We are so pleased to honor these wonderful Daughters at our Jubilee. Their stories were amazing, the following is just a summary of what was read at our Jubilee.
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We are going to miss Ruth Anns beautiful smile.
We honored Ruth Ann as a Pioneer Women of Today. Ruth Ann
was born in 1923, she met her husband Armand Gunderson when she was playing
softball and he was the pitching coach. He had a professional softball career
that took them all over the country. Ruth
Ann worked for May Company and Bank of America She and Armand were married for
43 years before he died. They had 2
daughters, 2 sons, and a daughter who passed away at age 3.11 grandchildren and
24 great grand children. She later
married Glen Wheeler, they served a mission in the Denver south area. They were married for 14 years. The people in her ward would call her Sis.
Gunder Wheel. Ruth Ann served in the Presidency of the Relief Society, Primary
and Young Women. She did artistic work
for the Yellow Pages, and colorized black and white photos. She played the
Organ, and sang in many church and community choirs. Ruth Ann always looked
lovely and was stylishly put together. She had some rules she always followed.
She did not leave her room until 1. her bed is made. 2. she has showered and 3.
has her make upon and has done her hair. she never colored her hair. She never
went to bed with dishes in the sink. Ruth Ann is a third generation DUP. She
has served as Company and Camp president and other positions.
Sue Kern is a member of the Valley Ranchero Camp. When you
think of service, Sue's name is what comes up. She headed a very successful
Stake Humanitarian Program where hundreds of handmade, balls, bears, dolls,
blankets, knitted hats, puppets, ABC books and quilts of all sizes were donated
to the LDS Church Humanitarian Center. Sue is also a member of the DAR where
she conceived the idea and has carried out a program called Project Patriot,
they collect supplies to send to the troops overseas, they made neck coolers
and helmet liners, and lap blankets for the VA Hospital. Part of Project
Patriot is gathering supplies and materials to set up schools for Afghan girls.
She also heads up the fundraising program that raises the money to pay for the
sending of these materials overseas. One
of the most successful fundraiser was a Jewelry Sale, she convinced the DAR
ladies to donate their unused jewelry, she then displayed it beautifully, and
the other DAR ladies purchased it!
Audra Olesom was born in Idaho, in the year 1916. She grew
up during the depression, on a farm as one of 11 children. Their transportation
was a horse drawn buggy and bob sled.
She married Alvin Schwendiman in 1937, in Salt Lake Temple; they had two
daughters Carol Jean and Lorraine. After
Alvin obtained his PhD they moved to Bozeman Montana where he taught. Soon Alvin became ill, was diagnosed with
Hodgkin's disease, and after struggling for 2 years Alvin died in 1946, leaving
Audra with 2 little girls to raise. She
faced her trials with Faith and Courage, took her family to Logan Utah,
enrolled at Utah State, got her teaching credential and taught in the Logan
city schools for 8 years. She married Roy Oleson in 1958, they moved to
Claremont and she continued to teach until 1983, a total of 33 years. She has
been involved in DUP as a charter member of the Indian Hills Camp. and served
on the board. She lives in her home,
determined to be as independent as possible. Her life has been an example of
Faith and Fortitude.
Lorraine Schwendiman Pierce has 6 children, attended BYU,
and was a Charter member of the Indian Hills DUP Camp. She has served in many
different positions most recently as Secretary Treasurer. She is known for her friendship and compassion
and selfless service not only to her mother, but her friends also. She is considered a great blessing to those
whose lives she has touched. We are so pleased to honor these two lovely women
as Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude.
