Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

Laura Crawford Call

Laura was born on December 24, 1924, in Hurricane, Washington County, Utah to John W. Crawford and Madge Jones. She grew up in Springdale, near Zion National Park, attending elementary school there. In 1941 Laura’s father got a job in the war industry in Ogden and the family moved to Ogden.

Laura attended Central Junior High School in Ogden and Ogden High School. After graduation, Laura attended the University of Utah for 4 years. Early jobs included being a telephone operator for Bell Telephone and working for the Kress and Z.C.M.1 Stores.

Laura met Junior “E” Call in 1949 when he returned home from his mission in Great Britain. They married in the Salt Lake Temple and lived in Salt Lake City while Junior went to school.

Laura has 2 children and 5 Grandchildren—all dearly loved!

Laura’s family moved to Roy in 1967 where Laura still lives and where Laura joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers. In Camp Seagull Laura has served as Historian, Chaplain and Vice Captain.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, Laura has served as the president of the Young Women’s and Relief Society organizations in her ward and stake and in the Primary and Sunday School. Laura and Junior served a 2 year mission in Raleigh, North Carolina and 7 years in the Ogden Temple.

Laura’s pioneer ancestor, William Robison Crawford, and his mother went to colonize the Cotton Mission in southern Utah when President Brigham Young called for volunteers. Laura says, “It has been an exciting experience to research the lives of my forebears, especially the brave pioneers and the difficult lives they lived.

ANN HOWELL CRAGUN

Ann Howell Cragun was born in Ephriam, Utah in 1934 to William and Ellen Howell. Ann lived in Ephriam until age 7 and then moved to the Ogden area where her father worked in the war-time industries.

Ann married Richard Rhees Cragun in 1956. She has 6 children, 26 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Ann keeps close to her family through activities on the major holidays of the year and special times at Aspen Grove, up Provo Canyon. Ann says, “My family is my greatest joy.”

Education has always been important to Ann. She was a teacher, teaching at Ben Lomond High School and Washington High School for 30 years.

Ann has served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in many positions on the Ward and Stake levels. She served 2 missions with her husband Richard: the Ogden Inner City and New Jersey Morristown Missions. Ann is a worker at the Ogden Temple, having served for 14 years.

Henry Lunt, Ann’s pioneer ancestor, was called to the Iron Mission in Iron County and helped settle Cedar City. Ann joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1958. She has been an active member of Camp Mountain Star for 64 years, serving in many Camp and Weber North West Company positions. Ann also enjoys volunteering as a docent at the Weber County Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum in Ogden.

Family History is important to Ann. Ann inherited many family histories from her parents. She has created a book of these histories and made copies for her family and extended family.

Patricia Elizabeth Petrich Pilcher Layton

Patricia was born on August 25, 1932 at Dee Memorial Hospital, Ogden to John Petrich, who immigrated from Austria to America with his brothers, and Eliza Gilberta Brown Petrich. John Petrich died 2 months before Patricia was born. In 1935 Eliza Petrich married Joseph Richard Pilcher, bringing Patricia and her 3 older brothers to the new family.

Patricia attended Mound Fort Elementary and Junior High School, graduating from Ogden High School in 1951. A student in the Thomas Dee Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, then affiliated with Weber College, Patricia graduated with a Registered Nursing Degree in 1954. Patricia worked at McKay Dee Hospital for 41 years, retiring in 1995.

Patricia married Loyal Gerald Martin Layton in 1953. They made their home in Washington Terrace, raising 6 children. After 35 years of marriage, Patricia and Loyal divorced.

Patricia has 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Living in close vicinity of each other, everyone enjoys having Sunday dinners at Patricia’s home!

Patricia shares her musical talents by playing the piano and organ for her Ward. She has also performed in many of the plays at Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse in Washington Terrace. Patricia volunteers at the Medical Clinic Ogden and McKay Dee Hospital.

Joining Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1961, Patricia has served as the Captain of Camp Prickly Pear and several other positions.

Patricia’s Great Grandfather is Captain James Brown of the Mormon Battalion. In 1847 he led the Brown sick detachment from Pueblo to Fort Bridger where they joined with the Mississippi Saints. He led both groups to the Salt Lake Valley.

Jean Ann Stratford Wilson

Jean Ann Stratford Wilson was born in Ogden, Utah in 1942 to Arvel E. and june Taylor Stratford. Jean attended schools in Weber County.

Jean married Gary H. Wilson in 1963. They have lived in North Ogden for 56 years. They have 3 children, 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Jean and her husband were able to work their schedules at their jobs so they could take care of their grandchildren and great grandchildren when they were babies. Now they have picnics, fun times, travel together and attend ball games, dance recitals and plays in support of their family.

Jean-belonged to the Business Women of Utah organization and the Weber State Alumni History group. An excellent teacher, Jean has taught in the Relief Society, Young Women’s organization and Primary many times in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She enjoys attending the Ogden Temple as often as she can.

Jane Pavard, Jean’s pioneer ancestor, was a pioneer midwife in Weber County and delivered over 400 babies. Jean joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 2008. She has been the Captain of Camp Hope and President of Weber North Company.

Jean enjoys traveling around the USA and to foreign countries. Each year Jean and her 6 siblings travel the country in a giant van filled with 14 people, learning and laughing as they go!

BOBBIE ANN ALDER WILLIAMSON

Bobbie was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and raised in Ogden. She attended Madison Elementary, Central Junior High School and graduated from Ogden High School. She attended Weber College and Utah State University. Bobbie married Alan R. Williamson and will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in 2021. Bobbie and Alan have 5 children, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. After seeing the world, courtesy of the United States Air Force, Bobbie worked for Beehive Clothing in Ogden as the manager for 20 years. As a volunteer, Bobbie taught English to non-native English speakers and tutored reading for the Ogden City School District. One of Bobbie’s pioneer ancestors is Thomas Doxey, who entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1853. In 1855 Brigham Young instructed Thomas to move north and go no further than Ogden. Thomas Doxey began working for Ogden City by helping to survey city streets, was the Water Master for the Weber Canal and a Poll Tax Collector. Doxey Street in Ogden was named after Thomas. Bobbie joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) in 2004 and has served as Camp Captain, Historian and Registrar. She was recently elected to the Weber County DUP Museum Board as the 2nd Vice-President.

CAROL LEE STOREY PILCHE

Carol was born in Eden, Utah and lived in the Ogden Valley through her early school years. Both sets of Carol’s great Grandparents – William V. Burnett and Sarah Jane Wilde Burnett, and Edmund Burke Fuller and Adelaide Jelly Fuller – emigrated from England. All were early settlers of Eden. Carol attended both Weber College and BYU—and taught special needs pre-school, kindergarten and 1st grade for 29 years. Carol married John R. Pilcher in 1969, raising their 3 children in the Eden area. Following in the footsteps of her mother, a member of the 1st Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) Camp Eden, Carol joined DUP in 2007. She has served as the camp secretary and camp treasure for 10 years and as the Chaplain on the Weber North Center Company Board. As the last living sibling of her family, Carol has focused on organizing all of the journals, photos and writings her mother had collected into a large scrapbook that preserves their family pioneer history for grandchildren and great grandchildren.

JEAN HODSON BRANCH

Jean was born in Marriott, Utah and grew up on 12^th Street when it was a narrow two lane road! Her great grandfather, William Hosdon, settled on 12^th Street in 1854. Her great-great grandfather, Gilbert Belnap, settled in Weber County in 1850, becoming the sheriff in 1866. Jean is a 5^th generation member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP)  and has been a member of the organization for 36 years. She attends the Susan Marriott Camp and has held various camp offices, including president of the Weber Northeast Company. Jean was actively involved on the Weber County DUP Museum Board when the museum was relocated to 21^st Street and Lincoln Avenue in 2012. Jean is a graduate of BYU and is a life-long pianist and organist. She enjoyed 30 wonderful years of marriage to James Branch and enjoys her 7 children, 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Actively involved in her church and the community, Jean spends time researching and writing family histories and loves to travel.

JMARGUERITE EAST HIPWELL

Marguerite was born in Ogden, Utah to Gilbert and Mabel East. Raised in Warren, Utah, she attended Weber County schools and graduated from Weber High School. She married Keith Hipwell and moved to West Weber, raising her 4 children there. A widow after 63 years of marriage, Marguerite loves and supports her 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Marguerite has a number of ancestors who crossed the plains to Utah. Following the example of her mother, Mabel Jacobsen East, and her mother-in-law, Lois Wade Hipwell, Marguerite joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) in 1988. She has been a member of West Weber 34 Camp for 33 years and served on the Weber West Company Board for 19 years as the Registrar and Markers Representative. Marguerite has been a Docent at the Weber County DUP Museum for many years and is very knowledgeable about the museum and its artifacts. An active member of her church, Marguerite has been a temple worker, Relief Society President and Cub Scout leader. She stays active by walking five days a week, quilting, and getting together with a group of high school friends regularly.

Carolie Bolingbroke

Carolie Bolingbroke is from the Weber North Center Company, Camp North Fort. Carolie is 87 years young and was born to G. Howard and Cora Nielsen Neal in Malad, Idaho. She married Chester Leu Bolingbroke on December 29, 1952. Carolie and Chester had 5 children, 26 grandkids, and 60 great grandkids. She was a big support to her family. Carolie has been a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for 20 years. Her authorized pioneer ancestor is Moses Fort. She was actively involved in DUP and has held the position of Camp Captain for 14 years and Secretary for the Camp Board. She has been active in the community as well. She has served in the PTA as President, Ogden High School Media Secretary for 17 years, Ogden School Specialist, and Triple Trio Singing Group. She held mass meetings in her home and was the Registrar for the Republican Party and is a Delegate at Convention now. Caroline has held many LDS Church callings including Young Women’s and received a special award for 35 years of support, Relief Society and Primary President, She also supported her husband while he was the Bishop.

NOREEN LARKIN

Noreen Larkin is from the Weber Roy Company, Camp Polly Hammon. Noreen is 79 years young and was born to George LeRoy and Lillian Barrus Melva Hodson in Blackfoot, Idaho.

Noreen graduated from USU with a dietetic internship. She also worked for a while as a dietitian.

She married George Eugene Larkin on Oct. 14, 1966. Noreen and George had 6 children, 25 grandkids and 4 great grandkids.

Noreen has been a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for 19 years. Her authorized pioneer ancestors are Jonathan Harriman Hale, Edward Hunter Herman Hyde, Emery Barrus Philo Dibble, William Waddoups, and Danial Clard.is Rachael Cook.

Noreen has been actively involved in DUP and has held the position of camp captain, music leader, and registrar for both camp and company.

She has been active in the community, as well. She has served in the PTA, 4-H leader, Republican Party Precinct Vise Chair, and helped with voting.

Noreen server a mission in Berlin, Germany prior to her marriage and has held many otherchurch callings including Teacher, Family History Consultant, Relief Society President, Senior Couple Ogden, Utah Mission, Ward Missionary, and Stake Missionary.

Noreen spent most of her married life as a stay-at\-home mom. She helped raise two grandchildren rather that have them put in foster care. She loves to garden and can fruits and vegetables. She also enjoys reading histories and biographies.

DARLENE STODDARD

Darlene Stoddard is from the Weber Farr South Company, Camp Oakwood. Noreen is 86 years young and was born to David Glenn Bert and Grace Bertha Bowe in Brigham City. Darleen married William Junior Stoddard on Sept. 16, 1953. Darlene and William had 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Darleen has been a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for 41 years. Her authorized pioneer ancestor was Fredrick James Graham.

Darlene moved into her present home as a bride and never left. She has lived in her home for 65 years alone. However, as more neighbors moved into the area she could walk and visited with them. She pumped good water from the springs until Weber County brought the water to the city. Darlene has been actively involved in DUP and has held the position of camp captain, vice-captain, and secretary for eight years. Darlene has server as Primary President, Counselor in Relief Society twice, Chorister in Primary, Relief Society, and Sacrament meetings, Lesson Leader, Sunday School Teacher, played the piano in Sacrament and Junior Sunday School.

NORMA RAE JENSEN PORTER

Norma Rae Jensen Porter is from the Weber South Company, Camp Mount Fort. Norma is 87 years young and was born to Nilsen Neal Melva Hodson Jensen and Joseph Ray Jensen in Provo. She married James H. Porter (Jim) on Aug. 4, 1956. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before he passed away in 2006. Norma is the proud mother of three sons and a daughter. She has 14 grandkids and nine great grandkids. Norma joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers 20 years ago in 1999 through her direct line ancestor Amelia Ann Singleton. Upon joining she became Camp Beehives secretary/treasurer and has remained in that position for 19 years. Norma and her husband Jim were avid Square Dancers. Together they served in many positions with The Northern Utah Square Dancers including President and 2nd Vice President. They were Chairmen for the 40th Square Dancers Nationals at the Delta Center and were in charge of blood drives and other charity events in relation to Square Dancing. Norma has held many Church callings including Primary President, Young Women’s President, Relief Society 2nd Councilor and being on the Stake Primary Board serving as 2nd Councilor. She has served in the Primary for over 38 years and is still currently active there.

FLORENCE NICHOLS

Florence Farr Nichols was born in Ogden, Utah to Florence Dinsdale and Merlin Fife Farr. She married Kent C. Nichols and has five children, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. She joined DUP in 1967 and is a member of the College Heights Camp in the Weber Far South Center Company. She is an ancestor of Lorin Farr, Ogden’s first mayor. She has been a camp captain several times, Vice-Captain, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Pianist, Parliamentarian, Outreach committee, and on the Company Board several times. Florence has served our community as a volunteer at McKay-Dee Hospital for 9 1/2 years, Junior League of Ogden, and Storytelling Festival volunteer many times. She has served in the Relief Society Presidency many times, Young Women’s President and other positions for years, Sunday School Secretary, Activities Chairman, Primary counselor, teacher and organist, and Missionary plaques. She is involved with her grandchildren and their activities