Dear Relatives

IDA MAE POWEL NELSON

Ida Mae Powell was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, the first child of Olof Raymond Powell and Eva Eliza Van Wagoner Powell. She attended the elementary grades in Raymond. At the age of 16 she moved with her parents and brothers and sister to Payson, Utah, the birthplace of her father. Her mother was born in Provo, Utah. They family lived at Payson for one year, where Ida attended high school, then he father obtained employment as city electrician in Nephi, Utah, and moved his family there. Here Ida continued her high school education. She also worked in the Nephi telephone office, as an operator.

She married Spencer J. Brown of Provo, Utah, in the Salt Lake Temple, and they lived for a time in Provo. This married ended in divorce. Later she married Roy V. Nelson. They have two children, Kent and Christine.

Roy was a career officer in the U.S. Airforce. He served in the 2^nd World War. In connection with his service they were transferred to many far away places. They lived for two years in Japan, returning to the United States, and they were transferred to Biloxi, Mississippi. They also lived at Fort Warren, Wyoming, and Ida lived in Bordentown, New Jersey, while Roy spent a year in Labrador. The family moved then to Enid, Oklahoma, and later to Turkey, where they spent two years, returning to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Roy was retired from the Airforce with the rank of Lt. Col. In 1963. At the present time she and her husband and son and daughter are living in Santa Rose, California, where Roy is employed in the real estate business.

Ida is an accomplished author, having had a number of poems and stories published. In 1962, she published a book of poetry entitled, “Tina in Turkey.” Her poetry has appeared in the Era, Children’s Friend, and other publications. As a young girl, she delighted many audiences with her dramatic readings. She has a lovely singing voice, which was sometimes overlooked because of her popular readings.

BERT POWELL

Bert Powell, son of Olof Raymond Powell and Eva Eliza Van Wagoner Powell, both members of the L.D.S. Church, was born June 20, 1911, at Raymond, Alberta, Canada. My father was born at Payson, Utah, and my mother at Provo, Utah. Their parents were all members of the L.D.S. Church. I was the third child of a family of twelve children. I attended the elementary grades in Raymond, and was baptized a member of the L.D.S. Church June 26, 1920.

On Wednesday, April 16, 1924, at the age of 12 I left Raymond with my family, and moved to Payson, Utah, where I lived for one year and attended the 8^th grade. In 1925 we moved to Nephi, Utah, where my father was employed for about 25 years as city electrician. I graduated from the Juab Stake Seminary in 1928, and the Nephi High School in 1929.

In the spring of 1933 I joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at Nephi, Utah, and worked for 2 ½ years during the great depression in this organization. I worked as a carpenter building the camp, three months as a horse wrangler, where I took care of six horses and three mules and packed in the food and supplies for a trail crew of about 20 men making trails on Mt. Nebo. In the winter of 1933 and 1934 I worked as a surveyors helper to the camp engineer at Washington, two miles east of St. George, where the old cotton mill was built, the first one in Utah. Then for about two years I worked as the forestry clerk to the camp superintendent. I then attended the L.D.S. Business College for a winter.

In 1936 I started work for the agent of The Texas Oil Co. at Nephi, as a truck driver, bookkeeper, and salesman, which job I worked at for six years. In 1942 I started work for the Juab County Mill & Elevator Co. at Nephi, as a truck driver, salesman, and bookkeeper, which job I still hold.

I have been active in scouting for about 28 years, six as a scout, about 15 as a scout master and explorer leader, and about seven years as a troop committee-man. In 1945 I became a counselor in the Nephi South Ward bishopric and spent 4 ½ years as a counselor in three different bishoprics, which was a wonderful experience. At the present time I am a counselor in the Ward MIA, the second time I have held this position. In 1964 I was presented with the Silver Beaver award in scouting.

I married Florence Belliston of Nephi, Utah, in 1939, the daughter of Ralph Bardsley Belliston and Alice Lillian Farnsworth, both L.D.S. members. We were married in the Logan Temple August 4, 1939. Florence has served in the YWMIA as a counselor, and as a teacher in the Primary, and Sunday School; and for over ten years as the Relief Society magazine representative, which position she holds now. During that time the Ward has gone over their quota of 100% each year.

We have two children, Robert Belliston Powell, born June 4, 1941, at Nephi, Utah, and Linda Marie Powell, born Sept. 10, 1946, at the Payson Hospital, Payson, Utah. Robert is an Eagle scout, a silver explorer, and holds the Duty to God award. In 1957 Robert and I attended the National Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. At Juab High School Robert lettered in track, was editor of the high school paper, and was valedictorian of his class. He also graduated from Seminary. To earn money he had a paper route and was janitor at the local bank.

In Robert’s junior year he became a ham radio operator, a hobby which he still enjoys. He was awarded a four-year scholarship at the BYU where he is majoring in electrical engineering and is in his senior year. Between his second and third year of college he filled a mission for two years in the Eastern States Mission. While there he participated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant for two years. Robert plays the piano and organ and has completed the L.D.S. course as an organist.

Linda graduated from Juab High School in 1964. In High School she was very active in athletics, plays, and in her senior year had the lead part in the musical, Oklahoma. Her talent as a piano accompanist was also used extensively. She was also editor of the high school paper, and was drill mistress of the Pro-VITA drill team, a girl’s service organization. She also received a scholarship at the BYU, having graduated from high school with honors, and is now attend school at that college. She was Miss Nephi in 1964. Linda has completed the L.D.S. chorister course and has been assistant Sunday School Chorister for several years, and also has served as Sunday School organist.

We all have a testimony of the Gospel and know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on this earth. By trying to live the Gospel teachings and obeying the lord’s commandments we have been greatly blessed and, as a family, have received much joy and happiness. In times of trouble and when members of our family have been seriously ill in our home, the power of the Priesthood of God has been manifested, and they have regained their health and strength, and our troubled minds have been calmed and our burdens eased. We have tried to fully pay our tithing and offerings and have never missed the money but have had joy and happiness in doing so. When financial worries have been great and we have wondered how we would be able to meet certain obligations, the way has been opened up and the seemingly impossible has happened. We know that if we follow the Lord’s words and obey His counsel that we will have joy in this world and peace of mind, and happiness in the life hereafter.