Hearing Our Heritage

Maggie Olson is a creative, kind, loving mother and grandmother. She grew up in Marin County, California where she enjoyed being in nature and developing her artistry. She has lived many places, both for school and to help her kids and grandkids. She has many talents including storytelling, puppetry, clowning, face painting, design, drawing, painting, and making dream catchers. She is a selfless and giving believer in God. 

Darlene Robinson is a bright, positive, beautiful, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was raised in California and spent her summers waterskiing in Lake Tahoe with her brother and cousins. She attended BYU, became a dental hygienist, and eventually met her sweetheart, Gayle in California. Together they raised their three daughters while running a bus business. Darlene has had many wonderful and exciting adventures in her life, including her mission to the Philippines. Her story is full of positivity, as she is someone who sees the best in others, and whatever situation comes her way. 

Miriam and Dean Morrell have shared an amazing lif e and raised 6 fantastic kids. Their dream is to have “no empty chairs” when they get to the other side. Having an eternal family is what is most important to them. They had fairly different childhoods but both learned the value of hard work early on. They’ve lived all over the country, had some really hard times, and witnessed miracles along their way.

Norma Christiansen is an incredible, sharp, witty, kind, 101 year old woman.  She has spent her life in Wisconsin where she grew up as the only child of hardworking parents. She played the clarinet in the band and studied to become a teacher. She taught school for many years and worked as a school librarian. She met and married Eugene and together they raised their sons, Glen and Mark. She is a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who has taught her children that everyone pitches in to help. 

Throughout her 101 years, Norma has seen many changes in the world and faces several personal challenges. She is an inspiration to those around her and remains an optimistic example to her loved ones. 

Margene Koller has had an amazing life full of adventure. She is an avid family historian with many fascinating stories from her heritage. She worked as a school teacher for many years before marrying her husband Frank. Together, they raised two children while moving all over the world. She's a positive, bright woman who has been close with the Lord her entire life.

Margene Koller has had an amazing life full of adventure. She is an avid family historian with many fascinating stories from her heritage. She worked as a school teacher for many years before marrying her husband Frank. Together, they raised two children while moving all over the world. She's a positive, bright woman who has been close with the Lord her entire life.

Reese Bandley has one of the most dramatic yet inspiring stories I have ever heard. He has had some major highs and some serious lows. On many occasions and through faith in God, he has found the strength to turn his life around.  He's an avid car enthusiast, burn survivor, serial entrepreneur, music lover, father, husband, and follower of Christ. 

Joan Furner is the salt of the earth. She is kind, funny, beautiful, and faithful. She is part of the Parrish family, who are prominent in Centerville, Utah where she has lived most of her life. She grew up on a farm and enjoyed singing in her younger years. She met her husband, Blair, through a blind date set up by her mom. Together Joan and Blair raised five incredible children. Joan was a stay-at-home mom until all her kids were grown and then she went to college and became a 1st grade teacher for fifteen years. She and Blair served a mission in Spain and she has been a faithful disciple of Christ throughout her life. 

Anna and Richard Wilstead are a wonderful couple from Arizona. They have been married since 1969 after meeting when Anna was sixteen and Richard nineteen. Together they have seven children, Lorianne, Gregory, Jeffery, Elizabeth Kenneth, Curtis, and Deborah 

They have worked hard their entire lives, since they were young teens, to provide for themselves and their family. They have both had fascinating experiences in a variety of different careers. But, the best part of their life has been raising their kids and all that entailed.

They are both faithful members of the church and love their  all of kids and grandkids so much. 

Thom Rothey has had an amazing life. He has five great kids, five bonus kids, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His life began in Ogden, where he had a fun childhood but faced some serious hardships in his family. He met his eternal companion, Helen, in high school, and they were married after he returned from his mission to the Northern States. He received a degree in Chinese history and Chinese, and then a Master's in Public Administration. He worked for the California Senate, as a farmer in rural British Columbia, and as a mortgage broker. He lost his sweetheart, Helen, to cancer after an incredible 40 years of marriage. Later, he met and married his beautiful wife, Becca, and they have enjoyed 16 wonderful years together.