Little Farm Town

After spending time in Richfield for Grandma Beth’s funeral, the sisters, RJ, mom, Kristi and I decided to take a little detour on the way home and visit the Farm and Fishlake. It was the perfect day for a ride. It was especially cathartic for me and gave me time to be introspective about all that has happened lately. You see, both of my parents grew up in Richfield so both sides of my family kind of merge together in this little farm town. Sometimes I’m amazed it can hold all my memories within its boundaries. Punchbags, fireworks, swimming all day long, herding the cows, driving the tractor, the dairy, games at the park. It all may seem childish…but that’s just it, that’s where I was a child…just like my parents. It’s something so special and so unique. I will always visit, I will always go there…it’s a part of me just like it’s a part of them.

During the visits and weeks in Richfield we would always travel to Big Rock Candy Mountain and Fishlake with both parents, cousins and grandparents. We would eat at Bowery Haven in Fishlake were Grandma Beth would order a “cheeseburger without the cheese” and a “coke."

The one common thread was always the love and laughter that was felt. Richfield has always been a happy and safe place for me. I will always think of family, togetherness, legacy and love when I go there mentally or physically. My history is there and I know my future is too.

Grandma 2008

Goodbye Sweet Grandma

It's hard to believe it's been a week since Grandma passed. The air still catches in my throat when I think of it and the tears seem to surface without warning.

The funeral was beautiful. My sisters and Amy worked really hard to put the special touches to it that only Grandma would admire. Dad and Casey both spoke and each brought an incredible depth and individuality to their relationship with Grandma Beth to life again. Friends and family came from all over to honor and pay tribute to a woman, a mother, a wife, a friend, a sister, a grandma...an over all smiling face. There were so many fun stories told about Grandma's early years and her spit fire attitude...I think that runs in the family. There were love stories told of tenderness between her children and husband that I will cherish always. Of coarse, the fond memories I have over the last years with Grandma are still fresh in my mind and heart...it's kinda wierd to go to my dads and not have her there...that was the first thing Stacey, Casey and I would always do...walk over to Grandma's bed in the living room and give her a kiss.

I want her to be in a happy place and I know that's where she is...it's just the adjusting and the rawness of the wound that needs to heal. Until then I snuggle up with a blanket I made her, close my eyes and go walking with her at the farm or take a quick run up to Fishlake.

I love you Grandma! You are forever in my soul...ti amo!

Beth Hicken Erickson

Beth Hicken Erickson passed away peacefully on August 3, 2009 in Bountiful, Utah. She was born May 26, 1913 in Raymond, Alberta, Canada to Albert and Ruth Skousen Hicken. They lived on a farm in Alberta and Beth was proud of this heritage.

Beth was the oldest child in the family and had three brothers die in infancy. She was preceded in death by sisters LaRue and Hazel, and brothers Reed, Mark and Dale; grandson, Stephen Erick Lynes. Beth married Cleve Erickson on August 26, 1937. The marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple on Sept. 15, 1950. Cleve preceded her in death November 29, 1973. Beth is survived by their three children: Michael C. (Marilynn) of Spanish Fork; Vickie Ruth (Roger) Lynes of Kearns; and Chesley H. (Amy) of Bountiful; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; one brother, Howard (Ethel) Hicken of Raymond, Alberta, Canada.

After growing up in Canada, Beth immigrated to Utah with friends and family in the early 1930's where she worked assisting Dr. Frank Lowe in Logan, Utah and eventually Richfield, Utah. Cleve and Beth met shortly thereafter and enjoyed many good times with other couples, dancing at local spots. They settled in Richfield and developed together a family farm at which both worked many long hard hours. In addition, to assisting Cleve on the farm, Beth worked at the Indian dormitory, Parson's Bakery and at the Senior Citizen's Center. After retiring, Beth enjoyed daily lunch at the Senior Center and loved the people who worked and accompanied her there. She was an avid walker and could be seen with friends on her daily adventures throughout Richfield. Beth was an active member of the LDS Church performing temple work and teaching Sunday school.

Beth was blessed with tremendous neighbors who watched out and cared for her and assisted the family in her later years. She enjoyed traveling with the family and annual excursions to her home town in Canada with her brother, Dale. The highlights of her life were visits from her grandchildren, taking them to the farm, Richfield swimming pool, shopping in town or driving to Fishlake. She was meticulous with her yard and took special care to prune the flowers, mow the lawn and keep everything looking nice. She loved and cared for her dogs and cats that kept her company.

The family is especially appreciative of the care provided to Beth during the final two and one-half years of her life by Rocky Mountain Hospice, her loving tender, Lindsey Wallace, and granddaughters, Stacey Erickson Greenland, Casey Erickson and Chelsea Erickson Smith. While living with Chesley and Amy in Bountiful, Utah, Amy went above and beyond all earthly care and was an angel in caring for Beth. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 7, 2009 at 12:00 Noon in the Magleby Mortuary (50 S. 100 W), in Richfield, Utah. Friends may call at the mortuary from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Richfield City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.

Online guestbook at http://www.maglebymortuary.com/