MEMORIES OF EMMA

 

When we moved from San Jose to Fair Oaks in 1972, we bought a house in the Allebes neighborhood off Lakeside Way.  Our large lot was over grown and needed clearing.  Thus we first met Ted and Emma when they took a squatty palm tree we didn’t want.  Both our husbands enjoyed gardening and had that in common. I also got to know Judy, Ted’s mother, who lived in a small house at the back of their property. Our children knew each other, and over the years we admired them as a wonderful family, but Emma and I were so busy with our growing families and different church affiliations that we had little chance for much visiting (that came later).

                                                                                                           

However, I certainly admired Emma’s talents.  I was especially impressed by Shenna’s wedding dress, which Emma designed and Shenna made with a skirt like the petals of an inverted tulip. (This dress was designed at Shenna’s request to resemble a dress Emma made for her as a little girl) That was probably the same wedding with a garden reception at their home, except heaven forbid—it rained in California in May!  Emma, always gracious and unflappable, simply moved everyone—with all of us grabbing something--into their fairly small house.  It was very crowded with all those people, but, at least, shoulder-to-shoulder, we certainly got to know each other.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of her quilting classes which I attended (she taught in San Juan Adult Ed ages ago).  She made her classes so much fun, because she was down-to-earth, and an enthusiastic and motivating teacher.  (Unfortunately, I’ve never followed through with quilting.)  I remember a funny story she told the class, about a woman who wanted to pay Emma to make a quilt (I believe as a gift for the woman’s daughter).  It was near Christmas. Emma had her hands full and no time to make a quilt, so she quoted a ridiculous price. The lady took her up on it!  Many a night she burned the midnight oil to finish that one. That was only one example of her kind-heartedness and integrity.

 

Another Emma talent, from which I should have taken lessons, was her organization (and probably, also discipline).  I remember her impressively organized sewing room—in both their homes—where everything was meticulously shelved, in order, labeled, and catalogued. Little wonder she could accomplish so much. 

 

 

After we moved away fourteen years ago and my husband died, I gradually lost touch with many of my old neighbors.  I have been a long-time member of the Sacramento branch of Pen Women, and happily, I got to know Emma even better when she joined several years ago.  We sometimes shared rides to the meetings and visited on the way.  There is an obsolete, feminine equivalent of the term gentleman: gentlewoman, and that perfectly describes Emma, always kind, considerate, and thoughtful.  Also, I cannot believe how she found the time to belong to so many different organizations, and not only belong, but take an active part.  She was our Pen Women president for at least two years.  One of those times she reluctantly agreed to another term, but immediately cautioned us, “Don’t tell Ted!”

 

She was such a gracious and hospitable hostess.  My fondest memories are of our delightful PenWomen Christmas potlucks at the Barrister Lane home.  Emma and Ted had decorated it with so many artistic touches, and at Christmastime we were enchanted by all those unique holiday decorations.  Those were wonderfully warm, and very special gatherings.

 

Emma, thank you for enriching my life with your friendship, and God bless you abundantly for all you gave us.

 

From Pat Biasotti.

Emma - thoughts from Holland

 

Dear Shenna,

 

First we want to say that we feel sorry for the lost of Emma. We have great memories of her. She was always very kind and had a great hart on the right place. We wish you all lots of strenght with her lost, specially for Ted.

 

Frans & Riëtte.

 

 

Bio - Emma - submitted for LDS Art Comp

Emma Allebes, born Oct 23, 1931 in Ogden, Utah, has been married to her husband Ted for 39 years.  She is the mother of 3 married daughters and grandmother to 6 and has been interested in Fiber Arts since childhood. Her major in college was Clothing & Textiles, with a minor in Art.  Emma has been a professional dressmaker and designed her own clothes for as long as she can remember.

 

Almost 12 years ago, a long time dream was realized when she purchased a fabric store.  It is a full fabric shop called 'Tayo's Fair Oaks Fabric'.  Tayo is her husband's Dutch name.  Because of the energy needed to develop Tayo's into something very special, Emma's interest in exhibiting her work outside her business had been on hold.  Now she feels she can relax a bit and has entered some national and international competitions.

 

Emma has won blue ribbons, Best of Show and Judge's Choice on local, state, national and international levels for her quilts, art to wear and cloth dolls.

 

The quilt designed and made by Emma called 'Evolution of the Tomato', was selected for the International Fabric Garden Show which toured Japan in 1990 and is now touring the USA.  Emma's 1991 African scrap quilt 'To All Worthy Male Members', depicting 24 men's hands from all over the world, won a purchase award in an International Art Competition, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Her quilt, 'Let's Pretend', was selected from Mary Mashuta's Story Quilt book to tour Japan.  The American Museum of Quilts and Textiles of San Jose, California recently awarded Emma a 2nd Place in a juried show 'New Faces', for her 'Kimono Quilt'.  Her 'Kimono Quilt; received Best of Class award at the 1994 Califronia State Fair.  Emma was especially pleased to be included in the Bedford Gallery Show, 'New Directions: Quilts for the 21st Century', again for her 'Kimono Quilt'.

 

At the International Quilt Market in Houston, Texas, in Oct 1991, Emma was invited as one of 50 designers to design a garment for the prestigious Farifield Wearable Art Fashion Show.  Her garment 'Diamonds Down Under', was one of 12 selected from the show to go to Holland for 'Quilt Europa', in April 1992.

 

In June 1991, Emma's garment, 'Tutti Fruitt' was selected for the Bazaar Del Mundo Fashion Show in San Diego.  This garment also won a blue ribbon at the 1991 California State Fair.  Emma's denim garment won Best of Class for denim art at the same state fair.

 

In June 1992, at the Bazaar Del Mundo Fashion Show, Emma's garment 'Need a Taxi?', won a special award for designing with a theme.  In the Bazaar del Mundo 1993 show, Emma judged the wearable art division of the 1993 California State Fair.  Emma's garment 'Symphony and Lace' is part of the 1994 Fairfield Fashion Show and was featured on the cover of 'Craft and Needlework' magazine.

 

Emma's quilt 'Seeds Are His Promise' was selected for a Merit Award for the 3rd International Art Competition in March 1994, again sponsored by the LDS Church. 

 

She is currently doing fashion shows, lectures and workshops of her wearable art and quilts.  Her presentations include Haute Couture Societe in Stockton, The Marin Quilt Show, Sacramento Textile Arts, San Francisco Quilt Guild, Redding Quilt guild and others, where she shows 35 or more of her own garments or a trunk show of her quilts.

 

Emma devotes about 100 hours a week to her work, constantly exploring new ideas for her 'one-of-a-kind' garments and quilts, and does sell her work to those who appreciate something unique and special.

 

Her creative clothing classes are held on a continuous basis at Tayo's and the students are always delighted with the imaginative projects she inspired.

 

Emma believes that the talent to create is God given, and should be shared constantly, which she has done in many different callings in the church.  She also participates as an artist in the community.  She is currently working on a book, sharing the stories about her work.

 

PHD 2008 - Fair Oaks Ward RS

Patience Humility Devotion - this was a challenge issued by the Ward RS that Mom participated in....

 

*January - select 2 sisters in the ward that you know very little about and find some way to get to know them.

 

Victoria Cassady and her husband, Dustin, moved into Fair Oaks 4th Ward in June 2008.  I sat next to her in RS and we visited, then with Ted and Dustin after church.  We invited them to dinner to our home and now Ted and I have a really nice friendship with them both. 

 

The first time I met Elvira Fontaine was when Dorothy Miller brought her to our FHE group gathering, then we visited at church.  Monday, Nov 19, we then arranged to pick her up for FHE.  Elvira is living with her sister while her husband is in Mexico relocating their job opportunity.

 

*February - write to one or more of the servicemen and missionaries serving from our ward.

 

Pam & Kellon Fwoers, who live across the street from Ted and me.  Kellon say, 'that one day he will be a missionary' is away at BYU.  We keep in touch with him through his mother, Pam.  He had a pet rabbit who he was crazy about.  This rabbit died a few weeks ago.  I was at an auction last week and a ceramic rabbit was on the silent auction table.  I bet on it and won the rabbit.  It looks much like Kellon'srabbit.  When he comes home for the holidays, I will give it to him.

 

*March - try a new recipe.  Make it or one of your favorites and take it to a family.

 

At Costco, they have wonderful foods for the customers to sample.  A chicken with a sauce dish was one we really enjoyed, so I bought it.  I didn't take it to a family, but prepared it at home and invited a young man that grew up in our neighborhood, Lance Armstrong, to join us for dinner.  We also invited John and Marilyn Johnson, as Marilyn had been Lance's Seminary teacher and had kept in touch with him.  Lance is Carla and Bob armstrong's son.

 

*April - do something extra special for your children or grandchildren.  Write what you did and how they responded.

 

As I was working on a quilt, Ted asked me, 'what is the project all about?'  I told him 'it's just for the fun of it.'  As I continued and got to thinking about his question, it was at that time I decided that as my grandchildren married they could choose any quilt that I had made, and still had, as a wedding gift.  so far three quilts have been chosen by three grandchildren who have been married.  One quilt, Ted's favorite, he wants to hid.

 

*May - start something extra special for your children or grandchildren. 

 

Over the years I have started and stopped writing my personal history.  Something always comes up to distract me.  At a Daughters of Utah Pioneers meeting, Rhea Edison was complimented on turning in her personal journal.  I called Rhea and asked if I could see how she had done hers.  She came to my home and brought her outline that she had started with.  She loaned it to me and I now have a really good feeling that I can do it.  I have made a copy of it and refer to it as I have had the time and I am trying hard to make the time. 

 

*June - fast and attend the temple 4 times this month.  Invite a sister then have lunch together.

 

Because of health issues, I am not able to attend the temple right now.  Ted goes and while he is gone I read from the Ensign, Church News or other church books, and feel comforted in my situation.  In our home we enjoy having dinner guests rather than lunch.

 

*July - provide a servie to any organization in church or community.

 

I am involved in quite a few community efforts.  I hold offices in them and try to be an example of the church.  They all seem to know that I am LDS and are very respectful of my life style, as I am of theirs.

 

*August - write a note to someone you appreciate and call a friend you haven't talked to for a long time.

 

When Victoria Gregerson was a senior in high school, (she was Vicky Welch at the time) she came to live with us.  She lived with us most of that year.  She now says, 'it wasn't long enough'.  We saw her every once in a while, and she was doing fine, active in the church and doing the right things.  Now 30 years later our friendhsip continues as she has moved into Fair Oaks 4th Ward.

 

*September - invite a less active sister to church or a church function.

 

Ted and I have been Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers to Ray and Shirley Barks for a very long time.  Shirley is a member but Ray is not.  They are so kind and love to have us come.  Over the years we have invited them often to Ward parties, to attend the State Fair and many other functions.  On Nov 14, 2008, they will attend the 'Season of Hope' concert with us.

 

*October - give a non-member a Book of Mormon and a church video with your testimony.

 

When Toni Mount was baptized in August, we were in attendance and met her husband, Vic, for the first time.  Since then they have been to our home several times and Toni especially calls and comes to me for advice on her quilting projects.  Vic cannot speak or swallow whole foods, but takes food through a tube.  I purchased a book, 'Smoothies', over 40 different recipes.  My chance to make someone happy and Toni can give him a Book of Mormon.  He was really excited and thumbing thru it as we visited in their lovely home.

 

Outline for Personal History by Emma

My Family

    Parents, brothers & sisters

    where born, deaths, births, sewing, sewing machine

    happy home, dinner table, College Whip Club

 

My Home

    rabbits, different homes, good friends, most memorable neighbors

 

My Schools

    Pingree, Lewis, Central, Ogden High, Weber College, BYU

 

Dating & Marriage

    3 children (7 quilts at night), Temple, 9 Grand Children - quilt, 3 great grandchildren

 

Different places we lived: North Ogden - chicken coop, California, Fair Oaks

 

Mom's Great-great-great-grandmother

Elizabeth Patrick is my great-great-great-grandmother on my father's side.

 

She was born in the State of Virginia on Dec 9, 1793.  She had 2 sisters and 8 brothers.  She moved with her family to Kentucky where she met and married William Taylor.  Elizabeth bore 14 children, 7 sons & 7 daughters. She and her husband joined the church in 1834, all the children old enough joined at the same time.

 

The Mormons lived and some died when the members settled in one place after another.  Much of their belongings were stolen or ruined.  She said it was the first time in her life she was made to feel unwanted and like trash, but their actions only made her feel prouder of her religious beliefs.  Every place they went from Kentucky, MIssouri, Illinois, there was persecution.

 

As they arrived in Illinois, William, her husband, became ill.  They think it was Typhoid Fever.  (read page 27)

 

Shortly after William died a man offered Elizabeth 40 acres of good land if she and her family would give up the Mormon Faith.  She thanked him but said she would never give up her faith.  They moved on and arrived in Nauvoo, there an epidemic of malaria took many lives until winter came and the mosquitoes were gone. 

 

Red hankerchief from Joseph Smith & blessing.

 

Joseph & Brother Hyrum martyred.  Elizabeth took food to them in the jail.

 

The Temple completed - Elizabeth and 3 daughters received endowments there before leaving for the Great Salt Lake Valley with Brigham Young.  She was present when he was sustained as the Prophet.  When he spoke she said his voice sounded like the Prophet Joseph. 

 

She had her own wagon and with her children arrived in Salt Lake Valley.  Along with Brigham Young in 1847, she and her children were among the first settlers.

 

On Oct 25, 1880 at the age of 87, she joined her beloved William. (read last sentence 71)

 

[These are notes that were written by Mom that were with her DUP stuff - I don't know what book she is referring to.]

 

Mothers in My Life

I found these notes in a little notebook of Mom's....seems like maybe it was for a talk she gave in Sacrament Meeting on Mother's Day sometime....

---

 

1 - Grandmother - Emma Lindquist

Named after her

Loved her very much

Sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Could be sister to David O. McKay (I think this is in reference to her appearance)

She and Grandfather - tailors

She did bead work

H.S. black skirt - keyhole button, 6 skirts

 

2 - My Mother - Dagmer Edel

Born in Norway - 12 years Salt Lake City

No more sewing - pianist and wonderful secretarial skills

WWII my younger sister (Mildred) and I - grade school

 

War bases needed secretaries. My mother was Secretary to Com. Officer.  She felt bad about being away and on Friday nights she would take my sister and I to Chinese food and dinner.

 

Christmas 1942, she and my Father both had to work and we had Christmad early before they left.  My mother ordered a cab to pick my sister (Mildred) and I up and take us to Hotel Ben Lomand for Christmas lunch.  Then the cab came again and took us home.  She taught me to cook and to be a good student.  My grandmother taught me to sew.  Mom and Dad laid a firm and loving foundation for a gospel centered life. 

 

When Ted & I married another mother came into my life, Judy.  She taught me some Dutch cooking, Dutch customs, about pewter and brass and copper.  So I, along with Ted, could empahsize our childrens' Dutch heritage in our home along with the Scandinavian.

 

First day I was a mother.  Ted said it was okay to tell this story.  Need to know Ted is an only child - never seen a newborn baby.  He had seen kittens, puppies, calves, colts, rabbits born.

 

Shenna - born before noon, we had lunch together, Ted was nervous.  At 3 o'clock he was still nervous.  I looked Shenna over and at 7pm, he was still nervous.  I asked him what was wrong.  He said, "We need to decide, our baby has no teeth."  Our 3 girls have all told their pediatricians that story.

 

When Reaka was born Apr 3, she was about 1 month old on Mother's Day.  We were hustling with 3 small children, Heather 1 1/2, Shenna 4 - young mothers know how that is.  After church I rememberd sitting down at home and saying to Ted, "You can have Mother's Day.  I want Father's Day.'  After that he took care of all the needs of the children and meal prep on Mother's Day.  Today he and Shenna's husband, Brian, will prepare dinner for our families.

 

It's fun to be a Grandmother.  Became a grandmother when Shenna became a mother on Mother's Day 16 years ago.

 

When Heather's youngest daughter Lochlan was born almost3 years ago, Madison (her oldest), then 7, came to me and asked "Oma, because you were the middle one of 3 girls, and my mom was the middle one of 3 girls, does that mean Sloane, (Heather's middle girl) will have 3 girls?"  Each family has their own traditions.  Time will tell if Sloane carries that one on.

 

Most of you nkjow I design wearable art.  Last year when we were going to Albuquerque to visit Heather & Merritt, Madison asked me to bring my outfit I designed around the Yellow Cab Company.  I said 'sure'.  Guess what she did?  She took me to school for Show & Tell!  It's fun to be a grandmother.

 

Honor mother's in FO 4th Ward:

1 - Mother who smiles

2 - Mothers & Fathers who raise chilldren that smile

3 - Mothers who raise children with special needs

4 - Mothers who serve others

5 - Mothers who are really nice to neighbor children, their own children, to everyone

6 - I pray I'll always be one of these really nice mothers and remain faithful to the gospel....In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.