Thursday, April 19, 2012


Life sketch of MARY LOUISE BUTTERWORTH HEBDON



Mary Louise was the name given to a lovely daughter born May 23, 1888 in Mill Creek, Utah, to 19 year old Isaiah and 17 year old Sara Louise wright Butterworth.  She was the oldest of seven children that were born to this couple. They lived in Roy, Utah until Mary Louise was 10 years old, at which time her fattier decided to take his family and move to a cattle ranch and dairy farm in Star Valley, Wyoming, settling in Thayne. Here her father was called to serve as Bishop.

 When Louise was 14 she lived with her father's sister in Salt Lake City for a year to attend school.

 In the fall of her 15th year she had her first date with Truman Hebdon.  Love blossomed quickly for the couple and he gave her an engagement ring before he left for his mission in March,  She helped her father on the farm and also served as Assistant Ward Clerk while waiting for her missionary to return.

 Truman and Louise were married in the Logan Temple December 13,1905. Soon after this her parents sold their farm and moved to Idaho Falls Louise came to be with her mother when her first child, Truman DeWard, was born on October 2, l9O6.  Truman and Louise returned to Thayne where they farmed, milked cows and Truman hauled logs from the canyon in the winter to make a living.  Their second child, Wanda Louise, was born August 15, 1910, but when five months old died of pneumonia.  It was a great sorrow in the lives of this young husband and wife..

 In April 1913 another baby daughter, Erma, was born and in August 191? another son, Eldon Isaiah (named for his grandfather) was born. in the winter of 1918 the entire family had the "influenza" and in Louise's journal she described it as "an experience never to be forgotten".  She held positions in the Sunday School and Primary Star many years in Thayne.

 In the spring of 1920 her beloved father was killed in a farm accident--and later that summer Truman and "Louie as she was called, sold their Wyoming farm and came to Rigby, Idaho where be managed the Woods livestock Company ranch south of  town.  She cooked for as many as 38 men 3 meals a day, and there were always 8 or 10 steady hired men.  They lived here two years, during which time another daughter. Nelda, was born. The same fall they purchased a farm closer to town where they lived and raised their family.

In October,1925, a daughter, Donalue, was born. tonic was~ very busy caring for their family and helping on the farm.  In the winter of 1928 she was expecting another child and in February of 1929 she became extremely ill with an infection and abbess on her leg.  She was near death and at times her family felt she was leaving them.  Many, many times the little family knelt around her bedside to ask the Lord to spare her and night after night her devoted husband and her mother wrung towels out of very hot water to pack around her leg.  Her good mother Had come to help the little family and Erma discontinued high school during her senior year (graduation later by correspondence) in order to aid this little. family in their need.  The baby was born in late May, a daughter Barbara. Through the goodness of the Lord and the careful nursing of Truman and the children's grandmother, this lovely and much needed mother slowly recovered and regained her health and strength.

 Her children grew, attended and graduated from Rigby Schools and Louie delighted in them.  She was a wonderful example to her children always a clean apron, neat shiny hair, faithful in her church callings, and a good cook (Who can forget her fried. chicken, milk gravy, baking powder biscuits and apple pie?)  Her cuss words were few and far between and her patience and drive for her family boundless..

DeWard married and lived in St.George, Utah and Erma in American Fork, Eldon was called on a Mission to the Central State in 1941. When be returned he married Fontella Clifford, to which union a son was born.  Eldon was called to serve in World war 2 and after six month's training was sent overseas to Okinawa. Louies worst fears became a reality, for Eldon was wounded and died a day later on April 17, 1945.  Her journal says: "It nearly broke our hearts, words can't explain our grief."

But life goes on and time heals  and with the marriage of her other three daughters and the arrival of each new grandchild she rejoiced in life and God's goodness to her.  She was busy ii' church work, serving as 1st counselor in the Relief Society for C years, then teaching~ Theology lessons when they studied the Book 0.Mormon.  She throughly enjoyed these callings and has served for nearly 60 years as a visiting teacher.  Many homes were brightened by her sweet smile and her lovely voice as she bore testimony of her love of and her faith in God.

Truman's health began to fail in 1958, but he continued to farm, working hard no matter how he felt.  In the fall of 1960 he had a bad case of flu which resulted in a heart attack.  He passed away March 15, 1961   They had been married 55 years, and only apart one week. Her journal says: "The light of my life has gone out."




 In July 1963 Louie moved to Sister Mary Kinghorn'S apartments here  in town.  She so loved and appreciated Mary, Her family also appreciated all the kindness and the companionship Mary gave her, because never a day passed that she didn't miss Truman and her life on the farm.  Her family realized this, too and tried to keep close to her. They visited often and had her visit their homes.  Grief and worry over the farm brought on a heart attack in April, 1964.  However, with careful nursing and care she completely recovered..  She sold the farm(according to the doctor's advice) but part of her heart remained with the old home.

 On her 80th birthday, a month ago, her family honored her at an open house.  It was a lovely day.  She was happy and radiant visiting with dear friends and relatives.

 Two weeks ago she went to Seattle with Jack and Donalue and visited with her sisters there.


 On June 26th the day she passed away she visited with mast of her children and then went to spend the night at Barbara's in Shelley. She awakened during the night and passed away shortly after at 1:30A.M.

 She is survived by one son, DeWard, of Idaho Falls and by four daughters.: Erma (Mrs Harry Lee) of Rigby~ Nelda   Mrs. Ray Baker) of Teton Donalue (Mrs. Jack Hart) of Idaho Falls: and Barbara (Mrs Jerry Hovis) of Shelley. four sisters also survive: Belle (Mrs James F. Davidson)of Rexburg; Nora (Mrs B.E. Mumford) of Montpelier, Idaho; Naomi (Mrs Ward Newby of Seattle, Washington and Ne1l (Mrs Gates Marler also of Seattle. One brother also survived, Ralph Butterworth of Ogden Utah.

 May I add a personal note.  Sister Hebdon has been a member of the Gospel Doctrine Class of our ward.  Brother Bright and I have been taking the opportunity of welcoming each of the members at the classroom door I shall never forget Sister Hebdon last Sunday morning she seemed to radiate with joy.  She was simply "bubbling over with happiness".  I thought of it at the time as we were shaking hands and thought of it several times after-wards, and of course, many times since learning of her passing.

 Sister Hebdon loved life and was also prepared and ready to return to our Father in Heaven.. As her family has said of her "Her life was an example to all of them".  What greater tribute can be given?  I should like to testify that while her mortal body lies before us her spirit is alive, active, happy, and is enjoying a glorious reunion with other loved one who have gone before her.  She and her husband await the time when the rest of this lovely family, the mates, and their children and grandchildren in fact all of their fine and numerous posterity, can join them.  Her graduation has arrived.  Her work and progression is continuing in another sphere.  May these glorious truths be of comfort and encouragement to those who mourn this day.
T.D. HEBDON'S MOTHER

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