Hope DeOn Morrison Bastian

Seventeen years ago (February 27,1997) my mother DeOn Morrison Bastian passed away here in this  condominium .  My mother was a phenomenal woman for she managed to raise five children and teach school while finishing her Bachelor's degree.  If she wasn't grading papers she was doing her own homework. She canned hundreds of quarts of fruit and vegetables in the summer while going to summer school.  Even with these demands on her time she baked 7 loaves of bread each week (for she knew our Dad loved it) and she also held demanding church callings and belonged to several clubs.  

Somehow she managed to teach Rochelle and me how to sew and can and helped my father with the financial management of the farm.  My father only had an 8th grade education so she helped him improve his reading and writing skills. She encouraged him in his church callings and stood by his side 100%.  She knew the importance of education and encouraged all five of her children to go to college.  Most important we children knew Dad and Mom loved each other for we witnessed their love and affection on a daily basis.  Long after her own children were gone the Barry Bastian grandchildren who lived next door benefited by her open door policy to come in for a hug and something to eat.  Morris & Elaine's older girls lived with them in this condo in Provo while going to school.  She loved us all unconditionally.  

After she died I stayed in the condo with Steven who was very ill at the time.  During this particularly hard time I felt her presence and love for me and Steven.  It was during those dark days being away from Dad I had a strong impression that we would move to Provo in the near future and live  here in her home. Her spirit that surrounded me gave me a sense of peace and a vision of how we would have to sacrifice and give up our beloved Colorado Springs and move to Provo for the answers to our prayers were here.   A couple of weeks ago I was very ill and all alone again for Dad  had gone to Arizona to see the kids. Once again I felt my mother's presence and her love for me.  How blessed I am to have a Mom who continues to watch over me even through the veil.   -Sue Bastian Gardner

Morris Bastian writes: Grandma DeOn graduated from NNC (North Nazarene College) with a four year degree. Someone has a picture of her and Aunt Ilene with Grandma Bastian in her graduation gown and hat/cap. LaVon, the man

she married after Grandpa Sid died, was her first principal at the Aurora elementary school where she taught and lived with Grandpa and Grandma Alma Bastian."