Rochelle Bastian Clark

ROCHELLE's Biography

Born Sept. 10, 1948, Salina, Utah at 6:40 p.m,7 lbs 6 oz. 19 “ long, Rochelle was the youngest of three boys: Richard Shan Bastian, Sept 25, 1937; Morris Quinn Bastian, Dec. 13,1938; Barry D. Bastian, July 25,1943, and one sister, Sydnee Sue Bastian, Oct. 5, 1945. We lived in vermillion, Utah by Sigurd, Utah until  Rochelle was three years old, in 1951 and then moved to a dairy farming community to Nampa, Idaho until graduating from high school in May 1966.

EARLY LIFE

1953-1966:   Attended kindergarten in Ogden, Utah for a summer with David Bastian, son of Dale and DeOn Bastian, second cousins at age 4 ½. and then Highline Elementary, age 5, in a two-roomed country school adjacent to the Bastian farm from grades 1-3 and grades 4-6 at the new Kuna Elementary school in Kuna some 5 ½ miles away The land where the school was built for Highline was originally part of the land donated to the school district and since that land was on the original land deed, we often wondered why the Bastians did not still get that land when the new elementary school in Kuna was built, Instead, it was sold to Craig and Linda Casenetto by the school district where they still reside in 2011.Rochelle helped on the farm feeding calves and milking cows beginning at the age of 7-17 years and worked detasseling corn summers 14-16  years.

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES:

Attended Mrs. Hatches Dance Studio from ages 5-12 years and then Penny Crispeno’s Social dance from 12-14 years and took piano from Mrs, Huber 1 year and Mr. Van Order for a year. Danced in Nampa City’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 1958 and was in the Kuna Ward play in 1963 directed by Sister Bacon.

Cheerleader Kuna Elementary 1958-59; eighth grade-12^th cheerleader from junior high through high school 1961-66

Soccer 1963-64; Track 1963-64,  220 & 440 relay; church softball 1962-65

Drill team 1964; FHA District Songleader; FTA President; 1965; Girls State Alternate 1966; Honor Society 196-66; Student Council Head Cheerleader 1966; Miss KHS 1966; Homecoming Princess 1966; Harvest Ball Court 1965

EDUCATION:   Graduated from Kuna 1966: graduated from seminary all 4 yrs. Kuna Ward;

 Ricks College 1966-67; danced in the Ricks College Social  Dance Club and was a member of  a social cub

 Colorado College summer of 1967; took dance workshop with Hanya Holm choreographer of My Fair Lady on broadway in New York.

 BYU 1967-68;

 U of I 1968-69;

 BYU 1969-70; danced in the contemporary dance club “Orchesis”; Program Bureau in televised Christmas  program;

Graduated from BYU in secondary education in physical education and  a minor in health and safety.

MARRIED:

David Carroll Clark ; Salt Lake Temple June 28, 1969

CHILDREN:

David Sean Clark: born June 20, 1970 Ft. Benning, Georgia

Chad Jeremy Clark: born Nov. 14, 1971 Ft. Campbell, Kentucky

Chelsea Rochelle: born Oct. 24, 1973 Holy Cross Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah

Dana Janelle: born June 25, 1975 American Fork Hospital, American Fork, Utah

Mindy Nicole : December 10, 1976 American Fork Hospital, American Fork Utah

Cami Elizabeth: June 10, 1980 Cottonwood Hospital, Murray, Utah

Cara Michelle: Oct. 19, 1983 Alta View Hospital, Sandy, Utah

Brittany Raquel: Oct. 28, 1987 Alta View Hospital, Sandy, Utah

Shalise  Laura:. August 29, 1989 Alta View Hospital, Sandy, Utah

2 miscarriages

23 grandchildren

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Summer field work

Waitress

Agriculture Teacher secretary

Meridian Wood Products

Idaho State Mental Hospital

Dance Teacher

Manage Rentals: applications, cleaning, with kids

New Construction Clean training kids

Interiors of model homes and spec homes

Real Estate licence

Liberte’ Design home interiors

RESIDENCES:

1969 summer with Sid and DeOn Bastian in Nampa, Idaho on their  farm

1969-70 Provo Western Motel BYU housing

1970-summer in Ft. Benning, Georgia

1970-72  Ft. Campbell, Ky.

1972-73 Villa Capri Apts. Midvale, Utah

1973-74 White City, Sandy first home 1908 E., Serpentine Way $114 a month pymt

1974-78 built custom home in Riverton, Ut. 12392 S. 2200 W with Mcdougal Realtors; gold slump block Spanish style

1978-1988: 1927 E. Rio Way, 1700 sq. ft. rambler in Sandy, Utah 84092

1988—2003: 1918 E. Ryan Ave. Sandy, Utah re-po we bought and finished basement, yard, fence, etc.

2003-2011: 1937 E. Siesta Dr. Sandy, a Liberty Home Parade Home  we created with the help of landform Design and Eyre Lighting and Design. From exterior to interior, Rochelle spearheaded and selected and  designed the home which won People’s Choice in the Parade of Homes in Salt Lake Valley.

2011-  799 E. Mill Garden Lane one of Liberty Homes model homes we finished basement and yard and will currently stay until the future tells us otherwise.

HOBBIES: 

Dance: ballroom and modern

Art: water-color/oil

Running: (3) 10K; 3+ 5K; 4 marathons

Exercise/fitness 60+ years aerobic, spin, weight, zumba, yoga

Travel: all  US: UK/Scotland, Germany, France, Monaco; Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Peru, Mexico/Baja, Belise; Tahiti, south pacific isles,Hawaii, Alaska, artic, Mediterrean, Greece, Eygypt, Israel,

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

PTA Cultural Arts Chairman; Vice-President Indian Hills Middle School;Treasurer Alta High School; Student Activity Committee Chairman

Local Republican delegate for Cottonwood Creek

Sisters Of  Service

Temple Worker

Neighborhood Block Parties

Empty Nester FHE

Neighborhood Dinner Groups

CHURCH SERVICE :

Relief Society President Ft.Campbell ,Ky.

Sunday School and Sacrament pianist Clarksville, Tenn.

Merrie Miss Teacher

Spiritual living Teacher Relief Society

Primary Chorister                                                      all in Riverton, Utah 2^nd Ward

2^nd Counselor in Primary

Young Woman President in Union 21^st Ward

Stake Young Woman’s 2^nd Counselor

1^st  counselor in Primary

Activities Committee/ Chairman 

Stake Relief Society Enrichment Counselor

 Young Women’s President twice in Crescent View ward

Nursery

Stake and ward missionary

Ward relief society enrichment leader in Forest Bend Ward

Gospel doctrine teacher

Young women’s beehive instructor

Cottonwood Temple Celebration choreographer for Draper Temple

24^th of July float committee for Cottonwood Creek Stake

Relief Society pianist

Marriage enrichment instructor

A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE LIFE OF ROCHELLE BASTIAN CLARK

 I, Rochelle was born September 10, 1948 at the Salina hospital, Salina, Utah by Dr. Noyes. My mom writes that dad was doing chores as we lived on a dairy farm in Sigurd, Utah! Mom beaconed dad to take her to the hospital, which he did, checked her into the hospital, and saw that I might be a while in coming, so he went back to finish milking the cows!

I surprised mom and dad by coming faster than anticipated and have been known to be independent ever since in my own time frame! Born at 6:40 p.m., I was a whole 19 in, long, with dark hair, blue eyes and I weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. Mom said the day seemed pretty uneventful as she was washing clothes so I thought I would change things and  bring a little excitement into the day!

I was the fifth of 5 children of Sidney Bastian and Hope DeOn Morrison Bastian as I had three older brothers, Richard  Shan Bastian, born on September 25, 1937, Morris Q Bastian, December 13, 1948,  and Barry D. Bastian, July 25, 1942, and I had one older sister, Sydnee Sue Bastian, born October 5,1945.

My first childhood memory was staying with my friend, Kathy Murray when I was 3 years old as my mom taught school and was the principal of Lone Tree Elementary outside of Nampa, Idaho in 1951. My dad was my chief babysitter and I remember many times riding in the dump truck with dad hauling loads of sugar beet pulp from the Nampa Sugar Factory for our cows to eat. Daddy and I would start our day together finishing the breakfast dishes singing “Hallelujah I’m A Bum”! He was usually smiling and happy so it was fun being with him even if we were always just working together!

One morning mom had to drop me off to the Murrays as dad couldn’t watch me that day and she was in such a hurry, she had me walk up to the back screen porch and let myself in. She didn’t know  I had trouble getting Norma to hear my knocking, so I sat on the porch a long time before she had to go out onto the porch to get something and found me sitting on the porch steps. She was very embarrassed I was out there so long and noticed I needed a bath, she thought! She scrubbed and scrubbed to no avail but finally decided I just had olive skin and that I was not dirty!

I was blessed by my father, Sidney Bastian in the Vermillon ward in Vermillon, Utah and baptized by my dad in the Nampa Stake Center in Nampa, Idaho on November 30^th, 1956 and confirmed the next day in the Nampa 3^rd Ward. I don’t remember a whole lot except mom had sewed me a red satin blouse to wear under my navy taffeta jumper that I inherited from big sister Sue to wear on Fast and Testimony meeting when I was getting confirmed.

 What I do remember is after I was confirmed, it was time for testimony meeting and back then, there was no passing of microphone so people in the audience could be heard. I felt this burning in my heart and a over-whelming urge to bear my testimony so up I went and just as I was bearing my testimony, when someone in the back who didn’t see me began bearing their testimony at the same time! Since this sister did not see me but continued on with hers, I burst into tears and buried my head in moms lap as this sister drowned my voice out!

I graduated from Primary on August 1, 1960 with lots of memories to share, especially projects: crocheted doily, bantaloughs of class insignias, Lark, Bluebird, then Seagull before graduation! A cross-stitched motto I had made hung on my wall which read: Greet the day with a song; Make others happy; serve gladly! Singing lots of songs kept inspirational themes in my head which to this day, I still hum  led by Sister Birch our chorister whom I babysat her kids  many a time.

Some Sunday memories began for us on the farm on Saturday, getting our clothes ready for ironing.  Mom would have the wash on the line bright and early each summer Saturdays. We helped ‘starch’ the boys shirts dipping them into pans of liquid starch we had made and after bringing them from the clothes line they could practically stand up themselves! Next we would sprinkle them down to ready them to be ironed on a machine called: The Ironite, a large ironing machine we sat at with a cylinder padded and operated by a lever we would maneuver with our knees so our hands could be free to guide the shirts through this apparatice  which when done properly left a pretty impressive ironed shirt!

Sunday School was the first meeting of the day where we would have music, 2 ½ minute talks, a practice hymn, led by a beautiful lady, sister Vantesteed,   from the Nampa fifth ward whom I do recall starring at her.   She was elegantly dressed and always acted like a real lady, leading the music. She and her husband had money or it seemed as they drove a Cadillac car and she wore a mink stole around her shoulders framing her braided hair all couferred and styled. I think the sacrament was passed as well and then we would go to our classes for instructions.   When we moved out to the Kuna Ward building, my favorite teacher, Brother Birch , gave thought provoking lessons! He wore a bag around his waist from a colonoscopy he had and back then, this is how such medical procedures were taken care of! Unfortunately , this bag smelled to high heaven! Whew!

My first theatrical play was in the sixth grade ‘A Christmas Carol’!  . It was produced by Nampa City Arts Council at the high school where I remember I had a few lines and a dancing part! My second play was produced by our drama director, Sister Bacon at the Kuna Ward where I had a leading part but my last experience before graduating from MIA was not in the theatre but happened when I was 14, in Idaho City, at a church camp where I had fond memories being outdoor camping instead of acting! I went all three years with only one mishap which occurred while floating down the stream rapids near our camp which ended in a huge gash in my right shin as I hit a rock!. It needed stitches but I did not let the moms who claimed they could stitch it touch my leg! Dad put some cow salve on it and said the cows sores all healed up fine! Well, it did heal up but I have a huge scar to prove it!  I was torn by the advice of dad and how expensive it would be to go to the doctor and since mom did not encourage me very strong to go get stitches, I have a story to tell instead! My advice is to not play brave but be smart about such things. You can bet your bottom dollar all our children got stitches when they needed them!

 At age five I began attending kindergarten in Ogden, Utah with my cousin David Bastian, son of DeOn and Dale Bastian, my dad’s second cousin. It must have been only a few weeks as I still remember going into the first grade at Highline Elementary. Idaho did not have kindergarten at that time so mom shipped me down to Ogden to attend.

 Many great friends at Highline which followed me or I followed them into grades 4-6 at the new Kuna   School after we all completed grades 1-3 at Highland.  Margaret Baker Otten, Sandra Jensen, Kenny Torrey, Jimmy Duska, Curtis Salomonsen, were just a few of my classmates along with my favorite first grade teacher, Mrs. Penniger and Mrs. McNaught, 2^nd and 3^rd grade s  with my  mom acting as principal of the two room country school house. Mom moved with us up to the Kuna Elementary and team taught with Mrs. Wardle, 4^th grade teacher a math and art instructor  to all 4-6^th grades along with Mrs. Kearns, and Mrs. Hunter, my  sixth grade teacher who taught reading while mom one of two 6^th grade teachers taught all social studies!

 I had my first lesson in honesty in Mrs. Hunter’s sixth grade in phonetics which I was having trouble understanding some of the reading concepts so while she was out of the classroom, I checked my answers by her answer book and found my mistakes erased them and changed some to get them right! I felt guilty told mom but never fessed up to Mrs. Hunter and have felt guilty ever since. My motto, just be honest and don’t worry if you get a bad grade and if you do mess up, fess up!

 It was a most unique situation but all of the students benefited with the vast amount of talent each teacher brought to the table. Mom taught a unit on Hawaii and Mexico when she would bring in outside help from the room mothers to put on a Mexican fiesta and a Hawaiian Luau. I had to dance the hula to show some of the different dances from the islands and then she taught all the kids the Mexican Hat dance to perform for the entire 3 grades. I was so embarrassed but I got over it!

 Kuna Junior High School in 1960 followed my elementary years and I still remember walking to lunch and seeing my older brother Barry, a senior and student body president at the time returning from lunch. He would yell out “Banty, Banty Rooster!” my nickname and I would pretend he wasn’t talking to me but it was so obvious because he would not let up so I said “Hi” and had to explain why that name to my friends since I was the youngest of the family and all the nerve! Barry was so well-liked and popular and always had a following so it was hard to hide when he would call out to me!

Patti Haumann, Kay McBride, Neola Patterson, LaRene Hatch, and Marg, were my best buddies with Tom and David Butler, Dennis Collins, Dennis Rhodes, Inaky Urza, Steve Summers, and Don Carlock, all fun guys to  be around . Neola Patterson and I were friends, going to dances together and she and I ran for Girls States, me an alternate, and she an actual delegate and we used to work in the fields together detasseling corn. We also went to stake dances together and her dad was our home teacher; all the other girls, except Marg, I cheered with and the guys were players and heart throbs. Mr. Nesbitt was our world geography teacher and Mrs. Hawkins was our art teacher whom I give credit learning art perspective! Mr.Rhoer was our famous and awesome government teacher whom we thought was such a brain! Mrs. Vreugdenhill was the dreaded math teacher and Mr.? our science, geometry, and driver instructor teacher, all very good at what they taught.

 Graduated from Kuna High School in May of 1966 with 64 other classmates out of 250 enrolled at Kuna, I’ll always remember being put into the trash incinerator one morning by two guys on the basketball team and Mr. Marks, our principal having them come out and rescue me and then being locked into the men’s restroom where Mr. Marks found me. Attending basketball tournaments, school dances, helping make the homecoming floats, traveling to our senior sneak at Sun Valley, Idaho, all added up to a great experience! The most revealing to me were the good kids who caved into peer pressure, drank, and lived to regret some of their decisions on the sneak! After graduation, some just ended up staying in status quo and did not stretch themselves to their potential! But over all, the majority of my classmates were great and hard working and have succeeded in life so we like to get together on our reunions and reminisce.

 Seminary all four years at the Kuna Seminary and  graduation from Kuna High School both happened in May of 1966. Some of the important things I remember about Seminary are Sister Wells and her sister Veora Taylor who bought taught and had very different talents which broadened our education even more!  They used to make the best cinnamon rolls for our morning parties, but most impressive, they both taught by the Spirit which has left its wonderful mark on me, plus they both had a great sense of humor!  

College at Ricks College 1966-67; Church College of Hawaii summer of 1967;   BYU 1967-68; Colorado College summer of 1968; University of Idaho 1968-69 ; BYU 1969-70 and graduated from BYU in June of 1970 with a degree in secondary education in physical education with a minor in health and safety,  but I could not attend my graduation as Dave had to report at Ft. Benning, Ga. And our first son Sean was due in two weeks hence the swiftness of travel time!

Some things I remember about my advanced schooling are my roommates for sure, getting along with 5 other girls, managing money, cooking for them and with them, balancing time and prioritizing what was and wasn’t important with extra-curricular activities: Orchesis,  (modern contemporary dance) at Ricks and BYU, ballroom at Ricks College, Kappa XI, a social club at Ricks, then being married, my senior year and graduating from college before starting our family!

BYU for me opened up another new world with some 20,000 plus students compared to Ricks’  enrollment of 2,500. Still completing my basic required courses at Ricks, one class always a required religion class enlarged my gospel understanding, to think and explore truth. Dave and I were still writing weekly when he was at U of I so writing my doings and feelings about the church gave me more depth! I had roommates from California, Tenn., and all parts of Idaho who helped me see the world through their eyes and experiences!

Our next area in Clarksville Tenn. after we moved from Ft. Benning, Ga. gave me lots of experience being called as a Relief Society President at the ripe old age of 22! Many a day I dropped to my knees pleading with Heavenly Father for guidance, leading women twice my age or more and with little or no experience in Relief Society plus the physical challenge of traveling 18-20 miles 3x a week with a toddler, being pregnant, and having to pick up members along the way!  It helped me grow up and realize the heritage I had been blessed with.  Because God has given me everything good in my life, I have become very interdependent on Him and it had caused me to learn to listen to the still small voice as I have sought counsel, especially dealing with young women.

My mother’s name is Hope DeOn Morrison Bastian Christensen, born in Monroe, May 29, 1910 to William Morrison, nicknamed “Dad Will”, and to Zina Cox, nicknamed “Marcie”! Some memories of my mother are her relentless drive to keep us “out there” and to not be a wilting violet! Look people in the eye when spoken to, give your greeter a firm handshake and work, work, work until the job is done!

A brief outline of her life reveals her privileges even in the early 1900’s as she born the younger of two girls in better than normal circumstances, living in one of the nicer Victorian Style homes in downtown Main Street in Monroe, Utah! She rode horses, played sports, was silent movies at the Monroe theatre her dad and uncle owned and was able to go on to Utah State University and BYU, graduating with a two year provisional so she could teach school! Mom even played basketball at Utah State, broad jumped, and played tennis!

DeOn, she preferred this middle name over Hope, her given name, was spunky, and a bit out spoken, but was easy to be around especially in a social situation! Besides, she loved dancing and did . some “barefoot’ dancing as it was called at Utah State as well! With her teaching certificate, she began her teaching career in Auroa, Utah where she roomed and boarded at the Alma Bastian home where she met and married my dad, Sidney Bastian, 1^st in the Salt Lake City/County Building by a justice of the peace as they ran away and got married, and then sealed in their marriage in the Manti Temple a couple years later in Feb. 1932!

My father, Sidney Bastian, born 15^th of Jan. 1909 in Washington, Washington County, Utah to Alminda Bastian and Elnora Hannig, both very ambitious parents! My memories of my father are vivid as my mom went back to teaching school in Nampa, Idaho at Lone Tree Elementary acting as a dual principal/teacher there! Each and every morning, dad and I would finish washing the breakfast dishes and then we would both be off in either the tractor or the truck depending if we first needed to drive into Nampa to the Nampa Sugar Beet Factory to get a load of sugar beet pulp to feed  our dairy cows or not! If dad had to work in the fields, her would drive me up to Norma Murrays to play with Kathy, my age, who was my best friend!

Dad was in the middle of 11 siblings and he had much natural capacity at a young age to work long hours and get much accomplished, hence he work miss school during harvest time, missing some of the basic reading and phonetic skills, making school more of a challenge than if could have gone regularly! He graduated from Sevier junior high and began his freshmen year in Auroa, but dropped out again at harvest timer and never went back.

He had a stern principal that gave dad a bad rap because of who dad was running around with and how rowdy they were in the halls of the school. One morning this group , including dad were goofing off, rough housing in the halls of the school and as they came up to a classroom, dad’s hand got shoved through the glass door, cutting a vein and blood was oozing out all over. The principal panicked and in his furry of settling the boys down, singled out dad with this: “Sid, you’ll never amount to nothing!’ Dad took this to heart, quit school, and spent the rest of his life proving that principal wrong becoming a successful farmer of some 250 acre dairy ranch!

I think a lot of my own life’s philosophy developed from dad’s example! “Onward and upward’! I find myself always doing and focusing on goals and accomplishments, looking upward to God for guidance, to be by my side, looking inward to make necessary adjustments and changes, and then onward to be the person envisioned!

My first missionary experience began with my best friend, Margaret Otten whom I invited to  mutual and then sacrament meeting with our family. She took the lessons from the missionaries, attended her meetings except seminary was out of the question because she had too much to do on the farm for her dad and could not attend. Her dad did not let her join the church until after she turned 18, but she indeed did join and has been a faithful member of the church ever since!

My second missionary experience involved a boyfriend who joined but when I did not want to marry him when he wanted, he left the church after I enrolled in college.   I met Dave when I was 17 at a dance at the Ontario Armory, some two months later, and when I found out he was not a member of the church, I let him know right from the get go I had a testimony of the church and I was marrying in the temple and I was going to graduate from college. He was happy and sad; happy I was a Christian girl, but sad I was a Mormon! Yup! You guessed it; he asked about the church; he joined after 3 ½ yrs. of much study and sacrifice on both our parts as we lived 65 miles apart and we attended different colleges as well!

Dave proposed 6 months after I had transferred to U of I and 6 months after he had joined the church leaving us only 6 months more before we could be married in the temple. Unlike all the creative ways our kids got engaged, Dave simply asked me to marry him on Dec. 15^th, 1968 in his apartment in Moscow, Idaho while we were doing dishes after eating our ritual cheese toasted sandwiches and bean and bacon soup! He was excited, having picked up the ring on Saturday and couldn’t hold his surprise any longer, so in the kitchen over the sink was as good as any other place! I accepted and kissed him to death, I was so excited.

Some of the memories I have of our wedding day are crazy as we had to have our apartments cleaned and our stuff packed from our school year at BYU as Dave was attending as well, and he still had a paper to turn in before we could drive to the Salt Lake Temple, all before 9:45 a.m. when we were supposed to be there an hour early before the temple ceremony! Crazy wild! There were no pictures taken or any special hoop law for us as I had mentioned before, we had grown independent of parents out of necessity!  Taking his senior year in two years so I could finish at BYU, Dave dropped a required course at U of I and enrolled at BYU getting his teaching certificate at BYU.  

We  both ended up attending each others ’ universities for a year so he could join the church, wait our year to get married in the temple and then both of us went back to BYU so I could finish my degree before Dave entered the army. It required much faith and diligence on both of our parts and independence from our families but what it did most for us was the sacrifice it took to get to know our Savior and place Him in the center of our relationship!

After the army, Dave and I moved back to the Salt Lake Valley and we began our life with always looking for adventure! Traveling even it was just an overnighter at a camp site exploring Bend, Oregon, or staying at a cheap hotel in St. George so we could find the warmth of the Red Cliffs Golf Course in the early 1970’s after army days! It didn’t take us long to find friends who liked Lake Powell and we spent some 40 years enjoying that national water park with our family! Our Hawaii, Mexico, Carribbean trips followed as Dave won realtor contests selling real estate for Mc Dougal Realtors,even one to Disneyland taking our kids in shifts, all nine eventually.

We then picked up two time shares so we could take our family vacations every year with them.  We ventured on our own picking up our 4 return missionaries at the completion of their service: Orlando, Florida, Disneyworld with Sean returning from Chile since it was winter there when he finished! Secondly, to Philadelphia to get Jeremy, bringing Janelle along so we all could see his mission and then relax at a condo we traded in the forests of Penn. Chelsea was called to Spain so we were able to visit her in Barcelona, visit her mission, stay a week and then back through Paris! Our last missionary was Cara which took us to Washington DC.

We have enjoyed many  times in Europe, Wales, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greek Isles, Italy, Monaco, Egypt, The Holy Land, Peru, Mexico, Tahiti, Bora Bora and other south pacific isles  and continue to explore the world!

*************************************
My dad Barry Bastian once told me I looked like my Aunt Rochelle. I always thought there was no greater compliment as Aunt Rochelle was beautiful (gorgeous cheekbones), full of life, laughter and talent. This is a picture Aunt Rochelle (right), me, (middle) and Morris's daughter Irene, while I was attending BYU, circa 1985.  We were having lunch at Grandma Bastian's Condo in Provo with Carlos Asay, a relative and General Authority. I marveled then and now at Aunt Rochelle's life, her service to God, her love of family, her adventurous spirit and the joy she exudes.  She is a "[wo]man after the Lord's own heart" 1 Sam 13:14

What's in a name?

Sydnee Sue Gardner

Sue is the 4th child of Sid and Deon Bastian. She was referred to as the “conference baby” because her father, a Bishop at the time, was attending general conference in SLC on the day of her birth, October 5, 1945. She looked so much like her father Sidney Bastian that even after three boys he named her “Sydnee” Sue.  She was born in Salina, UT but her home was in a little small farming community called Vermillion. 

    The family moved to “Treasure Valley” in the Nampa/Boise, Idaho area in 1950 where Dad owned a Dairy farm. Sue recalls: "I did not care for the farming life. So, in high school I tried doing a little modeling, but quickly found it was far too “worldly” for me to continue doing.

    Thereafter, I attended Steven Hengar Business School in SLC and then transferred to BYU. While in SLC I started dating Erv, who was 9 yrs older than me (a fact that horrorified my mother); nevertheless, after I moved to LA to work and joined the the LA singles scene, he finally saw the “light” and married me in the Salt Lake Temple on October 22, 1965. We immediately moved to his home town of  Colo. Spgs., CO where we lived and worked for the next 32 years and where we had our seven children.

  Those were wonderful years raising our family. When the first children started going to college and on missions I returned to work and for the last 20 years, I have worked as the manager of a dental office. This has been very fulfilling for me. Because of family and business conditions we picked up and moved to Provo, UT in 1997, where I have thoroughly enjoyed the educational and cultural opportunities of that area. 

      I have been blessed to serve as president as well as counselor and teacher in all of the church auxiliaries and as a stake missionary. My hobbies have been my church callings, but I also love to read, go for long walks and attend all the CES classes I can go to.  My greatest joy is our family and our 21 grandchildren.  This mission (St. George Visitor Center) is something we have looked forward to ever since we were married 45 years ago.  We're thrilled to be able to give back to the Lord.

ERVIN GARDNER

  I was born in Colorado Springs, Co. just after my father had moved to CO from UT to play “pro” basketball in 1936. Later, while visiting relatives in southern UT in 1953, I responded to a “dare”  and registered for high school in Kanab, where I was elected student body president and “had” to stay for 2 yrs. Those were wonderful years for the “city boy” who loved hunting, riding horses and exploring. 

    After serving a mission in Uruguay/Paraguay for 2 ½ years I graduated from BYU with a BA in Pol Sci. in 1962. I worked the next 11 years as a Real Estate developer for a Colo. Spgs. home builder and in 1974 started my own RE brokerage firm, Gardner Realty Investment Co., which totally occupied me for the next 23 years. The family moved to Provo in 1997 where I again became involved in the Land Development business for a SLC home builder. I finally decided to “retire” at age 70. 

   My hobbies are (were) mountain climbing (hiking); I thoroughly enjoy climbing around in Colorado's “Fourteen-er” country. I also enjoy studying and writing about gospel subjects. 

   I have had various calling from Gospel Doctrine teacher to Scoutmaster, and Bishop's Councilor to  the High Council. The most rewarding was in the Seventies as a Stake missionary.  I, too, am excited to serve in the Lord's vineyard in the Utah St. George Visitor Center Mission.

Sydnee Sue at Sid's Funeral

Sue at Barry's Funeral

 Christmas newsletter 2002

 Christmas newsletter 2005 Steven, Matt, Erv, Taylor, Jonathan, Nicole, Sue, Kristie and Sarah
In 2007 Erv retired and Sue finished the remodeling of Grandma and Grandpa's Condo in Provo, UT.  The baby of the family Sarah was married to Dr. Trevor Ellison in the Boston Temple.  ALL of Sue and Erv's children were in the temple for this wedding.

Sue and Erv's posterity keeps growing.  The Gardner family is a wonderful example of a family who lives the gospel and who find humor in the face of trials and joy in the journey.

Name with a meaning

In Webster's dictionary a bastion is a fortified area or a stronghold and synonyms being fortress, castle. 

 One clever Bastian member of the Lewis Bastian family came up with this drawing of our Bastian family nameGerry Banfield Bastian and Lewis Bastian's son rendered this depiction of our family name.  (Photo Lorriane Avila, Gerry, Lewis, Dave, Nina Varela, Linda Johnson, Christian, Matt and Daniel)

I love the modern "coat of arms"  for our family name. We are a tower of strength-- especially when we band together with love and righteousness and have the Savior as a watchmen on the towers. 

In Memory of Sidney Bastian

Sept 12, 1983 marks the day that Sidney Bastian passed away.  His presence is never far away, and he has never been forgotten by his children, grandchildren or great grandchildren.  His memory and his posterity remain ever strong.  This is a picture of Sid with his red Allis Chalmers tractor working the green silage. 

 (His son Barry stands on the silage)

 I was born in 1967, and I was just three when Sid posed for these photos.  Three things I remember about Grandpa Sid.
1) He loved the Harvest:  the smell of the soil and chopped corn, the work of it, and the pleasure of seeing a job well done.

2) He loved his khaki pith helmet. These pith helmets were made from the stem of vascular plants, fitting for a farmer (these were worn originally by British Troops during colonial periods but were adopted by the US Army in the 1880s to protect men in intensely sunny climates)

3) He loved his shovel.  If there is an implement that reminds me of Grandpa Sid it is a shovel.  He would stand as tall and as straight and never bent from labor.  He was as strong as the steel on the broad blade and could move large loads of soil quickly and effectively.  Grandpa Sid said "When it was my time to go,  I want to be found in my field with a shovel."

(Photo; Back row Elaine & Morris Bastian, Sid and DeOn Bastian.  Children: Irene, Lori Bastian Brandt & Shonna Bastian Lappin ; on bike Katherine Bastian Moore)

Sid's Farm on McDermott Street in Nampa could be seen for miles around with the big white upright cement Silo bearing the name BASTIAN.  The farm was a model of cleanliness and beauty.  As a child that silo, holding tons of grain, was part of my identity.   Grandpa Sid like Joseph of old in the Bible "gathered up the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much... before the years of the famine came." Gen 41:48-50  Sid was a farmer with a vision and others followed his lead.  When I squirrel away items for our family food storage, that our prophets have counseled us to do religiously, in my mind I see Grandpa Sid's white silo, and I am deeply grateful for his example and his legacy.

Sid Bastian's Family Tree

Sid Bastian's, 2nd oldest son is MORRIS BASTIAN.

Morris was born December 13, 1937 in Vermillion, Utah, the second son of five children in the DeOn and Sidney Bastian family. Morris wrote: “I was born in my parents’ home. Doctor Noyes of Salina, Utah delivered me. He was our family doctor. Mother had great confidence in him. I was a homely child with big ears. My father said they had to tie me to my mother’s leg to get me to nurse. Because I was so ugly, mother kept trying to run away.”

Morris wrote this about his name. “Mom and Dad couldn’t agree on my name. Mother’s maiden name was Morrison, so she wanted to name me Morris. But when she suggested the name Quinn for my middle name, Dad said, “No!” For some reason he didn’t like the name Quinn. There is a joke in the family that suggests I was so ugly, that Dad took one look at me and said, “I quit!” Hence, they named me Morris Quits Bastian. Later, it was said they shortened my name to Morris “Q” Bastian to avoid the sigma and embarrassment of being named Morris “Quits” Bastian.”

When Morris was in the sixth grade, his parents bought a 120 acre dairy farm and moved their family to Nampa, Idaho. Morris missed leaving best friends/cousins: Art Barron, Alma Bastian, and Lewis Bastian. They called themselves the ETCHO GANG – Artie Etcho, Allie Etcho, Louie Etcho and Marti Etcho.

Morris related: "I played football, basketball and baseball in the 7^th and 8^th grades. I lettered in football, basketball and track in high school. I was president of my freshman, sophomore and junior classes, as well as student body president my senior year. I learned some great lessons while participating in sports, especially track. I ran the mile in high school and at Rick’s College. While in high school I trained hard and found that good, hard, disciplined training could compensate for lack of natural talent. I used to get up at four or five in the morning and run the three-mile section, milk 40 cows and then get ready for school. Then, in the 6^thperiod, athletics I ran another four or five miles and came home and milked the cows again." Morris was successful in school, sports, and church activities. He graduated from Kuna High School. (Incidentally, all four of the Etcho Gang graduated from high school, served missions for the LDS Church, earned college degrees, married in the temple and were stalwarts in their professions and communities.)

Shonna, Morris's oldest daughter observed: “Dad’s work ethic, desire for success and a strong belief in mankind as God’s greatest creation, motivated him and those around him.” He said of himself: “I worked hard during the summers. We always had chores to do – mainly milking cows, but in the summer we spent most of our hours and days in the beet field. From the time were eight, we were expected to thin one-half acre of beets and hoe one acre of beets per day. We didn’t always achieve it, but that was the expectation.”

Morris wrote: “I like to build things and learn how to make things work. I’ve learned how to plumb, wire electrical circuits, tune up cars, etc. I had a desire to create, build and understand how things function. I especially like to work with wood. I get a special feeling of accomplishment and achievement when I build and repair things.

Morris was called to serve an LDS mission following his graduation from high school and attending Ricks College for two years. He wrote: “I was called on an LDS mission to Northern California on January 26, 1958. I was set apart by S. Dilworth Young (general authority and a member of the Council of Seventy). I was released from my mission on April 20, 1960. My mission changed me in many ways. Certainly, I grew spiritually and matured a great deal; but I also gained a great desire to be a teacher and work with people instead of crops and cows. In retrospect, I guess you could say it dramatically altered my life and endowed me with a tremendous desire to teach and serve in leadership capacities. It was a huge turning point in my life.”

Morris and his future wife Elaine met on a blind date after Morris returned from his mission. (See more details below in Marriage Section) Their first home was in Caldwell, Idaho, with Morris working at Blacker’s Furniture and Appliance during the day, teaching early morning seminary and attend Boise Junior College two nights a week. Days started at 6 a.m., some ended at 11 p.m. Elaine worked as a secretary for Kit Manufacturing Company, a mobile home plant. Morris wrote: “We made our first home in Caldwell, Idaho. We lived there a few months and then moved into a home on the hundred and ten acre farm Dad had bought adjoining his property. Shonna was born July 13, 1961, while living there. In April 1962, we bought the Reed and Bell Drive-In in Nampa, Idaho; and this prompted us to move into town so we could be closer to our new business. In the drive-in we fried hamburgers, made milk shakes and dispensed root beer. We did well in this new business venture. In fact, we did so well that we closed it at the end of September and moved to Provo, Utah to attend BYU for the winter months. Irene was born in Nampa, September 29, 1962, two weeks before our move to Provo.

“I had to register late; and so I was at least three weeks behind in every class. I finally finished the fall semester with 14 credits and a desire to graduate. When we returned home for Christmas, Dave Garner looked us up and inquired if we wanted to sell the drive-in. Since I wanted to get a college degree, and because he offered us a good price, we sold it, went back to BYU and graduated in late summer of 1964. Lori was born April 10, 1964 while we were attending BYU."

“After completing four years of teaching seminary in Arizona (1964-1968), we were offered a teaching position at the Boise Institute of Religion at Boise Junior College. We accepted it because it gave us an opportunity to move closer to home and family.” (Rebecca, Brian and Brent were born while living/teaching in Boise.)

Morris and Elaine raised seven children – five girls and two boys, with the oldest (Shonna) graduating from high school the same year the youngest, Megan, was born September 18, 1979. Megan was born in Rapid City, South Dakota when the Bastians were serving as mission president of the South Dakota Rapid City Mission (1979-1982).

Life was busy in the Bastian household with a limited budget and a large family. Morris's motto was “Do more with less.”  Morris and Elaine's commitments to Church and community, as well as support and encouragement to school and sports activities, kept them in constant commotion. Yet, they managed to keep family a priority, using hard work, creativity, music and athletics they used their individual talents and strengths to make a successful team.

Shonna related: "Dad seemed larger than life using nightly stories of Willard and Henrietta Hagatha, playing bull, bear and the great white shark. Sunday nights brought according playing and silly songs."

Morris's niece Katherine related that some of her fondest childhood memories were of Uncle Morris retelling family stories during family get-togethers. "Uncle Morris would get so animated telling about Grandpa Sid chasing the "thieves" who stole gas from the farm or Grandpa Sid getting shocked after repeatedly asking if the 'hot wire fence had been turned off?' All the cousins would sit spellbound, and  laugh their heads off at these funny family stories that Uncle Morris reenacted. We cousins felt so tied to our ancestors, and we loved them. We were so grateful to Uncle Morris for sharing these family antecedents."

Present day: 2011

Back Row L-R: Brent Bastian, Shonna Lappin, Lori Brandt, Brian Bastian, Megan Jones, Irene Maxfield, Rebecca Haight
Front- Elaine & Morris BastianMorris and Elaine's 5o years of marriage has inspired and continues to inspire many. They were highlighted by a marriage counselor in Boise, Idaho Laura M. Brotherson, Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), Intimacy Educator, Relationship Consultant, and Author of "And They Were Not Ashamed."

http://strengtheningmarriage.com/blog/marriage/celebrating-50-years-of-marriage/

Happy 50th Anniversary! — Morris and Elaine Bastian

It isn’t everyday that a couple reaches that fabulous milestone of 50 years of marriage. My good friends, Morris and Elaine Bastian, have successfully done just that!
Morris and Elaine Bastian have been great supporters of my efforts through the years to help strengthen marriages. In fact, Morris Bastian was one of the editors of my book And They Were Not Ashamed — Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment.
The following is a little bit about the Bastians, and some of their suggestions for building a strong and happy marriage to last throughout the years.
About the Bastians
Morris and Elaine Bastian met on a blind date after Morris returned home from a mission to Northern California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Morris and Elaine attended a dance at the Institute of Religion at Boise Junior College. Morris said it was love at first sight, as she was the “most naturally beautiful” girl he’d ever seen. Elaine said it took her a little longer to be “won over.” Morris said of their courtship:

“We went together for about two months. I was in love, but I tried to forget her because I just couldn’t see how I could marry and do all the things I felt I had to do before marriage…especially graduate from college and get established in a career. So, I phoned her one night and called it off. I told her I was sorry, but it just wasn’t right.

Three days later, I found myself at her door at 11:30 p.m. at night with an engagement ring. I felt like a heel. I didn’t know what to say or do so I just gave her the ring and that was that. Thankfully she accepted! We were engaged on June 28, 1960, and married on September 9, 1960 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.”

Morris and Elaine have raised seven wonderful children, and have shared a life of faith and service to others. Elaine is a great woman of faith, and a believer in the promises of God. She often taught her children that, “All things work together for your good when you walk uprightly before God.”
Morris spent most of his professional life teaching at the Boise Institute of Religion at what is now Boise State University. Together Morris and Elaine have served many missions for their church. One of their favorite pastimes is to dance to the oldies in the kitchen!
Thoughts on Building a Strong and Lasting Marriage
The following are some of the Bastian’s thoughts about key things that help build a strong and lasting marriage:

1. Be Committed. Enduring marriages begin with a strong commitment to do whatever it takes to stay together. The commitment has to be stronger than “We’ll see,” or “We’ll try,” or “I’ll do my best.” Just like there are good days and bad days in your life; there are good times and trying times/seasons in your marriage. You have to find a way through the tough times.

2. Fight Fair. If you must fight, fight fair. No hitting below the belt. Don’t issue ultimatums, make threats, get even, etc. Marriage isn’t always easy, but it is still wonderful and worth it.

3. Stay Focused. Always keep your eye on the important things–like being a forever family. Don’t get distracted. Always remember what your marriage is about. It’s easy to be blinded by the craftiness of men.

4. Meet Each Others Needs. Follow the advice given by Martin Luther: “Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.”
5. Be the Best Spouse You Can Be. Charles Shedd wrote: “Marriage isn’t so much about finding the right person as being the right person.” We have found that concept to be foundational in strong and enduring marriages.
Congratulations to Morris and Elaine Bastian for their wonderful life together thus far. They have been a shining example not only of a life of service and love of God, but they also set a great example of a happy and healthy marriage to all! Thank you!

Morris's wife Elaine Glover was born August 2, 1940 in Trenton, Utah, the second daughter of four children born to LaReita and Maurice Glover. She grew up living next door to her mother’s parents (Allreds), and dearly loved them. She felt valued and accepted in their home.

Her family moved to Nyssa, Oregon where her Dad worked for Amalgamated Sugar Company when Elaine was in the fourth grade. She involved herself in sports (especially softball), music and school activities (i.e. cheerleading), graduating from Nyssa High School in 1958. “Go get em Bulldogs, Go get em!”

She states: “For my first five years, I grew up living next door to my mother’s parents, Riley and Alice Allred. At night when Grandpa milked the cows, I would go over with my cup and get a drink of warm milk straight from the cow.” We would not think of doing that now because of the bacteria count. It may explain my many ear aches!

She later observed: “My grandparents were fun friends to me. When I was five, we moved from Trenton, Utah to Apple Valley, Idaho (near Parma, Idaho). When I was in the fourth grade we moved to Nyssa, Oregon to be closer to the sugar factory. My Allred grandparents came to visit us in Nyssa and eventually purchased a home there. After several years, they moved back to Trenton, but they both passed away when they lived in Nyssa. My experience with my grandparents was one of being accepted and loved. In the end, there were lots of things I could do for them. I loved the service I could give back. I remember washing and curling Grandma’s hair and taking a meal my mother fixed for Grandpa. They were good grandparent role models. I lived where grandchildren were valued and loved. I loved that wonderful experience.”

“My Grandpa Allred, my mother’s father, was the second of 11 children born under the covenant. He married outside the Church and raised five daughters, all non-members. My non-member mother, married my father (Maurice Glover), who was inactive, but had a mother, Luella Hortense Pope, who was also born the eleventh of eleven children, under the covenant. One grandparent on each side was born into strong “under the covenant” family. When I came to be, the great Mormon heritage was “inactive.”

“I attended the Mormon Church for the first time when I was five. I was born into a “part-member” family. My father was a member (inactive) but my mother was not. Mother said we should all sit on a church bench and worship together and my Dad could not see going to another religion besides his Mormon faith, so for the first time in my life our family started going to a little Parma. Idaho LDS Ward.”

Elaine remained active and involved in church activities throughout her teens – often attending on her own. Although she had many boys interested in her, she determined to marry in the temple and raise her family actively in the LDS Church

Shonna wrote about her mom Elaine: Mom is woman of faith, a believer in the promises of God. She reiterated often to her children that, “All things work together work together for your good when you walk uprightly before God.” She said: “Some of my favorite things are sport (especially softball) sewing, singing or playing the piano, working part-time as a secretary, full moons, red barns, rain and wind chimes. I love teaching Primary. I love the Church and our opportunity to work in it and help others. I love my Heavenly Father and the good life He has allowed to happen to me. My husband has served in many demanding Church callings and I have appreciated Heavenly Father’s help in doing all that is required doing all at that is required at home so my husband could serve.”

Growing up, money was not plentiful in our family. We did lots of things to earn our own spending money. We picked fruit, hoed sugar beets, babysat, harvested strawberries and lettuce, worked at a fast food restaurant and sorted potatoes and onions. I had to earn the money for my cheerleading costumes. I sewed most of my outfits but I had to purchase the fabric.

Mom could create any fashion form from material, encourage good literature through Newberry Award books and records, loved singing around the piano, playing jacks, Chinese jump rope, Relief Society arts and crafts and the annual gingerbread houses.

Elaine developed a love of music early in her life and later helped develop it in her children. She has said, “Grandma had a parlor she didn’t like us to go into. It was immaculate, shades were pulled and it always seemed dark. She had a player piano I loved to play. We were not allowed in very often, so when she said it was alright, I would put a music roll in, sing at the top of lungs and move my fingers up and down the keys pretending I was playing all of the notes. I loved to hear my Dad sing. I would watch his mouth form the words and listen to his voice. I loved his quiet, gentle nature and wanted to be like him”

Elaine wrote about herself: “Life was good if my hand fit into my mitt.” Much of our summer months were spent following softball games. Dad had been a very good softball player in his youth and manhood and he was a very good coach. I could hear his voice from any position on the field.

I remember inviting Miss Bungum to play on a local women’s softball team, for which my Dad was coaching. She was playing first and I was short stop. When I close my eyes I can still see the ball sailing the ball over her head as I overthrew first. I can’t erase it from my memory.

My daughter Megan and niece, Jodi Simianer, played basketball and volleyball, earning their way through college. Oh, I wish those opportunities had been available in our generation. As a mom, I loved my bleacher seat and I cheered for my children in their sports, even my grand daughters know Go get ‘em bulldogs, go get ‘em. In the next life I want my children to buy me the most expensive tennis shoes and cheer as I play ball.”

Some favorite phrases growing up were: “Roll with the punches,” “Sufficient for your needs,” and “Leave the soil better than you found it.”

There are many that marvel at Morris and Elaine's commitment to God, each other and the world around them. They have truly focused on what matters. An excerpt from a letter Grandma Elaine wrote to a grandchild expresses it best: “Having you and your mother are two of the greatest blessings of my life. I love to see your good life unfold and watch you make good choices. I love our Church, its teachings and lifestyle. I receive a lot of pleasure from sharing those values and lifestyle with you. I think we are all like Adam and Eve as they left the Garden of Eden. We, also, are looking for direction from our Father in Heaven. All the voices are out there presenting the choices. We just have to choose what we think in truth. Hopefully, what is right, uplifting and represents what Christ teaches is what we will choose.”

Morris wrote of himself: I get as much fun from studying the Gospel as many people do from skiing or playing golf. Reading, studying and thinking were never chores, they were fun, stimulating and invigorating opportunities.” This is truly the Bastian family treasure, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which started with Jacob Bastian's conversion, continues to play an integral and central role in the Bastian family history.