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| Pictured L to R: Joanne Bastian, Hattie Jensen, Faye Horrocks, Margie Houston |
Compiled By: Shallin Squire
If you know the four women chosen as the Grand Marshals of this year's Neola Independence Day Celebration, you can understand why they were chosen together. Individually, they have made innumerable contributions to their community; when they get together, they accomplish more than four times as much good and have a lot of fun doing it!
JoAnn Labrum Bastian was born March 28, 1934, in Vernal to Edgar and Veda Labrum. She married Elvin D. Bastian on October 31, 1951. Elvin and JoAnn raised 7 children on their farm in Neola.
When the Bastians first moved to Neola 6 decades ago, they joined the Community Club, an organization that raised money to build a better community. Elvin spent countless hours welding and building the Neola rodeo arena. When rodeos were held, he was there as both a volunteer and a participant; meanwhile, JoAnn helped run the queen pageant, concession stands, sign ups, and ticket sales. Between rodeos, JoAnn kept her husband's workmanship at the rodeo grounds looking new with fresh coats of paint.
JoAnn served lunch to hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of children while working in the kitchen at Neola Elementary School. Her time at the school wasn't limited to paid hours, though: she donated countless hours to put on carnivals and events for the children. I, personally, can attest to that as my mouth waters as my mind clearly recalls her serving Navajo tacos at the annual Halloween Carnival and lip-smacking-good baked goodies after field day each year!
Members of the Bastian family have been dedicated supporters of the Neola 4th of July celebration and are excited to see their mother/ grandmother honored for her quiet but meaningful contributions to the community. The celebration will also be an opportunity to reminisce about happy times with Elvin, who passed away in 2001.
Fay Horrocks was born in Naples, Utah, to Hazel and Dell Goodrich. She attended Naples Grade School and Uintah High School.
Fay is the youngest of four children and her parents' only daughter. As a child, Fay enjoyed traveling through Wyoming and Montana with her father, who was a sheep shearer. She has fond memories of riding the sheep herders' horses and playing on the wool bags; of course, tick removal was a must after such adventures!
In 1953, Fay was smitten by a handsome young cowboy named Howard Horrocks and was married three months later. The couple settled in Neola in 1969 and created a beautiful home and ranch through "a lot of hard work and good times." She has spent many summers and hundreds of hours baling and hauling hay, but the cattle at the Horrocks Ranch have never been as impressed with her abilities and beauty as Howard was. "She has been chased by more cows than any person should ever be able to lay claim to," her daughter Jerilyn stated.
Fay has served willingly in numerous church callings and volunteered in many local organizations. She especially remembers the Halloween carnivals she helped put on each year at the old Neola Elementary.
Fay has always shown support to her children in their many activities, from organized sports to daredevil stunts.
Mrs. Horrocks is the mother of 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 18 grandchildren. Howard passed away in January of this year, and as his headstone states, the Horrocks' "posterity is their greatest harvest."
Margie Ross Houston was born and raised in Arcadia, Utah. She married George Houston in 1963, and they made their home in Whiterocks for a short time before settling in Neola to raise their family.
Margie has been involved in several community events, past and present. She once served as the PTO president at Neola Elementary, during which she headed efforts to raise money to pay for the school's water lines.
The Houstons were also involved in the Community Club. Margie remembers the club's installing the bell at the Neola LDS Church and the "Welcome to Neola" signs.
Margie is well known for her involvement in the 4-H program. Each of her children was successful in many competitions, and she continues to help her grandchildren raise prize animals and make blue-ribbon-worthy goods in the kitchen.
Margie worked at ConAmore School for 27 years and drove the school bus for 30 years. She currently serves on the King's Peak Credit Union board of directors, is an officer of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and works in the Vernal LDS temple.
Margie has served in many church capacities, but regardless of her assignments, she can always be found assisting and supporting others. Margie is often the first to respond to someone's need with kind words, a loaf of homemade bread, and anything else she has to offer.
Margie continues to run the Houston farm in Neola and knows exactly how to do it well. She worked alongside George until his passing in 2007 in the Neola North fire, and she's now passing on her talents and knowledge to their 19 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Hattie Gardner Jensen was raised in Neola with 8 siblings. At one point in time, her family lived in one of 2 homes that had a telephone, so the Gardner children would ride their horses to give people messages.
Hattie married her high-school sweetheart, Ray, in 1951. They raised their 6 children in Neola.
Hattie used to help paint the Neola rodeo grounds before the annual celebration and cleaned up afterward. She was a rodeo fan for years as she watched Ray and her grandsons in different events in the arena. Nowadays, she uses the grounds for her daily walks.
Hattie has worked as a volunteer in the Vernal LDS Temple since the first week it began operating in November of 1997. She serves there one day each week and has only been absent when she underwent chemotherapy for 4 months last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Hattie has been equally faithful in all of her church callings.
Hattie has quilted with other women from Neola for many years. She also loves making her Neola-famous fudge, sweet rolls, and dinner rolls.
Over the past 16 years, she has gradually lost her eyesight, but Hattie doesn't let that stop her or even slow her down, and you certainly won't hear her complaining. Hattie has accepted and dealt with that trial, and she continues to cook and care for herself and her home and family. Her positive attitude and sense of humor have helped her through many challenges and have made the world a little brighter for everyone who spends time with her. Ray passed away in 2006, but Hattie said: "I do miss Ray, but I know where he is, so it's all right. We [her friends and family] have a lot of fun together!"
Mrs. Jensen is the proud grandmother of 17 and happily declares that she has 24 ½ great grandchildren.
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