Max Kidd Proctor

Max Kidd Proctor

Talk given at funeral 17 February 1976

by Holger BC Tychsen

1912-1976

     The Latter-day saints understanding of  eternal marriage is one of the most important sources of comfort for one who has lost a companion and who feels worthy of having the marriage continue for eternity.  Then death is looked upon as a temporary separation, and one can look forward to being united with his loved ones.  While death is almost always an unwelcomed event, it is much more tolerable when one has the assurance of being reunited with his loved ones.

     We, no doubt, knew before we were born that we were coming into a world that would include joys and sorrows and comfort and pain, peace and hardship, health and sickness, success and disappointments.  We knew also some day we would die.  If we accepted the privilege of coming to this world with these risks involved, it is our duty now to accept with faith consequences that are beyond our control and take hope in the reunion that will surely come.

     In Alma 34:32 we read:  "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

     In the life of Brother and Sister Proctor, perhaps 18 January 1973, was the greatest day of their lives.  They were married for time and eternity in the House of the Lord. I have known Brother Proctor during these last important years of his life.  He and his wife and companion have set an example for their children to love the Gospel and keep all of the Lord's commandments. 

Max and Dorothy at the Temple 18 Jan. 1973

Patrica Hawkins, Dorthy and Max, Shirley Fay Brough, Ethel Proctor Formo

     To Brother Proctor, his home and his family was his life.  A friend of ours has often commented to us of how special the Proctor home is.  When she was growing up, she lived in the same neighborhood.  It was to the Proctor home that that kids always went because it was so much fun and there was always things going on there.  Sometimes it was wall-to-wall kids but it was where they loved to be.  Dorothy and Max have shown that where there is heart room, there is house room.

     Our own children loved Max a great deal for the kindness that he always showed them.  He and Dorothy took them horseback riding and always had the time and took the effort to talk to them and show them that they really enjoyed their company.

     Max's home was always open to others and when I went to talk to him about temple work, he was always excited about the progress that was being made by the Elders and their wives.  He had been called to be over organizing and checking on the temple work done by the Elders in our ward.  Through his diligence and effort we went from very few endowments to our high of 53 in the month of January.  He was overjoyed with the success of this work.  He had a strong testimony of the Gospel and especially temple work.  I have been with Max in the temple when it hurt him to walk, when he wasn't able to wear his regular shoe, but he ever complained, but would smile and say he was fine.  He was where he wanted to be.  We enjoyed so much our many  temple excursions as a group not only because of the work that we were doing., but also because of the social ability of our brothers and sisters.  Age was never a barrier in the good times we have had together.

Max and his dog, Tippy

     Brother Proctor filled other church assignments with equal enthusiasm.  We often had to go as a quorum out to the welfare farm on various occasions.  At one time we had to pour some cement steps and he put in about 50 man hours on this job.  It was a great experience working along with him.  Everyone in our ward loved Brother Proctor, especially the Elders that he helped so much.

     As an example of how we could always count on Max to do everything he was called to do, he and his home teaching companion, Brother Glenn Pierce, visited their families every month without fail and always had their oral evaluations with me.  They were truly concerned about those people they were responsible for. Any time we needed a volunteer for collecting money for welfare banquets, Brother Proctor was always one of the first with his hand up.

     Brother and Sister Proctor were the perfect married couple.  They were always together and unified in the things they did.  They fit into any gathering and were always happy and fun to be with.  To them the Church and family came first.  It was wonderful to see the love and devotion, the kindness and tenderness that they had for one another.  Sister Proctor has often told us of the many ways that Max helped her on Relief Society Day with the projects that she was involved in.

     Brother Proctor was the father of seven children, one of whom passed away.  He was so proud of them and of the many accomplishments that they had.  You could feel the love that he had for them as he talked of their successes and experiences.  He would often speak of his joy in being a grandfather and we could feel of his young spirit as he talked of the good times he had when he visited his grandchildren.  his family are fine, upstanding citizens and they know of the good example their father has set for them to follow.  He has left an honorable name for his children, especially his sons to live up to.

     Max was generous with everything he had and especially with his time as his children and Dorothy know.  He was a hard worker and a good provider for his family.  Dorothy and Max were married during the depression years which were such dark and relentless years.  One story that we enjoyed hearing was how they rationed out sugar to the family during the War.  Each child had his cup of sugar which was to last during the week.  When it was gone, they were out of luck unless they could bargain with a brother or sister for some of theirs.  And there was some pretty good deals made for a little bit of sugar, especially by some that had a sweet tooth.

     Max and Dorothy have always had a garden which they enjoyed so much.  No one could grow things like they could.  They loved the hard work that went into the planting, weeding and harvesting.  He would always say to me, "How's your garden?" and thanks to the many suggestions he gave us we had a few successes.  They were always willing to share with us too, and we appreciated it so much.

     Max and Dorothy enjoyed the out-of-doors so much.  They go so much joy from riding their horses in the canyons with each other and with their family.  Their fishing trips and other outings brought much contentment into their lives.

Max  All-State Center 1930 

Chinook, Montana

     Brother Proctor loved sports, especially basketball.  He had the reputation of being a clean player.  He very seldom fouled.  He played in high school under Coach Sterling Harris.  In one game he held an all-stater from Jordan to no points.  He also played with the Tooele Merchants with such men as Burdette Bevan, Pug Warner, Sherman Lee, Max Anderson, Ray Howell and Ray Hill.  In 1956-57 he was coach of the First Ward M-Men team.  Richard Palmer, Don Proctor, Keith Obrone, Bob Colledge, Marte Christensen, and Bill Patton were his boys and they took seventh in the all-church tournament.  He also worked with Steve Hawkins, Gary Evans, David Stevens and others.  These boys admired and loved Max and they all played so well together.  Max and Dorothy went to all the games, sometimes into Salt Lake in the worst of snow storms.  I'm sure his boys can all recall many wonderful experiences as they think of these years that their dad worked so closely with them.

Montana State Champions 1930 Chinook, Montana

Max is 3 from left seated on bench

10th Grade Basketball team Malta, Montana

Max 4th from left, Walt Formo 5th from left

     Brother Max Proctor was a humble man; he never boasted.  He was companionable and cheerful with a refined sense of humor.  He loved a good story and could tell one.  I have never heard anything lewd come from his lips and I have never heard him say anything bad about anyone or run them down in anyway.  It was hard to be anything but happy around Brother Proctor and that is a choice characteristic to be able to make people around you happy to be there.

     Brother Max Proctor lived joyfully, abundantly, efficiently, but his life was not all on the surface.  There was a deep, strong currant running down through his very center which was dedicated to great and sober task of living a good life in the short time allotted him in this life.  He was and is a child of God.  He lived up to the great possibilities given him in this life and he is now able to progress even farther.  And he is making a place for you, Dorothy and for your family.  He left no great estate of wealth and fortune but he left a good name, his testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ, his love of the Church and his example of faithfulness in keeping the Lord's commandments, his wonderful family, and his love of his country.  So the greatest tribute we can pay at this time to Brother Max Proctor is that he was a good man and the Lord loved him as we do.

     Now you, as his children, have a duty to put you homes in order as Max did on 18 January 1973.  He set the example for all of us to follow, to love the Lord and try to keep his commandments.  If you have any doubt as to the truthfulness of the Gospel, my advice is to search the scriptures and get on your knees in prayer.  May we all do this.

Mom Share Your Life with Me - December 27

Question:  Do you remember celebrating any special wedding anniversaries of your parents or grandparents?

Answer: Lois, and I went to Tooele, Utah, on a bus from Rigby, Idaho to help celebrate the parents who raised me, George and Annie Proctor-Dad and Mom- 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Tooele, Utah.

Front Row:  Barry Formo, Lois Cook, Bruce Proctor, Ted Whitehouse, Danalyn Whitehouse, Rozella Proctor, LeAnne Formo, Judy Proctor, Sue Proctor

Middle Row:  Patricia Proctor, Dorothy Proctor, George K. Proctor, Annie L. Proctor, Shirley Fay Brough holding Dennie Brough, Jack Brough, Shelby Formo, Inez Whitehouse, Jennie S. Proctor, Elwood Proctor.

Back Row:  Max K. Proctor, Donald K. Proctor, Ethel P. Formo, Walter Formo, Ruth P Cook, Dan Whitehouse.

Ethel Proctor-Life Story Part Six

My Book of Memories

by Ethel P. Formo

1910-1978

     We were all getting antsy for spring when we had a wonderful surprise.  Dad’s youngest brother, Niva Bodez came home from World War I.  We were all so thrilled to see a soldier in his full uniform; we could hardly wait to see him.  What we didn’t know was that he was bringing a new bride with him. What a thrill to see him lift her out of the “Lizzy” and pack her bodily over the sty on the fence and into the house before setting her down.  Oh what dreams that gave us young uns.  What a hero, what a man.  Aunt Shortie (Charolette Gustaveson) was  a beautiful lady and so happy and full of laughter.  We all loved her right away.

     During the spring Dad bought a Ford car.  It was before they had enclosed sedans as today.  One day Dad insisted Mom learn to drive.  She did not want to but he insisted.  They went for a ride down by the old place where we had lived.  Mom drove back.  She was doing just beautifully—until she went to turn into the gate.  The dog ran out to greet them, she got panicky and crashed into the gate, ripping it off the hinges.  She muct have hit the accelerator instead of the brakes for she ended up way out by the barn.  Never again did I see her behind the wheel of the car.  She would hitch up one of the horses and take the surrey.  Dad did not insist anymore.

Max, Ruth, Ethel and Rozella Proctor

     Dad sold the farm and since the people were anxious to get onto it before planting time, we had to move.  Some people told us we could move into their farmhouse until we could find something more suitable.  I don’t remember very much about that place except it had lots and lots of trees around it.  There was a long lane from the main road to the house lined with trees where we used to herd the cows and play while doing it.

     We lived much closer to the Buchanans with whom we became dear long lasting friends.  They had a beautiful big farm and we spent lots of time exchanging work, fun, and meals.

     One day when we came home from church our big dog refused to let any of us out of the car.  He was all white and frothy around the mouth and snarled every time anyone attempted to get down.  He never seemed to want to attack any of us but Dad gave us strict orders not to move just in case.  He said the dog was mad or had been poisoned.  He thought it was rabid.

     We had a very long screened in porch.  Dad drove up very close to the door then gave a sudden leap through the door and slammed it shut after him.  While he attracted the dog’s attention through the screen, Mom drove the surrey around the house to the other door and we all made it safely into the house.   Dad came in and put on a heavy coat, some hip boots and leather gauntlet gloves which all farmers seemed to have and went back out onto the porch.  He had a rope with a loop in it and as he opened the porch door to let the dog in, he quickly slipped it over the dog’s head and pulled hard.  The dog collapsed on the floor.  Dad worked fast and soon had the dog’s legs tied together and fastened them to the legs of a big table we had out there.  I guess he had told Mom to have some eggs and grease ready, for as soon as he had the dog secured he eased upon the neck rope and called to her to bring the stuff out “but be careful not to get too close.”  Dad started pouring the raw eggs and grease into the dog’s throat.  We watched through the window and about up-swallowed our toe nails just as the dog seemed too weak to do anything but just lay there with a groan and a heave every so often.  It was terrifying to watch, but also fascinating.  Many many years later the lesson proved very helpful.  The door was locked leading onto the porch from within the house as well as the screen.  We were not allowed on that side of the house for over a week.  By that time the dog seemed well on the road to recovery but Dad was squeamish about it so he had it taken to the vet to have it checked out then put to sleep.  Why hadn’t he killed it to begin with?  Most people did not have guns in those days and besides it had to be kept alive until it could be check out for rabies.

     We never knew whether it had bitten something else or someone but thank God it evidently had not!  While we lived on this farm, it was the one and only time I ever saw Dad use physical force on any of his offspring.  Elwood had been given a job to do but instead of doing it he just ignored it.  Dad was a man of slow temper.  After about three times of telling Elwood to get the job done, he decided a bit of force was necessary.  Elwood saw him coming and made a dash for the fence.  Dad caught up just as Elwood was crawling under.  Up came his foot and he booted Elwood in the behind hard enough to send him sprawling, ripping the shirt off his back as it caught on the fence.  That gave Dad chance for another boot.  Elwood could hardly walk for several days but never again do I remember him shirking a job he was told to do.  Elwood had left home at the age of 14 to go out into the world to hunt a job.  Mom was broken hearted and cried so very much.

Ethel Proctor-Life Story Part Two

My Book of Memories

by Ethel P. Formo

1910-1978

     We had driven in the surrey, some seven or eight miles to Sunday School.  Of course we stayed to Sacrament meeting too.  Since it was a farming community and the farms were quite far apart, everyone brought something to eat between Sunday School and meeting.  It was served pot luck style in the Relief Society Room.  Of course, the Relief Society room was the biggest of the school rooms where there were tables and benches instead of regular school desks.  Since the church served as a school house or the school house was our church, I never knew just what place we were in.  There were swings made of heavy ropes with a board at the bottom to sit on out in the yard. 

     We all had to take turns and sometimes we never did get a turn. But there were other things to do and always someone to gather us all together to sing or recite poetry or whatever anyone could do.  We also had to take turns at the toilets.  They were set back in the farthest corners of the play ground.  To the west was the ladies because it was the closet to the door.  When a little one had to go it was usually a race for the Moms to get there on time.  So, of course, the one on the other side of the grounds was for the gents.  Of course to a four year old it was kind of mystifying to hear an older girl say, “Why can’t we go in the other one.  Tommy’s mom takes him in ours, and he’s a boy.”  Of course our little legs kept dancing while waiting our turn.  Sometimes we’d hear a voice from inside say, “Go around to the back if nobody’s looking.  Just don’t wet your pants or you’ll get whopped.”  Well, since someone said we could, it must be all right.

     On the way home from church that day I got awfully sick to my stomach.  I up-swallowed so many times I couldn’t bring anything more up.  Mom held me all day and all night feeding me sips of warm tea.  In the morning they asked Dr. Davis to come out.  He said Mom was as a good nurse and besides some nasty medicine, he gave her to give to me he said I couldn’t have anything but soda crackers and tea until I felt real good.  He said I had stomach trouble, whatever that meant.  It was okay at first but soon those crackers just didn’t taste good anymore.  I wanted some butter on them.  The doctor said I could not have any butter so I refused to eat.  Just drank my tea and got so very thin.  Finally the doctor said I could have a little jelly but still no butter on the crackers.  Soon my appetite picked up and I got well enough to eat with the rest of the family.

     While we lived on this farm we had some neighbors about a quarter of a mile away.  They had a beautiful white house with six steps leading up to a big wooden porch-awning on it.  Mrs. Jensen was quite a tall stiff-backed type of person that scared most people.  She was very unfriendly and critical of everyone. 

     Whenever Mom baked an extra big batch of cookies or bread or something else nice she would send us down to Mrs. Whitney’s with some and at first also the Jensen’s.  She was never got thanked for it from the Jensens.  In fact, the third or fourth time Rozella and I took a pan of hot rolls over for their supper, (there was Mr. and Mrs. Jensen, and their son and daughter), Mrs. Jensen met us at the door and sent us away.  She said there was “no one sick so please stop bringing food over there.”  Our hearts were broken and we were in tears when we got home.  Mom never said a word but the tears rolled.  We had often had company and men would often refer to someone as “High Pockets.”  It never meant anything to me until years later when I understood who they had been talking about,--Mrs. Jensen, no less.

     The daughter (I can’t recall her first name so I’ll call her Dora) was two years older than Rozella and they got along pretty good whenever they were allowed to play together but I was the little snip and couldn’t play with them without getting a slap or something from Dora.  Then Rozella would take my part and fight her back.  I would always cry, not because I had been hurt, but because Rozella had.  She was such a dear sister.  The only time I ever saw Dora actually cry was the day we moved up to our new home.

     Dad had bought a farm next to Uncle Will’s and Aunt Amelia’s [Hone].  Aunt Amelia was an older sister of my mothers.  They lived in a big yellow brick house with lots of lawns and trees all around it.  Aunt Amelia was a hard worker and her place was covered with flowers.  Tall spindly golden rod in the corners and along the fence.  Blue and purple morning glories beneath the golden rod.  Hollyhocks of every color and so tall they seemed to reach the sky.  There were cosmos, sweet Williams, buttercups, marigolds and sweet alyssums.  Of course Uncle Will didn’t mind, for he raised bees and sold honey in the fall.  He was famous for his clear pure sweet honey.  To the west of their house was their raspberry patch.  Both red and black berries the size of walnuts almost.    Then her vegetable garden separated only by a fence from where Mom’s garden would be.  They both had big gardens so they would have plenty of bottled vegetables for their families to eat during the winter months.

Amelia Ludlow

     A friend, John Gollaher, had come from Utah to find work and since he was a carpenter, Dad had let him build our house.  It was simple but very compact and pretty.  We had three bedrooms, a front room and a big roomy kitchen.  A nice big porch spanned more than half the front of the house with four steps leading up to it.  It was painted a beautiful shiny white with green trim.  I was so proud to live there.

     But Mom and Dad had worked so hard getting everything moved from Mr. Aurbaugh’s except the last essential things.  Dad had the wagon loaded and we had said our goodbye to Mr. Aurbaugh.  Uncle Will would drive the team and wagon while Dad would bring the surrey with the family in it.  As we turned out of the gate and started down the road, it seemed like we were leaving everything behind.  I was frantic.  Dad had let us kids sit in the back and as the team stepped up its pace, I jumped.  I wasn’t quite five yet and it was a long drop but I couldn’t leave all those wonderful times behind!  I hit the soft dirt at the side of the road and rolled.  It didn’t hurt much and I was too scared to scream so I just laid there.  I knew if something wasn’t hurt I’d get a scolding.  Mom and Dad never spanked us.  All it took was a look or a word, and I’d rather have a beating any day.  I supposed, anyway, I’d never remembered getting a spanking except on my birthday to know what one was like.  But that sad look on Mom’s face could break my heart worse than anyone knows.  No spanking could have hurt as bad as how I had hurt my Mom.  I don’t remember even reaching the new house until next morning.  Nothing seemed broken nor even hurt so I woke up to a brand new experience.  I can’t even remember Mom nor Dad scolding me.  Just a glad happy smile that I wasn’t hurt.  Maybe they didn’t know I had jumped but instead thought I had fallen out when the horses stepped up their pace.

     My brother, Max who was twenty-two months younger than I, was getting big enough so we could have great fun together.  It was great fun chasing the chickens around the yard until Dad put a stop to that.  He said we scared the hens so bad they couldn’t lay their eggs.  We had a big red rooster though, that would take our prodding just so long, then he would turn on us. Sometimes it was hard to make Mom and Dad believe it was the rooster who was responsible for the long red scratches on our arms, legs and once in a while on our faces. 

     Mom was Dad’s only help.  She would see that we were fed and dressed then Elwood (Woody, we called him) would have to tend us and herd the cows down the lane while Mom helped Dad with the plowing and seeding.  Unbeknownst to Mom, Elwood taught Rozella and me how to build the fire and start the meals.  I think he was about five years older than Rozella and we adored our big brother.  Of course, we often had small burns but we didn’t dare tell Mom how we got them.  Woody often got scolded for not keeping us away from the hot stove.

Elwood (Woody) Proctor

     I was nearing six years old and had my chores appointed for me.  To keep us out of mischief we had to weed the garden everyday---each of us had so many rows to do.  Then we had to pump the well and bring fresh water into the house in time for supper.  While Mom got supper and Dad put the horses up for the night and milked the cows we had to pack wood and kindling in.  Elwood had to bring in the coal for it was too heavy for us to pack.  When supper was over, we had to take turns helping with the dishes.  We were tired and ready for early bed.  Either Mom or Dad would come tuck us into bed, making sure we said our prayers.  Then there would be a lullaby or two to put us to sleep.  

     One day, Elwood had had trouble bringing the cows home so Rozella and I peeled the potatoes and carrots while Max packed in some kindling.  I can’t remember how it happened but just before Mom got in, I had burned my hand badly, and was in tears. We had tried to build the fire and I had gotten that hot lifter over the back of my hand.  I packed that scar for forty years or more.  We were given orders never to touch the stove again unless a grownup was with us.  Rozella loved to try to cook and I felt good if I could help----if she just didn’t make me help---so we would go ahead despite the orders and pretend to Mom and Dad that Elwood had done it.  Several times our meal was too small and Mom would have to find something to fill in.  There were times we cooked way too much but no matter what, we always had to clean our plates.  Both Mom and Dad had been taught that food was precious and would often comment, “It’s better to bust belly than waste food.”  Yet none of us was ever over weight until we were married and had families of our own.  

To be continued next week

Autobiography of Rozella Proctor-Part Three

Rozella Proctor

1 June 1909-12 December 1955

Chapter Four

In the Hospital

    When I was on a bed, Papa called a doctor.  The doctor examined me, but could hardly tell what the trouble was.  He came twice that day, then said my back was hurt, and I would have to be operated on.  But he said he would not perform the operation, and if he was papa he would take me to a back specialist.

     All day Monday Mama and my Aunt sewed getting me ready to go to the hospital at Salt Lake City, Utah.

Max, Ruth, Ethel and Rozella

     That night I left.  I had to be taken on a stretcher, so Daddy and the doctor took me in the baggage car.  At eight o’clock on Tuesday we were in Salt Lake City, where an ambulance was waiting to take me to the hospital. 

Rozella and Ruth

     Right after I got there the specialist examined me.  I could not feel a thing from my waist down.  They took an x-ray and found there were two clots of blood on the spinal cord.

Rozella in Yellowstone Park

     A little after one o’clock I was given some ether, and I never knew anymore till I felt the doctor pushing something in my arm that hurt.  Then he asked me if it hurt.  Later I found out they had injected something in my arm to keep me alive.

Grandpa and Grandma Proctor, Ethel, Inez, Rozella and Ruth in Wapello, Idaho

     I was in a private room for about two weeks.  The nurses were very good to me.  The doctors (I had five) were too, although I did not think at the time, the one that took the stitches out of my back was.

     After two weeks, I was moved to a ward and there I had a good time also.

Home in Wapello, Idaho

     Papa just stayed a week then went back, and Mama came.  On the Fourth of July all my folks came down, and although I still had to lie flat on my back I surely had a good time.  Every body was very good to me.

     I was in the hospital a little over two months, although I hated to leave all my new friends, I was very glad to get home.  

Ruth, Ethel, Inez and Rozella

Chapter Five

Later Years

     I did not send my lessons into the teacher that year.  The next year we moved to Bancroft, Idaho, and I sent my lessons in.  Just before school let out we had to move to Blackfoot again.  The teacher said to go to the next grade.  The next year I only sent my lessons in for half a year.  I thought it would be easier for Ethel and also myself if I waited till Ethel caught up with me then we would both have the same teacher.

Max, Rozella, and Ethel

     I have sent my lessons in to the teacher ever since then.  We lived in Aberdeen the last two years, and last Year I graduated from eighth grade.  Ethel couldn’t go to school the last day to get our diplomas as we were leaving Aberdeen, to be on our way to Montana.  So Mrs. Arms, our teacher, said she would send them to us, and sure enough, when we stopped in front of the Fifth Avenue Hotel the day we arrived in Malta, Montana, Daddy went in, and a few minutes came out and handed our diplomas to us.

In back: Grandma, Ethel,

Front:  Inez, Ruth, Rozella, Max and Grandpa

Home in Malta

     On September the eighth 1925 school started in Malta.  I did not start sending my lessons in for about two weeks.  I was rather uncertain whether to start high school or not I didn’t think I could on account of having three teachers, but a last I decided I had better learn while I had a chance.  The school was short on books for awhile, but now I have all of the books except for Algebra, but I am getting along pretty well.

Front: Rozella, Max, Ethel

Back: Inez and Ruth

     I don’t think the schools in Malta are nearly so good as they are in Idaho and Utah, and I surely wish I was back in Idaho.

Rozella

     I have always wanted to be a stenographer, but I could not take typewriting here, and I am rather disappointed.  

Rozella and Max

Rozella, Grandma and Grandpa and Dorothy

Rozella with Grandpa and Grandma

     I am sorry to say that this is all the Aunt Rozella wrote in her Life Story Booklet.  I wish that she would have included more about her life.  She truly was a remarkable lady with a remarkable attitude.  It will be great to meet her some day and see her walk, run and dance.  We miss you, Aunt Rozella but will see you again some day.

Autobiography of Rozella Proctor-Part One

Rozella Proctor

1 June 1909-12 December 1955

I am fortunate to have a hand-written copy of my Aunt Rozella Proctor's Life Story.  It is in a hand-made paper bound booklet tied with pink ribbon.  It is priceless to me.  Aunt Rozella fell from a tree and broke her back in 1919 and never walked again.  My Grandpa and Grandma Proctor took such great care of her.

Grandma. Grandpa and Rozella Proctor

 I can remember visiting them in Tooele, Utah and seeing Aunt Rozella's wooden wheelchair.

Inez, Grandma, Grandpa and Rozella Proctor

We liked to sit in it and ride around in it.  Grandpa and Grandma had her hospital bed set up in their small living room.

 She was always so pleasant and sweet.  I don't ever remember her saying a cross word or complaining about her condition.  I loved her dearly.  She died at the tender age of 46.   She was 10 when she broke her back and was never to walk again for 35 years.  As you can see from her death certificate, she died from old fractured back and coronary occlusion.

I think you will enjoy reading of this event in her own words.

Chapter One

My Childhood

   I guess I should begin my story by saying, I was born June 1^st, 1909, at Benjamin, Utah.  I was the oldest girl in a family of six.

Back row: Rozella, Elwood Leslie, and Ethel Proctor.

Baby standing in front:  Max Kidd Proctor

     When I was three years old my oldest brother was drowned while we were on a trip. [This brother was James Ezra Proctor.]

     While I was still a small child, I fell down the steps of a porch with a syrup bucket in my hands, and cut the side of my nose open.  Papa took some adhesive plaster and stuck the side of my nose down, and it was soon well again, although I have a scar there yet.

     One day the threshers came to our place to thrash our wheat, and at dinner time I went out to tell the men to come to dinner.  I had to go thru the cow pasture, where we had several cows.  One of them had horns, but she seemed gentle.  So I went into the pasture “as big as you please,” not thinking much about the cow.  All at once the cow with the horns came and hooked me.

     The horn struck me right by the eye.  If it had come half an inch closer, I would have been hit right in the eye, which would probably have blinded me.

     When I was about five years “young” we moved to Idaho.  We lived in a small house by the railroad track while our new home was being built.

To be continued 

Mom Share Your Life with Me - July 31

Question:  Tell a memory about riding on a ferry, bus, train, or plane.

Answer:  I rode the bus many times to Utah to visit my Mom when she was living with Walt and Ethel Formo.  I would go to Salt Lake City and Max, my brother, would meet me and take me to Tooele, Utah to be with Mom over the weekend.  Cindy Cook and I took a plane from Idaho Falls to Los Angles, California, the spring that Darrell was called to his heavenly home.  We stayed with Jeannie, Cindy's friend and also her relation in San Diego and had fun.  Annie paid for me.

Grandpa and Grandma Proctor

Annie Ludlow and George Kidd Proctor Jr