Sunday School in the Rigby's basement. 1956?

July 24th on the Columbia River at the Purser ranch. 1957?

The Band. 1959?
Bass Boyd Mackay
Accordion Gayle Mackay
Piano Jean Withers
Drums Joyce Rigby

Ward Christmas Party. 1958?

We will have more pictures to jog some of your memories. See who you know or if they are before your time guess who they are!

Message from Lola Herron

From Lola Herron
May 2009

I, Lola Knowles, was living in Alameda, California, when George Herron and his brother moved there to work. We met and dated. His brother moved back home and Grant Bleazard moved in with George. Later they moved and Grant met Mary. They dated, then got married, as did George and I.

Years later Grant got an application for land in the Columbia Basin and gave one to George and they both sent them in. Later George’s name was drawn so we all came up to check out the land. George chose our place and Grant was able to get across the road.

We had to go into Pasco for church so decided to meet at Bleazard’s, then Rigby’s (or vice versa). Then land was acquired and the church sent two work missionaries and we all helped build the Columbia Basin Ward. The ward grew. We weeded sugar beets at the church.

I taught a boys class in Primary. I taught a young ladies class in Mutual. As a class project, we provided and printed the board that still hangs on the fence at Edwin Markham. I taught Theology in Relief Society and was Stake Leader for two years. I taught Gospel Doctrine in Sunday School and taught Seminary.

George died the 24th of June 1984. We sold land to the Pasco School District and they built Edwin Markham School and I worked there 21 years.

We attended church and all the functions faithfully and made lots of friends. We had fun at all the functions.

We had five children when we moved here:
Sandy who now teaches Special Ed at Highlands Middle School in Kennewick;
Vicky has worked in the Walla Walla School District Office for 22 years;
Gigi lives in Layton, Utah, and works at Weber State University as a secretary in the
Performing Arts Department;
Marele Lee and her husband Dennis own Kennewick Transfer Moving Van and Storage and are
in and out of the area pretty often;
Denny is a building contractor and lives in Pasco.
Paul was born after we had lived there about five years;
Mike was born about five years later.
Paul is an automotive body and paint specialist and now lives in St. George, Utah. Mike lives in Tumwater, Washington and is working for a HAZMAT Division of the Washington State Patrol.

I am living at Richland Gardens in an assisted living facility – 770 West Gage Boulevard, #120, Richland WA 99352. My phone is 528-0895. The Columbia River Temple is across the street here on Gage. Drop by for a visit next time you’re in the area.

Five bishops: Grant Bleazard, Bill Rigby, Wayne Eppich, Wendell Merrill, Ferris Naef

January 1971

The following entries were taken from records kept by Ward Clerks.

January 24, 1971 Annual Ward Conference
Bishop Wayne Eppich, First Counselor William Cook, Second Counselor George Withers
Ward Clerk Reese Risenmay, Assistant Ward Clerk Vaughn Johnson

Keith Callaway was Aaronic Priesthood Youth secretary and George Herron was Aaronic Priesthood adult secretary.

June Bitton was Relief Society president with Myra Gessel and Betty Cook as counselors and Patsy Cook as secretary.

Marlow Mecham was Sunday School Superintendent with Winfred Merrill and Reese Hope as counselors and Janet Warner as secretary.

Young Mens: Boyd Mackay was superintendent with Max Merrill and George Bakan as assistants and Vern Records as secretary.

Lauanna Callaway was Young Women’s President with Gayle Mackay and Judy Winebarger as counselors and Janet Vermilyea as secretary.

Geraldine Merrill was Primary President with Sharron Roylance and Colleen Ferguson as counselors and Muriel Baker as secretary.

Verna Hope was Ward Choir director with Jean Withers as organist and Lola Herron as choir president.

Daren Gibbons was serving in the Western States Mission.
Brian Johnson was serving in the Texas South Mission.
Danny Merrill was serving in the Spanish American Mission.
Homer Gessel and George Herron were serving as Stake Missionaries.

Steven Mathews was Secretary of the Priests Quorum.

Grant Mathews was President of the Teachers Quorum with Kent Mackay and Doug Baker as Counselors and James Gessel as Secretary.

Terry Cook was President of the Deacons Quorum with Kevin Adamson and Danny (Pete) Jorgenson as Counselors and Paul Herron as Secretary.

RSVP Invitation Information

RSVP for Columbia Basin Ward Reunion

Return by June 30, 2009


I / We will be attending _______ I / We will not be attending ______

Names:



Address:


Phone Number: __________________________

Email: __________________________________


Would you allow us to share your address, phone number and email with former ward members?

Yes _______________ No _______________



Return RSVP to: Cary and Mary Withers
2781 Eltopia West Road
Eltopia WA 99330

Email: cbwreunion@hotmail.com
Phone: 509-297-4345

Blog: cbwreunion.blogspot.com


We would like to make a display of pictures and written memories. Please send any you would like to share in a display and on a blog spot. (They will not be returned.)

1956

The following entries were taken from historical reports prepared by ward clerks.

COLUMBIA BASIN WARD

Formerly dependent upon Pasco Ward and known as the Columbia Basin Heights Branch. Name shortened to Columbia Basin and made an independent branch on 29th April 1956. Heber Grant Bleazard sustained as Branch President.

Organized as a ward 19 July 1959. President Bleazard was sustained as the first Bishop.

Transferred to the new Pasco Stake 21st May 1967.

October 10, 1955 Robert Wayne Coltrin was made Deacon’s President with Dennis Barrow and Wayne Monson as Counselors and Larry John Richeson as Secretary.

October 21, 1955 Karen Barrow was sustained as Sunday School Secretary.
June Bitton was sustained as Primary President with Mary Bleazard and June Wilson as her Counselors.
Verna Hope was sustained as Relief Society President with Clara Barrow and Enid Coltrin as her counselors.
Owen Loftus was released as Branch Clerk.
Arlin Wilson was sustained as Branch Clerk.
Joyce Rigby was sustained as Branch Chorister.

November 6, 1955 Verna L. Hope was set apart as Relief Society President by H. Grant Bleazard.
Wilma June Bitton was set apart as Primary President by William Rigby.
Mary Elizabeth Bleazard was set apart as Counselor by H. Grant Bleazard.
June Rawlings Wilson was set apart as Counselor by Arlin Wilson.

December 21, 1955 A Christmas party was held. Primary presented a play.

April 30, 1956 Stake President James V. Thompson, Counselor Harold Davis and Marcus N. Myers visited our Branch today. A proposal was made to shorten the name of our Branch from Columbia Basin Heights Branch to Columbia Basin Branch. The proposal was accepted. Brother Thompson also made a proposal to make our branch an independent branch. This proposal was also approved. The officers and teachers in the branch will remain in the capacity they are now working.

Branch Presidency Relief Society
Heber Grant Bleazard Verna Hope
William Rigby Clara Barrow
Cecil Barrow Enid Coltrin
Jo Ann Eppich, Secretary

Sunday School Primary
George Herron June Bitton
Reese Hope Mary Bleazard
Ronald Steele June Wilson
Karen Barrow, Secretary Bardella Johnson, Secretary

May 6, 1956 Boyd Mackay was sustained financial clerk for our branch.

May 14, 1956 Brother Norman Johnson accepted position as Secretary to Aaronic Priesthood group.

May 14, 1956 Arrangements were made to grow 24 acres of beans for a project to start a building fund. Wayne Eppich is the Building Fund Chairman. He asked Boyd Mackay and Lloyd Poulson to help him as work directors.

May 15, 1956 With six tractors and needed equipment, the 24 acres of ground was worked ready to plant today. Brother Boyd Mackay will plant the beans tomorrow and we will start irrigation by a portable sprinkler until the electric pump is ready.

May 20, 1956 The planting of our bean crop was dedicated today.

June 3, 1956 Sustained Sister JoAnn Eppich as Secretary to the Building Fund Committee. Brother William Robison was sustained as a teacher in the Sunday School. Elmyra Gessel was sustained as a Sunday School teacher. Sister Marilyn Shelton was released as organist of the Primary.

July 13, 1956 Sixty-five members turned out and we weeded the Branch beans in 1/2 day. Lunch was served at the field.

July 24, 1956 Branch Party was held on the shore of the Columbia River at the Arthur Purser place, commemorating the 24th of July. Program was under the direction of the Sunday School and refreshments in charge of the Building Fund committee.

August 12, 1956 Membership records of Leonard Ferguson and family and Winfred Merrill and family were read and accepted into the branch.

August 19, 1956 Released Sister Bardella Johnson as Sunday School teacher with a vote of thanks. Sustained Sister Elaine Merrill as organist, Sister Sharon Merrill as teacher, and Sister Verna Hope as chorister in the Sunday School. Membership records for the Larry Adamson family were read and accepted into the branch.

September 2, 1956 Started holding church meetings in the old Eltopia School House.

September 23, 1956 Organized Branch choir under the direction of Joyce Rigby.

September 31, 1956 Membership records of Thayle Nielson and family were read and accepted into Branch.

October 14, 1956 The following were released from the Primary: Mary Bleazard as First Counselor, Pamela Ferguson as teacher, Bonnie Robison as organist and Joyce Rigby as chorister. June Monson was released as teacher from Relief Society.

October 1956 Harvested the church beans.

November 4, 1956 Boyd Mackay was sustained as MIA President with Thayle Nielson 1st Counselor and Homer Gessel 2nd Counselor. Alice Johnson was sustained as YWMIA President with Dorothy Jenkins 1st Counselor and Mary Bleazard, 2nd Counselor.

December 16, 1956 Sustained Joan Casper as 1st Counselor in the Primary. Sustained Shirley Cheney, Merle Baker, Colleen Ferguson and Roma Sharp as teachers in the Primary and Jean Withers as organist.

1980 Verna Hope Talk

From a talk given by Verna Hope April 20, 1980. (Elaine Merrill is Verna’s sister.)

Columbia Basin Ward History

How about a little daydreaming? Could all of you close your eyes for a moment and visualize what I am going to tell you. Ready?? Picture yourself, a stranger coming to a new land, where you had come with anticipation to find a new home. When you arrived you were greeted by hot sun, dry winds, dust, weeds -- No trees or bushes of any sort. No water – no buildings – just a barren land, covered with dry brittle grass. Okay, did you get the picture?

Twenty-six years ago some of you in this congregation or your family or friends or neighbors did exactly that. That land they were seeking was this land upon which you now reside. There were no decent roads to travel – nowhere to buy a sandwich or a cool drink – just barren land!! That was in 1954.

In the spring many of those brave ones who still decided to accept the challenge began arriving. This was in the spring of 1955, getting here just in time to be initiated by a 95 mile per hour wind. That was some experience!

Well, a few light poles began dotting the landscape. Here and there was to be seen a small shed, a tent, or some little makeshift type of living quarter which someone had moved onto a piece of property, showing signs of a modern-day pioneer. By early summer of that year, 25 years ago, there were about seven or eight LDS families moved into this area. These families were part of the then one Pasco Ward.

By July of 1955, there was enough membership that the Stake Presidency saw fit to start a Branch. The members all met in our home and the Columbia Basin Branch was organized, with President Bleazard as the Branch President and William Rigby and Cecil Barrow as counselors.

Now where could the meetings be held? In the member’s homes? Then the Rigby’s volunteered their basement, which worked great for a short time. It wasn’t long until we were bursting at the seams.

What could they do? Well, the only immediate answer was the old Eltopia school building. This was larger and served for a time, but it was cold, noisy and inadequate. The leaders could see what was ahead and they started preparing as best they could. They knew something must be done.

None had any money to talk with, but somehow a small herd of cattle was purchased. A corral was needed to be built and the cattle taken care of. The saints got together one evening after their day’s work was done – built a corral and laid a water line. The women served refreshments for the working men. The animals were brought in and then came the loads of donated hay, each member bringing his share. Well, the result was the cattle made a nice little profit and that was the beginning!

From then on there were numerous money-raising occasions, everything from dinners to 24th of July celebrations, farming, beet thinning and weeding, etc. Let me tell you a little about the 24th celebrations. At first they were held down at the old Ringold Ranch, formerly owned by the Pursers, down on the banks of the Columbia River. Everyone planned ahead and saved their coins for the fun. All kinds of booths were set up – everything from homemade ice cream and homemade root beer to water ducking and you name it. It was a lot of fun with many fond memories.

In not too long a time, the Branch President heard that this farm was going to be for sale, on which this building stands. We had been doing all of these fund-raising things and now a nice little sum was available to work with. So – the farm was purchased, with the consent of those Stake and Church Authorities.

Now we had to work harder and scheme tighter to arrange for a building!

Well – there was need for sugar beets to be weeded and thinned and this the ranch members who could, young and old, worked in the fields, while those who could not tended small children and fixed meals for the workers. We rented a farm and had purchased this farm so in those years we farmed two farms. Then came the chance to buy the top half of a large dormitory building in Richland. It was purchased and moved here on this property, being located directly east of this building. Everyone came with tools and equipment and many a hand made lighter work and soon the building was ready for use as the Branch meetinghouse. Now we had a place for all our meetings to be held! This we did.

All of these things happened in the first four years from when the branch was organized.

On July 19, 1959, the Stake Presidency came and the Branch was made a Ward. This was great! This was progress!

The Ward continued to grow. At last the old building was overflowing. Something had to be done. How pleased and grateful the members were for the opportunity to participate in the Church Missionary Building Program. Brother Verl Asay from Salt Lake City was assigned as the building supervisor and three building missionaries also were assigned to the Ward. Then with the volunteer help of the Ward Members, a new building started to take shape. Anyone who was able donated their labor towards helping build this building. It was built in phases -- the Chapel, classrooms, and Junior Sunday School – then the gym and all the structure to the north.

During this time there were changes in the bishopric and I will not attempt to give all the names of those involved, but William Rigby was the bishop.

About this time the seminary was begun. As near as we can determine, there have been about 20 years of seminary here in the Ward. Many great teachers and successful young people have emerged from these classes.

Through the years there have been fine things happen – dance festivals, road shows, ball games, Book of Mormon Pageant, banquets, and many spiritual meetings under the guidance of the before-named bishops and Bishop Eppich and Bishop Merrill. Many people have given their support to these four men, and the 25 years have been beneficial for all who have had the opportunity to be part of the growth of this Ward.

We are all benefitting from the sacrifice of many people who have made this desert blossom as the rose.

I shall always be grateful for the opportunity to have participated in these experiences over the past 25 years myself and it has indeed been a growing experience for me. I hold a special love and friendship for all those dear friends who I have been privileged to know and associate with. Many have come and gone through the years and have made this a choice experience for all. I want you to know that there is no experience like helping a Ward grow.

I truly believe that we were sent to this land to help establish our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom in this part of His vineyard. Seeing the growth of the Church here, from two or three wards in the Tri-Cities and one stake to three stakes and – oh, how many wards? Surely our Heavenly Father had a work for us to do and I know it to be true. And I say this humbly in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Post #1

Thanks for inviting me to the Columbia Basin Ward 50th Reunion. My, how the time flies. I was among the original settlers of Block 15 and have many fond memories.

I will not be able to attend the Reunion. I am 90 years old and have many of the ailments that go with old age. Besides, I lost my sweetheart 3 years ago. I wouldn't enjoy it without her. I doubt that there is many of the original settlers left.

I have been in touch with Bardella Johnson Robison and the last I heard Wayne Eppich is still OK. If you see them or any others I may have known, give them a High Five for me.

At first we were a small Branch, not yet a ward, and held our meetings at the home of Grant Bleazard or Bill Rigby. But it was a great experience
Sincerely yours
Lloyd Poulsen

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *I am looking forward to being there. I have been talking to the family about it for the last few months letting them know it was looking like it would be July
sometime. Not sure yet if any of them will make it. I'm assuming Deanne will be there if permitting, but not sure on the others yet.
David Cook
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We are very sad that we cannot come – but we have family coming in from out‑of-town that day – and the baptism of a granddaughter on July 19th. We would have loved to come and see everyone!
Bob and Susan Roylance
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Thank you so much for including us. We will be attending.
Betty and Orrin Smith
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Thank you for the kind invitation and the announcement of the ward reunion. I regret to say I will not be attending. It sounds wonderful and I'm sure everyone will have a marvelous time.

I had to ask my sister Lynnette if we were in the Columbia Basin Ward, as I didn't remember at first. She said I was probably 4 years old when we moved to the Basin City Ward. After she said that I thought up a few memories.

1. Mother (Rhoda Lee) told stories about staining and finishing the doors and kitchen cabinets. Mother had a lot of good friends in the ward that she visited and kept in touch with over the years.

2. I played in the fluffy pink fiberglass insulation, apparently when we were helping to build the chapel.

3. As a youth I went to dances at the Columbia Basin Ward house, and one year we had a mirror ball. It was very cool.

4. My best friend was Shirley Ann Perkes. I thought it was the most beautiful name.

Again, thank you for the invitation. I appreciate your work, time and talent that you are sharing with us to put together this reunion. What an event! Have a lot of fun.

Most Sincerely,
LaFaye Lee Bergman
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Wow, It has been a very long time. I mean years. How wonderful to hear from you all and know you all doing great. Bishop Todd Merrill, If my memory serves me right your Dad was a bishop too. How wonderful to see good people serve in such a great capacity.

I guess I should break down my life story in as short of words as possible.

For those of you that do not know me I am Douglas Cook, I have been out of the ward since about the year 1989. When I left the Ward I was transferred over into the Basin City Ward with my Dad. I was only in my early teens if my memory serves me right. I did not get much of a chance to get to grow up with all of you but I do remember many great things. I would love to share with you.
I remember Bishop Merrill being my Eiders Quorum adviser at the time. He was awesome. I remember going on a Scouting adventure in the Wasatch mountains and getting lost with the group. The climb was very treacherous and the weight on our backs from the backpacks were heavy since we figured we were hungry growing boys and had to have all we could carry. We sang the song Highway to the Danger Zone. I remember wondering how we were going to get out of there. Obviously we all survived and had a great time and memory to share.

I am now grown up and have two girls and a wonderful wife. My wonderful wife and I were married on May 26th, 2000, in the Logan , Utah LDS temple. Our oldest daughter (Aubrie) just turned five and will start kindergarten this year. I also have another wonderful child ( Hannah) who is 2. These kids have been very fun and kept my wife and I on our toes.

I am currently working at Lowe's Home Improvement Store as a department Manager in Plumbing. It has been a great career for me. My wonderful wife Ashley works at the McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah. She works as a staffing coordinator and is very good at what she does.

I am too far away to be able to make it to the fun planned event, but would love to thank all of you for who you are and best of luck. I do wish sometimes that I did not live so far away, but home is now in Utah.

With lots of love,
The Cook Family,
Doug, Ashley, Aubrie and Hannah

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Thank you for the invitation. I think it is a great thing to celebrate. My parents are Ron and Pearl Steele. Dad died in 1993 of a stroke and my mom just passed away last October from cancer. I don't think any of my siblings will be attending, but thank you and good luck with the planning. Angie Murdoch
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Karen and I will be attending the reunion.
Karen and Mark Jenkins
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Regrets, my family will not be able to attend.
-- Scott and Angela Bleazard
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Thanks for sending me an invitation. I got rather excited, then saw the date, but as much as I would love to come up and see everyone, I am committed to a wedding that day. I usually book several months in advance.

Will be thinking about any story that I can pass on and send to you. Do have a couple, but kind of bashful (who me?).

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Mary Graham
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We hope to be able to make it, but will let you know for sure later.

Kamille (Thorne) and Jared Combs* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A memory

For those who were ward members in our early days, you might remember Thayle and Renee Nielsen. Here is an article of their lives before they came to the Basin.

http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/mormon_experience/?linkTrack=mtEmail&id=7211