...none of us were working at that time.  How wonderful that we could all be stay at home Moms!!!!  A rarity in today's world.


Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Family Events in Glendive Chapel--Funeral of Dick in 1985




Richard William Anderson

August 24, 1924 ----November 29, 1985

Carole, Marilyn, Me, Mom, Arky, Rod's Wife and baby

Hunter, Arky, Eric, Marilyn, Carole, David, Len, Jon, Jeanne, Mary, Chris, Mom, Dorothy, Dave, Me

Me, Dave, Mom, Jeanne, Marilyn, Carole

Len and Carole's family

Family Events in Glendive Chapel--Stephanie and Dustin Wed in 1983


June 11, 1983









Why the Anderson Moved to Glendive and History of LDS Church in Glendive

 This is the talk given by Ethel Anderson in the 1980s

     When the fine Ogden, Utah department store called The Golden Rule was sold to J C Penney, my husband Ferrell was transferred to a J C  Penney store in Evanston Wyoming.  We lived there for about five years.  Ferrell was being trained for managership and our life style seemed pretty well set.


     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.  For fear Ferrell might be the next to be laid off, we moved back to Ogden and Ferrell worked for my brother-in-law in a grocery and meat store.


     In the meantime, 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 manage this 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.  Dick was 10 years old (the oldest) and Janet (the youngest) was 15 months old.  In between were David, Jeanne, and Marilyn.  Carole was born a few years later.


     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.


     From some of Ferrell’s records, he says 1934 still was a depression year and Glendive was suffering from a drought.  Government was purchasing a majority of Dawson County cattle for about $5 to $20 a head.  Nearly all labor except a skeleton railroad force was WPA (Government).  Business was at a low ebb.


     Dick was 15 years old before we acquired a car but we lived nearer town then, and did a lot of walking.


     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 by Elder Ray Smith and confirmed by Elder Clarence Stanger.  The baptism took place in the Yellowstone River.


     Our lives began to change at the start of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project in 1937.  Work was done mostly by WPA labor in conjunction with the Reclamation Bureau.  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 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, N. D. or other places.


     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 this 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.


     The World War II made some changes, 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.


     Dick graduated 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 the Navy.  The World War II was raging and missionaries were not being called.  At that time our membership in the Branch was low.  After the war, Dick went to BYU and met Mary Templeton and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.  Mary has been a true daughter me and a great support to her husband and family.  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.


     We began meeting in the Odd Fellows Hall for Church and by this time the Derby Whitmers and Audry Wilkinsen and her two little boys Karl and Fen had come back to Glendive to live.  We had some lady missionaries by then and had an active Relief Society.  Audrey was a big help with her talents and willingness to serve. l remember we served a turkey dinner at the Odd Fellows Hall and sold tickets to just enough people 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.


     Through the years many fine active families moved in.  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.


     We very seldom had a piano player to accompany us in our singing but we sang anyway.  Also, families were building 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 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 Glendive not all who came left, but some stayed and are still here and were for many years the backbone of the branch.  Harold and Olive Mercer lived here for a short time and then went to live in Sidney.  For many years Sister Haas, Olive’s mother, was the main stay of that Branch.  Kim and Beatrice Mitchell, Joe Keller, and Debbie Chouinard’s grandparents played a big part in our activities.  The Orcutts with their fine growing family were a great help.  We just couldn’t have gone on without them.  When the Getz came we always had music and Edythe Brown and son took over the piano.  By this time we had 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.


     In 1950 at a conference in Glendive, Ferrell was asked to become Branch President.  He served until 1960.  During that time the Gene Jensen’s were baptized in the Church, Santa Hrubes, (Derby Whitmer’s sister) joined the Church and later John became a member.  Elaine Whitmer was Relief Society President and Audrey Christiansen and I were her counselors.  We all taught either Sunday School or Primary or both.


     All those youngsters we taught so many years ago are now teaching my grandchildren and have other responsible Church duties in the Branch.


     Best of all, the big dream finally came true and we have a beautiful chapel to meet in.
     Ferrell and I moved to Idaho Falls to let Dick take over the managing of the store and Howard Henabrey became a fine Branch President.


     I feel very blessed to have had these experiences and the different callings in the Church.     

Glendive Chapel, Church at Home, and Main Street

Sunday I sat by our Stake Relief Society President in Sunday School and found out she has a daughter who lives outside Glendive.  This was fascinating to me so I sent her Mom's talk which she gave on Why the Andersons Settled in Glendive and some pictures of our early Church group.  I mean, who knows anything about Glendive, no one I have ever met!!!






I thought Mom had given the talk in the 60s but it was probably after the new Chapel was built in the late 70s.   They celebrated her 80th Birthday in the new Chapel and that would have been in 1981. Mom had sold her house in Idaho Falls and moved back to Glendive after Dad died.




Curious as I am I called my sisters and sister in law to get more information on the building of the chapel and I heard one interesting story of the roadblocks they were having getting enough members and it appeared to be caused by a member of the ward.  I remember him well from my high school days.  It was her opinion that he had bad feelings toward my brother who was the President at that time and spread rumors about him and caused a lot of contention.  He had this strange death in which his truck or car fell down on him when he was repairing it.  The funeral in the old Lutheran Church where the Glendive Ward was meeting was packed.  He was a colorful and well-known person in the County.  This helped a lot of people to learn about the Church and may have stimulated the missionary work.  The thing that alerted her to the fact it was a strange death is that a friend commented on how strange it was that he would be working on his truck without setting up a second jack as protection.  It was evidently something he was continually preaching about so why in this instance did he not do it.  Anyway, membership grew rapidly after this.  Just an observation but an interesting one.

So as I thought about the fact there were no Mormons in Glendive until 1934 when my family arrived in town and the fact they had enough members to build a Building in 1976 (or so, not sure of exact date) is a pretty amazing feat to me.  42 years!!!  Impressive.

Then when I looked up the building on the internet I find it is located on N. Anderson Ave!!!  Mary and Marilyn did not even realize that but Carole said she thinks the street was named that because of the construction company at that time building in the area was Anderson.  Makes more sense than having been named after my Dad anyway but an interesting coincidence.  Mary says she only knows one person in the ward anymore it has changed so much.  I was amazed it was a Stake Building with so many branches!!!


I was also amazed as I studied the map of Glendive that they have two Dairy Queens when it is hard to find even one out here.  It looked like a second one had been put up on the way out to Makoshika Park.  Probably a great place for business in the summer months.


Anyway, lots of nostalgia when I think about Glendive.  It was a great place to grow up.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

In Remembrance of Len

My sister Carole's husband Len passed away at 5:40 am today April 29, 2017.  She said she had a feeling last night that he was near the end, his breathing was raspy.  He had fallen asleep on the couch and was very peaceful the whole night and then gave a final gasp in the early am.

They had rearranged the furniture yesterday to make room for the wheelchair.  They had decided not to get a hospital bed and not to put him in a home for his final days.   All her children gathered except for the ones in Florida.  He was cremated and they talked of having a Life Celebration in the summer at Makoshika outside of Glendive.  There were over 150 loving messages from their many caring friends on Facebook.  Len had recently celebrated his 79th birthday so he did well.








Len and Carole were married June 20, 1964 in Pacific Beach, California so it would be their 53rd Anniversary this coming June.











Carole and Len met at the San Diego Stake Dances when Carole was teaching kindergarten in San Diego.   Their wedding was held in the 7th Ward Chapel and the reception on the patio.   Many of her students and their parents were there.  We then had a luncheon and our home in University City.  Jeanne and Stan and family plus Mary and Dick and family and Mom and Dad had all traveled down for the wedding.  Marilyn and David missed it.

The following day we were all at the Pacific Beach beach and here comes Carole and Len.








Carole and Len joined us at the Pacific Beach the following day as they did not want to miss any of the family time together.  It was such a fun family gathering.  There were some sunburned boys though!




John Hardy Memorial Hike 2015

My Life So Far