I actually have no idea what this photo was taken for, where at, or what occasion. Based on the car behind, I presume this is mid to late 1960s. William Frederick Andra and Mary Louise Wanner Andra. My Great Grandparents through their daughter, Colleen. Both lived long enough that I have various memories with them, even though I was fairly young and grew up more than 2 hours away from them. I remember playing Cribbage with Grandpa Andra. I remember playing Aggravation with Grandma Andra. They are my two Great Grandparents I have yet to write a history on. I have not done so because of the sheer amount of photos I have for them. Some day.
This photo caught my attention. Let’s say it is the summer of 1966, that makes Bill 68, Mary 65. They look happy, content. They look healthy, both lived to be over 90. As my hair thins, it reminds me of Grandpa Andra. I think I have his hair and cowlicks. This is a good photo of Bill and Mary Andra, whatever year.
As we celebrate Christmas once again, one cannot help but remember the Christmas past. I scanned this photo in the last month and it brought back many memories.
My Grandma was then named Colleen Elliott (1928-1999), married to Evan Kay Elliott (1934-2007). This was their home in Paul, Idaho.
There are quite a few presents around that tree. But what do I remember?
I remember my Uncle Doug, Aunt Linda, and cousin Brook Jonas that Christmas. They moved to Alaska in 1987. I think this was the same year Brook accidentally broke my nose. I think that year or next Grandma and Evan were divorced.
I remember getting a harmonica that Christmas that I loved and played for many years. It disappeared after my Grandma passed away while I was on a mission in England in 1999.
I remember my Uncle Willie and Aunt Jackie Melycher. They were married in 1987 in this house.
The house evokes more memories than the Christmas. Although I do recognize and remember some of the balls on the tree.
I remember loving the big dinners at Grandma’s house. I think I remember this Christmas dinner, or maybe it was Thanksgiving. It was a feast as usual. Homemade coleslaw was amazing, still do not believe I have tasted one like hers since.
Part of the meal was the homemade pies. Lemon meringue was my favorite. The pie crust cookies were the best!
I remember the guys talking in this room during the morning. I remember napping in the front room after the meal on one of the couches.
I remember building fires in the fireplace. One time the window shattered outward and made a mess.
Is it strange I want to walk through the house again? But like a funeral viewing, it gives a new memory that I think I would rather not have.
Now, back to the present. I am grateful for my family. I hope they remember Christmas fondly in the future. I hope they have pleasant memories. I hope they remember! Perhaps a photograph for them will conjure a flood of pleasant memories and feelings too. May the joys of the season remain and be recalled.
This doesn’t mention the ultimate reason for the season. But we celebrate his birthday by bringing our family close.
Colleen Mary Andra graduated 24 May 1946 from Preston High in Preston, Idaho
I was given a box of photos. I have been working through those photos to scan and catalogue them. In that box were the Diploma from Preston High School for my Grandma and her Certificate of Graduation from Seminary.
Colleen Mary Andra (1928-1999) graduated 24 May 1946 from Preston High School in Preston, Franklin, Idaho. I was able to do a little homework on the individuals behind the signatures.
Orvid Ray Cutler was born 21 July 1903 in Preston, Idaho and died 24 January 1975 in Preston. A physician and surgeon, he was also active in public service. He was on the Eastside School Board for over 30 years, Mayor of Preston, and on the Idaho Cancer Board.
William Horland Simmons was born 13 February 1905 in Clawson, Teton, Idaho and died 10 April 1988 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho. He spent 24 years as Superintendent in Preston. He then went to Idaho Falls. A charter member of the Preston Lions Club.
Colleen Mary Andra graduated 20 May 1945 from L.D.S. Seminaries.
Colleen graduated 20 May 1945 from L.D.S. Seminaries in Preston. I have a suspicion it was actually 1946, but I am not certain. The wrong year is one thing, but there is another interesting twist. Heber J Grant’s signature is on the Certificate. President Grant had passed away on 14 May 1945, so he passed away before the graduation in 1945, but did they really use the same certificates in 1946? I don’t know what is correct but presume the current graduation with high school is probably correct. So those old 1945 certificates may have been used in 1946.
Heber Jeddy Grant was born 22 November 1956 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah and died 14 May 1945 in Salt Lake City. He was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1918 until his passing in 1945. He is the son of Jedediah Morgan Grant and was a long time church leader. Grandma would not have known another church president as he became President before she was born.
Paul Richard Wynn was born 18 September 1899 in Lyons, Rice, Kansas and died 23 March 1966 in Preston. I cannot find much about him but he was apparently the President of the Board of Education and he lived in Preston. Sounds like he was Stake President in Preston at one time. Even says he prayed in General Conference. A boy from Preston apparently led the Church Board of Education. Of interest, he married to Mary Ellen Hemsley, sister of Richard John Hemsley, Amanda’s ancestor.
Ernest Eberhard Jr was born 20 June 1909 in Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany and died 29 June 1988 in Bountiful, Davis, Utah. I could find where he was the first Mission President of the Idaho Mission when created in 1974 and the Utah Mission in 1976. He was signer as Principal of the Seminary in Preston. He was called by Elder Widtsoe to take the position in Preston for which he stayed for 26 years. He was Bishop of the Preston 1st Ward for 10 years (1944-1954) as well as Mayor of Preston (1951-1955).
Franklin Lorenzo Richards West was born 1 February 1885 in Ogden, Weber, Utah and died 21 October 1966 in Salt Lake City. He was the Dean of Arts and Science at Utah Agricultural College and became Commissioner of Church Education until 1953.
Andra and Sandy Ross (back), Colleen Lloyd (center), Jackie and May Melycher
I first saw this picture this month. I don’t know the occasion and I don’t know why it was taken. But it captivates and surprises me.
This is my Grandmother, Colleen Andra Jonas Elliott Lloyd (1928 – 1999). She is dressed up a bit more than usual, so it must have been an occasion.
I had assumed the photo was taken after I had moved away to attend Utah State University in 1997. But that would put May around 8 years old, she looks more like 6 years old.
I visited with Andra, she thought it was taken at the Burley Elks Lodge when she was about 9th Grace, which would put it about 1994. That fits about right for May’s age. Andra also thought it was some occasion at the Elks and that is why Grandma is dressed up.
This is my mother, Sandy Ross, and my Aunt, Jackie Melycher. They are sisters. Andra is my sister, May my first cousin.
Whatever the occasion, it was a surprise to see a somewhat formal photo of my Grandma, Mom, Sister, Aunt, and Cousin. We as a family did not really do photos together so it was a treat.
Regina Nuffer Wanner with her children in 1908, Willard John and William Christoph and Golden (not clear which is which of the three), Mary Louise in the middle row, and Serge Nuffer, Rulon, and Eva Virtue Wanner on the front (all l-r)
This is another version, colorized, of this photo, but with Regina and others looking less directly at the camera. The above version obviously has some blemishes in the original.
Regina with William and Willard in the back and then Golden, Mary in the middle, holding Serge, then Rulon, then Eva.
I have written previously on this Nuffer/Wanner family. This photo was taken to send to George Wanner while he was serving a mission. This photo is slightly different than the copy I previously shared in that Regina is looking at the photo.
George was called to serve his second mission in the fall of 1907, the second time leaving a pregnant Regina, this time with six children. Baby Serge was the last of their children to be born 8 March 1908 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho. George was set apart on 29 October 1907 to serve in the Swiss and German mission. George completed his mission and set sail for the United States. He departed Liverpool, England on 9 December 1909 and arrived in Preston on Christmas Day 1909.
It was during this mission that George served in Meissen, Germany and taught the Christiana Wilhelmina Andra family. That family joined the church and immigrated to Preston. George and Regina’s daughter, Mary, later married Christiana’s son, William Andra. A direct blessing for serving a mission that rewarded the missionary for generations and still continues.
Amanda and Aliza Ross on 12 February 2022 at the Twin Falls Temple
Our daughter Aliza turns 12 this year. That means that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she is of sufficient age that she may attend the holy temple and perform work on behalf of the deceased. The year that a youth turns 12, starting in January, they may enter and do that work.
Our Ward, the Burley 11th Ward, took various youth on 12 February 2022 to the Twin Falls Temple. Amanda was able to go with her.
We returned to the Twin Falls Temple on 6 March 2022. I met my former mission companion in the England Manchester Mission and former roommate at Utah State University Brad Hales there at the temple with his daughter Eliza. Another great opportunity for our family. My Dad also arranged his schedule while he was working at the temple so that he could also watch and participate in some of the vicarious confirmations as temple recorder.
Paul, Aliza, and Amanda Ross on 6 March 2022 at the Twin Falls Temple
Yesterday, we attended the Pocatello Idaho Temple for baptisms. We took Aliza and my cousin Mary Lou and her husband Bill Teal. We also met Brad and Eliza Hales, this time joined by Aleah, who can also now attend since she turns 12 this year.
Bill and Mary Lou Teal, Amanda, Aliza, and Paul Ross, and Aleah, Brad, and Eliza Hales on 16 April 2022 at the Pocatello Idaho Temple
It was fun to visit with Bill and Mary Lou on the way there and back. Bill had never performed baptisms for the dead, either as the proxy or as the priesthood holder performing the ordinance. He was baptized when a child, but only received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was endowed in the holy temple in 2021. It was the first time Mary Lou had returned to the temple in over 25 years. Here is a picture from that occasion.
Bill and Mary Lou Teal on 20 February 2021 at the Twin Falls Temple
There was a good little crowd there to support Bill and Mary Lou going to the temple on this occasion. Especially with the limited COVID-19 restrictions that were still in place.
Matt and Carrie DeTemple, Becky and Curtis Smith, Ryan Yee, Brandon Clegg, Corinne Carter, Linda Hosteen, Paul and Amanda Ross on 20 February 2021 at Twin Falls Temple
Bill and Mary Lou continued to work and were sealed to each other for time and all eternity in the Twin Falls Temple on 29 September 2021. Which also happened to be the wedding anniversary for Norvel and Karen Christenson.
Bill and Mary Lou Teal on 29 September 2021 at the Twin Falls Temple
Another fun crowd there to support Bill and Mary Lou going to the temple on this occasion. It was a joyous occasion!
(l-r) Linda Hosteen, Corinne Carter, Candi Wells, Denise Olsen, Dave Wells, Denise Olsen, Ryan Yee, Karen and Norvel Christenson, Mary Lou Teal, Paul Ross, Bill Teal, Matt and Trista Cook, Brandon Clegg, Marilyn Felt, and Katie Clegg on 29 September 2021 at Twin Falls Temple
Miracles continue to happen in the lives of those around us. The holy temple is not only a gathering place for the saints spiritually and in the covenant, but for families and friends in this world.
Mary Lou told the story of her attending the Idaho Falls Temple to do baptisms as a youth in the 1960s, just like Aliza is now. Mary Lou grew up on a farm at Hunt, which was part of the Jerome Idaho Stake.
Mary Lou is my first cousin once removed. Bill and Mary Andra are her Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. Her mother, June, and my Grandmother, Colleen, are sisters.
Denise Olsen in one of the photos is the same, but through my Grandpa. Joseph and Lillian Jonas are her Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. Her mother, LeReta, and my Grandfather, Norwood, are siblings. On that occasion in September, I was with two separate relatives of my Mom. How small is the world and the church?
James, Lillie, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at the Museum of the Rockies
The morning of 2 August 2020 found the Ross Family in Bozeman, Montana. It was the first time any of us had ever been to Bozeman. I have family in Gallatin County, but I haven’t ever been there to visit them, only interacting with them at Andra family reunions.
We were headed west after a trip through Yellowstone National Park and headed to the Olympic National Park via Coeur d’Alene, which I will have to share photos from on another date. We spent that night in Superior, Montana after trekking up through Helena.
The kids enjoyed the Museum of the Rockies. We were there a couple of hours, which for our young children was long enough.
Siebel Tyrannosaurus Rex display at Museum of the Rockies
The kids were mesmerized by the massive dinosaur displays. Less so with the old west and history of Bozeman. There were some snakes and lizards they thought were fascinating.
Another found picture that includes my Grandmother, Colleen Mary Andra, in the 1945 Preston High School yearbook. I recently posted the photo regarding the Preston Girls Athletic Association. This photo includes the following writing on the page:
“Kanomo Club
“During this school hear the Kanoma Club has been successfully directed by the following officers:
“President … LuDean Maughan
“Vice President … Patricia Wood
“Secretary … Mary Jane Handy
“Social Manager … Gladys Rawlings
“Faculty Advisor … Viola Veibell
“Some of the activities this year have included the initiation and Christmas Party entertainment of the boys at a roller skating party, sponsoring an assembly for the girls where Ms. Star, Dean of Women from the A.C., spoke, helping the Red Cross in making bags and different articles. In addition, this club has cooperated in preparing and serving food at some of the other social functions. Each spring the girls in the club spend three days to a week at Girl’s Camp in Logan Canyon.
LuDean Maughan (1927 – alive, married Byron Glover)
Patricia Wood (1928 – 2005, married Norman Beckstead)
Mary Jane Handy (? – ?)
Gladys Rawlings (1923 – 2016, married Blaine Lemmon)
Viola Veibell (1921 – 1984, married Lorin Simper)
Colleen Andra (1928 – 1999) She is standing left front, next to the mail box, in the plaid skirt.
Sagacity 