Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sherman Scott Bowen


Sherman Scott Bowen, born November 8, 1942, in Spanish Fork, Utah to Isaac Sherman Bowen and Annie Ethel Threet, passed away February 19, 2010 in Orem, Utah after suffering many years from Parkinson's.

Scott served an LDS mission in the Great Lakes Area. He received a bachelor's degree at BYU and taught school at Lincoln and Lakeridge Jr. High schools.

He enjoyed genealogy, photography, geology, reading, and loved learning of all kinds. He is survived by his wife, Carma Jean Young Bowen, and 8 children: Nathan (Terasa), Suzanne Jones (Paul), Shannon Fawson (Eric), Brendan (Diann), Heather Hutchison (James), Jeanne, Jonathan (Ann), Michael (Devyn), 22 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Siblings include: Brent, Lila Black [deceased], Lon, and Carolyn Stephenson.

We would like to offer a special thanks to the staff of Aspen Ridge Rehabilitation Center for their loving and tender care of Scott.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pioneer 1st Ward, 400 N. 700 W. in Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center, on Monday evening, February 22, from 6-8 p.m. or at the Ward Chapel on Tuesday from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment will follow at the Spanish Fork Cemetery, 420 S. 400 E. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com.

Scott is the grandson of Karolina Isleiksdottir born 17 September 1888 at Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. Karolina immigrated to Utah in 1890.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Roy "Jack" Olson


Roy "Jack" Olson, age 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 8, 2010. He was born December 17, 1929 in Santaquin to Roy Victor and Vera Wilson Olson. He was sealed to his best friend, Nola Rae Butler, in the Manti LDS Temple on July 21, 1948.

Jack continued in his father's footsteps expanding the greenhouse business. His children and grandchildren will always remember him for his work ethic and his continued love and support that he so freely gave. He found enjoyment in taking his grandchildren fishing, playing games and going to Jazz games. He spent many hours carving cherished treasures for his children and grandchildren.

He was an active member of the LDS church where he served in various callings including Scoutmaster, in the High Priest Group leadership and was currently serving as a Temple Patron.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nola Rae; their children, Kent (Robin) Olson, Jackie (Richard) Fail, Bradley (Christine) Olson, Donnie (Linda) Olson, Salley Stewart, Bart (Yvonne) Olson, Robert (Karen) Norton; 50 grandchildren and 74 great grandchildren; his sister, Kathryn O. Patten; and his brother, Thomas Olson. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Darrell Stewart, and a granddaughter, Kallie Fail.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 13th at 12:00 noon at the Old Santaquin Stake Center, 90 South 200 East. A viewing will be held at the church on Friday from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday from 10:30 to 11:45 am. Interment, Santaquin Cemetery.

Jack is the grandson of Ólafur Helgason (Ole Olson, as he was known in Utah) born at Bjornskot, Holt undir Eyjafjallum, Rangarvalla and Þorbjörg Hólmfríður Magnúsdóttir born in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.

Friday, February 5, 2010

The Lighthouse at Dyrhólaey

The old lighthouse at Myrdal,
hard by Vik, is still a lighthouse,
though not a lighthouse anymore.
Its scorching eye that bored into the darkness
from the height in brawling storms
and prowling fog is turned outward
from the shores but does not see the sea.
The ashes of its searing light are cold,
gray as North Atlantic swells
that wrestle with the cliffs.
Its guttural voice no longer sounds
a baleful warning that Charybdis
lurks with gaping maw, and Scylla
beckons near the rocks.

And so it sits alone upon its stanchion
on the headland at Dyrhólaey,
looks down the avenue of continents
into the shifting valleys of the sea.

No one goes there but the wind,
bullying and boisterous like a hooligan
seeking easy pickings from tourists
who mill around and look
out on the dangers of the deep.
The door is locked.
The windows battened down.
Inside, ghosts of mariners
gather in reunion, living in the past
since they were lost in scowling seas.
Their wives, forlorn and all alone,
moaned anguished sobs
that echoed in the silent viks
and stilled the squawking of the gulls.

D. Gary Christian
Santa Clara, Utah
July 19, 2008

Monday, February 1, 2010

GRÓA ÞORLÁKSDÓTTIR



Groa Thorlaksdottir was born 3 May 1865 at Neshol, Asar i Skaftartunga, Vestur Skaftafell, the daughter of Thorlakur Benediktsson, born 23 November 1814, died 11 June 1866; and Ragnhildur Bodvarsdottir, born 7 August 1828, died 10 July 1916. Groa immigrated to Spanish Fork, Utah in 1874 with Gudrun Jonsdottir. Groa joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized 2 August 1883.
Groa married Julius Jonsson, born 1 July 1861, the son Jon Bjarnason, born 11 November 1823; and Steinunn Jonsdottir, born 22 February 1824. Julius was known as Julius Jon Bearnson. They were married 12 January 1887 in Logan, Utah. Groa and Julius had two children: Julius Bendikt, born 20 October 1887, died 17 October 1959; and Joseph, born 6 February 1890, died 7 March 1890. Groa died ten days after Joseph was born on, 16 February 1890. She is buried in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. She was known as Gran Bearnson in Utah.