David Anson

Trent and Dale Ray
September, 1971

    

Baby David Anson and Shirleen

     David Anson Van Leuven was born 28 November, 1973, in Roosevelt, Utah, Duchesne County. He came into this life with a special mark of his own, he had a little more hair than his brothers that was fairly dark with the right amount of curl. We kind of hoped he would be a girl. It was probably his way of saying "no not this time she will follow soon". When the announcement came, "It's a boy!" and as we got our first peek at him our hearts soared. We loved him so so so much! 
     It was Dale's turn to pick a name. He had already decided on the names he liked.  Maria if it was a girl, and David Anson if it was a boy. David for his Great Grandfather David Timothy and Anson was his (Dale's) own middle name. I really liked the choice of name. It really felt good! It has always fit him. David is calm, wise, and loves being with the youth. The youth take to him easily. He is an excellent father. He clearly loves his girls.

Dale Ray, Shirleen and Dale
David Anson and Trent D.

 
     On 11 January, 1972 another baby had tried to crowd in front of David's birth miscarried. We were six to seven weeks into maybe getting a new baby in September or early October 1973. I had taught a Relief Society lesson earlier in the day and wasn't feeling my normal self. Almost as soon as I entered the house I could plainly tell I was gradually feeling worse and showing signs of hemorrhage. Dale was not at home. Mother and Dad came to my rescue. Dad took the boys home with him and Mother and I went to the hospital. 
     During my lifetime I have gained a personal belief that life begins at conception. Mother had five miscarriages and so I had learned and felt that this belief was right. Mother was told as a young girl that she would have ten children. She had ten children and raised only five. I prayed some years later that I might know the gender of our two loses. I was shown that this one was a boy. Another between Michelle and Rayma was a girl. It is pleasing to think of our family, as consisting of four boys and four girls. We have chosen to name this one Anson Dale. The name is English meaning Anne or Agnes' son, son of God. His name bearer following him would carry his name also, David Anson. David is Hebrew meaning beloved. David put the tile in one of our bathrooms and tiled in the star of David to finish it off. One would not notice unless shown. It makes the beautiful work even more special. When Dale and I were dating he would not tell me his middle name. I felt that he did not like it. I like the uncommon and seldom used names. As I write this paragraph I have a soft warm feeling, witnessing what I'm typing is true. 
     Like his brothers, David became acquainted with his extended family. There were those that came occasionally from Salt Lake City for special holidays, weekends, or an occasional visit. Even though Dale Ray was our only child at the time the picture below was taken, it does contain many of the Van Leuven family.

Back left to right - Ray and Valerie, Dale and Dale Ray, Kent is a single guy.
Middle left to right - Jeanine, Grandmother Vera Van Leuven, Shirleen.
Front left to right - Jerry Ray, Lauri.

     Ray and Jeanine's youngest, Amber was born 3 November, 1972, which made her a whole year older than David. Already a part of their family was Lauri, Jerry, and Valerie.
     Kent married Karen Lee Pederson on 1 November, 1974. A year after David was born. They began their married life in Springville, Utah after purchasing a nice new home. I remember thinking how lucky Karen must have felt. They later sold their home and moved to Salt Lake City. 
     Born to them were Kimberly and Kory. They were the 4 Ks, Kent, Karen, Kimberly, and Kory. Kimberly started Kent and Karen's family by being born 26 May, 1976. Maria was born a year ahead on 31 May, 1975.

The 4 Ks
Karen, Kent, Kimberly and Kory.

    Shirleen's side of the family was expanding also. Those already here were Chad, (Jeanne's), Jerry, Danette, (Vonae's), Shannon, Nicole, and Micah (Lanette's), and Lance (Raymond's). And of course Dale Ray and Trent. Birth dates and other important dates can be found in the family genealogy files and records in the care of Dale and Shirleen Van Leuven.
    I have a story or two to tell on David and myself. If I don't, then my family will surely embarrass me at my own funeral. The only fairness will be that I'll have the veil drawn between them and me. They will not be able to see my blushing cheeks. One is about a coat and the other is about a mop. Okay the coat first! I had purchased two warm winter furry coats for Dale Ray and Trent. One was blue and the other brown (Dale Ray and Trent called them the bear coats). Really nice coats! At least I thought so! Mothers want their children to be warm during the winter months. I was no exception. Once the boys out grew them, I passed them on to the next child. One day as we traveled home from Vernal, David was on my lap and we all were eating Cheetos. I can't believe we were eating in the car because normally Dale forbid eating in the vehicles. Never! Not-ta! Or a severe tongue lashing! Likely Dale was thinking that he'd be cleaning out the car anyway that day or soon. Otherwise, it would not have happened. Dale liked a clean car inside and out!
     Oh, by the way...an interesting side story that I'd like to share. Uncle Duayne Johnson was the one responsible of introducing the infant car seat before it became law to the Utah legislatures, while serving with Governor Calvin L. Rampton. Duayne was part of the Utah Senate. Anyway, back to us eating Cheetos. I hate anything on my hands! The bear coat that David had on was conveniently in reach so I wiped the Cheetos mess on it. I rationalized in my mind that I needed to put it in the laundry when we got home. His older brothers discovered David had become a rag causing them to laugh and point at him. David's strange looks back at them caused a ever living memory that will not erase from the minds of Dale Ray and Trent. It took a few minutes for me to discover what was causing the stifled commotion. At least I have never wiped their noses on the tail of their shirt. The dust from Cheetos is a lot less threatening! The coats had been through many a wash and came out looking like new. So what makes this an ongoing story?! They have never let us forget! The story still gets shared with reoccurring giggles. I believe it grows with every retelling!
     On 14th of December, 1974, we added to the colorful Christmas lights in our home by having our garage near the house catch fire. Dale had been burning weeds during the day and apparently a spark was still alive and remained hidden until after dark. Dale Ray first noticed the sounds of bullets exploding before the rest of us became concerned. Dale Ray was not too young to remember this bit of Christmas excitement. Dale Ray had gone to the window to see who had closed a car door. Dale told him not to be peeking out the window and whoever it was would be at the door shortly. Dale Ray waited but no one knocked so curious he returned to peer out again, saying the garage is on fire. The garage was a total loss with many stored boxes full of memories, bullets etc. We were lucky that the house did not catch fire before it was put out. Many neighbors came to our assistance or we could have easily lost our home. Thank goodness the garage was not attached to the house! It sat forward and apart to the west of our newly remodeled home. 

David, Dale, and Trent.
Taken in living room of our first LaPoint home located on the LaPoint Road May 1975.
Dale Ray was taking piano lessons.
Picture taken close to the time of the brown (bear) coat.

      
     David attended LaPoint Headstart, rode the bus to Maeser Elementary, Vernal Junior High School, and Uintah High.
   

David - Kindergarten
His darker hair at birth faded. He is
sporting his adorable freckles in this 
photo. The freckles also disappeared over the years.

 His kindergarten teacher often commented on his special care of a classmate that was wheelchair bound. Jerry Harrison was in David's class but needed assistance getting on and off the bus, at lunch time, and during recesses. David was her "Johnny on the Spot" aide. He was continually watching out for Jerry and elected himself to be of service.
     David had freckles across his nose and cheeks in his earlier years, but no one seemed to mention or notice, because it was his calm, pleasant, cheerful, kind, and caring personality that stole the show.
     Family traditions continued on both sides of the families and family reunions continued to be held each summer. These activities kept our families close.
     The Young family moved back to LaPoint and built a home that Vonae still lives in today. Her two children have families of their own and Bert has passed away.

David's 6th birthday cake.
Picture taken at Grandmother Van Leuven's.

     Jeanne divorced so a few years later she and her son Chad moved back from Vernal to LaPoint. The Carlson family moved back and built a new home next to the Youngs. We began having Family Home Evenings together. For many years we held them at Mother and Dad's home. After we moved into the home we live in today we started having them at our home. Mother said she was running out of steam and could not do it any more. We did not want family homes evenings to stop because of the value that they had on the children, and besides the church was always encouraging families to have their family home evenings.

      Our Monday night family home evenings continued several years until the older children started to get married. Nels and Lanette divorced which brought about the sell of their home. Lanette moved to Roosevelt and enrolled her children into the Duchesne School District schools. While this meant that the cousins wouldn't be attending school together, we continued the family contact through picnics, holiday celebrations etc.
     David was always a good student. He took responsibility for his own homework without prodding. His report card was most often worth the positive comments we gave him and his teacher's always had nothing but pleasing comments. A young man in our ward told us one time, "I wish I had David's personality. He can be around other kids and have fun, be cheerful, funny, and be a positive leader. All the young people, also adults respect him. He is naturally an all around super guy." Then he told of a time David arrived late at a choir practice in the ward that illustrated his comment. As he entered the room the feeling he brought with him lite up the whole group. "I would like to be able to do what he does."

One of his identification cards.
This one was when he was eight.
They were done for each student in the
Uintah School District.

     I must tell the mop story here. Maria and David are 18 months apart in age. One very frustrating day (I hope all mothers have them) I was hurriedly mopping the kitchen floor. Maria begin to scream near the family room door just as David entered from outside and walked by Maria. As he headed toward the kitchen, I looked up noticing just the two of them and thought that he probably did something to annoy her. So I hit David with the wet mop. I took out my frustration on an innocent passerby. I have been reminded of this bad act several times since. And have repented many times. You see it wasn't David but the ever-present tease in the family. Trent had done his wicked teasing and ran on down the hall unnoticed. I hit the wrong boy! I should have taken time to investigate or analyze what was really going on. It was not David's usual behavior. Oh! I hope I do not have to rehash nor see a replay of it at the judgement bar. It will not be a pleasant entrance for me if my repentance has not been accepted.
     David is a scientist at heart. He quite often was doing some kind of experiment. Some of those that haven't been forgotten are; leaving an orange in his bedroom window until it dried hard leaving the seeds to rattle inside, floating tuna fish cans in the bathtub with a burning candle inside the open empty cans afforded him bathing by candlelight. David would come home wet to the knees from wadding in the creek. The creek was home for many insects, birds, water snakes, and other wild animals. It also was a miniature jungle which was and is still a fun place for the town children. They roam in the heavily grown trees and sagebrush which created a mysterious place to play. Many bike trails and jumps have been created over the years. We are sure the water skitters, birds, and water snakes were carefully observed and studied in their habitat by David.  Saint Bernard's quote fit him well, "You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters." But, David hasn't shun the books either. They have had their place in his studies.

     

David and Natalie Jones

He did out grow playing and exploring Deep Creek. His interest in nature and its science took a second seat while he quietly begin to notice the girls, rather they begin to notice him. Jalyn Hartle asked him to Sadie Hawkins dance during his Junior year. His Senior year, he was asked to the Sadies by Natalie Jones. He never invested in a steady girlfriend in his high school years which was welcomed and encouraged by us.

David and Jalyn Hartle

     He is prudent, a planner, wise but also a giver. He still wears for best dress some western boots that he paid Trent for while they were still living at home some years ago. Other than a few rubs here and there they look really good and classy on his feet. He loves those old boots. He had also saved his Uintah County Sheriff Juvenile Identification Cards with his finger prints. I filed two of them in his family files that he left behind when he got married. He probably has the rest. David is a saver.
     He graduated from Uintah High School in 1992. After graduation we helped him purchase his first car. It was a red 1992 Pontiac Grand Am. David loved his

 David graduated from Uintah High School 
in 1992

     

1992 Grand Am

car and pampered it. He felt really bad when he nearly ran off the road coming home from Altamont, Utah after a date. The roads were wet and the car hydroplaned and got a scratch on one side. Then a few years after he was married, a Native American pulled out in front of him and his family as they were coming home for Thanksgiving. It happened near the Fort Duchesne turn-off on Highway 40. The insurance company said it was a total loss. His family was not hurt. We could tell he felt bad that the car could not be restored. Otherwise (knowing our son) he would have had that car for many more years.
     His career choice and interest was to become an electrical engineer. We enrolled him in I.T.T. in Salt Lake City. While attending school, David lived in the home we had purchased in Orem, Utah. We purchased it so my parents would have a place to stay while they served as ordinance workers in the Provo Temple. They had some near misses and quite serious accidents in their traveling back and forth. It was a three hour drive each way for them weekly. They had hit an elk, experienced another near accident when an avalanche missed them about 3/4 of a mile before they arrived at the point of the slide. It blocked the road for awhile before traffic could flow again. Of course, they were late for their temple assignments. Coming home late one night, as they were accustomed, Dad dozed causing them to have a fairly serious accident.

Orem, Utah home

      At that point, it was apparent that we needed a new plan. Mother and I went house hunting. Dale and I helped Mother and Dad with the down payment and we made the monthly payments with the agreement that the house would be ours. Mother and dad did not pay any payments or rent, nor did we expect them too. It also helped us since we were able to have a place to stay when we did a session at the temple. The home benefited not only us but many others in the families. Chad lived there for awhile and Shannon did also. David of course lived there while he attended school. Maria and Kami also lived there together. It was convenient for when I had teacher in-service classes in the Wasatch area. The house served us well for a few years.
      When the girls were asked what could be added to David's story, Maria said he had O.C.D (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), he had to have things perfect. Once Michelle was eating next to him enjoying her food. David said to her, "Are you hungry or is it going out of style?" Maria said it sounded so funny she could not help but laugh until tears ran down her cheeks even though she felt that it hurt Michelle's feelings. Trent remembers him shaving a stray cat to look like a lion. The owner posted a sign in the LaPoint Post Office asking who had done such a mean thing. David's own dog fell victim also. Was it a coincidence? He remained silent with a smile. His dog benefited during the hot days of summer and the cat was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 
     One more story worth mentioning; Dale, David and a friend had a summer job at the LaPoint Great Lakes Saw Mill. Before his friend arrived at work one day, David painted his friend's hardhat the colors of a ladybug and added the final touch, antennas and legs. His friend loved it and wore the hard hat with much pleasure for several minutes, until some of the men started to call him LADYBUG. The hat was quickly replaced with a new one. Yes, David could be a tease, but seemed to be able to keep it from getting out of control. He knew when to step back while everyone was smiling, most of the time! He liked things perfect but wasn't perfect!

David and Richelle 

     He married Richelle Ames, the daughter of Rodger and Linda Ames, 20 May 1995 in a double wedding ceremony with Richelle's sister, Charlotte. Charlotte married Jesse Atwood. David and Richelle first rented an apartment in Provo and then eventually moved into the Orem home. Dad's health was not good so mother and dad decided that they needed to give up their temple assignment and move back home. All four of David and Richelle's
girls were born while they lived in the Orem. He worked at Alcoa in his field of training, and took additional classes at Utah Valley Community College. He worked his way up to a responsible position in the company. Eventually, we sold them the home in Orem. They had a desire though to move home to the Basin. It was accomplished when David got a job with Questar as an electrician. He earned his journeyman license at Utah State in Roosevelt. He is now E and I Foreman (Electrical and Instrumentation Foreman), which is now called Tesoro Logistics. The company has changed its name three times since David was hired on.

Vernal LDS Temple
Samantha (Sami) and David
Adrianne (Dee dee) and Richelle

     They were sealed as a eternal family 20 January 2004 in the Vernal, Utah LDS Temple.
     David has had a couple of noticeable refining moments in his life. When Sami was born a picture was taken of him at just the right moment showing a tear on his lower lid. The other, a more serious experience, was that Faith McKay his last daughter was life-flighted to Salt Lake City after her birth. Richelle was kept in the Orem hospital, and David went with their baby. There he remained until all was well and he could take her home. David is a caring, kind, compassionate father. 
     

David and Kinleigh

All children are attracted to this son of God. They seem to flock to his peaceful countenance. Richelle says she has other pictures of him showing this connection and devotion for the youth as in this picture of David with Kinleigh (Trent's granddaughter) just taken at our 2016 Van Leuven Family Reunion depicts.

I love this picture of Samantha following in her father's footsteps as she entertains her ill great-grandmother. It made my heart soar when I saw it on Facebook.

This quote is a nice way to close David's story.

    David has not accomplished the good things in his family alone. Richelle is a special mother, wife, and excellent example for their girls. They are a special family.
     After Cody's need of needing someone to take care of Callie became apparent David and Richelle took her into their family. She melted into the family as one of them.







David and Richelle's children are;
Samantha Arlene, October 1, 1998 in American Fork, Utah County, Utah
Adrianne A., May 31, 2000 in American Fork, Utah County, Utah
Kylee Shiree, May 5, 2004 in Orem, Utah County, Utah
Faith McKay, January 9, 2006 in Orem, Utah County, Utah

Left to right back: Samantha, David, Richelle, and Adrianne
Left to right front: Faith and Kylee

Trent D.

     Trent D. Van Leuven was born the 18th of February, 1970. As the 17th of February came to a close after many hours of labor  the clock on the wall in the delivery room ticked toward midnight. Dr. Terry M. Buxton said, "it appears we are going to have a midnight baby." Sure enough! Before we heard his first cry we noticed a stream of yellowish liquid shoot straight up. Dr. Buxton ducked to miss the full force of Trent's announcement to Earth Life. He had just emptied his functioning bladder. After a healthy cry we all were notified, "It's a Boy!" Dr. Buxton then asked if we wanted to put on his birth certificate his birthdate as the 17th or 18th. We chose the 18th for a new day for a new baby.

Shirleen, Trent, Dale and Dale Ray

    Dale Ray had been concerned that he would have to share his toys, and even worse his new brother would break them. That was quickly resolved when he could see that this threat was not going to change his world too much. This new brother was not going anywhere by himself. He loved him!
     It was my turn to choose a name. A couple of months before his arrival. I heard a student tell another that his aunt was going to name her new baby, Trent. The name sank into my soul with a peaceful understanding that this was my baby's name. The name Trent is still pleasant in my soul. The 'D' of course stands for Dale. Ultrasounds were not know as they are today.  We were left to guess and wait for the delivery of the baby to know if we were having a boy or girl. We actually enjoyed the mystery, and then the announcement. "It's a boy!" It was like opening a special gift Christmas morning.
     Trent was six months old when school started. My sister Lanette, agreed to tend Trent during the day while I was teaching school. Nels had just finished school and was working on his thesis. They needed the income and the arrangement helped both of us. We were still remodeling the home we purchased from Keith and Carma Hartle. Also we had purchased 5 acres of land to build on in the future. We knew our little home would not house us for too many years and did not have a strong foundation. Dale's vehicles always 
seemed to get in the way of my desired goals. I was exhausted, but I went back to the classroom anyway. I really would have liked to have been home. But we needed the extra income! I began to have spells of probably postpartum, melt downs of depression and exhaustion.

At Grandmother Van Leuven's home, Dec. 1970.
Dale and Dale Ray, 4 years.
Shirleen and Trent, 10 months.

     Finally, about March 1971 I hit rock bottom and was hospitalized. My mind and body were sick! I felt as if I was going to loose my mind. My mother tried desperately but patiently to convenience me I was fine in an effort to keep me from crashing completely. She'd tell me she understood every strange feeling I was experiencing, but I was just sure she'd never felt as I did. Dale and my father gave me priesthood blessings which supported me a lot, but then once again I'd battle with another spell. My heart would race and my senses were numb. I lived in a fog, parts of my body would suddenly go numb, fear ruled me, and many awful nightmares would awaken me in a cold sweat. Name it, I believe I had it. My mind was receptive to what others said around me and would often send me reeling into a panic. Dr. Buxton finally decided to put me in the hospital for a few days. It turned out to be a learning experience and a spiritual strength that I have never forgotten. Not one women from the ward came to me and told me of their struggles with the same affliction. They all seemed so confident and put together. This added to my loneliness and mystery.  What surprised me it was men that came forth with compassion. Were the women too ashamed or prideful to admit they had times when they were depressed? Dr. Terry Buxton came to my hospital room and told me his mother had experienced and I was not the only person that had a mental breakdown. Dr. Madsen came in and sat down by my bed and told me after he finished medical school he crashed. He had learned when he felt life closing in on him he knew he had to get away. He'd leave everything and go! Then he said, "Infact, at this very moment I am fighting it." What great doctors, son's of God, and priesthood holders! One of them even took time to give me a blessing one day. I admire them to this day. President Bellon of the Roosevelt West Stake called and said Dr. Buxton asked him if he'd give me a call. He said he'd gone to see Dr. Buxton a couple of years ahead with depression and exhaustion. He told me of his breakdown after becoming stake president. He'd began worrying about the many women that came to him with depression issues. He could not get them off of his mind, plus his son had revealed a serious problem he had. He believed the Lord allowed him to experience a severe depression so he could understand the women in his stake. A newly returned missionary Richard Lamb, from LaPoint Ward came to my hospital room one day during a horrible few hours and gave me a blessing. I recognized the spirit had sent him. I felt the peace that followed. Dale and Dad had done likewise. My brother Raymond tired to build me up. Life had not been easy for him. I know Dale didn't understand and felt helpless. I left the hospital not feeling I was ready to go home, but Dr. Buxton told me I needed to get back to my duties and gain confidence and strength in myself. He was right! St. Francis of Assisi said, "Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." Dale's uncle (President of his Salt Lake stake) Duayne Johnson came to our home and almost repeated the same words President Bellon had. I'd had witness after witness of many mortal angels coming to my aide. Miracles! God is still a God of miracles. (Mormon 9:19). I had been home a few days, when I could feel a panic attack was starting to engulf me. Doubt flooded into my mind. I thought, "Maybe all those that said they understood and had experienced didn't really understand the depth of what I was feeling." I went into the backyard where I didn't feel imprisoned in my home. As I plead in prayer, I glanced over at the beautiful green field of alfalfa across the road. The still small voice spoke to my mind and said, "Gather a handful of alfalfa and put it into your blender with some water. And drink the water." I drank about a fourth of the green water once each day for several days. After about three days my depression was gone! My head cleared! Obedience to the voice healed me. God had healed me. I did not doubt! I knew it and I knew God knew I knew. If I ever struggle again over anything I know where to go for comfort and peace. Dale was patient, helpful, and endured to the end of our trial. A trial that made me stronger, and I'm sure had a purpose for him and others also. 

End of the table - Duayne Johnson.  
Left side back to front- Duayne's wife Venna Johnson,
 Vera Van Leuven, Dale Ray Van Leuven,
Jeanine Van Leuven, Shirleen Van Leuven.
Right side back to front - Ione Simpson,
Del Simpson leaning back, Marva and Eldred, and
Kathy Johnson.

     Trent came to know many family faces. All of them good people that were the best example for a child to be raised among. Even today family is important to him. He has a real need to hold them close. He is one of our great supporters of annual family reunions. Family association is really important to Trent. 
     The traditions started with Dale Ray continued. Family gatherings, Sundays at Grandmother Van Leuven's, and holiday celebrations were observed. The annual LaPoint Ward Christmas program which always brought Santa Claus with everyone singing, 'Here Comes Santa Claus.' Santa always had a good sized bag of peanuts and candy for all the children and adults. The Fourth of July and Twenty-fourth of July always meant we'd go to Vernal to Grandmother's. She lived by the Maeser Road which gave us a wonderful view of the fireworks. Occasionally, Grandmother Van Leuven and Kent would plan a picnic in a peaceful mountain area. We got to know family by attending

Shirleen and Jeanine (Ray's wife)

wedding receptions, extended family gatherings etc. Grandmother Van Leuven's sister Evelyn lived nearby and visited with grandmother often. Uncle Duayne was another frequent visitor. His cheery personally was always a special treat. Norman, another brother was spoken of often. He was greatly missed by his family. The plane he flew went down somewhere over France near Domfront. Occasionally, those that lived far visited. Grandmother had sisters that lived in Nevada and Connecticut. In later years Grandmother did a lot of tripping with them. It was fun to hear their stories and see the items she would purchase from other countries and the states they visited. Some of the places over seas they visited were Russia and Israel. She even stayed a week with a family in Russia.

Trent's first birthday. 
Picture taken at Grandmother Van Leuven's.
Left to right - Dale Ray, Trent and Shirleen.
February 1971

     The souvenirs adorned her
living room and made good 
conversation topics for the grandchildren. They learned many things from her.
     Many good memories surround Grandmother. She was a very important figure in all of the children's lives. I believe we can speak for all of her grandchildren.
     

Demolished station wagon. The motor has been
ripped from the rest of the car. 

Wednesday, February 3, 1971 did not end well. Dale and Trent had stopped by his mother's on their way home. Dale Ray and I had rode back to Vernal to do some normal errands with my parents. Dale was an excellent husband and father and always helped to support me in the care of the boys. He was doing just that on this evening or Trent would have been with us in Mother and Dad's station wagon. He could have been killed or injured. We did not have infant car seats in those days. Being just short of his first birthday he would have been on my lap in the front seat. After all was accomplished in Vernal we drove home after the sun had set. As we topped the hill at the Whiterocks Canal, a horse crossed the road right in our lane as another car with their brights on approached us from the opposite direction. Dad didn't have time to stop and we hit the horse! The hoof of the horse slammed through the front window and hit Dad in the head knocking him unconscious and throwing glass everywhere. After loosing control of the car, we came to rest in the icy canal after passing through a fence. The car was demolished. Our bodies worked small pieces of glass from our scalps and skin for several months after.

Shalamar Reception Center Salt Lake City.
15 June 1971
Left to right - Beverly's parents, William J. and
Gayle Dittmer, Beverly Kay Dittmer, Raymond, and
Velma, Leland Perry.

     Raymond married Beverly Kay Dittmer on 15 June, 1971. Dale Ray and Trent had learned to love their Uncle Raymond and Uncle Kent. They were good role models. 
     Like Dale Ray, Trent attended Headstart in LaPoint, and Maeser Elementary. He had many close friends. Cory Harrison, Dean Clerico, and George Hartle were from LaPoint. Once he started school in Maeser they added Scott Atwood and Randy Griffths to their tight friendship unit. Pete Harrison was also a good friend. He enjoyed being with him on his family farm among the livestock.
      Trent has always stepped forward to help others when others needed or needs assistance. Although at home, he could be a real pest. His forte was TEASING! Later as his siblings arrived they were his victims. He could keep the girls in total misery. To have him in the car with me and the other children was a nightmare, to say the least. Often he'd raise the roost and then run off to grandmother's until the feathers were settled again. He and grandmother were the best of buds because of his frequent visits. Trent was hyper enough that he was never happy in front of the television. He had to be doing something. He loved being with friends on their farms among the animals. David Murray, a neighbor, was one of his special haunts especially during branding time or round-ups. During the summers the boys would earn a little money rolling hay bales etc. "They say it takes a community to raise a child." Trent made that statement true. LaPoint had many good friends, neighbors, and family that were an asset in his future. 

Trent and Nona 
Dressed in their best for Prom
1988

     He begin dating Nona Lynn Rynes his Junior year. They broke up for the summer. She asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance during his Senior year, and they continued to date.
     He graduated from Uintah High School with the class of 1988.

Senior Class picture
1988

He married Nona Lynn Rynes the summer after graduation on the 7th July 1988. 
     We worried about him making a living at such a young age, but he went to work and put our worries to rest. He has been very resourceful, wise, and talented in making a living for his family. Trent became a self-taught chemical engineer, serving in the Uintah and Duchesne oil field production, which lead him to build businesses of his own. He built a business which he named 'Stinger One,' serving oil wells with chemicals and servicing wells on location; and a second one under the title of 'Liberty Sales', selling supplies for wells including gloves and safety glasses.
      His greatest accomplishment was experiencing his own spiritual awakening. Often those awakenings come through an affliction. There are not many trials that come with much more pain than divorce.

Kati Marie, Charidi Rae, and
Kaden Lee Van Leuven

Trent loves his family! His children are his greatest treasure. The very thought of loosing them was about more than he could bare. His suffering caused him to loose a lot of weight even though he didn't need too in those days.  We still recall how ill he was Thanksgiving, 1993. He spent the day on the bed. He had just come to understand the full outcome of his marriage. Nona and Trent's divorce was finalized 29 March, 1994. Nona married Lane Joseph.
    Trent has his own spiritual story of repentance, redemption, and learning to listen to the Lord's voice, and obedience. When he hears others say things about coming unto Christ, he always says, "Yep!" He knows! He walked it. It is not done in a day! He also knows that life can still be a challenge even though one is spiritually awake.
    There is a quote by an unknown, "When someone steps out of your life, let them go. You can go on! They are not a bad person. It just means you pack into your suitcase another experience of goods to take on your journey. This part of your journey is over." True and full of wisdom, except for one thing. Our special little ones! Much knee bending was yet ahead, not for just Trent but all of us.

    The children born to Trent and Nona are: Kati Marie, 22 February, 1989 born in Vernal, Utah, Uintah County.
Charidi Rae, 5 March, 1990, born in Vernal, Utah, Uintah County.
Kaden Lee, 18 October, 1992, born in Vernal, Utah, Uintah County.

      
     After his divorce he met Alaina Bastian from Neola, Utah. She had been raised on her parent's farm and had been around farm animals all her life. She had learned to ride horses, drive cattle herds, participate in rodeos and had been Neola's Rodeo queen. One can easily see how the Lord directs our paths.

Trent and Alaina

     Trent and Alaina were married 17 August, 1996.

Left to right - Dale, Shirleen, Alaina, Trent, David, Michelle, Rayma
Maria and Dale Ray are missing from the picture.

     They began their marriage in a Vernal apartment and later purchased a home in Vernal where the are still raising their family as of today 25 July, 2016.
     Trent has progressed through his priesthood to the office of an Elder. 

     The children born to Trent and Alaina are;
Shaylynn    12 January, 1997, Roosevelt, Utah, Duchesne County.
Chenille B.  21 September, 1999, Roosevelt, Utah, Duchesne County.
Korven T.    31 May, 2003, Vernal, Utah, Uintah County.
Kenndi C.   18 February 2009, Roosevelt, Utah, Duchesne County.

Back left to right - Charidi, Alaina, Korven (in Trent's arms), Trent, Kati
Front left to right - Kaden, Shaylynn, Chenille
Picture taken in front of the Vernal, Utah Temple 27 March, 2007.

     Trent and Alaina were endowed and sealed, 27 March 2004 in the Vernal LDS Temple, Vernal, Utah, Uintah County. All the children were sealed to them on that day.
     Alaina is what a 'help-mate' is all about.' She has been at Trent's side in building up the businesses. Trent has supported her in rodeos. Alaina takes a great role in making the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo a success every July and has done so for several years. She has helped to train the flag riders and has ridden with them. Also taking part in the celebration's parade. Trent has helped haul horses and tend the younger children during these occasions, and been an attentive part of the audience. Shaylynn and Chenille (Chelli) have rode and

Rodeo flag riders mounted and ready for action as another Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo is ready to commence. It is always fun to watch their colorful performance.


 participated with their own horses. The children are involved in sports with the full support of their parents. They are involved in their community and ward.  They are hard workers and are continually helping others in one form or another. 

    The family enjoys having fun, as one can see by this picture and the announcement in the local newspaper, The Vernal Express. 
      Trent and Alaina find a lot of enjoyment in supporting their children in hockey, soccer etc. They look forward toward mounting horses and moving cattle off the mountain each Fall for Alaina's parents. They are great supporters of the Van Leuven Reunions. These are activities that hold families together. Most importantly the true gospel of Jesus Christ is the real cement.

Korven is on Kaden's shoulders. Charidi is holding Kenndi.
Shaylynn and Kati on far right. Chenille front of Kati.
Trent and Alaina

     The years are adding to their family. The three older children are starting families of their own.

     

Back left to right - Robert and Kati Johnstun, Shaylynn, Chenille, Alaina and Trent, Charidi and Blair Beyer
Front left to right - KinLeigh,(Kati and Rob's daughter) Kenndi, Korven
Kaden is missing from the picture.

As of this date 25 July, 2016 they have three grandchildren.      
KinLeigh Marie, N. Kayzlyn (Kati's)
Kashton (Kaden's)
Expecting a girl in August (Charidi)
Update 9-26-17: Navie Rae is Charidi's girl. She just had her 1st birthday.
Kaden and Mackley Young is expecting a girl in March, 2018.
Kati is expecting also. They do not want to know until the arrival whether they are getting a boy or girl. Fun!