Dear Relatives

GEORGE ARTHUR PYPER

George Arthur Pyper, was born 17 June 1917 in Midway, Utah, the tenth child of Clarissa Pyper and James T. Pyper. He graduated from Wasatch High School. He moved to Salt Lake in 1935.

He married Dorothy Young 16 February 1938. They had one daughter, Sherie Pyper Minson. They were divorced. George married Maxine Molly Nelson 14 October 1955. This marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They have three children: David Russell, Dennis Laurence and Debra.

George has held many church positions, serving in the Presidency of Mutual and his Elders Quorum. Sunday School Superintendency, and now in his ward Bishopric.

He spent three years in the Service of his country during World War II. His occupation is a salesman in Salt Lake City most of his life.

MIMA PYPER RASBAND

Mima Pyper Rasband, daughter of Clarissa Van Wagoner and James T. Pyper, was born in Midway, Utah 28 October 1919. She attended the schools in Wasatch County, Utah.

Mima was married to Lincoln A. Rasband 1 October 1937 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have six children; four daughters and two sons. They've lived in Heber through out their married life. Mimi and Lincoln operate the Crown Café in Heber. Lincoln teaches History and Science in Park City High School.

SARAH VAN WAGONER

I was the seventh child in a family of fourteen children and was born on June 29, 1882. My parents were John Van Wagoner and Margaret Ann Fausett.

Father bought a lot where he built our home from Mark Smith for $250.00. One large brick room, later there were five rooms added to it. Mother kept beautiful shrubs, roses and flowers surrounding it.

We enjoyed many fishing trips with our parents and brothers and sister on the river between Charleston and Midway. Sometimes we spent the night camping.

As children we were taught the principles of the gospel; to pay tithing, to have faith in the Priesthood and when ill to ask for a blessing. We were told never to refuse to do anything in the church, no matter how small the task. We were expected to attend Primary and Sunday School. There was always family prayers.

My schooling was limited. They didn't graduate us from the 8th grade, but kept us coming until we quit. My education continued through reading good books, study and from my teacher in various organizations. My greatest aid was through prayer.

I was active in church organizations through-out my life beginning at 17 years of age as assistant secretary in the Relief Society. I loved genealogy work.

At Christmas time we always had a community Christmas tree and a childrens dance. In the summer, the Sunday School would put on celebrations sometimes at the Hot Pots or up to Huber Grove in Snake Creek Canyon. What fun we had jumping the rope, large swings in the trees, playing pony, picking wild flowers and berries. Then a good picnic lunch and a program.

Large crowds of young people came to our home, different ages. We would have spelling matches. I was pleased to sometimes win. We would play the organ and sing. We learned many songs, especially when the McEwan boys and girls came from Provo.

I was 19 years old when Hyrum came from his mission in July. We had not gone steady before he left, but I attended his farewell and it seemed I heard the words "He will be yours for time and eternity." He came to see me the 25th of July, we became engaged that night. We were married September 3, 1902 in the Salt Lake Temple. We had nine children: five boys and four girls and also raised a niece' baby daughter five days old.

Our home was at Charleston, Utah where all of our children were born. Then later, before moving, bought the Fitzgerald and Van Tassel ranches and moved to Woodland. Then bought the Woodland Store. In 1930, the home and store BURNED TO THE GROUND. Stella, my nieces baby and my daughter Graces’ baby, LaVon, came nearly to being burned. We suffered financially but were thankful the babies lives were spared.

Hyrum was successful as a cattleman and stock raiser taking many prizes at the fairs.

Stella and I spent several winters at St. George doing Temple work.

January 10, 1944, Hyrum and I filled a mission to the Southern States, laboring at Booneville, Mississippi. Again in December 1946, we returned on a short term mission, this time at Winter Haven, Florida. Hyrum was Branch President, I Relief Society President. Many wonderful experiences came to us.

Sarah died October 27, 1951 of a terminal illness at her home in Woodland. Cheerful, though suffering to the end. She left a large Posterity. (Written by Sarah Van Wagoner Winterton about herself)

GRACE ELLEN WINTERTON

Grace Ellen Winterton, born at Charleston, Utah 17 November 1907, the eldest daughter of Sarah Van Wagoner and Hyrum Shurtliff Winterton. I was a member of a family of nine children. When our cousin Stella Culmer passed away leaving a baby daughter, we took her into our home loving and rearing her as a sister.

I had a very happy life, attending Wasatch High School and participating in many school plays, being dramatic leader when a sophomore. Completing high school, I helped mother as her health was poor at this time. I planned marriage but my fiancee was called on a mission to the Northern States. On his return we were married in the Salt Lake Temple 5 June 1929. His name, Merlin D. Simmons, son of John Simmons and Phebe Daybell.

Much of our married life was spent in farming in the early years, a farm in Woodland. Then in the spring of 1933 farming in Charleston, and back to Woodland for the winter. Our son LaVel was born 2 December 1932, when a few weeks old he contracted pneumonia and died. In January 1934 our baby girl was born, we named her Luana, but we're saddened as she only lived one day. We sold the farm and moved back to Woodland.

In 1946 we bought a home in Heber, but rented it and went to Granby, Colorado to run a big ranch. We took our three sons and seven young boys from Heber to help us, staying the summer, but returning in the fall for school. Merlin bought the "Old Farm" where he was born and raised. We stayed here seven years but had to move as all the family had hay fever.

July 1954 we moved to Logan, Merlin worked in the timber and then for State Agricultural College as carpenter in maintenance work. Then in 1957 we took over the LDS Stake Welfare farm in Riverton, Utah. This was four years of very rewarding work for our family.

Then we moved to Snyderville to manage the Stake farm. Our son LaVon and family worked with us here for three years. Next we managed a dairy farm just out of Park City. Later we moved to Sandy, working for the Willow Creek Country Club as custodians. At present we are working for the Granite School district as custodians.

I've always been active in the church, especially enjoying participation in group singing in the wards. I have been Stake and Ward Choristers in Sunday School, Primary, Relief Society and MIA, also Primary and Mutual President, always active where ever we lived. I am Relief Society Chorister at the present time. While living in Charleston I joined the Adeline Chorus from Heber City, Utah, and remained a member while living in Charleston.