The Beginning...

BOWIE*NELSON*WHITEHEAD*MORTON*MONSON*IRVINE*OSTLUND*CARLSON

I feel like I can no longer put off this project. I have always had a keen interest in my roots. Like most of you learning how to find balance in life is a constant struggle. I have a plan! Since the beginning of the year I have dedicated most Sunday evenings or afternoons to this project and slowly but surely I have been making progress.

The basic gist of this project is to document the lives of my ancestors. I feel that to properly portray their lives, I need the involvement from those who lives are also effected by these great people. I do not live in isolation, I am part of a great family that all make up these generations.

I have limited information and I know that there is much more out there. I invite all whose lives are touched by these ancestors to contact me and contribute.

I am thrilled to start this part of the project with you.

MARY WITH HER OLDER SISTER VELDA

The first ancestor I am going to highlight is Grandma Mary. When I was 5 my mom (Diane Irene Morton) made a book as a tribute to her parents. In this book all of Grandma Mary's siblings wrote to her. I was thrilled to read and enjoy these kind words. Unfortunately for me, my siblings and cousins, she died at a very young age.

I hope you enjoy these words as much as I. If any of you have tributes that you would like to add, please contact me and I will do so.

Mary Irene (Nelson) Morton

Born October 12, 1916 Stirling, Alberta

Parents Alonzo Nelson b. 27 Jan 1885 Mt Pleasant Sanpete, Utah D.25 OCT 1949 Lethbridge, AB

Hulda Ostlund b. 21 May 1885 Elsinore Sevier Utah d. 1 Feb 1930 Stirling, AB

Siblings: Farrell Alonzo Nelson 30 Dec.

Ruth 19 March 1911

Laura 14 Nov 1912

Velda 8 June 1914

Mary Irene 12 Oct 1916

Berta 24 June 1918

Beth Hulda 17 April 1923

(1909 all born in Stirling, AB)

Her Story written by her daughter Diane in 1977

Mary Nelson was born October 12, 1916 in Stirling, Alberta at the home of her grandpa Ostlund. She was the fourth daughter of Alonzo and Hulda Ostlund. Their family consisted of “all girls and one boy.

As a young girl of four Mary was given the task of watching over her two year old sister Bertha who loved to “eat” snakes. There was always plenty of work to do but Mary also had fun. She used to love dressing up in her sisters things, they always seemed prettier than her own. At six she was dressed up in her own good things waiting to go to town to a show when she accidentally fell backward into the tub of bath water. This made it necessary to wear her older sisters things to town- they were too big of course and it wasn't; so much fun. Also, at the age of six Mary was sent to school, only to be sent home again because of her birth date.

At eight Mary was baptized in her Grandma Burkes bathtub. She had to be immersed several times because her foot kept popping up so she has always felt “well-baptized”.

Mary was often looking around for money, as are most kids. Once she got to school one of her favorite things was scouting around the school yard for lost change. Upon finding any she would rush over to the store to buy cinnamon candy. Another favourite way to get money was to see who could get up earliest in the morning to make the fire and collect the change left on the organ by dad. This was left there for this exact reason. Laura was usually the winner but Mary won a few times. (She got up “early”one morning only to find it wasn’t yet morning-her dad was still sitting up) The money was not always spent on candy, some of it went to Laura who was willing to take Mary’s dose of cod liver oil for a small fee. Mary not only hated this medicine but the dose of epsom salts administers to anyone sick to go to school. She didn’t often take this either, as soon as her father left the room she would dump it into the slop jar.

Anyone who knows Mary knows what a lovely seamstress she is. This career started at about eleven and the first project was not too successful. It was a dress sewn for Velda on which Mary put the top backwards. This mistake was blamed on the fact that she had sewn it on a Sunday.

The Nelson girls all know how to work. Their mother became ill when Beth was a baby and she died three years later. Each one had a particular job and Mary's was to see to her mother. (Her mother always told her she should be a nurse). In addition to the house duties their father gave the a field of beets and told them they could have the profit that was gained from it. They did this and also helped out with other field work. At about thirteen Mary broke her arm when she fell off the hay wagon while “tramping”. Even though they worked hard the girls learned how to turn it into fun and are all thankful for this valuable lesson.

By fourteen Mary started going to dances and showing interest in boys. It was at a dance she first met Jack Morton from Warner. He had come to the dance with several other young men from Warner. The romance didn’t start until several years later. Mary’s boyfriend at that time was Oscar Miller and he brought Jack and Fred Nelson along on one of his Sunday visits to the Nelson home. Jack took over that night and Oscar drove Jack, Fred and Mary to Fred’s place in Warner. Fred intended to get the family car and drive back later that evening. There was no car at Nelson’s so they had to wait and it was 4:30 am when Mary finally arrived home. Her father was very surprised to see Mary walking in- he had thought she was up in bed all along.

Jack and Mary dated all that summer and on until New Years when he took off hunting coyotes. He wasn't heard from again until July 24 when he showed up with his suitcase and shinny shoes. He acted as though he had never been gone but it was a bit of a problem for Mary- she was dating Johnny Jones by now. However, the two disappeared for a while and Johnny got the message. The two went together then until March 17 when they became engaged and were married that summer on July 4 in the Nelson yard. The honeymooners left for the Calgary Stampede in a Model A with a tent and Jack’s saddle in their trunk.

After the honeymoon Mary moved into the house on the farm- cleaned it up and began her chores as wife to Jack and “caretaker’ of George and Irvine. In April 1937 Marlene was born. A dark haired darling who was the joy of the household. These first few years of marriage were lean ones but Jack’s rodeo money helped out and there were lots of good friends to enjoy. Then in October of 43 Diane was born and two years later Bill. The same year he was born Jack was called up for enlistment but was rejected because of bad feet. This was such a happy occasion that Jack celebrated by paying $15 dollars for a sealskin hat for Mary! The two vowed not to tell a soul how much it cost but Jack’s mother found the bill. In March the following year Mary packed up and the family went to live at the McIntyre ranch where Jack was superintendent. The time there was enjoyable and Mary had several interesting things happen- she delivered a baby for example.

Mary is a marvelous cook. She can cook for a large group of people and make it seem simple and have it tasted great. She can also sew like a pro and many people have counted on her to make their clothe-men, women and children. Her house was always in order, she enjoyed gardening and is good at hand crafts. Mary didn’t waste a minute and you’d rarely find her down. When she was ill she didn’t let her keep her down.

Religion was always been important in Mary’s life and she has taught Sunday School for many years. She has held many leadership positions and has earned the respect of many people both in and outside her own church. Mary has been successful in instilling in her children a love for the Lord.

Community work has always been important to mary and she has and always was involved in her community. Working on Home and School, Library, Farm Women's of Alberta are just a few.

Through the years Mary has stayed close to her family. She and her sisters and brother got together often. She has also gained the love and admiration of many friends. She has raised a fine family and always showed them her love. Her grandchildren love her as do the children of her friends.

As a tribute to mary in conclusion just let me say- the world would certainly be a better place if there were more people like Mary.

Tributes to mary from her brother and sisters

All the tributes were written in 1977

Beth’s Tribute

Being the youngest of 7 children and having lost our mother at the age of six years, I owe a great deal to a good father, one brother and 5 sisters. I suppose in my early years I didn’t think too much of their discipling and their instructions, but as the years pass I appreciate each one more. We are a very close family, and their concerns are my concerns.

My childhood memories of mary are not that vivd as she was married when I was 12, but I do recall walking back and forth to school, carrying our lunches, cutting through Bradley's pasture after we made sure there were no bulls.

Then there are the fun times when we would go swimming in the canal and many were the water fights. It was always our job to herd the sheep and I can recall on many occasions she and I watching them in the field to the south of the house, the games we played and the bouquets of flowers we would pick and take home.

I can recall one summer we were putting up hay and she slipped off the rack and broke her wrist.

After she was married I spent a lot of time at Warner and because of her I have made a lot of new friends.

Mary developed a great sewing talent and it seems every time I hauler ‘help’ she is more that obliging. The little bit I know about sewing I can thank her for. If I don’t know much about sewing, I sure do know how to press. Thanks to her each one of my children had a wedding trousseaus.

She and Joan were instrumental in planning our 25 Wedding Anniversary at the Park Plaza. She phoned everyone and asked them if they would like a night out at thier own expense, what a surprise!

We had many good time together. We’ve been on holidays and trips, we’ve had family reunions and we have worked together on cleaning bees- all a pleasure. We’ve also been though times of sorrow, I have felt her strength.

The public are always confusing her and I - a fact that I am proud of!

BERTHA’S TRIBUTE

Things I remember about mary: we were always trying to see who was the strongest, we were always trying to take the other down and I have to give and say she could take me down more times than I could her- so she was the strongest.

We each had to make our own lunched to school every morning and try to get the Lethbridge Herald comics to wrap it in so we could read it at noon, walking, running or whatever to get to school on time. Many times we would be crawling under the fence at home and hear the bell ring- then we really did run.

In the winter they always knew when the Nelson girls were late because dad would put the sleigh bells on our horse named Dick (a beautiful white horse) and you could hear the bells a long way off, they sounded pretty but not when you were late for school.

In the summer time it was always fun to do the hay because that gave us a chance to drive the horse that pulled the hay up onto the stack. But when Mary fell and broke her arm, that ended putting up the hay.

It was always fun to go swimming in the old gravel pit. Mary and I could swim pretty good but Velda couldn’t and was scared to try so Mary and I would push her in and have great fun watching her try to swim.

It was fun for us to go for the cows in the pasture until the ay (sunday, we had on our good clothes) and the horse didn’t want to go so it Iaid down in the canal to cool off!

The growing up days were fun now that I look back. Having as many sisters as we did- we got along good. Well I do remember when Mary had a boyfriend named Jack Morton- he was terrible- I couldn’t understand why he didn’t like me- I even got on his back so bad that he tied me to the door knob in the kitchen- on a Saturday when we had the house all clean and floor waxed- he went to the well and got a pail of cold water and came in the house and threw it on me!and threw it on me! They took off for Lethbridge and left me to clean-up. I will never forget the day she got married- how beautiful she looked and all us girls standing in a circle waiting for her to come down the stairs (boy she didn’t know what she was in for). She finally made it and also the getting married- when it was over- I was standing by Velda and I looked up at her and she was crying. I asked her what are you crying for and she said, “you’re supposed to:. But I didn’t know then I would have to put up with Jack anymore, He would have to be nice to me because he was now my brother-in-law.

I have always appreciated Mary. She was always and still is ready to help you if and when you need help. I am glad I had a sister like her. Bertha

VELDA’S TRIBUTE

One of the very first things I remember about Mary when she was a cute little girls was how spunky she would get whenever Grandpa Ostlund (Jonas) would come our from town to tend us. Invariable she would pack her bag, start up the land and say she was running away. I would almost panic because he wouldn’t go after her until she got clear to the top. Then he brought her back in no certain terms.

As a family we all worked hard but we also played hard. Mary and I did a lot of work together but we usually turned it into a contest. When we shelled peas we counted our a certain number- then raced to see who could finish first, When we did the dishes we’d sing- either church songs, nursery rhymes or love songs. The one that couldn’t come up with another song had to finish the dishes alone.

We always had a lot of fun. Every birthday was special and still is. Whenever a gang would be at our house- every child would be upstairs all the older ones putting on a show and all the younger ones watching and crying, We always had a good audience when we displayed all of the lovely old fashioned clothes that were in a big chest upstairs.

Mary and I always had lots of good times together without very many problems. I think we’ll keep it that way

RUTH’S TRIBUTE

Mary is my third sister and I think she is a lot like her father, rather ambitious, knows what she wants and makes good decisions. Does everything she does very well.

I remember when we were little and whenever in the summertime we couldn’t find her, we just went into the pea patch and Mary would be eating peas her dress lap full. I wonder if she still likes peas that well now. Then I remember Mary always had a fad for pretty clothes, she always had a surprise for us because she would always get somebodies pretty dress or hat and wear them. I don’t think she asked us anytime, maybe she thought we would say ‘no’.

She has a good sense of humour and can always tell a good clean joke well.

She is good hearted, would do anything and everything for everybody. She can cook like I can’t imagine. Cook for an hundred and look like she just stepped out of a palace. I remember she made a forget me not quilt and had everyone embroidery a flower on each block. I was different because I put a bucking horse on mine for Jack. She enjoyed that and we had a good laugh.

I don’t know if she is a good speller yet because she left a not once when Gerald was a teacher and she said, “I made the East instead of yeast”. Gerald made sure she spelled it right the next day when she got to school.

Mary has always loved to sew. I guess she took after her grandpa Ostlund because he was a tailor. When someone pulls apart her husbands shirts and makes one herself! Then I begin to wonder. But she still seems normal and looks younger every day so...

She is a friend- sister. Like all my sisters I think they are tops. Mary has never forgotten my birthday, always want to entertain my family. Wish I could drive a car like she can.

She is very kind and gracious and has helped Jack raise a lovely family. Now that I am way from all my sisters seems like I appreciate and miss them more.

LAURA’S TRIBUTE

Laura was the second eldest daughter and she married Norman Hirsche. They had 3 sons. Laura was a good mother, hard worker, lover of little children and always had a beautiful garden. She was close to Mary as to all her sisters and they all miss her since her death in 1972.

ELLEN’S TRIBUTE (sister-in-law)

Indeed you are dear to me. I am lucky and truly blessed to have you for a sister. You and your sisters have so many wonderful qualities of character, and so many abilities that I admire and wish I had, that I found quite difficult at times to fit in with.

I know you deserve all those abilities you have developed. It has taken desire, confidence, practice, work, work, work (plus a little talent eh.) But it’s just not fair for one person to be such a perfectionist such as a perfect cook and charming hostess always, a good housekeeper and homemaker, an excellent seamstress, an outstanding leader both at church and community, a down right good friend to all, and a wonderful sister-in-law.

When I think of you I think of the words of the Saviour, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Also, when love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece”.

I feel honoured to have had the rare opportunity to play the Wedding March on the old organ in your dining room July 4, 1935. You made a beautiful bride coming down those stairs.

You have heard the statement many times, “you can never keep a good woman down’. You’ve never been down very much, even tho you should have at times. You are and have been always up and going and doing for friends and loved ones.

God bless you mary and Jack, who too has been just as kind and hospitable and earned the love and respect of so many, especially the children who deemed it a real privilege and holiday to stay with Uncle Jack and Aunt Mary. May you have many more wonderful years ahead.

I love you both Ellen

FARRELL’S TRIBUTE

You are my fourth sister, born of goodly parents on October 12, 1916. You were the 5th child born to Alonzo and Huldah Nelson, being named after Dad’s oldest sister mary Knudsen, who was largely responsible for raising Dad to manhood after his mother died while he was quite young in Utah.

There were no cars or school buses when we were kids, so it was my job to haul all y sisters to school with Old Pete and the buggy. In the winter when there was snow we travelled by sleigh, in the cutter, with the sleigh bells which grandfather brought from Elsinore, Utah when they came to Canada. I think John Nelson’s father made them.

We have always been a close family, a very close family, too close for secrets about our lives, good or bad, and close enough to enjoy each others company and good times together. Close enough that we have never lived much over 25-30 miles from the place of our birth and that’s unique.

I have a real love and appreciation for you mary, as a sister, an individual and as a mother. You have consistently been a good example at all times, friendly, loyal, and honest to your convictions. Your talents are man, sewing, cooking, teaching, entertaining and helping others ar all times. The beautiful thing about you is, that you have abundantly used your talents for the benefit of others.

I have also appreciated Jack, very much through the years. he is and always has been a real valued friend and brother-in-law possessing many of the fine qualities of character you do.

Your greatest and most valued possession is, of course, your fine and devoted family. May the Lord continue to bless, help and guide you all.

I love you.

Alonzo Nelson born 27 January 1885 in Mt Pleasant Sanpete, Utah U.S.A.

married 5 May 1909 to Huldah Ostlund

died 25 October 1949 in Lethbridge, AB, buried in Stirling.

His father was Nels Hans Nelson and his mother was Mary Ann Gillett.

Hulda Ostlund born 21 May 1885 Elsinore Sevier, Utah. She died 1 February 1930 in Stirling, Alberta and buried 5 February 5 1930.