Obituaries for the week of 6/14/17
Nancy Dixon
Nancy Ann Stapley Dixon passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2017, in Ivins, Utah. Born Sept. 3, 1932, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nancy was the third child of Helen Mikesell and John Laurence Stapley. She was raised in the beautiful forested mountains of Meadow Valley, attending school in a one-room schoolhouse as a child, and later graduating from Quincy High School.
Nancy met Frank Dixon In Oxnard, where Frank was stationed in the U.S. Navy. She waited for Frank as he was deployed to the Philippines during the Korean War. They shared many tender love letters while they were apart.
Frank and Nancy were married in the IDS Idaho Fails Temple Dec. 11, 1953. This wonderful union was blessed with six children, Mark (Robin), David (Jana), James (Lisa), Carolyn Leavitt (Wade), Abby Bergqulst-Armstrong (Mike) and Andrew (Heidi).
It is difficult to measure the powerful impact Nancy’s life of service had on others. She loved music. Her family could not afford a piano, but from a very early age she was known to draw keys on a box and pretend to play. She didn’t have her first formal piano lesson until she was 16 years old, but from then on she would play at every opportunity. Known as “Sister Dixon” to most, she is credited with instilling the love of music in countless numbers of children and youth. She founded and organized children’s and youth choirs in the Las Vegas valley, the first being known as the 23rd Ward Children’s Choir. Many of the children of the choir continued to sing for her in youth choirs into their teenage years. From “Sing a Song” to “50 Nifty Untied States” and “A Special Night” (“Little Bird”), from sacred religious performances to special celebrations of Independence Day and Christmas, she taught her choir children to be brave and proud singers (even the boys) and thrilled audiences through the decades.
She was admired by hundreds and her influence has been felt by thousands.
Among her many talents, Nancy loved to sew. She often made her and her children’s clothing in the early years of motherhood. Store-bought shirts and dresses hardly existed until her children reached their adolescent years. She was particularly famous for replacing the knees of the boys’ worn out jeans, extending their wear and making neighborhood boys and their mothers jealous with the new jeans style. She made her daughters’ beautiful wedding dresses with exquisite detail and precision.
Nancy also made hundreds of treasured baby blankets and gave them away to new mothers. She loved babies (all the babies) and wanted them to be wrapped up snug and warm.
Nancy was a friend to many and continued a lifelong friendship with her high school girlfriends. One of her greatest loves was joining them in reunions year after year to reminisce and recount fond memories. She loved her very large circle of friends in her church, especially those who were her partners and co-directors in children’s and youth choirs, and those she served with in many of her church callings.
As a woman of great faith and testimony, Nancy dedicated her life to the service of the Lord. She served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. One of the highlights of her life was serving a mission for the church in South Africa from 1999-2001. Experiences in South Africa were profoundly influential on her as she developed a love for all of God’s children while in their service. She shared stories of this time with all of her grandchildren. She was also the Matron of the LDS Las Vegas Temple from 2003-2006, where she served alongside her husband who was the Temple President. She found great reverence and peace in the temple. Nancy loved the Lord, her family, her friends, the temple, music and serving others.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, her sister Connie Glattly and her son-in-law Barry Bergquist (Abby). She is survived by her loving husband, Frank; her six children; her brother, Robert Stapley (Suzanne); sisters, Anita Gerry, Nikki Vanetti (Guilio) and Cynthia Stapley; and her beloved 35 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. Her tremendous legacy will live on forever in the lives of all those who were blessed to know and love her.
Burial will be in the Meadow Valley cemetery, Wednesday, June 14, at 11:30 a.m.
Karen Elaine Eade
Chester resident Karen Elaine Eade passed from this life unexpectedly, Monday evening, June 6, 2017, at Enloe Medical Center located in Chico.
Born in Paris, France, to a career military father, Ralph Wyant and his wife Beverly (Ruffin) Wyant, Karen was raised and educated throughout the world as her father served his country. She was a 1972 graduate of Crater Lake High School in Medford, Oregon, and went on to attend beauty college becoming a licensed cosmetologist. She had worked in the field for some 15 years in Stockton, Sacramento and Chester.
While she was attending beauty college she was introduced to a handsome young college student named Alan Roy Eade and as their love for one another blossomed the couple was united in matrimony on June 25, 1974, in Minden, Nevada. To this union two daughters were born.
The couple moved to the Northeastern California community of Chester twenty-three years ago from Sacramento and Karen went to work for the Seneca Healthcare District’s housekeeping department before following in her husband footsteps obtaining her certification as a phlebotomist.
Karen was an accomplished seamstress who enjoyed quilting, crocheting and knitting as well as traveling with her husband. The couple had just returned from a trip to South America.
In her passing she leaves her husband, Alan, of Chester; daughters, Heather Claypool, of Sacramento and Kelly Keuster and her husband Steven, of Medford, Oregon; along with three precious grandchildren.
She joins her sister and one grandchild in their eternal home.
A celebration of her life is being planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, at the family residence, 369 First Ave., Chester. An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com. The family asks that any remembrances in Karen’s memory be made to the Breast Cancer Society c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 803, Greenville, CA 95947.
Douglas Bruce Morgan
Portola resident Douglas Bruce Morgan passed from this life Monday evening, June 5, 2017, at his residence at the age of 71.
Born in San Jose on Dec. 17, 1945, he was raised and educated in San Jose graduating from Lincoln High School as a member of the Class of 1963. He went on to further his education attending Community College in San Jose where he studied journalism.
Throughout his life, Doug owned and operated numerous businesses and after developing a fascination for trains at a young age was most proud of developing the famous Wine Train touring the Napa Valley vineyards.
Doug moved to the community of Delleker and later Portola twenty years ago. His passion for the railroad brought him to become an active part of the Portola Railroad Museum. He had collected rail equipment to include locomotives as well as a rail maintenance truck. He found relaxation in spending time with his many friends as well as continuing his love of journalism, writing.
In his passing he leaves his daughter and son-in-law Cheri and Chris Ethen, of Oakdale, Minnesota, along with his grandchildren, Kenny, Joey, Nicholas, Jacob, Luke and Michaela.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul at St. Peters Catholic Church in North St. Paul, Minnesota with interment to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com. The family asks that any remembrances in his memory be made to the Portola Railroad Museum c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. 2215, Portola. CA 96122