Death of Bishop Dean Wengreen

http://walkersanderson.tributes.com/obituary/read/Arthur-Dean-Wengreen-101736664
http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/arthur-dean-wengreen/article_5a8839bd-c1e6-534f-9b98-56e776f8602a.html

The Wengreen family actually moved into Hyrum shortly after we did.  We enjoyed participating in sports with their sons.  Jeff and Sid would come over and be part of the baseball leagues we would put together in our neighborhood, and played in the lot next to our house (which is now a couple of houses.)  We would also go to their house and play football.  They had three homes with backyards together, and it made a nice football field of maybe some 40 yards, although somewhat narrow. 
Dean Wengreen was called as our bishop shortly after they moved in, which I thought was rather odd.  He was the bishop after we moved to Illinois for two years.  During the first year, Sister Wengreen was killed in an auto accident.  My oldest sister came home to be with her friend, Debra.  When we moved back a year later, Bishop Wengreen was still bishop, but he had remarried and the family shortly moved into the Barton home.  One neat thing about that house is they made a basketball court and we went there to play from time to time.  Bishop Wengreen supervised the demolition of the old chapel and the construction of the new.  We met in the first ward building after we moved back from Illinois. 
I had another experience with the Wengreen family.  Bishop Wengreen taught at the institute in Logan.  They invited me to go to a production of the Wizard of Oz at the institute.  Many of their kids were in the show.  I traveled to and from with them.  Must have been before we moved to Illinois. 

My Baptism

Hyrum Third Ward from "Home in the Hills of Bridgerland"

I attended a baptism of a girl today with my wife who is the Primary President.  It took me back to memories of my own baptism.  I was baptized in the old Hyrum stake center, third ward building.  My calculation says it would have been September 4, 1965.  As is customary in our church, I would have just turned eight.

Back in those days there were three wards in Hyrum.  The only one of the church buildings still standing is Hyrum First Ward.  I lived in Hyrum Second Ward.  All of the South part of Cache Valley was one stake, including Wellsville, Millville, Paradise, Nibley, Providence, River Heights, Mendon and Young and College Wards.

Hyrum Second Ward from "Home in the Hills of Bridgerland"

Hyrum First Ward

We started with a meeting in the chapel.  It was the only way to include everyone.  The font was in the basement.  I remember there was a big line.  So many children that I couldn't count them all.  My dad baptized me.  Most children were baptized by their fathers.  I remember one girl who was not, I think her name was Paula Christensen.  I remember she cried and cried, but they dunked her just the same.

But to be honest, I don't remember much about this day.

Primary Class 1979

This is the primary class I taught after my mission in the Hyrum 2nd Ward.  It was a CTR Class as I remember making the CTR Shield and all that fun stuff.  "Choose the Right" was the message ar would all be bap theymost of the lessons.  I think this was the year they would all be baptized, or maybe the year after.  I should have kept better track, as I can't remember everyone's name.  But left to right:

Ellen Toone, I think she was our neighbor so I should remember.  Shauna Nelson, the bishop's daughter.  She played piano for me at Forrest's funeral (Krista's son) but I still can't remember her married name.  Shani Jensen,  Jamie Lauritzen, Tony Yeates, me, on my lap Adam Leatham, Adam Ward in back, and Brandt Harrison.  We had a fun time, although I must admit I wasn't always prepared as I might have been.  I did use group process with the kids which I was learning at the college in social work school.  We made a CTR Shield and a CTR box where I put a mirror and the kids could look in and see a Child of God.

So the favor I have to ask, is if you know these children and can help identify them better than I, it would be appreciated if you add a comment with the name, and what the child is doing now..