Life Story of Ruth Elizabeth Proctor-80th Birthday Party 1998

Mother's 80th Birthday Party 

14 November 1998

Ruth Elizabeth Proctor Cook

     Mother turned 80 on 16 November 1998 and we celebrated with all of her friends and family on 14 November 1998.  What a time we all had!  Mother especially enjoyed it.  I remember all the fun we had planning this marvelous event.  I took Mother to town and pushed her around in a wheelchair looking for just the right blouse for her to wear.  We had so much fun.  We laughed and laughed like a couple of teenagers.  I will never forget that night.  Mother was literally giddy with excitement.

    

Invitations were sent to family and friends near and far.

     At last the big night came.  Joyce and I helped her get ready for her big adventure and it was off to meet with her family and friends.

We gave Mother a family history picture.  In the middle was her, Dad, and Vergil.  Us kids were along the bottom with pictures of us as babies and as adults.  Then along the left side was Mother's parents were on the left side and Daddy's parents were on the right side.  Pictures depicting their lives were scattered throughout.  We had a local artist, draw this for us.  She loved it!

Mother is all settled and ready to start meeting her guest.  I am just looking on.

     I wanted to include many pictures from that evening as many of the people who are in them have also passed on.  Hope you will enjoy a trip down memory lane.

Lynette Wilson liked sitting by her Grandmother.  Mother visiting withe Merl Pettingale and Anna Margaret Berrett.  Both long time friends with Mother.  Neither one of them is alive any longer.

Gene and Arlene Miller with Mother.  None are still with us.

Grant and Liz Scheiss with Lynette who is admiring one of their twins.  All still here, thank goodness!

Uncle Melburn, Aunt Zelda and Aunt Verla (All are no longer here)

Jack and Faye Brough with Mother.  (All are gone)  Faye is Mother's niece.

Myron and Darlene Hancock wishing Mother well.  These are Nancy's inlaws.  Myron passed away shortly after being released as our Stake President.  

Otto and Bernice Gauer, both deceased now.

Michelle Merrill, Judy Merrill, Carolyn Taylor, Heneritta Morgan (deceased) and Darby Merrill enjoying some refreshments.

Kay and Lucy Clark visiting with Darby Merrill.  Lois visiting with Carol Ossmen, a cousin.  (Kay is deceased)

Erin and Amy sharing a laugh with Mother.

Brenda and Kerry Frazier.  Kerry lived across the street from us when we were all growing up.  Many good memories of playing out under the street light with him and the rest of the neighborhood kids.  Oh man, we used to have such fun.  We played "No Bears are Out Tonight", "Kick the Can," "Annie Eye Over," tag, and walking the barrel to see who could stay on the longest.  Those were the good ole days alright!

Jim and Shannon visiting with one of Shannon's good friends, Chere Garland and her parents, Ron and Norma Ackerman.  (Ron is deceased now)

Mari, Cindy, Patricia, Nancy, Lynette, Diana holding Sean at the refreshment table.

Me (Lois) visiting with Max and Reva Beyeler and Evaline Green.  All good friends of Mother.  All three have left this world now.

Mari serving.  Arvil and Margaret Larsen in the background.  They were friends and neighbors of Mother's from when we first moved to Menan.  They moved to Idaho Falls several years ago.  Edna Rottweiler and two of her daughters are standing by the table.  Edna was a dear friend of Mother's from her days in Roberts.  (Edna as since passed away too.)

Kay and Joyce visiting with Leo and Wanda Waters and their daughter, Beverly.  Leo and Wanda are both gone.

Delores and Dick Wertz good friends and neighbors.  Delores is deceased.

Garen Youngstrom and Jayse Berrett enjoying some refreshments along with Amy, Erin, Patricia and Marissa Cook.

Theron visiting with Liz and Britt Hargraves.  Britt has since passed away.

Marilyn and Derek Webb in foreground with Max and Joy Covington admiring the picture.  Good friends and neighbors.  Max and Joy did a lot for Mother.  Picked her and would take her to their house to play games and also to see the Christmas lights.  They were really very good to her.  (Derek has gone also.)

Grant Scheiss and Jared Cook in doorway.  Jill Cook, Lynette, and Becky Cook are waiting inline admiring one of Liz's twin boys.  (Jared passed away right after Mother in 1999)

Marilyn Tyler and LaWan Marler, nieces of Mother. (Marilyn died in 2005)

Karen and Bob Huffaker, good friends and ward members.

Brian Berrett and Mari helping at the refreshment table.

Chris and Justin Cook studying Mother's picture.

Ron and Shellie Eliason, Liz and Lynette

Nancy and Jaimee Hancock

Mother cutting her cake.

Mother and Carla waiting while James does heavy heavy hangover  with the book with the tributes the family all wrote to Mother.

Mother looking through the book.  I think that she really really enjoyed that book.  The first part of this blog contains all of the tributes that are in the book.  Check them out if you haven't already.  You will enjoy reading what everyone had to say.  It's awesome!

Thanks, Mother for being the most wonderful Mother in the world and for giving us the great opportunity of having this super awesome party for you.  We love you so much.  Thanks for being our Mom.