Utah's First Christmas ~ from the Alice Hafen Collection

......taken from the Salt Lake Tribune Home Magazine

December 25th 1969

CARROT RECIPES FROM ALICE PEEL HAFEN'S COOKBOOK

To Nourish and Strengthen Our Bodies

At the age of 92, Alice Peel Hafen (my sweet mother-in-law), wrote this cookbook as requested by family and friends who had enjoyed the many tasty dishes she had prepared over the years.  With the help of Marc Smith, a nephew she was able to put this collection together.  It not only contains her treasured recipes, but also a wealth of photos and memories she wished to share.  This blog has already shared some of these with you.   Here I will include the Introduction to her book, her personal history and a few of the pictures contained in the first few pages of  her book.  

More to come..........

Peter Azel Peel Descendants ~~~ Family Reunion 1999

Back Row L to R:  Ralph Childs, Ross Childs (sons of Margaret and Lon Childs), Marc Smith (son of Lois and Eldon Smith), Tami Lowry and Tyler Tuttle (children of Barbara and Clair Tuttle)

Front Row L to R:  Peter and Donald Hafen (sons of  Alice and Neil Hafen), Alice Peel Hafen, 

Tom Tuttle (son of Barbara and Clair Tuttle)   

Photo was taken in July of 1999

North Sanpete High School Sophomores 1929

Lois Peel (Smith) in Indian Costume

Lois Peel (Smith)  Alice Peel Hafen's sister

Pioneer Lady Passes Away ~ Mrs Louisa Beckstrom, 94, One of Mt. Pleasant's Outstanding Citizens

Mrs. Louisa Beckstrom,94, One of Mt. Pleasant's Outstanding Citizens,

 Dies in Salt Lake City, Following a Stroke

Funeral Services for Mrs. Kjesti Louisa Rosengren Beckstrom

5 March 1937

HOME (an essay written by Maggie Ericksen May 10, 1897

There is a magic in the little word "home".  It is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues; never known beyond its hallowed limits.


The home is a place that should be cherished by all.  Mother, Home, Heaven are the most beautiful words in the English language, and truly, I think they may well be called so.  What word strikes so forcibly upon the heart as "Mother", coming from the lips of dear children.  It has a peculiar charm for in her, they look for that protection which no other can give.  A mother is the truest friend we have when trials overtake us.  She is ever ready to shield and protect us;  and we cling to her and by her kind precepts and council.  The clouds of darkness disappear and cause joy and peace to return to our hearts. 



Mother is indeed a sweet name, and her station is indeed a holy one; for in her hands are placed minds to be moulded, almost at her will.  And if taught aright will shine with dazzling splendor in the world to come.



Home is the dearest spot on earth.  How often we hear people talk of the happy days spent in their childhoods happy home, beneath the parental roof, when their young and happy hearts were light and free.  What a blessing it is, when weary with care, and burdened with sorrow, to have a home to which we can go and there in the midst of friends we love, forget our troubles and dwell in peace and quietness.



Heaven is the home that awaits us beyond the grave.  There, the friendships formed on earth shall never more be broken.  Parted friends and dear ones shall meet again, never more to be separated.  There, we shall have an eternal home and never more be parted.

Maggie Ericksen Peel, her husband Azel and her four girls

L to R: Alice Peel Hafen, Maggie Ericksen Peel, Azel Peel, Margaret Peel Childs, Lois Peel, Smith and Barbara Peel Tuttle

More Very Old Photos from Carrie Nielsen Hafen Collection

TOGETHER AGAIN !

Alice Peel Hafen passed away this morning (Friday, January 15) at 5:00 a.m. with her son, Peter at her bedside.  She has been on hospice since Monday, January 11th.  She has been such a great example to her family and all those who have known her throughout her life.  She would have been 98 years old on January 31st.

Alice has seen so many changes and technical advancements in her lifetime.  She had a myriad of stories to share with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Stories such as riding in the back of the wagon to go pick fruit over the east mountain, taking a lunch and bedrolls and camping out in the canyon, picking fruit the next day and then the long journey back home.  Another great remembrance was how Neil would wait for her after her work at Eatingers' Cafe and walk  her home.

She also vividly remembered being a nanny in Los Angeles when there was a 6.2 earthquake.  Just the mention of an earthquake frightened her for the rest of her life.

Alice was one of four girls born to Peter Azel and Margaret Ericksen Peel.  All three of her sisters, Lois, Margaret and Barbara passed away due to cancer.  Each sister had young families at their time of death.  Alice lovingly took on the roll of substitute mother for them.  These neices and nephews adore her and have many happy memories of spending time with "Aunt Alice" and "Uncle Neil". 

Alice was born with a beautiful voice and sang at hundreds of funerals.  Once asked, "What are they paying you to sing at this funeral?"  She replied, "Well why should I get paid when it was God that gave me this talent to share."

An historian since her teens.  She kept a journal and loved to take pictures of historical events and special occasions.  She loved being a daughter of this Mt. Pleasant Community.  She was a faithful member of the Latter Day Saint Faith and had a firm testimony.  She served in many church organizations as well as board member of the Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Society.  She also served on the Senior Citizens Board as the one to rustle the talent for their Senior Citizen Dinners.  She loved quilting at the Senior Center on Mondays and formed wonderful friendships there.

She is the mother of two boys, Donald Hafen and  Peter Hafen, both of whom showed her great love and respect and cared for her in her declining years.

Alice put together a cookbook at the age of 92 with favorite family recipes coupled with family pictures and stories.  A loving nephew, Marc Smith, helped her with this project, a great accomplishment that the whole family will treasure for years to come.

Her favorite pastime these past few years has been to organize and share her picture collection.  When I asked her if I could share them on a blog, she was excited to do so.  So many people have written in and expressed their appreciation for these pictures of their family members. She marveled the wonders of internet communication.

She was respected, loved and adored by all who knew her.  So many have said, "When I grow up, I want to be just like Alice Hafen."