Durtschi Home History Of Elizabeth Muetzenberg Jump withing page to... Elizabeth's Autobiography History by Her Daughter La Verne History by Her Daughter Bertha An Experience Flora Had With Her Mother Elizabeth's Blessing Elizabeth's Funeral

HISTORY OF ELIZABETH MUETZENBERG DURTSCHI by her daughter La Verne © 2001         Elizabeth was Born Feb. 20, 1883 in Faulensee         I begin this history by quoting Uncle Alfred from his history, "Edward married Elizabeth Muetzenberg in the Salt Lake Temple at April conference, the 8th April 1909. She was born and raised in my father's hometown. Her parents were good friends of my father, living just 5 miles from us. She was converted by two Mormon Missionaries, Elder Alma Burgener and Conrad Gertsch. She joined the church very much against the wishes of her mother. She was 22 years old so she did not need the consent of her parents and when she heard that we were going to America she wanted to go with us, but not without her mother's consent, which she would not give. She didn't want to cause her any more sorrow so she asked my father to go see if he could get her consent. She gave permission to my father and as Elizabeth needed help to prepare to leave, I went to help her. As we were leaving that poor mother she was crying and repeated over and over, Oh, if only I hadn't given my permission, if only I hadn’t given my permission. Well, Elizabeth traveled with us and worked in Salt Lake until she married Ed. She was a real pioneer woman, traveling from Utah to Teton Basin in a covered wagon. It was hard going, getting started in a new country, as Teton Basin was at that time, but she never complained. She was an excellent cook and housekeeper and played an important part in our early Success." Alfred Durtschi         August 9, 1909 my Father became a Citizen of the United States.         Mother was a good cook. When they were first married and moving to Teton Basin, Mother filled a 50 lb can with doughnuts which lasted during the two week trip. When Father and Uncle Alfred became discouraged and wanted to go back to Utah, she was asked to fill the can with doughnuts for the trip back. Mother was known for her ability to cook. She could always get a meal in a few minutes even though she didn't have much to work with. She was very practical.         It was hard for her when my Father died--she knew very little about farming. When she went to harness a horse she had Armin (age 7) come to show her how to put the harness on. She learned to milk cows and did it for years. She would help hay in the summer time. With a pitch fork she gathered the hay and put it on wagons to haul into the big barn that Uncle Fred built for my father in 1917. She was always grateful for a warm barn in the winter time to do chores. In fact, in the winter time they left the cows in the barn all night.         When my father died so suddenly he had taken out a $1000. insurance policy within the year--that surely helped Mother save the place. Also when my father was so sick, Charles Christensen drove to town and brought Amacy Clark, a notary public back to the house to deed the place to Mother. We appreciate the efforts of Charles Christensen.         Mother told me one day that she was so discouraged she felt that she could not carry the load--she was walking to the field--my father appeared to her and this gave her the courage to keep struggling.         Uncle Rudolph and Aunt Rosa had homesteaded land in Wyoming, it had a house - just one room downstairs and one room upstairs. When they out grew it my Father took over the homestead (1916) so they moved up to the Gugger Hora in the summer months. When Father had proved the homestead they no longer lived there in the summer. It was a good place to put the cattle with lots of feed. In fact, I can remember when they moved the cows there and had to go twice a day with a team to milk. Someone had to sleep there at night so they could have the cows in the corral ready for milking in the morning. We would sleep in top of the barn which had a nice loft with hay. Mother always went along to help milk.         In the spring of the year Mother and I would have to go to the Gugger Hora to fix the fence that had been ruined by the snow. That was a hard job carrying the wire stretcher, staples and whatever was needed.         Mother was very faithful in her church assignments. She served for 11 years as first counselor to Amelia Green in the Relief Society. Every Tuesday Mother would take a team and buggy and take the women of spring creek to meeting.         As a young girl Mother went to the home of the rich people and would make bratzli's. They would store them in 25 lb lard cans which had a good lid and they would keep for months. Being made with butter they would improve in flavor. It ms a tradition that Mother make bratzli's at Thanksgiving time and let them keep for Christmas.         Mother used to say that in Switzerland the men would stop working in the field about 2 o'clock for a rest. They would eat one braztli and drink a small glass of pure wine. Then they returned to the fields.         As mother left Switzerland her family was very sad. Her brother said he would never forgive her for leaving her widowed Mother. Whenever Mother could spare a few dollars she would send it to her Mother. When Armin went on his mission he met with his Uncle and he said, 'If she can raise a good looking clean cut son like you I will forgive her.'         Mother never liked cheese. When Uncle Alfred and Father were looking for a place to move they investigated the Unitah Reservation, it had good water and soil but was very cold in the winter. I wonder if they didn't find Teton Basin very cold in the winter also. At least they had the Teton peaks to remind them of the mountains of Switzerland. The place we lived on had two cellars (quite small) the one to the south was used to make cheese. Mother would help make the cheese but would not eat it. Uncle Alfred said they tried time and time again to disguise it but Mother could always detect it. They soon gave up cheese making because they didn't make any thing on it.         Mother had a large garden and berry bushes. As I remember the garden was in among the apple trees. Then we had lots of wild fruit too, which gave us a good variety. In our cellar next to the house we had shelves for fruit and vegetables to last a year. There was a bin for potatoes and one for carrots. We covered the carrots with sand. It was cool so they kept well. We traded grain for flour each fall for our years supply. And there were lots of service berries, chokecherries and huckleberries in the mountains. We’d spend whole days huckleberrying.         As we were growing up, Mother had a sugar bowl in the top of the cupboard where she kept her change. When we needed a new tablet we could take money out of the cup. Mother put us on our honor not to waste the money. I remember taking 5 cents for a note book one winter day. I went to the store during the noon hour and it slipped out of my fingers. I dug and dug in the snow and never found it and I was really upset.         I think that mother's two best friends were Amelia Green and Rebecca Harris. D. O. Harris was it teacher at the Alta School. Ina, a daughter said that her father had taken a little German and with what English Ed and Alfred knew they became acquainted and were very good friends. Ina says they would go in a sleigh after school over to visit and some times it would get so late that they had to stay all night. There were two families in two bedrooms. Maybe that is when I remember sleeping four in a bed, two at the top and two at the bottom. We had to lay petty still. After Harris' moved to the Burley Brick Yards, Mother would correspond with them. Sister Harris said several times that she had special dreams about Mother.         Uncle Alfred was bishop for 26 years in Pratt Ward. He decided to build a new church. They spent long periods of time getting the rock out for the building. Armin was the one to light the dynamite. The church headquarters wanted a small church but Uncle Alfred insisted they build larger. The depression hit and times were very hard for farmers. In 1931 they started getting the rock and finally in 1936 it was completed and dedicated by Harold B. Lee. It was the first church in the valley to have running water.         Neighbors used to say they respected Father and Mother for the way they disciplined their family. Each child was obedient and there was a pleasant feeling.         Mother was very honest. Leigh Fulmer remembers Mother getting too much change back from groceries. It didn't take her long to return it.         Mother was a wonderful example for us. May we all have her faith and determination to do right at all times and be faithful to the end. La Verne (Elizabeth’s youngest daughter) Elizabeth with two of her grandchildren. Devere on the left and Murla Vee on the right. Recollections of my Mother, Elizabeth Muetzenberg Durtschi Written & © June 23, 1990 by her eldest daughter, Bertha Durtschi Hansen         Early on, I was Given this assignment by our youngest sister, LaVerne D. Darrington, but I just didn't follow through. Now if my memory will serve me!         I was the eldest of six - four daughters and two sons - of Edward and Elizabeth. But the fifth child, Arthur Edward, only lived three weeks.         We finally put Father's history together - 47 years after his passing - and one wonders if he’ll give us an "A" on it. Let that be a lesson for us - don't trust it to anyone else.         Mother left as some script, but she was far too modest to give credit where credit was due, unless it was for someone else.         It would take some doing to accurately recount the events in Mother's life that stood out. Few realized her struggle with physical weakness - when she accomplished so much despite her frailty.         Permit me - as I look back, I wonder if, in later years, our discovery of Shaklee Vitamins would not have been a blessing to her then, as they have been to some of us now, had they been available. This, from my diary while going to school in Salt Lake: "I feel so weak or something. I feel like I should go to a doctor to find out whether it is laziness or a sluggish heart." Our Shaklee experience convinces one that this is not all imagination.         Anyway, in spite of all, Mother achieved! Born in Switzerland, her life there was far from easy - yet she worked and had certain independence. When Mormonism came into her life, she readily accepted it - although none of her family approved.         Chapters could be written on the price she paid for the decision to leave the Lutheran Church to join the Mormons. Miraculously, her friends - the Durtschi family - also joined and felt they should come to America. They invited Mother to join them and all came to Midway, Utah, but she got employment in Salt Lake. Edward, the eldest Durtschi son had come to Chicago earlier, but when the family arrived in the West, he followed. As fate would have it, he and Mother met. Previously, Grandpa Durtschi had made a passing remark to the boys-- "Surely one of you would want to marry this lovely girl, not let her get away" - so Edward was the ONE.         After their marriage, they decided to mount wagon and horses and go to Teton Valley (Idaho) to look for a farm. Somehow, they ended up in a select part of the area. Uncle Alfred had accompanied them and they set up farming. When Uncle Alfred married Aunt Ida, there was the grand division of land and animals, Mother was so relieved that this was done - so agreeable to both. But now it would be different - not working together as they had and usually joking.         Later, Uncle John came to the Valley and settled along the Durtschi row, South. They had a wonderful relationship all those years. Having Uncle Fred come to do their precision carpentry on houses and barns was such a help.         Father passed away in 1922 with pneumonia, which was a real shock! But family and friends stood by, and Mother assumed the responsibility of five children and three farms - two farms and a homestead. Fred Duersch, husband of Aunt Ida's sister, came to help with farms and cattle, which surely "saved the day."         I quote from my own history: "Many times Mother seemed strangely absorbed, Then as time passed, she would tell us that we must be good children because Father was watching over us.         Then there were the times when she would be overwhelmed with decisions - and Father actually came - one time when she was walking in the field brooding over certain problems - and she came away from that experience, knowing just what she must do - and time proved that that course was the best.         Ours was a happy home where we felt secure. Mother was a real improviser - good seamstress - good cook - despite limited resources. Another quote: "In our ranch home, mealtime was usually a fun time where we’d eat well and often end up in a giggling match that would exasperate Mother - though she enjoyed humor right along with the best of ‘em. Though we all did our part, when Armin reached "the age,' we pretty much left the wittycisms to him,"         Mother had two real concerns in life. The first - that her five would get into work or a profession in order to be independent. Each of us pretty well did that. Second - she labored to gather as much genealogy as she possibly could. Those volumes of names were the envy of many.         Mother left all this genealogy in the capable hands of LaVerne who'd be more likely to continue the labor. But she cautioned her against letting any of those records out of her hands.         Once though, Isabel Walker, our cousin, persuaded LaVerne to loan them to her. In the interim, the Walker home, laying in the path of the Teton Flood, contained those records and it was days before rescue. Others could more accurately describe how the books emerged from that calamity, but I was told that none of the information was marred, although the books themselves were in fragile condition. Nothing short of a miracle!         In life, she really went the EXTRA MILE. 'Her word was as good as her bond,' She was always a faithful tithe payer and had explicit trust in the Lord. A more honest, genuine soul will never "enter the Gates."         As for genealogy work, the Grand Prize St. Peter will bestow will surely go to Grand Daughter, Renee Harris, and close behind, Carolyn Casper, Merrill Waters and their families. The contribution they have made should not be taken lightly by those of us who have not sacrificed as they. If some of the rest of us "make it" it'll be because of the labors of those who executed. Armin's daughters also deserve credit for moving some of us to action.         Quoting again: "Mother passed away July 24, 1944, and Uncle Alfred was still here to conduct her services. She suffered so much at the last, but Flora with her nursing experience, attended her in the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls. And the William Hansen Mortuary professionals had Mother looking so much like she did in her wedding picture. She had wanted so much to go - to join Father and our little brother.

AN EXPERIENCE OF FLORA DURTSCHI WATERS WITH HER MOTHER, ELIZABETH MUETZENBERG DURTSCHI         As a testimony for our family and for their encouragement I will attempt with the help of the Lord to relate my experience of August 14, 1941. By Flora D. Waters.         I had been with my mother before her operation, during the operation and following it with a prayer in my heart for her welfare. On returning to her room she practically ceased breathing, and in an effort to keep her going I pushed up and down on her chest with my arm while my hands held her tongue forward to allow her to breath, there being no tongue depressor available. After a stimulant she breathed again naturally. During this time, you may imagine, I had never prayed more earnestly. At 11:30 they all left to have some dinner up town. After a few minutes she aroused a little and after some pause she said, "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES" and then as if some higher power gave her assurance she said, "ya ya" and nodding her head in a way so natural and convincing in her Swiss accent. There was another pause and I put my hand to her face to comfort and sustain her. This seemed to be the touch needed to lift her spirits and she talked to me for nearly an hour, the words coming slow and her voice weak. But on reminiscing each time I could not understand what she said, she would say, "Did you understand, Flora" and then I would have her repeat. This impressed me because every word was precious and felt it should not be lost. I could not have been more impressed had I seen a vision or something of that nature. It was such a wonderful spirit that I could not, knowing her weakened condition, tell her not to talk, but I, so to speak, hungered for every word that fell from her lips. As she talked, the purpose of our being here seemed so very plain and there could be no doubt that we are Children of our Father in Heaven and a family very devoted and as one ever striving to overcome evil that we might all again be united in the world to come with our father and brother. Although it is hard at times it is so important that we just must try and gain that goal.         I cannot say it as she said it and I am sorry I didn't write this when I was there but it always made me cry and thought Mother would be disturbed so I didn't write it then. The first part, of course, was of a religious nature and then she talked about her children and it being a more of a personal nature won't be written here. [What follows is some of the things Elizabeth said as Flora remembers them.]         "I do so appreciate your being here" and she went on for a moment in this appreciative manner. "I am happy that you and Joe are working in the Church. You are on the right track."         "How very privileged I am to come out of Babylon when really I am no better than they."         "Don't think less of me because of my faults."         "If I should die tell Laverne not to feel badly because she was not here. I would have liked to have seen her again. She is being guided by the Lord and is doing a wonderful work."         "Keep closely in touch with each other and help each other."         If I should die have Sister Green talk and Aunt Luella and Aunt Ida sing, `Oh, It is Wonderful' at my funeral."         If I should go to your Father" was a very frequent expression and spoken, conditions of this life not considered, it would have been her greatest joy and wish.         "My dear little grand-children. I hope they will grow up and be able to withstand the powers of evil."         I asked Mother last night (Sept 1) if she remembered the things she said to me after she came out of anesthetic. She said, "No" and was very surprised when I told her how long she had talked. She remembered very little until after the 5th day when she heard me say, "Well, I am going home now, Mother." This surprised me very much and another reason I know it was inspired of God for our benefit.         (Put this where you can read it often. We need encouragement so often.) [I suppose this little note at the end was an after-thought by Flora to her family.] ELIZABETH'S PATRIARCHAL BLESSING Date: October 6th, 1925. Number 14351. A BLESSING GIVEN BY HYRUM G. SMITH, PATRIARCH, UPON THE HEAD OF ELIZABETH (MUETZENBERG) DURTSCHI, daughter of JACOB MUETZENBERG and SUSANNAH (Kaemph) MUTZENBERG. born FEBRUARY 20th, 1883, at BERN, Switzerland. SISTER ELIZABETH M. DURTSCHI: According to thy desire and by virtue of my office and calling in the Holy Priesthood, I place my hands upon thy head and give unto thee a blessing which I pray the Lord to direct that it may be a guide, a comfort and a benefit unto thee throughout this life, because of thy faithfulness. The Lord has been mindful of thee for good and has comforted thy heart in the answers to thy prayers. And because of thy faith thy prayers will be a further comfort unto thee, for thou shalt be remembered in mercy and shall be blessed in body and in mind. The workmanship of thine hands also will be a great comfort unto thee as well as unto thy children and thy loved ones and thy friends among whom and for whom thou shalt labor.         Rejoice in thy privileges and hold them sacred; look unto the Lord in faith, in humility and thou shalt receive the comfort and consolation which are needful for thy success in the accomplishment of the worthy and important mission which was given thee at thy birth. The Lord has sanctified unto thee thy trials; He knoweth thy desires and thy faith. And if thou wilt continue to be firm, humble and patient and cheerful, seeking to know thy duties and striving to carry them out in righteousness, thou shalt be further blessed and magnified, preserved and protected and rejoice in the blessings of strength and health needful to fully accomplish thy mission, to be a blessing unto thy children and thy loved ones that thy name and teachings will live for good among them, and that the blessings needful for the accomplishment of thy mission as a mother in Israel may come back to thee in reflection for thy teachings.         Therefore, go forward in humility and in faith; for thy faith will prevail for good with the Lord. Thou hast been called into an important position, and through the faith of thy parents have been gathered out from the world to receive the blessings which the Lord prepared for the faithful in the House or Israel according to the New and Everlasting Covenant. For thou art of the lineage of Ephraim to whom these blessings have been promised. And as long as thou wilt hold them sacred and be true to thy covenants and thy faith, the Lord will not forsake nor forget thee, but thou shalt be comforted and encouraged and strengthened, and thy teachings bear fruits that will gladden and comfort thy heart. And thou need never lack for friends nor suffer want for the necessities of life.         Therefore, be of good cheer; be patient and diligent and humble, even unto the end and thy reward will be a crown of glory in the midst of thy loved ones forever. Go forward, therefore, in obedience to the teachings and counsels given thee, seeking to know thy duties and hearkening unto those sweet and peaceful promptings and thou shalt be guided in the way of safety and success and triumph in the end.         I seal these blessings upon thy head through thy faithfulness. And I seal thee up even unto eternal life to come forth in a glorious resurrection with thy kindred and loved ones, by virtue of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Hyrum G. Smith

ELIZABETH DURTSCHI'S Funeral Services Friday, July 28, 1944 Conducted by Alfred Durtschi, Bp. of Pratt Ward ACTIVE PALL BEARERS:         Reed Durtschi Walter Durtschi William Burgener Rudolph Kaufmann Alfred Kaufmann Arnold Kaufmann HONORARY PALL BEARERS: Mrs. Luella Dalley Mrs. Birdie Christensen Mrs. Amelia Green Mrs. Rea Harris FLOWERS: under the direction of Mrs. Helen Sorenson, Mrs. Ossie A. Archibald and Mrs. Kate Green. ALL of which were home grown as requested by Mrs. Durtschi. They were carried by the following ladies: Mrs. Lena Duersch Mrs. Ida Durtschi Mrs. Zelda Dalley Mrs. Viola Nelson Mrs. Winona Kaufmann Mrs. Iris Dalley Mrs. Lettie Sorenson Mrs. Ruth Garner Mrs. Joyce Kaufmann Mrs. Luella Durtschi Mrs. Etha Bohi Mrs. Vada Green Mrs. Alice Wilding Mrs. Anita Burgener Mrs. Florence Brown Mrs. Janice Moss Mrs. Phoebe Christensen INTERMENT was in the Pratt Cemetery under the direction of the Hansen Funeral Home and the grave was dedicated by Alma Burgener. Bp. Alfred Durtschi -- "We will commence our services by the quartet from Pratt Ward singing 'O My Father’: Oh My Father O my Father, Thou that dwellest In the high and glorious place When shall I regain Thy presence, And again behold Thy face? In Thy holy habitation, Did my spirit once reside; In my first primeval childhood, Was I nurtured near Thy side. For a wise and glorious purpose Thou hast placed me here on earth, And withheld the recollection Of my former friends and birth, Yet oft-times a secret something Whispered, "You're a stranger here;" And I felt that I had wandered From a more exalted sphere. I had learned to call Thee Father, Thru' Thy Spirit from on high; But until the Key of Knowledge Was restored, I knew not why. In the heavens are parents single? No; the tho't makes reason stare! Truth is reason, truth eternal, Tells me I've a mother there. When I leave this frail Existence, When I lay this mortal by, Father, Mother, may I meet you In your royal courts on high? Then at length, when I've completed All you sent me forth to do, With your mutual approbation Let me come and dwell with you. (Sung by Mrs. Fred Duersch, Mrs. Alfred Durtschi, Irvin Christensen, Milo Dally, accompanied by LaRena Waddell.) Bp. Durtschi: The opening prayer will be offered by President Wm. A. Strong: President Strong: "Our Father in Heaven, out of appreciation for the life of this, our sister and friend and thy daughter, we are gathered here in funeral services. We are grateful unto Thee, Father, for this privilege. With thanksgiving in our hearts we assemble here today out of consideration for the life of this dear sister, which has been an example unto us. We pray that Thy Spirit may be here in rich abundance and the things that are said and done will be under the influence of Thy Spirit, to the end that those who mourn, and all of us assembled today, may gain added faith and a testimony and a determination to go forward in life performing labors in such a way that when finished we may be entitled to a place in Thy presence.           We are grateful for the family of this sister, for their influence and the effect they have upon the lives of those who associate with them. We pray that Thy Spirit may be here to direct those who speak and furnish music, that words of consolation and inspiration, and truth, and right, may be given here.           We are grateful for the life and mission of Jesus Christ, who came to the earth and gave His life and established the Gospel, that Thy children may be saved thru obedience thereto. We pray that Thy comforting influence may attend the family of the departed one and, even as Jesus Christ promised, the Comforter. We pray that we may so live that this promise will come to us that we live the life we should, that the Spirit of the Comforter will come unto the family, that it may build them up and be a comfort to them.           Bless all for whom we should pray for at this time. We pray for all who have cause to mourn, whose hearts are tender and for other conditions in the earth that are not as Thou wouldst have them. Bless and comfort, and sustain all those who need Thy blessings and help us at all times to realize that Thou art our Father that we may be obedient.           We dedicate these services, Father, unto Thy keeping, praying that Thy peace and blessings may be with us and that we may gain the thing for which we are gathered. We ask in the name of the Redeemer Jesus Christ, Amen." Bp. Durtschi: A solo will now be sung by Brother Byron Christensen, "That Little Mother of Mine," accompanied by Mrs. Byron Christensen. LITTLE MOTHER OF MINE Sometimes in the hush of the evening hour, When shadows creep from the west, I think of the twilight songs you sang And the boy you lull'd to rest; The wee little boy with tousled head, That long, long ago was thine; I wonder if sometimes you long for that boy, O little mother of mine! And now he has come to man's estate, Grown stalwart in body and strong, You'd hardly know that he was the lad You lull'd with your slumber song; The years have alter'd the form and the life, But the heart is unchang'd by time, And still he is only your boy as of old, O little mother of mine, O little mother of mine! Bp. Durtschi: These services have been arranged by the family partly, and partly by Sister Elizabeth herself. Perhaps I should make an explanation first why these services are held here: Sister Elizabeth has many friends in town who have no traveling facilities and in order to make it possible for them to attend the funeral, it was thought wise to hold the services here. We appreciate very much having the Stake House offered to us to hold these services. Sister Elizabeth requested that no flowers be bought, but wanted the flowers from the gardens of Teton Valley. And I think they are very beautiful.           The family asked me to say a few words and to give the history of Sister Elizabeth's life.           I hope that while we are together here we will honor Sister Elizabeth, that the Spirit of sorrow will be banished from our midst because it is not sorrowful--for one of God's choice daughters has completed her mission and returned home. There is joy and happiness in Heaven today. She has gone to meet her husband and a son, the son would be thirty-eight years old now had he lived. So she is meeting a grown up man.           On a little farm in a beautiful valley in Switzerland lived a young couple, Two fine people - good, honest people - and to that couple on February 20, 1883, Sister Elizabeth was born, the second child in the family. When her father was forty-one years old, he got pneumonia, and died and left a widow and four children. It was a trial for that woman, but she went to work and raised that family and it was a credit to her. It was a credit to her--four fine people. She was an excellent manager, this woman.           Her family grew up and they didn’t suffer. She provided for the family and they were happy until two fine Mormon Elders came to that town. These men converted my father's and mother's family and Sister Elizabeth, being a dear friend of that family, of course got in touch with these Elders. She went to their Mormon meetings, as we used to call them, and she told me some years ago that when she first learned the Gospel it was plain to her. Those two fine men are here with us today, one of them, Brother Conrad Gertsch had the privilege of baptizing Sister Elizabeth.           A happy home was not a happy home anymore. Her mother didn't want her to join the Mormon Church. She was opposed to the Gospel and Elizabeth left and went out to work until... oh, for some time. These two Mormon Elders came to our home and preached the Gospel to us.           We happened to have a neighbor who had relatives join the church and go to Utah. The name was 'Kunz', an uncle to Brother Sam Kunz. That man told us all kinds of stories about the Mormons, and what his people, who joined the church, had to go through. So we were prejudiced. We didn't believe all these good men told us and they didn't convert us, but when we talked this thing over, we decided not to join the Mormon Church. But my mother said, 'A church that produces fine men like these young men are, is a better church than ours'.           These men went back home and didn't call on us anymore, but some years later Brother David Hirschi came. When he came, our door was open to the Elders. These two fine men had laid a foundation in our home for the acceptance of the Gospel.           Sister Elizabeth, after we had joined the church--of course, we had made preparation (we had an opportunity to sell our place shortly after we joined the church) and we came to Utah, and Sister Elizabeth knew it and had a desire to go with us, but her mother wouldn't let her go. She honored her mother and without her consent, she wouldn't have thought of going to Utah. She had the money, nothing was holding her back, she could have come to Utah anytime, but she honored her mother and she wouldn't go to Utah until she had consent.           So my father and Brother Hirschi went to talk to her and she finally gave her consent and Sister Elizabeth emigrated to Utah with us.           She went to work in Salt Lake in 19__. When we were in Utah there was a number of us on a little farm, four boys and father, and we could see that it was time for some of us to get out to establish a new home. So we went out to look over more country, and we came up here twice. When we came up here the first time we stopped at Brother Hirschi's place and Sister Hirschi had a fine meal prepared and on the table for us.           He asked questions about everyone he knew and about Sister Elizabeth and he said, 'Is she still single?’ and I said, 'Yes.' Then he took my brother by the arm and he said, 'What a wonderful opportunity. Take it.' On April 8, 1909, my brother and Sister Elizabeth were married in the Salt Lake Temple and came to Idaho with a team and wagon. So Elizabeth had some experiences in pioneering. We bought a place that was mostly covered with sage brush, but we liked it. We decided that was the place to make our home. He bought it and paid perhaps a little more money, but rather than not to have the place, we paid the price.           It was too much for one man to handle so we went into a partnership and we worked together for six years. We went through some hardships - we didn't bring but very little money with us. Sister Elizabeth was a wonderful woman, as a pioneer she would have walked across the plains if that had been the only way we could have come here, any sacrifice she was ready to make for this Church. I ate at her table for six years, worked together, and we had some fine times together, but the thing that kept up the friendship and unison and love was the thing - that we knelt together before our God in humble prayer - many times, not only while our partnership lasted, but afterwards when sorrow came to her home. We never had sickness of any kind, but as soon as Elizabeth knew it, she was over there to help.           I want to pay tribute to her this day. She has been a wonderful woman. When her husband was forty-one years of age, he got pneumonia and died. Sister Elizabeth was left with five children. She wouldn't quit, she carried on alone. No, not alone, God was with her.           There are things in her life that were too sacred to talk about too much. I have never heard her repeat what I am going to tell you now--it was too sacred, but this is a sacred place and this is a sacred occasion and I'm sure it will be all right with her to say what she told me.           She was out in the field ranking with a side delivery rake the first summer after her husband died. I was out in the field irrigating and I walked over to her and talked to her for awhile and I noticed that she was quite happy and I was wondering what had happened because she was sad for a long time after her husband died. She told me that the Almighty God had permitted her husband to come to see her and talk to her during the night. You may say that it was a dream, but to Elizabeth it was real. It was real. And I'm sure she got a lot of help from that.           Among other things he told her was this: 'That the work I am doing is so much more important than this here that there is no comparison'.           Sister Elizabeth, as we all know, was blessed. She has been a wonderful manager and she raised a wonderful family. Her life was a great success and I am sure, as sure as she was, that she went to see her loved ones on the other side. I am safe in saying Sister Elizabeth never doubted for one moment the divinity of Mormonism. To her it was knowledge. She understood the Gospel and it was the greatest thing in her life.           I have been receiving for eighteen years her tithing. If there ever was an honest payer, it was Sister Elizabeth. She kept books and it didn't take her long to figure out her tithing. We built in our Ward a new church house and we assessed her the same as most of -the men. It was high, but we knew she was willing to pay and through her fine management was financially able to pay. Whenever we announced on Sunday that we needed more money, Sister Elizabeth was at my place Monday with a check. I never asked her for a penny towards the church house - she always offered it. When she knew we needed money, her check was ready.           I don't think I should say anymore. She has set a wonderful example for us to follow. Bp. Durtschi: We will have a musical number by Byron Christensen and Sister Ida Durtschi, accompanied by Walter, Lucy and Lucille. This is a request number by Sister Elizabeth herself. Following the musical number Amelia Green will talk to us. TELL MOTHER I'LL BE THERE When I was but a little child, how well I recollect, How I would grieve my Mother with my folly and neglect, And now that she has gone to Heav'n I miss her tender care, Oh, Angels, tell my Mother I'll be there. Chorus: Tell Mother I'll be there in answer to her prayer, This message, Guardian angels, to her bear; Tell Mother I'll be there, Heav'n's joys with her to share, Yes, tell my darling Mother I’ll be there. Bp. Durtschi: Sister Elizabeth has worked with Sister Amelia Green in the Relief Society for years and has done a wonderful work. Sister Green will now speak to us. Amelia Green: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am honored more then I can express by having them ask me to speak to her funeral. She was my friend, a dear, true friend and we have had many joys and sorrows together. Through the years she has always been an inspiration to me. Never have I heard her say a word of complaint against life. And her faith and trust in the Father was always so comforting and inspiring.           The night before she went to the hospital, in talking to her over the phone, she said, 'No matter what comes of this, or what :is done, I don't want anyone to think but that the right thing has been done.' She said, 'I've always been very weak and not very strong and I've had a great responsibility and I ask Heavenly Father to let me live until the children could take care of themselves. He has done this and now if my time has come, it is all right.'           I wanted her to come back, but she has finished her mission and she has done it wonderfully well. We too must say 'It is all right'.           She was my Counselor for fifteen years. That is where I learned to love her more. She was always willing and anxious to do her duty. She never missed coming to meeting all the time and bringing the sisters with her and her counsel and advice was always of the best.           Every sister loved and respected her. The family she has left tells everyone what a wise and thoughtful mother she has been, always encouraging - reaching for higher things in life. Teaching by example the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which was so dear to her. All five children have had an education and all are living the lives of Latter-day Saints. She sent three of them on missions; this she considered a privilege.           She loved her children dearly and her grandchildren, the wife of her son, and her in-laws. She appreciated their kindness to her and often told me how they tried to make her comfortable and happy.           She was a true Latter day Saint, understanding it better than many of us. She lived it each day of her life. Not long ago she said to me, 'It seems that the Heavenly Father has outlined my entire life. When I was a girl, I did not have good health and I could not go out like other girls as I desired, but I studied the Bible and was acquainted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and when the Mormon Elders came, I knew it was the true one, and was ready to accept it.' She tells how the Heavenly Father had guided her through her life.           She was a good wife and loved the father of her children dearly. Although her husband was taken many years ago, not a day passed that she hasn't longed to be with him and waited for the time to come when she could be with him again. I have imagined their meeting - how she could tell him of her rearing his children, how grateful and happy he is to have her with him again.           My husband has often said that people who are in Heaven are like Sister Elizabeth. I thank my Heavenly Father that I have had Sister Elizabeth for a friend. I'll miss her very much.           May God bless her family that they may live her teachings and bless us that we may have a devout faith, as she had, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Bp. Durtschi: Sister Harris, a very loyal friend of Sister Elizabeth, will speak next. Rea Harris: "My dear brothers and sisters, like Sister Green, I consider this a very great honor. Thinking back over many times of talking together and looking back over the world before we came here, we two were very dear friends, and while we were permitted to come to the earth the same year, I was born in Salt Lake and she was born in Switzerland.           We have been the dearest friends ever since, we went through trials together and when I got blue and it was hard for me to carry on, I went to Sister Durtschi and got comfort and strength. I think that I have never talked to her that I haven't received strength to go on and when we couldn't be together, we were just as near in our hearts. We wrote to each other and prayed together and I know her main desire in life was to live the Gospel and teach it to her children. She won't be far from them - she will be near them to suggest the things for them to do. There will be times that will be hard, but when problems come to them she will always be ready to help them and I know from experience that mothers and fathers do direct and guide their children, especially when they have lived their religion.           If the children can just live about the strife of this life, their father and mother will always be with them and their Spirit and influence will guide and direct.           I pray that the Lord will be with -this family and bless them. And I think Sister Durtschi's life personifies that. If we can learn these things we will have done very well.           I ask the Lord to bless us all and I am grateful for this privilege. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Bp. Durtschi: We will now hear a trio by Iris Dalley, LaRena Waddell and Mrs. Byron Christensen, accompanied by Dorothy Wilkie: THE OLD REFRAIN I often think of home, Dee-oo-lee-ay, When I am all alone and far away; I sing an old refrain: Dee-oo-lee-ay, For it recalls to me a by-gone day It takes me back again to meadows fair, Where sunlight's golden rays beam ev'rywhere, My childhood days again come back to me, My mother's face in fancy, too I see, It was my mother taught me how to sing And to that memory my heart will cling, I'm never sad and lone while on my way As long as I can sing: Dee-oo-lee-ay Though years have passed and gone, Dee-oo-lee-ay, And though my heart is young, my head is gray, Yet still the echoes ring Dee-oo-lee-ay, And dear old memories forever stay, My song can bring me visions full of light, And sweetest dreams throughout the darkest night; Of all that life can give, that song is best, I'll take it with me when I go to rest, And when at last my journey here is o’er, 'Twill ring more joyfully than e'er before, For up to heaven I will take my lay The angels too will sing: Dee-oo-lee-ay! Bp. Durtschi: Brother David Hirschi, the man who left a wife and seven children and came to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us, will be our next speaker. David Hirschi: "My brothers and sisters, this is a day for me to mourn, but it makes my heart rejoice and especially to see these brothers and sisters before me as mourners. I am thankful to our Heavenly Father for what happened to this family and these mourners. For I can tell you I know the Gospel is true, I know that Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior, and I know that Joseph Smith is one of the very greatest prophets that has ever been on this earth, and he has restored this Gospel and through him we are here together.           I pray that the Lord will let his Holy Spirit rest upon me and I do ask for your faith and prayers that what I may say will be in accordance with our Heavenly Father.           I, as a humble servant, was called on a mission in 1903. And in a wonderful way: I received a letter from Salt Lake City, it was from President Joseph F. Smith and he asked me if I would go on a mission. It was December then and he said he would like to have me go the 1st of April.           I took this letter home and I thought, 'I cannot go on a mission, it is impossible'. I took the letter to my dear wife, who is a number one Latter-day Saint. At that time, really I didn’t know whether I could raise $10 to go on a mission - we were really poor when we came here. We had bought a ranch of eighty acres all in sage brush and I had to work that up and then our family--well, anyway I showed this letter to my dear wife and she read it. I said, 'What do you think of it? She said, 'My dear husband, there is no other way than to go on a mission.'           When we think of it, the way we were--seven children, the oldest was twelve and the youngest seven months old - anyhow, I went to the meeting the next Sunday and just before that they had a dance in a log house and it was the duty of the Bishop with two or three others to clean up the house and put in the benches and I went and played so I could help a bit, and the Bishop was there. I went to him and said, 'What's the matter, Bishop, what have you been doing?' He said, 'What's the matter with you?' I said, 'You know, I don't need to tell you.' He said, 'Now Brother Hirschi, what's got into your head anyway’, and he said, 'No, Brother Hirschi, I don't know anything, what's happened? You tell me.'           When I told him he said, 'No, I didn't know, I never thought of sending you on a mission because I know your circumstances at present. I thought you could go on one two years from now better.’           Anyhow, I prepared myself and everything in what time I had, Everything turned out in a wonderful way - $200.00 came in that was never thought of through working on a canal and other places and five acres of grain that is about three years before I had a call to go on a mission - and just about that time I had this money turned to me and it gave me this chance to go on a mission.           I went and was called to go to two cities and two branches to preside over. Then the time came when I should be changed. They had a Conference and the President called me to take charge of another two branches, I went there and at that time I wasn't acquainted with the Saints and friends.           It was a country of over twenty-two counties and villages to labor in. When I got there, that is the time I became acquainted with Sister Elizabeth Durtschi. This good sister came to meeting and that is when I got acquainted with her - October, 1904, was the first time I saw her. She didn't know Brother Durtschi at that time, but that sister wouldn't have missed a meeting and there were two other sisters who had to walk a long ways, but they never missed a meeting.           I had this strange place to go over. The first thing I knew, I wanted to get acquainted with the Saints and friends. I went and got Brother Burgener, who had just been released, but he didn’t have time to make me acquainted so I took Brother Weber, a young fellow, to show me where some of these Saints and friends were. It just happened that in that one part he showed me where Sister Elizabeth lived so we went in to see her. She was living in Palasade.           When we got there we went in the house and were going to talk to her and her mother, a widow, told us that all we were after was girls to take them to Salt Lake to live in polygamy, then she said, 'My girl joined the Mormon Church and I cannot do anything more with her.'           We were sitting in the room close to the door and Elder Weber could hardly stand to have this lady talk to us that way so he started to take our part and the more he talked the worse she got. I told him in English, so she couldn't understand me, to let her talk until she was through. And she talked and got through, then she was going to take the daughter and go and leave us, but that wouldn't look good so I moved the chair against the door so she couldn't get out and then I talked to her until she cried.           Well now, about two days after we went to visit her, we took a trip and was going for a walk through the country. I said to Brother Weber, 'Now, is there any more friends we can go to see and become acquainted with?' He said, 'Yes, there is one more family, but that family is down on us. They don't want anymore to do with the Mormons.’ Won't they meet with you?' He said, 'No, it will be a loss of time, etc.,' So I said, 'We will go to see that family.’ We went down there and there was Brother and Sister Durtschi here and their parents. I went and knocked on the door and here comes the good mother to open the door. I told them who I was, that I had been born in this country and had been to America and had come back to this country to preach the Gospel and would like to talk to them. She said, 'Come in'.           We could only stay a little while as I had to go to a meeting, but before we left, she pleaded with me, Mr. Hirschi, will you come and give us a visit and tell us more about the Mormons?' She said, 'Come tomorrow night.' And I gave her the promise.           The next night, I went alone to visit her. She had supper ready and treated me very nice. After supper we sat around the table and I told them to get their Bibles out and we'd talk and thrash out Mormonism. We sat around the table and I had a number one time until three minutes to eleven. Then we went to bed and had a wonderful rest, we were really tired. Now, in the morning, they wouldn't let me go. It was talk, talk, until ten o'clock. Then I left them.           Well, on the 26th of March, 1905, I had been laboring with them four months, just think of it - it took a long time to convert these people, and I went there several times, And here, after four months, we held a Sunday School meeting and the girls of the Durtschi family came in to me and wanted me to go home with them to have dinner after Sunday School.           Father Durtschi never came to meeting. This good old father was at dinner. He was sitting on the canopy without his shoes on. After dinner I talked to him and went to him and put his Sunday shoes on his feet and while I was doing that he smiled and laughed with us. After that I said, 'Now Brother Durtschi, come to meeting with us.' He raised up and came. The good wife and children said that was the greatest happiness they had - when I got him to go to meeting.           The Conference President and my first companion were there and we had a wonderful meeting. They wanted all the missionaries, -five of us, to go to dinner at their house. After dinner we went back to meeting in the afternoon and after meeting let out, they came to me and plead for me and my first companion to stay overnight, which we did and had a wonderful time with them.           As time went on these good people wanted to be baptized, April 20, 1905. There was eleven of them and we had a meeting before that and after the meeting, I called these eleven Saints aside and we had a little meeting with them and then we went together into the Lake and there we had a nice prayer and I baptized these eleven friends.           Nearly all of the Durtschis came to America shortly after I came home. The 28th of September 1905 was the last day for the Durtschis in Switzerland, and in that evening there was a large crowd of Saints there. We held a meeting which lasted two hours and had a wonderful time.           Then Brother Durtschi prepared to go to America. He went and sat down by the table and took his money. He had quite a pile of money on the table and he took it and made several different piles on the table. I was wondering what he was doing that for. I found out that he had one pile for one of his girls to come to America and to the others the same thing.           When he came to the last pile he took the money in his hands and said, 'Here Brother Hirschi, this is for you.'           'No, Brother Durtschi', I said, 'Put it right back, I won't take that money and be careful when you get to Zion. Don't think that everyone is honest and square like you are. If you come to Zion with me, be careful or they will get the best of you. Just take that money to America and look around for a nice little home and put your money in there.’           He cried and finally walked back to the table and took it back there and then took ten francs and came to me. 'You will take that won't you?' I took that money to please him.           'Then of course we stayed with them all night and we had to go early in the morning and so they left for America and when they came to America, they bought a home in Midway and somehow the boys moved up here. They had a carload of cattle with them and they went to the Basin and took them to my place and I put them in the pasture that night and in the morning they brought them up here.           During haying time they made a hay rake and they came down and helped me put up my hay. I learned to love these people and I know them as well as anyone and I am really pleased to see so many here. It shows they have many friends around here.           I asked the Lord to help and to bless them and to bless us all. Brothers, Sisters and friends, be careful, let's do all we can and live the Gospel and let's not turn our backs to the Church of Jesus Christ because it is the only true Church.           In the city of Idaho Falls I find a condition that almost made me cry. I am a Home Missionary in one Ward I lived in. I went around and made visits and found out that sixteen families who have lived there for two or three years never knew how to get a recommend. So we can see how even we, as Latter- Day Saints, can be careless. You know about the ten virgins - five wise and five foolish and couldn't even enter into the presence of Christ.           Do all to further the work ahead, but not only live for ourselves, but for our neighbors and friends. No matter what they do, labor with them and bring them into the Church of Jesus Christ and look after them, these the lost sheep, and do all you can to save souls. I pray to the Lord to bless these families. I am pleased and happy to see so many here, that I have seen the old country Berlin and got acquainted with Westons in Berlin when I came to Berlin on my second mission. That was a terrible time, the Saints were one against the other. About one-third stood up against the Conference President. He said 'It is a sheep in a wolf's skin'. And I had to go and straighten this all up. A few stood up and talked and found fault. Finally these brothers' mother wanted me to go visit her and I went to see them and she said she had lost her husband in the war. I asked her, 'What is the chance of having cottage meetings here in your house?’ She said, 'No, you can't have any cottage meeting here in this house.’ 'What is the matter?’ I ask. She said, 'Nobody would come here.' 'Well, I'll just ask one thing - will you give me your room so I can hold cottage meetings and Bible classes?' And she said, '’Well, if it will do you any good, you can have it.' So every week I held classes and through this I baptized twenty-two. If we want to we can do a good work for our Heavenly Father.           I pray the Lord to bless this family, this is almost like my second family and I ask the Lord to be with us always that we may do our duties and be Saviors upon Mount Zion, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen! Bp. Durtschi: A duet will now be sung by Brother Dick Egbert and Isobel Hatch, accompanied by Marjorie O’Brien. COME UNTO ME Come unto me, come unto me, All ye that labor and are heavy laden, And I will give you rest, rest unto your souls, All ye heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, For I am meek and lowly, meek and lowly of heart, And ye shall find rest unto your souls, Ye shalt find rest unto your souls; Ye shall find rest unto your souls, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Ye shall find rest unto your souls, Ye shall find rest unto your souls For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Bp. Durtschi: President Choules will be the concluding speaker. President Choules: 'I think I feel that I need the help of you good people and my Father in Heaven as much as I ever did that I might say what I have to say in as few words as possible. This has been a fine occasion for me, I think I have known these good people, with the exception of one year, ever since they came to the valley. They came here in 1909 and I came here first in 1910. They are a credit to our Stake, all of them. I don't know where we can find any fault and I have a very high regard for them.           I am sure that Sister Durtschi will feel very pleased with these services up to this moment. I think she was one of the sweetest and finest characters that we've had in our valley. It is a wonderful thing when a person passes away and you hear the comments made by those who know you and neighbors and friends. It has been inspirational to know that almost everybody has about the same things to say about the kindness and neighborliness and willingness to help anyone in need, the sweet spirit, spoken of by the Bishop and Sister Green.           I am happy for the honor of standing here for just a few moments. I had intended saying a few more things, but now I shall not do that. The other night I had a talk with Flora, who spent considerable time with her mother in the hospital, and had the opportunity of having her mother speak her real self to her; her thoughts about the hereafter and her desires. I shall mention just a few of them rather than to try to say other things.           Flora made a note of some of these statements.(See above) These are wonderful things! Quite often in life we hear fine things and think we will remember them, but find we have forgotten them. I really appreciate looking over some of these notes and I shall refer to a few.           She said as she lay on the bed, 'I know that my Redeemer lives'. I've analyzed that statement and I'd like to ask you if it isn't consistent and logical that such characters as this shall know this. The Lord said 'The meek shall inherit the earth’ - and certainly the meek are entitled to the whisperings of our Heavenly Father. Such characters as Sister Durtschi are just the ones who the Spirit of God shall feel pleased to dwell with and give this information that the heart might desire and by reason of that she could say that 'she knows that her Redeemer livest.'           She said, 'I do so appreciate your being here, I'm happy that you and Joe are working in the Church. You are on the right track!           She joined the church in the old world. She knew the joy that the Gospel had been to her. You've heard how she happened to become acquainted with the Church. She thought more of it than anything else in the world because it meant more to her and I'm sure she was happy as she lay on her bed and realized that all her children and son-in laws and daughters-in-law were active in the church, which meant more than anything else.           'How very privileged I am to come out of Babylon when really, I am no better than they!'           She accepted the Gospel, as you have heard explained this afternoon, came out here and is the product of the Gathering principal of this church. The missionaries were sent into the world and the honest in heart listened and obeyed and came here to receive the privileges of that call. They have enjoyed privileges here which they never could have enjoyed in the old world. I wonder when she said 'I am no better than they' - I am sure that she was better than the majority.           'If I should die, tell LaVerne not to feel badly because she was not here. I would have liked to have seen her again. She is being guided by the Lord and is doing a wonderful work.'           'Keep closely in touch with one another and help each other.’           She was always trying to do for her children, she realized what a fine thing it would be if these same children would do everything they could for each other. Then they would get out of life what she had gotten out of life.           'If I should die, I want Sister Green to speak and Aunt Ida and Luella to sing 'O it is Wonderful’!           'If I should go to your father--and Sister Flora said she always spoke of this as being her greatest desire and after having lived so that her children could take care of themselves, she now has the privilege of going to her husband and enjoying themselves together throughout the continual ages of Eternity.           'Tell my little grandchildren that I hope they will grow up and be able to withstand the powers of the Adversary. I want them to write down the things their Sunday School teachers tell them.' If they will do this, what a fine thing that will be to look over in years to come, to look back on those little sayings. I think that would be a scrapbook that would comfort many. "If we would only live like we know we should.' Most of us do not--I have never thought that I did, but I think there are some people, like Sister Durtschi, who just about live the way they know they should, according to those who are well acquainted with her.           I am going to take the liberty of reading the last line of that song that she has requested these two sisters to sing:           I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt. Such love, such devotion, can I forget? I know that my redeemer lives.'           If this good woman, who has been so charitable who has exemplified in her life the true spirit of Christ in being willing to give rather than receive and to do good all her life and enjoying that independence of character, not wanting to receive, but always giving, then what more good could anybody ask for?           I pray God to bless these children. They are fortunate to have such a father and mother. I had the privilege of saying a few words at the father's funeral and I contrast the surroundings there and here. The building now this good woman was able to help build and the fine church they are now enjoying in their own Ward in Pratt. I am happy that we have had the honor to hold these services here.           That God will bless this good family that peace and happiness will be with them always, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Bp. Durtschi: The family wishes to thank anyone who helped in any way. I am sorry that we had not received the word that this song was to be sung by Sister Ida and Luella, we knew only that she requested that song. The quartet will sing it and these two sisters will sing in the quartet. After the song Brother Charles Christensen will offer the benediction. Song: O It Is Wonderful Prayer by Charles Christensen: Heavenly Father, in conclusion of these services, we thank thee for Thy Spirit here today. We thank Thee for all blessings we enjoy that Thou hast given us knowledge and understanding of the purpose of life. That thou hast blessed us with the knowledge of what is placed in store for us in the hereafter.           We are thankful that we are permitted to live in this good land at a time and age when Thou has restored and established this church on the earth. We are thankful to have the association of some of the most noble and choice spirits, such as the Spirit of this good lady whose body lies before us now.           We ask Thee to bless the children and immediate relatives of this beloved woman with Thy Spirit to guide and direct them in their efforts. Bless them with a desire to know more of Thy plan, with a greater determination to serve Thee and keep Thy commandments. These blessings we pray for in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.           End (of funeral transcript)