Leona Ellener Jensen Tolman
28 May 1905 – 18 Jul 1987
Daughter of Andrew C. & Lola Ellener Wilson Jensen, Jr.
This is a brief outline of my life. I was born May 28,1905 to Andrew C. Jensen, Jr. and Lola Ellener Wilson Jensen in Riverside, Idaho.
My parents lived in Moore, Idaho, my father was the first Bishop in Lost River Valley. I am the second of eight children, five boys, three girls. Glen, then myself , Opal, Alvin, Artella, Wendell, Lawrence and Eldon. We lived in a log house for several years. Our father was a farmer.
We lived close to Big Lost River much of the time. Fishing was really good. Once in awhile, mother, father and we children would fix a picnic and go fishing. Father would fish and usually always had good luck. Mother would fry the fresh fish to eat with our lunch. We had lots of fun fishing.
Our parents taught us the Gospel and love and respect for each other, to keep our bodies clean and free of sin.
We didn’t have cars in those days. We traveled by horse and buggy. Our parents were very poor and worked so hard to make a good home for us. We had the love and teachings of the very best parents. Even though we had to wear patches on our clothes once in awhile, it was no disgrace as they were always clean.
I can’t remember ever hearing our parents bickering or be cross with each other. When I was about 17 years old, I went to Pocatello, Idaho to get a job. I lived with Aunt Ethel. I got a job in a candy factory. Later my brother Glen came to Pocatello to work and we got a small apartment which we shared together. Later father came to find work which he did. Both father and Glen found work with the Pacific Railroad and we all lived in our little apartment.
My mother took sick and father had to go home, back to Blackfoot, Idaho. Later after mother was well, they moved to Pocatello and rented a house on 5th Avenue. Father went back to work on the railroad and Glen and I moved into the house with the family. We lived next door to the Tolman’s. This is where I meet my beloved future husband. He was staying with his father and his father’s first wife. His father was a polygamist. The young man’s name was Joseph Leroy Tolman and he was studying watchmaking and jewelry work. He worked for the Pentz Jewelry Company. One evening Aunt Della (as Joe’s stepmother was called), came over and said she wanted me to meet someone and that was when I met my future husband.
We walked back and forth to work together. He was so courteous and good to me. Both of our families were very poor, but there was a lot of love and respect for each other.
We fell in love and were married the following March, March 5,1924 in the Logan Temple in Logan, Utah.
At the age of l7, Joe had enlisted in the Marine Corp. during World War 1. He became very sick and later given an honorable medical discharge and sent to the Veterans Hospital in Boise, Idaho. He spent 13 months in the hospital there. Because of his health, he wouldn’t be able to have a job that required a lot of heavy physical labor, so the government paid for his watchmaker training. He became a very good one and was listed in the National Jeweler Magazine as number 2 in the State of Idaho for his skill at his work. His mother lived in Inkon and she made a living with her garden and berries. After our marriage we also lived in Pocatello in an Apartment and Joe worked for Pentz’s jewelry Store. Our marriage was blessed with two children, Odessa Eleanor born Feb. 20,1925 and Clifton Leroy born April 22,1927. Our third child whom we named Betty Lou, was born dead. All three children were born in Pocatello.
In 1931 Pentz’s Jewelry Store went broke and left Joe without a job and $1300.00 back wages, which he never was able to collect. We sold our furniture to have enough money to move on and moved to Rupert, Idaho. We rented a small apartment and Joe rented a space for his watch desk in an electric shop, sending $10.00 to a material place so was able to buy his materials for fixing watches as needed. We had $2.50 left and two children to love and care for, plus Odessa starting the first grade in school. Joe went to a grocery store and arranged to charge our groceries that first month. We were able to pay off the grocery bill at the end of the month.
During our first two weeks in Rupert, Clifton fell on a concrete step and cut his nose almost from eye to eye. Had to rush him to a Dr. He has had trouble with his nose ever since then.
Our families and ourselves really had to struggle to make a living during the depression.
Mother and father Jensen lost their home and father his job, so they moved to Moore, Idaho. Father was called to be the Bishop at Mackey,Idaho, so they moved to Mackey.
Our children enjoyed going to their grandparents Jensen during the summer and spend some time with them. Our vacations were usually spent as week-end fishing trips out to Mackey. Joe loved to fish.
We did have one trip to California where Joe was sent to see a heart specialist. We took mother Tolrnan with us.
We lived in Rupert for 7 years and 3 years in Jerome, Idaho. In Jerome we had our store. While in Rupert we had a lot of sickness. I got very sick and had to have surgery several times. Clifton had his appendix removed at age 8 years. Then Joe had to have an appendix operation and he became so ill, they sent him to the Veterans Hospital in Boise for three months.
I tried to keep our little store open. We lived behind our store. The watches that came in for repairs, I would send to Joe at the hospital, along with what he needed to fix them. He would repair them, even though he was so sick and then send them back to me.
The depression was hard on all of us. In Rupert we finally, after a year was able to rent a building for our store, but couldn’t afford to rent a place to live, thus why we lived behind our store part. In Jerome we rented a building and for awhile was able to rent a house to live in, then a very small apartment, but finally had to set up living quarters behind our store again in order to try and make ends meet.
Things finally got worse towards the end of the depression and we had to sell out our store. We owed quite a bit to the Jewelry supply place (which we later were able to pay off, so much a month, till it was all paid off, thus enabling us to keep our credit rating good). Joe had been promised a job at an Airplane Factory, installing instruments in planes, in Alamada, California. When we got there, they were on strike and we didn’t have the money to sit around and wait till the strike was over, so went to Cave Junction, Oregon and stayed with Harvey Morris and family (they were dear friends of ours who used to live in Rupert, Idaho when we did. He had a Butcher Shop. Joe set out to look for work and obtained a job with Metz jewelry Store in Klamath Falls, Oregon and we moved there. I obtained a job at J. C. Penny’s.
Odessa had to have an appendix operation in the month of February, following our arrival in Klamath Falls.(1941). It was here she met Wayne E. Smith. In time they fell in love and they were married April 28,1942 in the Salt Lake Temple.
War was declared in Dec. 1941, after Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. Wayne had to go into the service 3 weeks after they were married and she came to live with us until the war was over except for what time she stayed with Waynes’ parents. Odessa had the opportunity in July to go to San Deigo, California and see Wayne before he shipped out for overseas. Their first child was born the following April. He was 9 months old when he got to see his daddy for the first time.
Our son Clifton enlisted in the Marines the following spring of 1944 and served guard duty on board a ship until the war was over.
After serving 17 ½ months at Pearl Harbor, Wayne came back to the states to attend officers training at Notre Dame University. After about 6 months he was assigned to a Troop-Transport as first division Officer and as Recognition Instructor. He was in a lot of heavy combat in the Pacific.
After living in Klamath Falls for 3 years, Joe had a chance to go to work for a Jewelry Store in Pocatello, Idaho ( Molenilli’s ). Since my father and his mother were in quite poor health, he took the job and we moved back to Pocatello. It was from here that Clifton had joined the Marines. He met Pearl Boren before he went into service and when he returned, after courting her awhile, they were married on Sept. 21,1946.
Joe enjoyed his work with Mollinelle’s. I worked for J. C. Penny’s for awhile. Joe worked for the Mollinelle’s for 32 years. In 1963 he had a massive heart attack and the Dr. said he would never be able to work again. But through faith, courage and pure determination, he was able to go back for half a day. He was in and out of the hospital 3 or 4 times a year with more heart attacks. Once for cancer surgery and another was a complete prostrate surgery. The Dr. said there was only one chance in a hundred that he would live. But again our Father in heaven had his arms around him and although he was very sick, he came out of it and was able to come home, as each time before. He suffered for 13 years. He passed away on July 2,1976.
While Joe worked for Molinelli’s, the clerks and Joe had me prepare a complete Christmas dinner for the Mellinelli’s, this was their Christmas gift from their employees, there was just the two, Mr. and Mrs. Mollinelli and they were along in years. I did this for 25 years, until they both passed away. They sure enjoyed those dinners. Their son, Bud, took over as manager of the store.
After Joe passed away, Odessa asked me to come and live with her and her family. So after a few months I gave up my apartment and moved my furniture to their home in Midvale, Utah. Wayne was sick and Odessa had to work, plus she had promised her dad she would look out for me and couldn’t do it while I was in Pocatello, with Wayne like he was. So we helped each other out. Wayne continued to grow worse for several years and passed away on Feb. 27,1982. He could not move or speak the last three years and if he managed to try to say anything, he would try so hard to tell Odessa he loved her.
Odessa and I made our home together and shared expenses, except for the year she served a mission from June 14,1982 to June 1983. She served in Ohio and West Virginia. I moved up to Pocatello in an apartment to stay while she was gone, where Clifton could look in on me, and help me. But I got very ill and couldn’t stay alone, so Clifton and Pearl took me to Vancouver, Wash, where I first stayed with Odessa’s son Dennis and then to her daughter Susan’s, where I stayed until Odessa came home from her mission. They were all very good to me.
At the end of Odessa’s mission I flew back to Washington D.C. where she met me to ride back with her in her car. We covered a lot of country. Went to Penscicola, Florida and visited Wayne’s sister Edrie. From there we went across the southern part of the states to Houston, Texas to visit Linda and family for a few days. Teri and family surprised us by flying in to greet Odessa on coming home. Then it was onto Salt Lake where Odessa was released as a missionary.
We helped Jeri to get into an apartment, then we went on to Vancouver, Washington to make our home. We stayed there a year, during that time I was terribly ill for awhile. I longed to be nearer the rest of my family. We moved back to Salt Lake in June 1984. Odessa met Calvin Russell in October of that year.
Jeri and Clifford Hanson were married Nov. 30,1984. I put on her wedding and got the material for her wedding dress and Odessa made it.
In May of 1985 I moved into an apartment for senior citizens. I lived close to my sister Artella and Charles. They were very good to me. Odessa came in each week to take me shopping if needed, get my laundry and help in any way she could.
Odessa and Calvin were married Dec.31,1985 and I was able to see them married. They live about 60 miles away in Rush Valley, Utah.
My health continued to go down hill and was in the hospital several times. In May of 86, Jeri talked me into coming and living with them. I enjoyed their little girl who was born on Sept. 14, 1985. In October I moved out to Rush valley with Calvin and Odessa. In the spring spent time off and on with Jeri and Clifford. July 1,1987 I moved into an apartment in Salt Lake near my brother Lawrence and Artella was only a couple of blocks away. I am not feeling very good and it takes courage and faith to carry on. I know my Father in heaven is watching over me and I am sure when my time comes he will take me home with him.
Worry about Clifton as he has been laid off work after some 30 years with Garrett Freight Lines. They closed their doors there in Pocatello. Patsy’s husband was also laid off.
Odessa had 6 children and 19 grandchildren at this time and 1 great grandchild. Clifton had 5 children and 8 grandchildren. That makes me 11 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild, plus 4 step grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, and all my grandsons and granddaughters in laws.
Not sure how I am going to make it financially, but Odessa says she won’t let me do without anything. I know if I continue to pay my tithing in full, my budget and fast offering, that things will work out.
Mother had written the foregoing part of her life history, I have just typed it up for her. She took, seriously ill and had a stroke and was in the L.D.S. Hospital for a week. Dr. Orme didn’t give us much hope of her recovering as she had suffered extensive physical and mental damage. She always prayed the dear Lord would take her home to him, if she couldn’t have the use of her mind and body. She was worthy of having that prayer answered and she passed away Saturday morning, July 18,1987. Artella and Charles were with her when she left this life. I came in each day and spent part of the day with her and Artella, Charles and Wendell, Marie filled in when I left. I am so grateful to them for their help and the help and support of all her brothers and sisters.
It’s been a year and a half since mother left us. I know she is happy being there with dad, her parents and other loved ones who have passed beyond the veil. I still feel quite a void in my life with her gone. She was a true friend and companion as well as my mother. Little things are always reminding me of her. I would like to share a few memories of her.
Can remember when our little sister was to be born. Mother had her at home and can remember they had ropes tied to the foot of her bed to pull on. She really had a very hard time trying to give birth, only to have the baby borne dead. It really broke her heart. She wasn’t able to have any more children after that. We were living in an apartment on the west side of Pocatello, Idaho.
Dad had to go out of town ever so often for Pentz Jewelry store to check and coordinate railroad workers watches. He rode on what they called a Railroad hand car. While he was gone someone tried to break into our home several times. Remember how concerned Mother would be for our safety.
I was six years old and Clifton four, when we moved to Rupert, Idaho. During the winter when the milkman would leave the milk, it would freeze and pop the cap off ( we got milk in glass bottles then). Mother would take the frozen cream off, put vanilla and sugar on it and we really thought we had a real treat.
She gave dad a birthday party once and invited the M-Men basketball team that dad was coaching. The boys turned him over her sewing machine and gave him the spats. Dad jokingly said he would get even with mother and so the boys took him outside (Feb.7) and filled his pants legs with snow making him having to walk stiff legged until he got the snow out, But they all had fun and we children were a part of the activities.
As mother has mentioned, the last 6 years in Rupert, we lived behind our store. She was trying to save enough money to buy herself a pair of shoes. Money was really tight. One Saturday, the children of the other two families who lived behind their stores also, were going to a movie. Clifton and I wanted to go so badly, that she took from her shoe money, the ten cents each that it would cost to go, plus a nickle each for penny candy, so we could be like the other kids going. A dime in those days would be like a couple of dollars today.
One holiday weekend in the summer they took us camping. We always enjoyed going camping whenever we could, and dad would do some fishing. During the night it started raining. The next morning dad decided we better get out of the canyon we were in, so loaded up the car and we started up the incline, the road was muddy. One of the wheels slipped over the edge and dad couldn’t take his foot off the brake. He had the rest of us very carefully get out of the car. They could remember seeing a farmhouse, so mother went for help. She had to walk quite a ways and through a field with cows and bulls in it. It seemed like hours before she was able to return with help. The farmer pulled us onto the road and up the rest of the incline. We sure were grateful to him and specially to the Lord for his protection.
Another time we were at some friends in the country who had a well. Clifton and I thought we were being helpful by putting well water in the gas tank. We didn’t get very far from their house when the engine quit. Instead of being helpful we caused our parents a lot of unnecessary expense.
Mother fed and did some washing for a music teacher to give me piano lessons and Clifton violin lessons.
During the time dad was in the veterans Hospital, mother had to have all her teeth pulled. In those days the Dentist waited until your gums healed, before giving the false teeth. She was always so embarrassed to have to wait on customers, that she would cover her mouth with a handkerchief. One time Clifton and I got her playing ball with us and in her laughter she forgot she had no teeth. She got teased about it.
Can remember mother being sick a lot also and her sister Artella would come and stay with us and surely helped out a lot.
Both Mother and dad always made our home (wherever it was or how humble it was) a place where our friends were always welcomed and she would always find something for us to eat. Sometimes it was just hot chocolate and homemade bread toasted. They always put us children first in their lives. Know they did without a lot of things they would of liked for themselves, in order to give to us children.
I learned the art of homemaking and sewing from mother and Clifton learned watch and carpentry skills from dad.
As mentioned, I lived with them while Wayne was overseas. They were really proud of their first grandson, Dennis and of each of the grandchildren to follow. They cared for me during illness, shared in my concern over Wayne, during WWII, as he was in battle after battle in the Pacific. Shared in my joy when he returned safe. Was with me at the birth of 5 of my 6 children and several other times during serious illness or surgery.
Their grandchildren really enjoyed coming to their home. The children would amaze them at times with what they could eat. Dad jokingly would tell the kids “they were putting them in the poor house.”
I have seen mother so ill so many times during the time she lived with me. While in Vancouver, Washington, she was so ill and in so much pain from her LEUKEMIA, that she couldn’t stand to move or hardly be touched. Her home teachers gave her a blessing, but really were afraid she wouldn’t make it. The blessing was answered and the Doctor tried a different medicine on her and she eventually got somewhat better. Susan cared for her while I was at work. She always tried to hold up her end of the household responsibilities. Took extra care in her personal appearance and her home. Others troubles became her own.
Have many memories of mother and dad that I haven’t written here, but some are included in my own life history. Would like to say of my dad, regardless how old I became, he was always there, to listen and to help. Was always there when needed and would keep my confidence.
Clifton and I were truly blessed to have such loving and caring parents. We both owe them a great deal. We bear their name proudly and hope to live worthy of the name we have been given and our heritage. Families can be together forever and as we hope our own families can be together in the eternity to come, we hope to also be with them.
To My Family
When my funeral is over, I want all my expenses paid, including telephone calls Odessa or Clifton have to make pertaining to my passing.
Remember always I love each of you.
I want our Father in Heaven to watch over each of you always and to guide you.
I love all, each of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I love all my brothers and sisters. That includes Sister Lavaughn and Sister Isolene and each of their families.
I want each to know how very much I appreciate all they have done for me, when I needed them most. They have always been there. When my Darling Husband was so ill, I sometimes wondered what I would of done without your love, faith, and prayers.
You have each supported me in love and kindness in every way.
I want Clifton and Pearl and Odessa and Calvin to always remain close to each other. There is just the two of you and your dear children.
Always be close to your dear children and let them know how very much you love them and need them.
I love each of you,
Mother
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