Elvira Langford

ELVIRA (MICKEY) WILDE LANGFORD
Written by Elvira when she was 71 years old

I was born July 26, 1932 in Rexburg, Idaho. We moved to Ogden Utah
When I was 6 months old. I have 5 sisters Mary, Elda, Neola, Verla, Colleen and
3 brothers Cyril, Royal and Ray.

We were poor but never went hungry. We always had a large garden, and my
Mother canned everything and made our clothes. Also, rich, at the same time
with the teachings of the gospel in our home, as we knelt as a family in prayer
every morning and night to thank our Heavenly Father for our many blessings.

Our home was filled with music as my mother, sisters, and brothers all sang. Mother played the harmonica and piano, except for my Dad and I who could not carry a tune in a bucket with the lid on.

We finally settled and built a home on 32nd street, a big hill in Ogden. We lived there from age 8 to 14.

When I was 12 Heber (grandpa) came to our home to do some plumbing. I
knew at that time that I really liked him. He was 16.

At 14 we moved to a small farm south of Washington Terrace. Built a home
with no electricity, no phone, no mail delivery and a well for water.

I was attending Washington Junior High and a teacher asked me if I would like to try out for a basketball team. I was thrilled as sports was my
life. I started on a small team and then made the Utah Shamrocks. I played for
them for 22 years.
At 16 I got to go to Hawaii to play basketball. My family couldn’t afford it and without telling me Heber paid for my trip. TRUE LOVE.
What an experience it was for someone who had never been further than Salt Lake to the south and Idaho to the North.

I won a Tri State track meet at BYU, for Washington Jr High, winning the 75 yard dash by a record time and was still standing when my daughters attended Washington Jr High. Also
played volleyball, basketball, softball, and bowled later in life.

I think sports kept me on a good path as I was so busy doing the thing I loved.

Went on my first date with Heber when I was 15 to Lagoon. This was the beginning of a long and loving friendship.

At 17 on February 17, 1950 I married Heber in the Salt Lake Temple for time and eternity. We loved each other and were best friends for 47 years.

We lived in an apartment in Ogden for 6 months. Then bought a small house in Washington Terrace that my Dad built for $3500. Heber plumbed it an did a little finishing on it. Moved into our first home in 1950.

February 24, 1951-Karen was born
May 22, 1952-Annette was born
July 1, 1954-Michael Heber was born
July 26, 1955-Robert Otto was born

What a fine family we now had and during all this I was still playing ball
winter and summer. Heber was understanding and watched the children
often for me until they were big enough to take with us.

1959 we built a home on property in front of Heber parents. It was a
duplex. I was now living in my old neighborhood and ward, going to
camp Lomondi going to camp when I was young and loved it. I wanted to go
back and when they talked about it in church I knew I had to go. I paid
the money, Heber watch the kids and I went. They put me to work, and
I became the assistant director. I spent the summers at camp and Heber
watched them until they were old enough to come up. The girls at camp
loved the boys and named the Michele and Roberta. Heber helped maintain
the camp and set up the programs.

As a family we did lots of fun things. Hiking, carrying out our mattresses and sleeping under the stars on hot nights, making our basement into a spook
alley for the kids. I so enjoyed my children and thank God for them.

In 1968 we built a home in Shadow Valley.
At this home
Annette married Craig Peterson
Karen married Brad Jensen
Mike married Susan Anderson
Bob went on a mission
All in 18 months. Bob returned from his mission and married
Miriam Crookston.

1979 sold our home in shadow valley and built a home in Layton
up on the mountain.
1989 Heber gets the itch to move. Took a while to sell.
1990 we bought an old polygamist home built in 1860. It was a mess and I
know the kids thought we were crazy.
We remodeled it and Mike and Celeste and 6 of there 7 sons moved
In one side and Dad and I lived in the other side.

On Easter 1997 Heber had a mild heart attack, they put a stint in and he came
home after a struggle. He had another heart attack and died on
May 12 1997. He was a wonderful, honest, hardworking man who loved his children and grandchildren, and would of loved his great and great greatif he had lived.

At this home many family parties, cook outs, volleyball softball and
sleepovers.

Mom and Dads posterity

4 children
3 mates

21 grandchildren
17 mates

58 great grandchildren
1 due in March
3 mates

4 great great grandchildren
1 due in April

114 including Mom and Dad

We are GREATLY LOVED!!!