Wanlyn Cherry Aitken
Wanlyn Cherry Aitken arrived August 17, 1924, in Menan, Idaho, the first child born to John Dee and Rachel (Lott) Cherry. Wanlyn was the big sister to Dee, Damaris, Bonnie, Roberta, Neal, Sydna and Lova.
Wanlyn's early schooling was in Menan and then she graduated from Midway High School. Midway was about a one mile walk each way from home. After high school she took a course in repairing radios, but soon tube radios were out!
Wanlyn met Larry Aitken and they were married May 14, 1943. Wanlyn and Larry were married and spent their first 10 days together before Larry left for the military ... for three years! While Larry was in the service, Wanlyn moved to Idaho Falls and was a telephone operator during the war.
After Larry's return, they began earning their livelihood in the oil fields. Their first little house they lived in was here in Lima and was two rooms, with no running water, but Wanlyn made it into a cute home. They then followed the oil fields to eastern Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming and finally settling in Utah. They lived there for 52 years. The last almost 40 years in a cozy home on a corner lot with lots of garden, fun projects and loads of laughter.
Wanlyn became adept at living in a trailer. She told about leveling the house with each move by putting a pan with water on the stove, if the water was level, so was the trailer!
Wanlyn and Larry welcomed Lynden in 1947, Dean in 1950 and then Julie in 1958. Wanlyn was able to be a stay-at-home Mom for many years. Since many of the child raising years were spent in the trailer court, Wanlyn kept lots of kids busy, whether with spinning tops, softball or fishing trips. Wanlyn was always learning and teaching .... about rocks, digging for bottles, collecting dolls with Julie, antiques, glassware and of course, gardening and preserving foods. Later making Teddy Bears was fun and profitable as she sold them in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. when Larry was stationed there.
Long before paleontology was even a known word to most of us, Wanlyn provided many kids, including nieces and nephews with Dinosaur Hunting licenses and pieces of polished dinosaur bones.
Also long before it was the popular thing to do, she was an early environmentalist, though she wouldn't use that word. Watering her garden with gray water during droughts, salvaging foods to share with anyone in need and generally being a caring, giving person. If the kids and grandkids ate at her home, all went home with leftovers for another meal for later. When Nathan was just a toddler and banging pots and pans in the kitchen, Wanlyn asked him what he was doing and he replied, "Taking dinner home." Wanlyn developed a bit of a crotchety personality at times, but she was fair and accepted people for who they were. She was down-to-earth and could speak from experience on how to move forward even after really difficult times.
Mom said it was Wanlyn who bought her the first store-bought dress, in fact matching orange dresses for a St. Patrick's Dance ... go figure! Growing up, presents were few and far between but when Bonnie graduated from 8th grade, Wanlyn gave her a pin with a blue stone. When Sydna was born a month before she was expected, Wanlyn was called by Grammie Cherry, bought flannel and made diapers and nightgowns for her baby sister, 17 years younger than herself.
When Wanlyn became a Gold Star Mother with Dean's death in Vietnam, she placed wreaths on the Memorial in Vernal every Memorial Day and Christmas for 38 years. She also helped to get the Memorial built and rode the parade floats to represent Gold Star Mothers. Wanlyn believed a mother of a missing in action soldier from Vernal also deserved the Gold Star Mother status and took it to Washington, D.C. trying to get it.
Just as with the dedication she showed to Dean's memory, she also showed it to family and friends.
As Larry became more ill, Wanlyn even rode the water truck with him so he wouldn't have to open gates. Eventually climbing to the top of the truck to hook up the hose.
Wanlyn worked at a Saddle making Shop and later in housekeeping for private individuals and at the Lamplighter Motel. The people she worked with got to enjoy her homemade breads, jams and special items from her garden.
I think one of her strongest values was "If you don't give, you don't get." She was compassionate and she believed in service to others. She was always giving to a neighbor, friend, child, grandchild or great-grandchild. I'd like to end with a saying that is actually on one of my favorite coffee mugs. It says: "If I could sit across the porch from God, I'd thank him for lending me you!"
From the files of Damaris Hoadley
Lima, Beaverhead, Montana
Wanlyn Cherry Aitken arrived August 17, 1924, in Menan, Idaho, the first child born to John Dee and Rachel (Lott) Cherry. Wanlyn was the big sister to Dee, Damaris, Bonnie, Roberta, Neal, Sydna and Lova.
Wanlyn's early schooling was in Menan and then she graduated from Midway High School. Midway was about a one mile walk each way from home. After high school she took a course in repairing radios, but soon tube radios were out!
Wanlyn met Larry Aitken and they were married May 14, 1943. Wanlyn and Larry were married and spent their first 10 days together before Larry left for the military ... for three years! While Larry was in the service, Wanlyn moved to Idaho Falls and was a telephone operator during the war.
After Larry's return, they began earning their livelihood in the oil fields. Their first little house they lived in was here in Lima and was two rooms, with no running water, but Wanlyn made it into a cute home. They then followed the oil fields to eastern Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming and finally settling in Utah. They lived there for 52 years. The last almost 40 years in a cozy home on a corner lot with lots of garden, fun projects and loads of laughter.
Wanlyn became adept at living in a trailer. She told about leveling the house with each move by putting a pan with water on the stove, if the water was level, so was the trailer!
Wanlyn and Larry welcomed Lynden in 1947, Dean in 1950 and then Julie in 1958. Wanlyn was able to be a stay-at-home Mom for many years. Since many of the child raising years were spent in the trailer court, Wanlyn kept lots of kids busy, whether with spinning tops, softball or fishing trips. Wanlyn was always learning and teaching .... about rocks, digging for bottles, collecting dolls with Julie, antiques, glassware and of course, gardening and preserving foods. Later making Teddy Bears was fun and profitable as she sold them in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. when Larry was stationed there.
Long before paleontology was even a known word to most of us, Wanlyn provided many kids, including nieces and nephews with Dinosaur Hunting licenses and pieces of polished dinosaur bones.
Also long before it was the popular thing to do, she was an early environmentalist, though she wouldn't use that word. Watering her garden with gray water during droughts, salvaging foods to share with anyone in need and generally being a caring, giving person. If the kids and grandkids ate at her home, all went home with leftovers for another meal for later. When Nathan was just a toddler and banging pots and pans in the kitchen, Wanlyn asked him what he was doing and he replied, "Taking dinner home." Wanlyn developed a bit of a crotchety personality at times, but she was fair and accepted people for who they were. She was down-to-earth and could speak from experience on how to move forward even after really difficult times.
Mom said it was Wanlyn who bought her the first store-bought dress, in fact matching orange dresses for a St. Patrick's Dance ... go figure! Growing up, presents were few and far between but when Bonnie graduated from 8th grade, Wanlyn gave her a pin with a blue stone. When Sydna was born a month before she was expected, Wanlyn was called by Grammie Cherry, bought flannel and made diapers and nightgowns for her baby sister, 17 years younger than herself.
When Wanlyn became a Gold Star Mother with Dean's death in Vietnam, she placed wreaths on the Memorial in Vernal every Memorial Day and Christmas for 38 years. She also helped to get the Memorial built and rode the parade floats to represent Gold Star Mothers. Wanlyn believed a mother of a missing in action soldier from Vernal also deserved the Gold Star Mother status and took it to Washington, D.C. trying to get it.
Just as with the dedication she showed to Dean's memory, she also showed it to family and friends.
As Larry became more ill, Wanlyn even rode the water truck with him so he wouldn't have to open gates. Eventually climbing to the top of the truck to hook up the hose.
Wanlyn worked at a Saddle making Shop and later in housekeeping for private individuals and at the Lamplighter Motel. The people she worked with got to enjoy her homemade breads, jams and special items from her garden.
I think one of her strongest values was "If you don't give, you don't get." She was compassionate and she believed in service to others. She was always giving to a neighbor, friend, child, grandchild or great-grandchild. I'd like to end with a saying that is actually on one of my favorite coffee mugs. It says: "If I could sit across the porch from God, I'd thank him for lending me you!"
From the files of Damaris Hoadley
Lima, Beaverhead, Montana
Wanlyn Cherry Aitken
Wanlyn Cherry Aitken arrived August 17, 1924, in Menan, Idaho, the first child born to John Dee and Rachel (Lott) Cherry. Wanlyn was the big sister to Dee, Damaris, Bonnie, Roberta, Neal, Sydna and Lova.
Wanlyn's early schooling was in Menan and then she graduated from Midway High School. Midway was about a one mile walk each way from home. After high school she took a course in repairing radios, but soon tube radios were out!
Wanlyn met Larry Aitken and they were married May 14, 1943. Wanlyn and Larry were married and spent their first 10 days together before Larry left for the military ... for three years! While Larry was in the service, Wanlyn moved to Idaho Falls and was a telephone operator during the war.
After Larry's return, they began earning their livelihood in the oil fields. Their first little house they lived in was here in Lima and was two rooms, with no running water, but Wanlyn made it into a cute home. They then followed the oil fields to eastern Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming and finally settling in Utah. They lived there for 52 years. The last almost 40 years in a cozy home on a corner lot with lots of garden, fun projects and loads of laughter.
Wanlyn became adept at living in a trailer. She told about leveling the house with each move by putting a pan with water on the stove, if the water was level, so was the trailer!
Wanlyn and Larry welcomed Lynden in 1947, Dean in 1950 and then Julie in 1958. Wanlyn was able to be a stay-at-home Mom for many years. Since many of the child raising years were spent in the trailer court, Wanlyn kept lots of kids busy, whether with spinning tops, softball or fishing trips. Wanlyn was always learning and teaching .... about rocks, digging for bottles, collecting dolls with Julie, antiques, glassware and of course, gardening and preserving foods. Later making Teddy Bears was fun and profitable as she sold them in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. when Larry was stationed there.
Long before paleontology was even a known word to most of us, Wanlyn provided many kids, including nieces and nephews with Dinosaur Hunting licenses and pieces of polished dinosaur bones.
Also long before it was the popular thing to do, she was an early environmentalist, though she wouldn't use that word. Watering her garden with gray water during droughts, salvaging foods to share with anyone in need and generally being a caring, giving person. If the kids and grandkids ate at her home, all went home with leftovers for another meal for later. When Nathan was just a toddler and banging pots and pans in the kitchen, Wanlyn asked him what he was doing and he replied, "Taking dinner home." Wanlyn developed a bit of a crotchety personality at times, but she was fair and accepted people for who they were. She was down-to-earth and could speak from experience on how to move forward even after really difficult times.
Mom said it was Wanlyn who bought her the first store-bought dress, in fact matching orange dresses for a St. Patrick's Dance ... go figure! Growing up, presents were few and far between but when Bonnie graduated from 8th grade, Wanlyn gave her a pin with a blue stone. When Sydna was born a month before she was expected, Wanlyn was called by Grammie Cherry, bought flannel and made diapers and nightgowns for her baby sister, 17 years younger than herself.
When Wanlyn became a Gold Star Mother with Dean's death in Vietnam, she placed wreaths on the Memorial in Vernal every Memorial Day and Christmas for 38 years. She also helped to get the Memorial built and rode the parade floats to represent Gold Star Mothers. Wanlyn believed a mother of a missing in action soldier from Vernal also deserved the Gold Star Mother status and took it to Washington, D.C. trying to get it.
Just as with the dedication she showed to Dean's memory, she also showed it to family and friends.
As Larry became more ill, Wanlyn even rode the water truck with him so he wouldn't have to open gates. Eventually climbing to the top of the truck to hook up the hose.
Wanlyn worked at a Saddle making Shop and later in housekeeping for private individuals and at the Lamplighter Motel. The people she worked with got to enjoy her homemade breads, jams and special items from her garden.
I think one of her strongest values was "If you don't give, you don't get." She was compassionate and she believed in service to others. She was always giving to a neighbor, friend, child, grandchild or great-grandchild. I'd like to end with a saying that is actually on one of my favorite coffee mugs. It says: "If I could sit across the porch from God, I'd thank him for lending me you!"
From the files of Damaris Hoadley
Lima, Beaverhead, Montana
Wanlyn Cherry Aitken arrived August 17, 1924, in Menan, Idaho, the first child born to John Dee and Rachel (Lott) Cherry. Wanlyn was the big sister to Dee, Damaris, Bonnie, Roberta, Neal, Sydna and Lova.
Wanlyn's early schooling was in Menan and then she graduated from Midway High School. Midway was about a one mile walk each way from home. After high school she took a course in repairing radios, but soon tube radios were out!
Wanlyn met Larry Aitken and they were married May 14, 1943. Wanlyn and Larry were married and spent their first 10 days together before Larry left for the military ... for three years! While Larry was in the service, Wanlyn moved to Idaho Falls and was a telephone operator during the war.
After Larry's return, they began earning their livelihood in the oil fields. Their first little house they lived in was here in Lima and was two rooms, with no running water, but Wanlyn made it into a cute home. They then followed the oil fields to eastern Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming and finally settling in Utah. They lived there for 52 years. The last almost 40 years in a cozy home on a corner lot with lots of garden, fun projects and loads of laughter.
Wanlyn became adept at living in a trailer. She told about leveling the house with each move by putting a pan with water on the stove, if the water was level, so was the trailer!
Wanlyn and Larry welcomed Lynden in 1947, Dean in 1950 and then Julie in 1958. Wanlyn was able to be a stay-at-home Mom for many years. Since many of the child raising years were spent in the trailer court, Wanlyn kept lots of kids busy, whether with spinning tops, softball or fishing trips. Wanlyn was always learning and teaching .... about rocks, digging for bottles, collecting dolls with Julie, antiques, glassware and of course, gardening and preserving foods. Later making Teddy Bears was fun and profitable as she sold them in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. when Larry was stationed there.
Long before paleontology was even a known word to most of us, Wanlyn provided many kids, including nieces and nephews with Dinosaur Hunting licenses and pieces of polished dinosaur bones.
Also long before it was the popular thing to do, she was an early environmentalist, though she wouldn't use that word. Watering her garden with gray water during droughts, salvaging foods to share with anyone in need and generally being a caring, giving person. If the kids and grandkids ate at her home, all went home with leftovers for another meal for later. When Nathan was just a toddler and banging pots and pans in the kitchen, Wanlyn asked him what he was doing and he replied, "Taking dinner home." Wanlyn developed a bit of a crotchety personality at times, but she was fair and accepted people for who they were. She was down-to-earth and could speak from experience on how to move forward even after really difficult times.
Mom said it was Wanlyn who bought her the first store-bought dress, in fact matching orange dresses for a St. Patrick's Dance ... go figure! Growing up, presents were few and far between but when Bonnie graduated from 8th grade, Wanlyn gave her a pin with a blue stone. When Sydna was born a month before she was expected, Wanlyn was called by Grammie Cherry, bought flannel and made diapers and nightgowns for her baby sister, 17 years younger than herself.
When Wanlyn became a Gold Star Mother with Dean's death in Vietnam, she placed wreaths on the Memorial in Vernal every Memorial Day and Christmas for 38 years. She also helped to get the Memorial built and rode the parade floats to represent Gold Star Mothers. Wanlyn believed a mother of a missing in action soldier from Vernal also deserved the Gold Star Mother status and took it to Washington, D.C. trying to get it.
Just as with the dedication she showed to Dean's memory, she also showed it to family and friends.
As Larry became more ill, Wanlyn even rode the water truck with him so he wouldn't have to open gates. Eventually climbing to the top of the truck to hook up the hose.
Wanlyn worked at a Saddle making Shop and later in housekeeping for private individuals and at the Lamplighter Motel. The people she worked with got to enjoy her homemade breads, jams and special items from her garden.
I think one of her strongest values was "If you don't give, you don't get." She was compassionate and she believed in service to others. She was always giving to a neighbor, friend, child, grandchild or great-grandchild. I'd like to end with a saying that is actually on one of my favorite coffee mugs. It says: "If I could sit across the porch from God, I'd thank him for lending me you!"
From the files of Damaris Hoadley
Lima, Beaverhead, Montana
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