SAHRA ADELL DENNING WESTERGARD

Sarah Adell Denning was born July 28, 1884 to James Henry Denning, Sr. and Rosanna Williams Denning in Malad, Idaho.

Sarah's father and uncles hauled freight from Corine, Utah to places in Idaho and Montana. It was while traveling through the Snake River Valley that her father became interested in the valley's potential, and in 1884 took up a homestead. It was located 2 1/2 miles south of Iona. He had a new log house nearly finished when he moved his family permanently from Malad in July, 1887. Sarah was 3 years old at the time.

One of the first Sunday Schools Sarah attended was in the home of Calwallader Owens. The room was crowded and the younger children had to sit on the bed. Church services were held in Ole Olsen's log house. Many of the families came in wagons with spring seats. Later, the old rock church was built and used for a school as well as for church. She attended school in the church, in top of the store building and finally in the new brick school house.

Sarah was interested in following her mother's footsteps and becoming a nurse but she met Peter Holst Westergard. After a short courtship, they were married on December 21, 1904 in the Logan LDS Temple.

In 1906 Pete and Sarah bought a 40 acre farm 2 miles south of Iona from Sarah's father. Mr. Denning had homesteaded 160 acres of land in 1884. As some of his children got married he sold 4 of them each a 40 acre farm.

Pete and Sarah were always active in church and community affairs and were good neighbors to all. Pete died October 7, 1952. In later years, Sarah was called on a Stake Mission. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and was the first captain of the James E. Steele Camp. She was also a member of the Iona Widows Book of Mormon Group.

Sarah died April 13, 1972, in a Rexburg, Idaho hospital of causes incident to age.

She was survived by sons and a daughter; Riley Denning Westergard and Glen Denning Westergard, both of Idaho Falls; Eldon Denning Westergard of Pocatello, Idaho; Mrs. Daniel (Wanda) Letham, Driggs, Idaho; 22 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and two sons, LaVerl and Gilbert Westergard.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Iona ward chapel.

Burial will be in the Iona cemetery.