Happy 81st Wedding Anniversary Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier.

 Thanks to Family Search I'm reminded of my parents' marriage and their 81st wedding anniversary today.

Helen was from Randolph and Glenn was from Woodruff  and several years older than she.

They courted as young people did in Rich County in the 1930s.

He was accepted by her family. Glenn is here with Helen on the right. Her sister Winnie is on the left. Beautiful blonde Flora is in front.

Glenn moved to California to seek his fortune in 1936.

Helen visited him there in May, 1937.

She returned for their marriage November 20, 1937 in Oakland, California

Helen's letter home to her parents describing their wedding is below.

The following year they had this picture taken to send home to their mothers for Mothers Day!

“November 21, 1937, from 4180 Opal Street, Apt. 5., Oakland, California

“Dear Folks:

“Well I have been married just exactly 21 hours, and it is grand.

“We had lots of fun last night. Eve and Erle [Bill and Mabel Rufi’s daughter and  son-in-law] came for us about 6 o’clock. Eve brought my flowers. It was a co─ (can’t spell it) [corsage]. Anyway you know mother you wear them on your shoulder. They were 3 white ones, (don’t even know the name of them [gardenias]). No comments on the English up above.

"Bishop Shields is a fine man. He used the Latter Day Saints marriage ceremony, instead of the one Lewis uses. I was glad. We talked to him about our recommends, and tonight when we go to church he is going to get the clerk to get our names and the wards where we lived. He asked us what we could do, or what our talents were and said they had plenty of use for people here in the ward. …

“After that we went up to Uncle Bill and Aunt Mabel’s. Just as we got out of the car down came the rice. Eve and Erle had filled their pockets. When we went in the house they gave us a lovely white lamp. It was from all of them to Mr. and Mrs. Helen and Glenn.

“Then we went to Robin Hood Inn. It is the cutest place and they had a table all set for us to ourselves. It was for eight, but Glenn’s Uncle Dave and his wife couldn’t come. We had a wonderful dinner, roast turkey, and everything.

“Right now Glenn is writing to his folks and we write for a few minutes then read to each other what we have written.

“After Dinner we went for a drive around Merritt Lake and up in the residential district of Oakland and Piedmont. It was up where all of the wealthy homes are, and then we looked down on the city, but it was so foggy we couldn’t see the bridge.

“Yesterday after we got our license we went up town and got in a lovely rain storm. It was the worse storm they have had down here for a long time. Consequently we had to buy an umbrella.  

“Have felt kinda punk though, but am feeling better. My things haven’t come that I sent freight. They may not be here for a day or two yet. It is a good thing I sent the blankets and sheets in the box, or we would have been in a fine fix. As it is we’re without a table cloth and luckily Glenn had a couple of bath towels. Oh well we are happy.” 

These pictures have been published on this blog before. Letter from Histories of Percy Harold Rex, Bessie Morgan Rex, Mary Elizabeth Herbert Rex and their Descendants, pages 83-84, published 2014.

Jacob and Anna Margaretha Tuck Rufi, Part 2 of 2

Active Church Worker
Answers Death Summons
Mrs. Jacob Rufi

[Deseret News November 14, 1919.] Mrs. Anna Rufi, widow of Jacob Rufi, 240 south Ninth East, died this morning at a local hospital. Mrs. Rufi was born in Germany 67 years ago and came to Utah 41 years ago, where she has since resided. She has been an active worker in the Eleventh ward for the last 37 years and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints.

Mrs. Rufi is survived by six children: Mrs. Annie Frazier, Jake Rufi, and Emily Frazier of Woodruff, Utah; Agnes Frazier of Salt Lake; Wm. and David Rufi of Oakland California; also 14 grand-children. Funeral announcement will be made later.

The actual obituary, which follows, was too difficult to read. I snatched the picture (above) from Mother's picture pedigree chart.

Thinking I might find information about Jacob and Anna from early Eleventh Ward records I spent a few days at the Church History Library.

An early Minutes book (L2569, series 11) of the Eleventh Ward, organized April 26, 1882, John Coulam, Sec., has the following entry, Jacob Rufi ordained Elder, January 25, 1884 by John Coulam.

Anna Rufi is listed in the minutes of the Eleventh Ward Relief Society (L2569, series 14) between1884-1885. She is counted among the sisters in Block 9. At each Relief Society Teacher’s Meeting recorded, her visiting teachers, Sister Mary Nelson and Sister Mary A. Nelson, frequently list Anna and her contribution; soap, tea, or money; usually 15-25 cents. Accessing and reading those records on microfilm at the Church History Library is tedious and time consuming. I’ve enjoyed the course, but haven’t more time for it. I trust the obituary. And await another descendant coming forth with additional information.

I obtained a copy of Anna Margaret Tuck Rufi’s hand written patriarchal blessing. It was given to her in Salt Lake City, April 7, 1902 by Patriarch E. A. Richards.

Jacob died at home at 244 South 9th East, Salt Lake City, Utah on May 19 1916. The cause of his death on his State of Utah Death Certificate L664 isn’t legible, nor is much else. His wife Anna’s signature is clear and the only time I’ve seen it. I wasn’t able to find an obituary.

Anna died at LDS Hospital on November 14, 1919 at 1:40 a.m. She was operated on there November 12, 1919 for Cholecyptitis [sic] by Doctor George W. Middleton. A Cerebral Embolism was the cause of death. Her State of Utah—Death Certificate P-1727 was signed by Mrs. Thos. Frazier [daughter Agnes Rufi Driscoll Frazier]. Anna was living at 240 So 9th East, which was with Agnes. That was next door to the home she and Jacob raised their family in, 244 So. 9th East. Her age was listed as 67 years, 10 months, 26 days.
This 1975 picture of their adobe home at 244 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah was taken by grandson Glenn Frazier. The home was demolished soon after and replaced by an apartment building. This home home had Jacob's "shoemaker" sign in front of it.

This large upright marker is in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, marking plots R_1_5_1,2_E. It is in the R block about 270 North [Grand Avenue] and 1100 East Street. Some of their descendants are buried near them.

This lovely portrait of their children was probably taken when they gathered for their mother's funeral in 1919. L-R, William, Annie, Emily, Jake, David, Agnes.

Part 1