Clea Jean Terry

A HISTORY OF CLEA JEAN TERRY HOLGERSON
11th August 1936 to 17th February 2016

Daughter of:
Franklin Amos Terry
Ellen Anna Goodliffe

As I sit listening to Lefty Frizzell singing, I wonder how I’m going to record my life story so my loved ones might treasure it as I treasure my parent’s stories.

Let’s go back to August 11th, 1936, when I was born.  One of the first experiences I remember was the happy hours I spent at home with mother, father, four brothers and five sisters.  I remember LaVerna and Leona holding me on their hips and teaching me how to spell my name.  I remember Clifford would let me walk half way to school with him when he was attending high school.  He would wait until he could see me going in the gate at home before he would go the rest of the way to school.  In the evening, the family would turn the lights down low and sing together.  Gordon played his guitar while mother sang alto and the rest of the girls sang soprano.  I’m sure that if I live to be one hundred years old, I will never forget those evenings of love and unity that we shared.

Then came the school days!  I remember the first day at school; how I longed to make friends and be the queen in the little house we had in the school room.  Those days were happy days and the years went by fast.  Just as soon as school closed for the summer, we would pack the Model A Ford with basic necessities and move to our ranch a few miles away from Enterprise.  A long summer of fun awaiting us!

I remember the World War II days that took two precious brothers away from our home for a short time.  One sad day, news came from the war department; Clifford was missing in action!  I remember the tears my mother shed and the soft tone in my family’s voices and the neighbor’s visits.  Soon other news came that cheered our hearts and made us joyful once again.  Clifford was safe!  He had been guarding prisoners of war.

During those days of stress and strain, I had a loyal companion to tease me every waking hour.  Arnold, my older brother, knew nothing but protection for me when the rest of his friends would try to tease me.  For that protective favor, he earned the right to tease me constantly.

At last the day finally arrived, August 4th, 1945; the day I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Now Satan has the power to tempt me; to try to twist and tear my thoughts and convictions of the church.  Would those Bible stories mother taught me when I had the measles and couldn’t sleep at night and the stories daddy told me when I would rush down the stairs early in the morning to sit with him while he made a fire to warm the house, keep me from becoming a slave to Satan?  As I look back, it seems the Lord was more interested in me than Satan, for He began helping me understand life’s problems.  He sent me the necessary help that I needed to deal with life’s challenges.  Because of my earthly parents and my Heavenly Father’s love and help, life was made easier for me.

September 1950, mother, daddy and I moved to Salt Lake to make our new home because daddy’s health no longer permitted him to farm.  I was so excited about living in a large city and making new friends.  However, it would have been nice to take present friends along to share my new adventure.

Salt Lake was large and required a different type of life than the one I knew in Enterprise.  However, I didn’t have much time to make the adjustment for the Union Pacific Railroad transferred daddy to Elko, Nevada the following February of 1951.  I met my first character test there.  The first time away from a Mormon community; would I remain faithful to the teaching of my church?  Again, my Father in Heaven came to my rescue and guided my footsteps.

It was at Elko that I promised my father that would get an education and be married in the “Temple of God”.  Mother and daddy were concerned for me because I was dating a boy of another faith.

I remember the hot hamburgers mom and dad brought to school for me to eat when I forgot my sack lunch.  Because of the love, understanding and companionship I had with my parents, it wasn’t long until my mom and dad were rated the “Ideal Mother and Father” among my friends and classmates.  I’ve often wondered if the school voted me to be the Harvest Queen Attendant and other club officers because of myself or because of my parents.

During the spring of 1952, daddy had a severe stroke that required complete rest so we moved our mobile home to Salt Lake City to be with our family members.  The adjustment to large city living was much harder for me to make this time but it wasn’t long until I met some wonderful friends.  I worked at Sears Department Store as a sales girl to help my parents rather than continue my high school education.  It was at this time, March 22, 1953, that I was called on my stake mission.  I was only sixteen years old and it seemed so strange to teach the gospel concepts to people that were old enough to be my parents.  I enjoyed my mission experience very much.  Because of my mission, I realized a very strong testimony of my Father’s teachings.

It was the fall of 1953 that I began to fulfill my promise to my father.  I attended a Cosmetology class and later became a licensed Beauty Operator.  I enjoyed the course very much and had a lot of satisfying experiences.  One experience was being the elected Student Body Secretary for the Utah Technical College.  The experience I cherish the most was meeting my present husband, George Norman Holgerson, on October 17th, 1953. George and I had a lot of opposition to overcome as our relationship grew serious.  Although George was a Deacon in the priesthood, he had been inactive since thirteen years of age.  My brother, Wendell, had returned home from the Armed Services and secured employment in Boulder City, Nevada.  Mother and daddy were living there with him so I had many serious decisions to make alone.

In January 1954, George asked for my hand in marriage.  I cared so much for him and wanted to accept ever so much but I remembered the promise I made to myself and to my father.  I would be married in the “Temple of God” and share my husband’s priesthood.  So, I refused his proposal of marriage.  George gave me his package of cigarettes and a promise of worthiness and said, “He would take me to the temple”.  My love and respect grew for my fiancé as I saw him overcome the opposition of his family and friends and become active in the church activities and priesthood responsibilities.

After completing the Cosmetology course and George was ordained an Elder, we were married on July 2^nd, 1954, in the Salt Lake Temple.  I filled the remaining months of my stake mission with my husband serving as my companion.  I was filled with pride as I introduced him to my converts and investigators.

After spending the first two years of our married life in Salt Lake City, George obtained a job in Renton, Washington.  It was at this time, I experienced the most heartbreaking experience of my life; little Denny George was born on November 28^th, 1958.  He was a sweet little baby and we enjoyed being his parents but only for eight hours.  I wrote a letter and I would like it to be part of my life story:

Dear Denney,

Thanksgiving Day what a beautiful day it was.  The sun was shining so bright because we were waiting for you, my son.  You surprised us by coming into our lives much sooner than we planned.  As we prepared to leave for the hospital this Thanksgiving evening, we knew we might lose you and our hearts were very heavy.  Just before leaving, your daddy and I knelt before our Heavenly Father and asked for help for our burden seemed too heavy to bear.  At the close of my prayer I said, “Thy will be done” for I wanted the best for you, my son.

We waited all night hoping you would wait a few more weeks before you came to this life but you were born at 10:24 the next morning.  Your birthday, little Denney George, was the happiest day in my life.  You looked so small laying in the incubator.  Seeing your little arms and legs move gave us the greatest thrill in our lives.

Someone else loved you too, my son, and wanted you to live with Him.  But I loved you too and it was ever so hard to let you go.  After our Master called for you, the nurse came to tell me of your new home.  I felt as if my heart would break.  The wind outside was blowing so hard and it was so dark and dreary.

We took your little body home to Salt Lake for your final resting place.  It was wonderful having you so close to us on our journey home.  I felt so proud when you were laying in your casket as our family’s and friend’s saw you for the first and last time.  You were such a sweet little guy.

Finally the time had come, the most dreaded time of all when we had to say goodbye for the last time.  The time had come when we couldn’t do anymore for you.

I know you will never read my letter, my son, but I’m going to write a letter to all my sons and daughters and I want you to be included in our little family.  Be a good little boy and we will be together again soon.

Love, Mother

After we returned home, my life never seemed the same again.  I was a little sad and discouraged for I had lost my fifth child.  I was beginning to wonder if we were ever going to be blessed with children.

To encourage new concepts and courage, we bought a house and duplex that needed redecorating.  We were in hopes the extra work would make us forget our heartaches.

I continued working as Y.W.M.I.A. President but even that had lost its spirituality and fun.  It was all I could do to force myself to attend my meetings and encourage my board members to do the same.  One evening I returned home from M.I.A. to answer a ringing telephone; Dr. Leo Heye was calling to tell me there was a baby boy in the hospital that we could adopt.  George and I knew three days of excitement before the adoption was completed enough so we could bring DeWayne home with us.  Again, I would like to include a letter to my second son in my life story.

Dear Son,

April 5^th, 1959, your daddy and I enjoyed our first peek at you today.  The nurse was holding you in the nursery.  We were looking at you through the window because we weren’t allowed to hold you until our adoption was complete.  You were so cute and wiggly.  You had so much dark hair and the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen.  You looked at us, sighed and laid your little head on the nurse’s arm as if you didn’t have a care in the world.  I’m sure I began to love you form that moment.

At last, the time came when we could take you home with us.  I could hardly wait until the nurse had you dressed and ready to go home.  Later that evening as I sat rocking you, my love for you grew and grew.  Each day I decided it wasn’t possible to love you more than I did but each day I did.

DeWayne, you are a special gift to me from our Father in Heaven.  I’m not sure why he didn’t let me give life to you but I’m sure you knew you were going to be our son before you left our Father’s presence.  Maybe He explained everything to you.

My little son, we have had you for five weeks today and we are learning to love you more each day.  I pray I will have the patience, understanding and wisdom to teach you and help you become a good, happy child and later a wonderful man like your father that you may enjoy the good things in life.  As you go through life, DeWayne, be humble and prayerful.  Let our Heavenly Father guide you so you can return to Him and continue your life without prisons to hold you back.   You have a clean body, son, don’t contaminate it with worldly habits that would cause you to be unhappy is your mother’s prayer.

Love, Mother

After we were settled at home, the cries and sounds of our new son gave my life a new meaning and filled my heart with happiness again.

As the weeks went by, I was ever so grateful for our baby for my husband received the calling of first counselor to Bishop Peid P. Olsen.  It was wonderful to have a companion during the long hours my husband spent away from home.

It wasn’t long before I had two companions to eat up my love and time.  On November 15^th, 1959, our home was blessed with Gregory.  Because my baby’s births have meant so much to me, I would like to include a letter to my third son.

Dear Gregory,

My heart is full as I write my letter to you.  You were born six weeks early and we almost lost you.  Four doctors said that you were going to live with little Denney at our Father in Heaven’s world.

I called daddy and asked him to bless you then I prayed to our Heavenly Father and asked Him to please let you stay with us.  In answer to my prayer, a quite voice told me not to be sad that everything would be all right.

Soon, daddy and Bishop Harold B. Witters came and gave you a name and a blessing.  You were so sick!  You couldn’t cry and you could hardly move.  After the blessing, you began a speedy recovery that surprised everyone except your mother.  All four doctors said that it was a miracle you lived.  To mother, it was an answer to my prayer.  All the people in the hospital said that you were the miracle baby.

We have you home now, Gregory and it seems so nice to hear your little cries and squeaks.  You are a very sweet little baby.  You need special care since you only weigh five pounds.  Having you in our little family is a joy for us.  Your pretty blue eyes and dark hair are very nice.  My only complaint is the doctors want you to sleep and I want to hold and love you.  Sometimes, I sneak you out of your bed and rock you anyway.

Gregory, learn from your father; let him teach you so you can become a special man as he is.  Always keep your body clean so you can enjoy the rights and blessings of the priesthood.  As you go through life, keep clean thoughts and high standards so you can return to our Father in Heaven, to enjoy the celestial kingdom, is my prayer.

Love, Mother

I’m 24 years of age and I have my husband, two sons and my church.  My life is full and I thank God for His love and kindness.  I thank George for his love and friendship.  As I look back on our lives together, he has always been loyal to me.

In 1961, we moved to Sacramento, California, bought a new home and added a beautiful new daughter to our family.  Her name is Terry Ann.  I have included a letter to my daughter in my history that will explain all of the details of this beautiful experience we had together.

Dear Terry Ann,

How should I begin my letter to you?  I suppose I should start on the day you left your Father in Heaven and came to live with me.  You arrived December 15^th, 1961.  You had a cute, round, sweet little face; you were tiny and just about the finest present I could have given to your daddy.  He made sure I knew how happy he was to have you for his only daughter; he stopped us in the hall as were returning to my room.  He picked me up, gave me a big, long hug and a special thank you before he let them take me to my room.  He said that you were the prettiest little Holgerson girl in the world.

Later that evening, after I was feeling better, the nurse brought you to my room.  After you were in my arms for a minute, I agreed with daddy; you were the prettiest and nicest little daughter.  Your legs and arms were so small; your hair was dark and you had the prettiest brown eyes.  We snuggled next to each other and both of us slept until the nurse came to take you back to the nursery.

After two days, daddy and I took you home so your brothers and Grandma Terry could learn to love you too.  Grandma Terry had to return to Salt Lake after a few days but your brothers gave you enough of their attention to make up for Grandma’s love.  It was arranged so all of us had an interest in your daily bath.

Terry Ann, you have been a special companion to me since your birth as the messenger said you would be.  Two months before you were born, the doctor told me that you wouldn’t live and that we shouldn’t count of having a baby.  I felt so sad to hear this news; especially after going through an operation, much pain and expense to keep you alive for as long as we did.  One evening, I asked Father in Heaven about what the doctor said.  The messenger whispered to me in prayer that I shouldn’t be concerned about what the doctor said.  He told me that I would have a sweet baby that would give me much comfort and be a close companion throughout my life.  After I was secure in this knowledge, I told daddy what the messenger and doctor had said.  Terry Ann, I know that Heavenly Father controls life and death so please honor your motherhood.  You are a partner with God in bringing spirits to this earth.  As you bring your children into this life, please recognize His part in the plan of life.

Terry Ann, in spite of and because of medical science and your Father’s will, you have been given a perfect body to house your choice spirit.  Treasure it always and do the things that will take you back to Heavenly Father is your mother’s prayer.

Love,  Mother

George was a wonderful father and husband through the young years of our children’s lives.  He was always there to love, protect and help me and the children.

In 1963, we decided it was time to embark on George’s dream of building our house by ourselves.  We wanted to be debt free.  We bought 2 ½ acres of land north of Sacramento and no sooner got started building when, Aerojet-General, the company George worked for had several big lay offs.  We were caught in the last one but we still continued building and selling our belongings we didn’t need so that we could finish our project.  Our two sons started school while we lived in this house.  Because of the discouraging financial condition of the area, we decided to sell our home.  In the spring of 1964, we moved to San Francisco for a brief period and on to Seattle to work for Boeing again.  After arriving in Seattle, we found a little summer cabin on the lake shore of Lake Kathleen.  We decided to buy it, build a new home on the property and continue to be debt free.  Building the home was a tiresome experience that brought comfort to us and accommodated wedding receptions and large church parties.

I operated a beauty salon, Lakeview Beauty Salon, in my home so I could keep Terry Ann at my side and help finance our building project.  These years were satisfying and rewarding for me.

The same night we finished the inside of the house, George was called to the stake president’s office.  The spirit told me before we got to the office that the Lord wanted George to serve him in the bishopric again.  We had many beautiful spiritual experiences as he served as Richard Temple’s counselor and I served as counselor in the M.I.A. Presidency.

In 1969, congress cancelled the S.S.T. Aircraft program and Boeing started to lay hundreds of men off.  George got a raise one week and the next week his department, where he worked as an engineer, was closed and he was laid off.  I opened a big twelve chair salon, Talk of the Town, on Renton Hill to help but George decided he wanted to go back to Los Angeles to work.  The children and I stayed in Seattle until I sold the salon and we rented our house.

We lived in Southern California for two years.  We bought a home with a beautiful swimming pool that was enjoyed by all.  Most of the church parties were held in our back yard.  I was called to be M.I.A. President.  I served in this position until we moved back to Seattle in the spring of 1971.

We enjoyed being in our home on the lake again.  I bought another big twelve chair beauty salon, Fashion Villa.  I had six operators working for me.  The experience of owning salons was a growing and profitable experience for me.

I enjoyed the children so much at this age; they have always been a great joy to me.  They were so helpful, kind and loving.  I rode bikes with them and their friends.  It was at this time that I learned my inadequacies.  As I coasted down the hill and puffed up the hills, the kids and their friends would wait at the top of the hill.  They would call words of encouragement, “Come on, Mom, you can make it”.  I also decided I was going to learn how to ice skate.  DeWayne, Greg and friends offered to teach me at night so the neighbors wouldn’t see my clumsiness.  After we were on the lake, the neighbors were friendly and turned their spot lights on.  However, I wasn’t discouraged; the next day I conquered ice skating!  I sat my beautiful daughter on a chair, since she didn’t know how to skate either, and I pushed the chair all over the lake.  Terry Ann wasn’t fond of that idea but after threats of doing dishes and bribes of candy, she stayed on the chair while I learned how to balance myself on ice skates while the neighbors looked on with glee.

We decided to buy ten speed bikes so we could camp, as a family, and ride on the San Juan Islands near Seattle.  One day, we were riding along at a high rate of speed when my narrow front tire got caught in a rut.  As my body flew up and over the handle bars, DeWayne speeded by me just missing my startled body by inches.  As it worked out, the angels decided not to rescue me and I went boom on my ouch.  However, because I was proud, I didn’t stay on the road long enough to get one bruise.

I was very proud of the boys at this time, they served as Deacon Quorum Presidents and officers, patrol leaders and Greg was honored by being a member of the Order of the Arrow in scouting.

The children and their friends always honored my birthday in their special way with green apples and pencils and things that were dear to me.  I enjoyed these presents because I knew they came from their heart.

It was this period in our lives that we enjoyed camping and boating because the children enjoyed it so much.  We restored a 21 foot commercial fishing boat into a self-contained cabin cruiser.  We had some special experiences with life in the sea.  We went to school to learn all we could about life on the sea so we could navigate our boat and chart a course to far away places.  We seriously entertained the idea of sailing to different parts of the world.  In the end, George wasn’t as serious as I was for he didn’t want to take the children away from church activities.

These years were special for me.  I saw Gregory conquer the drums.  He played in a combo with three other boys.  How we fit three young people, a complete drum set and myself in a small Volkswagon, was beyond everyone’s imagination as they saw us unload the car.  Greg kept us busy traveling to restaurants, schools, churches and private community clubs where they performed.  I enjoyed traveling with Greg even when we were lost or late in spite of a few groans from me.  I was proud of his accomplishments of having first place in the percussion section of the Isaquah District School Band.

In the fall of 1972, we moved to Sandy, Utah.  George decided it was time to take our children home so they would learn to love our home land and call it their own.  Learning to live in Utah was hard for me but it was nice being among family members and close to the church headquarters again.  George served in the bishopric again and I served in the Primary presidency.  DeWayne served as the Teachers Quorum President and Greg was his counselor; Terry Ann was in the presidency of her M.I.A. class.  Although we were busy, I was restless I in our small house.  When we could see that the boys needed some serious work in their lives, we decided to build another big house in the mountains.  Building the house was an exhausting but rewarding experience.

I enjoyed living at Summit Park in Parley’s Summit.  I enjoyed having nature (God’s Paintings) around us again.  I loved the people in the neighborhood and ward.  I served in the Relief Society presidency and enjoyed that very much; I also served in two other positions at the same time.

DeWayne married Terri Lynn Anderson on December 18^th, 1976.  Terri was a neighbor from Sandy.  She helped us build our house too.  DeWayne couldn’t have chosen a better daughter for me; loving Terri is easy and sweet.  She is truly my daughter.  DeWayne asked if they could have the wedding at our newly constructed house.  Preparing for the wedding was a joy for us as we prepared to welcome Terri into our family.  The wedding of our two loved ones, DeWayne and Terry, was a joyful experience for me.

Later in 1977, the welcoming of our new granddaughter, Carrie Lynn, was a thrilling experience.  However it was mixed with pain because the same night Carrie was coming into this world, Gregory was fighting to stay here.  Both Greg and Terri were in the University Hospital at the same time.  DeWayne would run from Terri Lyn’s side to Greg’s side all night.  Greg was a passenger in a friend’s car when it wrecked.  After George and our bishop administered to Greg, he started to regain consciousness and had a speedy recovery.  He only missed one term of school.

Two days before Christmas in 1977, George sustained serious injuries from an auto accident.  When he was going to work, a young girl lost control of her car and hit George’s car head on.  As I sat in the hospital with George, I saw two personages enter the room and position themselves at the foot of George’s bed.  They were troubled and concerned.  They conversed with each other for a short time then George’s grandfather turned to me and asked me if I minded if they took him from this world as Denney, our departed son, watched.  I told George’s grandfather that I loved George and I thought his children and I needed him, but he should make the decision.  He asked me if I loved him enough to support him until he was well again.  I told him that I could.  The two personages left the room.  In the following weeks, George and I went through near death experiences as his body almost failed him.

Almost three years have passed since the accident.  I feel that I have loved George enough to support him through his recovery.  My love hasn’t always sustained patience and sometimes I’ve shown anger and acted upon it but I have always loved.  George’s accident injured our spirits as well as his body.  There have been only moments of happiness for us since his accident.  Again, my Heavenly Father was always there to guide me and love me.  He is my friend as well as my Father.  He shares my joy, sorrow, pain and happiness.  He helps and sustains me while I work out my life problems.  My heart aches for those who have not found his friendship and love.

Later: (added by Jaena)
Jean remarried Byron (pictured below)