Altamont Long Horn Days: Grand Marshalls Harry and Beverly Fieldsted - July 2010

As original as Longhorn Days themselves, it's only natural that Harry and Beverly Fieldsted be honored as Grand Marshalls of the Altamont Longhorn Days celebration this year. Active members of the community, Harry and Beverly Fieldsted are well known and much loved in the tight knit community they grew up in.
    Born in Boneta, Harry Fieldsted grew up farming and ranching. World War II was raging by the time he turned 18, so he enlisted and served in the South Pacific on an ammunition ship in the Maritime Service. When he came back, he re-discovered an old childhood friend, Beverly Holder, who had grown up in Mt. Emmons. She was Beverly Shiner by this time, but the war had made her a widow. Her husband, soldier Burke Shiner, was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Beverly also had a small son, Bill Shiner. Since they were out of high school now and Harry was no longer "that snot nose kid who was a year younger than she was", Harry and Beverly hit it off and soon began dating and were married in 1946 and added three more boys to the family over the years.
    Bill, Terry, Gary and Tony all four kept the Fieldsted's busy and involved. Harry worked hard milking cows and eventually got a herd of his own and began running them on his dad's land. He taught his sons to work hard and enjoy life. Harry and Beverly spent a lot of time in the mountains with their sons and taught them life's lessons as they worked side by side on the family land. Bill, Terry and Gary raised their families in Altamont and still live on family owned land in the area as well. The Fieldsteds have about 80 grand, great and great-great grand children with more on the way.
    "We've had a very good life here in Altamont." Harry says. "We've both been involved in the community as much as possible, we've always taken an active part and been involved in everything. We feel it's a huge honor to be named Grand Marshalls for Altamont Longhorn Days 2010." The Fieldsteds sold all the cows and retired in 2003 and went on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They have always been very active in church serving in many leadership positions and enjoyed their mission to Nauvoo, IL. in 2004. They recently retired as temple workers after 16 years as well.
    Harry says he enjoys retirement, but he's not quite ready for senior citizens groups just yet. He is proud to represent Altamont as Grand Marshall and with his bride of 63 years at his side, he is sure to enjoy every minute. "We know some of the best people in the world here." Beverly gushes. "This is an easy place to live. It's quiet and country, yet it's not too far from the mountains one way and the store the other way. We're sorta centered between the mountains and the shopping and I like that. I love this community and have enjoyed serving any way I can."