LIFE Sketch of Ingra Toolson Hurren

LIFE SKETCH OF INGRA TOOLSON HURREN

Logan L.D.S. Temple on October 4, 1911

Ingra Toolson Hurren was born April 16, 1893. to Lorenzo Lars Toolson and Alice Susanne Harper Toolson. She was the fourth child in a family of ten children. The family was well organized with Grandma Toolson as the queen of her home. Each child had their particular chores and duties. Mother was a willing worker and enjoyed her duties. I often heard Mother tell of the responsibilities assigned to each child--Aunt Allie did the cooking; Aunt Tacy did much of the sewing; Aunt Syble ran the errands; and mother did much of the scrubbing.

After school, there were many clabbered milk cans to be washed as well as many diapers. There was always something to be done. 

Grandfather Toolson owned a mercantile business and also farmed. The girls had to work in the fields hoeing, thinning, and topping beets by hand. Usually in the fall it was wet and muddy. They were often knee deep in mud as they helped with the beet harvest. Grandfather was easy going and some people could take advantage of him so Mother learned much about business and became proficient with figures. 

Mother and her sisters were all nice looking girls and prided themselves in looking well dressed and being immaculately groomed. In fact, I  have often been told that Mother was the nicest looking girl in town. 

I've heard Mother tell of being baptized in the Smithfield Summit Creek, which was the custom at that time. They were active in church and civic affairs. Smithfield had a large recreation building (which later burned down) which served as the focal point of community life--especially to the young people. The community sponsored dramas, operettas, and dances. Mother particularly enjoyed participating in these events. In Smithfield, an education was complete upon graduation from the eighth grade. Mother graduated from this level and began working in her father's store. During this time, Mother was courted by James William Hurren (my father) whose family was prominent in the settlement of Hyde Park. Dad had a dapple-gray horse which he rode from Hyde Park to Smithfield while courting Mother. He tied him up in Grandpa Toolson's barn and they walked to the dances. 

Mother and Dad were married in the Logan L.D.S. Temple on October 4, 1911. They spent their honeymoon in Salt Lake City. On the 11th of October, Dad left for the Southern States mission for two years. Mother worked in her father's store while Dad was serving his mission. Grandpa and Grandma Toolson had a beautiful home in Smithfield. In fact, it was one of the finest. Mother lived at home and worked hard to save what she could as well as sending some to Dad while he was in the mission field. 

Grandma Toolson died November 10, 1914, of a sudden heart attack. She was just 50 years old and left a young family, Daphne being only five. Mother was always good to her sisters, and they always had a home with her when they needed one. Dad returned home from his mission and worked with his father. Mother and Dad lived in one room of the Hurrens' home. During this time, Keith was born on August 5, 1914, in Hyde Park, Cache County, Utah. Mom and Dad later moved to  two-room home on a corner in the center of Hyde Park. Alice was born July 24, 1916. The town was celebrating Pioneer Day and Dad was active in horse pulling matches. With all this activity, Mother somehow was forgotten; however, Dad was finally retrieved to help with the new baby. Wendell was born June 21, 1918, in Hyde Park. They later moved to Trenton where they bought a farm. Mother was always clean and an excellent cook. She was industrious and sang as she worked. She always seemed to be happy when she was busy. 

Mother was pregnant with Bernice when the 1920 flu epidemic broke out. Pregnant women were greatly endangered during this epidemic. Dad was always generous with people and invited them in for Mother to feed and house. An old missionary companion came selling insurance and Dad invited him to stay. This put an extra burden on Mother in her condition and exposed her unnecessarily. Grandpa Toolson was very concerned about her well-being and so he came in his buggy and took her home with him until the threat was over. Bernice was born May 9, 1920, in Trenton, Cache County, Utah. 

Mother and Dad moved to Smithfield where they bought a home on the corner of Main Street. It was located just a block west of Grandpa Toolson's home. Several rooms were adobe and they worked hard to modernize it. Grandpa Toolson was the first bishop of the Smithfield Second Ward. He had married Nell Pilgrim as a second wife. Nell was an aggressive. person who took over the family's possessions, giving them to her relatives and the sons. The daughters were completely disregarded--even Grandma's handwork and personal things were given to Nell's friends and relatives. This caused bitter resentment within the family toward Nell. 

Because of the proximity of Mother, Grandpa was able to stop in and visit with her and the children. He particularly enjoyed her cooking; especially was he fond of her pies. Grandpa Toolson died June 24, 1923, in Salt Lake City of complications incurred while undergoing stomach ulcer surgery. 

Dad farmed in Trenton and Amalga, traveling back and forth. He had pasture ground in Smithfield for the cows in the summer. Margaret Ruth was born January 29, 1924, in Smithfield. Mother suffered complications from the birth, which resulted in kidney trouble and high blood pressure. A year later, Mother was hospitalized for six weeks for nephritis. She never again enjoyed good health. 

The depression hit Utah just as it did the rest of the nation. We had as much as anyone, but we all felt the pinch. Mother weighed beets at harvest time to help out. Every little bit helped. Clothes were handed down. Shoes were half-soled. Material things were at a premium, but our family life was a good one. A fire was always made in the front room on Sundays and holidays.

We had a nice piano. Alice played well and Bernice had a lovely voice. Our Sunday nights or holidays were spent much like our family home evenings of today.

Mother was always good to her sisters. Consequently, we had one of our cousins living with us most of the time. Sometimes I remember feeling somewhat left out with so many relatives there burdening Mother with their problems. She was a good listener and spent many hours trying to help them. 

In 1931-32 I had rheumatic fever and Mother was taking medication for kidney and blood pressure problems. Our medicines totaled 75 cents a day--almost a day's wages during the depression. Mother spoke many truisms and used them often in our daily living experiences. At the time, I guess I never realized just how relevant they were in our lives. In later years while studying the scriptures, I found that the truisms and sayings that Mother spoke so often were from Proverbs and other books in the Bible.

Mother battled with health problems continuously. I can remember few days of good health for her. Nephritis took its toll as well as a double hernia and a difficult menopause. Because of this, Mother stayed home a great deal, but she always insisted that Dad and the children were free to attend their meetings and encouraged them to do so. 

Mother was instrumental in encouraging both sons to go on missions. Keith served in Canada and Wendell in the Western States. I remember taking the money each month to the post office for their money orders. Mother had the amount needed .counted out in small change and bills, but it was always there. 

I remember one Christmas when Keith was on his mission and Christmas was going to be lean. Dad had been out with the cow buyers and had made a hundred dollars. He was thrilled to bring it home, hoping to make Christmas more bounteous that year. Mother immediately sent Dad over to the bishop to pay it for tithing that was owed. I remember feeling somewhat disappointed that the money wasn't spent on Christmas, but the lesson learned concerning the payment of tithing has endured these many years--far longer than the material things that the money could have purchased.

Mother always encouraged us to pay our tithing and do what the Lord expected us to do. Mother was confined a great deal and found it very difficult to attend many extra curricular activities. Whenever she was able to attend, it was a real treat for all of us.

In addition to the difficult health problems, Mother coped with many emotional stresses. I remember the constant worry Mother felt during World War I I. Wendell was drafted and served overseas. She listened to every news broadcast with apprehension. She suffered from worsening health conditions and underwent two major surgeries at this time. The doctor had always said that she could never stand any major surgeries, but she came through beautifully. I'm sure it was her will to live and the power of the priesthood. Her health started to improve for a few years, but the emotional stresses continued. Keith was diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis (M.S.); Wendell was in an army hospital having been wounded in Italy; and Bill, (Alice's husband) underwent surgery for cancer of the kidney. All of this was truly a test of faith and endurance. 

Mother always wanted a new home so Dad and Mother bought the one that Keith had built just next door. They installed central heat and made it very comfortable. Mother had the ability to make a house a home. 

In 1946, the war was over and things were beginning to boom. Uncle Dave Hurren had moved to Nampa, Idaho. Mother and Dad went to see them and came home with the "moving fever." They were both in their mid-fifties. It was quite a decision to make, but Mother was willing. So in February 1947 Mother· and Dad moved to Boise Valley. It was a decision they never regretted.

They did well on the farm and enjoyed living out on the farm. They went on several trips with Alice and Bill and enjoyed going to new places and seeing the surrounding area. It wasn't long before most of their children were living in the Boise Valley. Mother suffered a stroke in 1953. The doctor came and said she wouldn't live until morning. Dad called us all home, except Alice who was in Salt Lake City. We all knelt down around her bed and had family prayer asking the Lord to bless her that this too might pass. She rallied back and was up again and able to take care of herself. 

Mother and Dad sold the farm and moved to Meridian because of the worsening condition of Dad's arthritis. Mother suffered a severe heart attack and another mild stroke. Her health was extremely poor. Dad’s health also started to deteriorate. Retirement did not come easy for them as they had made many accomplishments on the farm. They had enjoyed attending general conference in Salt Lake City. They liked to drive a nice car and returned to Cache Valley for visits to the family still living there. They had done well in their move to the Boise Valley and had built up a beautiful herd of dairy cattle. 1'm sure that it was a let down to sell their farm. 

Dad's health was failing. In the fall of 1959, he was having dizzy spells and he was very pale. On March 9, 1960, he was hospitalized in Boise with cancer of the blood. On July 9, 1960, Dad expired at their home in Meridian. Dean and Bernice were with them at the time. We all tried to take our turn with them so Mother wasn't alone at this time. Mother had concerned herself with Dad so much that she almost forgot herself. That fall, Mother's furniture and Dad’s personal things were divided among the children. The house was sold and she spent time with Alice and Margaret. That fall, the Democratic and Republican conventions were on T.V. and Mother enjoyed watching them. She also enjoyed the World Series with Vern Law from Meridian, Idaho, as the winning pitcher. This kept her mind occupied, but she soon lost her will to live. 

On May 15, 1961, the veins in her right leg collapsed. She was with Margaret at the time. We called the doctor who was very kind, but confirmed that it was just a matter of time. Wendell came up and we took her to Salt Lake City to Alice's. 1'm sure the trip was an ordeal. She was admitted to the L.D.S. Hospital on June 9. Gangrene had begun in her foot and doctors indicated that surgery was necessary. However, they felt she should be spared from this inasmuch as it was merely a matter of time. On June 14, Mother passed away with Wendell at her bedside. It was truly a blessing as she had been calling for Dad all day. Her pain had been intense. She now looked peaceful and at rest. She was buried at Cloverdale Memorial Park on June 17, 1961, next to Dad. 

Mother supported Dad in all of his church and CIVIC duties. They were willing contributors to building funds, missionaries, temple work and welfare projects. Mother lived a life of service to her family, friends and those in need. Indeed, she followed the admonition of King Benjamin that, "When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are in the service of your Lord.11 Mother served in the primary, M. I.A., and was a member of the Relief Society board as a class leader. 

I might add that Mother and Dad had all their estate--property, furniture and personal things--divided equally among their five children. The children have always tried to honor their parents and live honest, upright lives with the gospel as the center of their lives. I'm sure this is what would bring peace and happiness to our parents in the next estate where we may all be together again. 

Biography written by:   Margaret Haslam and Alice Douglas

Pictures: Sharon Belnap