Hearing Our Heritage

Royal Jay Swenson is a hardworking, thoughtful, and deeply spiritual man whose life has been shaped by service and love for his family. He was born on July 9th, 1933, in Pocatello and grew up on a small dry farm in Eastern Idaho. There he learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age.

Jay developed a lifelong passion for agriculture and education, which led him to attend Brigham Young University and later Utah State. He met his wife, Ann at BYU, and the two were married in 1953. Shortly after, Jay was drafted into the Korean War and was deployed to Germany for 18 months. 

The Swensons raised seven amazing children: Lynda, Jacquie, David, Michael, Sally, Ceci, and Jennifer. Together they navigated military service, frequent moves, and many of the various challenges of life.

Throughout his career in agriculture and soil science, Jay was often at the forefront of new ideas and programs, while also serving diligently in the Church wherever his family lived.

Jay is a faithful follower of Christ and that belief has shaped his entire life.

Ann Swenson is a strong, curious, and deeply faithful woman whose life has been shaped by resilience, service, and love for her family. She was born in 1933 in London, England, and grew up during World War II. Ann’s father was away for five years during the war. He had not been rescued at Dunkirk and then became a prisoner of war in Switzerland. 

After the war, Ann immigrated with her family to Canada and later moved to Provo, Utah to attend BYU. She married her husband, Royal Jay Swenson, in 1953, and together they raised seven amazing children while navigating frequent moves, financial challenges, and everything in between.

An avid lifelong learner, Ann returned to school later in life, earning two bachelor’s degrees, becoming a registered nurse, and completing a master’s degree in social work. She’s devoted her life to caring for others—as a mother, a nurse, and a temple worker for over thirty years—and is known for the deep, constant love she has always shown her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A devoted follower of Christ, Ann’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and creating a home where family has always come first.

Sandi Ross is a bright, beautiful, giving woman who has devoted her life to working hard and caring for her family. She grew up in Panguitch, Utah, where she enjoyed working on the farm with her dad and riding her horse, Bess.

Her father tragically passed away when she was only fifteen years old, and their family moved to Salt Lake. Just before graduating high school, Sandi met and married Grant Duane Ross in 1961.

Together, they raised three children, Kathy, Karla, and Kelly, and two of their seven grandchildren they owned and operated Sandi’s Drive-In in Richfield. Sandi eventually went on to work for Utah Power and sat on the executive board of the Union. She was the first female to do so and was on the board for twenty-five years.

Sandi is a devout follower of Christ, and along with Duane, they visited fifty-three temples and served a temple mission to Lima, Peru.

Arlene Baldwin is a kind, loving, and resilient woman who has enjoyed a beautiful life full of rich experiences and close family ties. She’s no stranger to hardship, but no matter what she’s encountered, she’s met it with strength, optimism, and deep faith in Christ.

She was born in Salt Lake City in 1931, right in the middle of the Great Depression. Her family had very little, but they made the most of what they had and shared a very strong bond. As the oldest child of six, Arlene took on responsibility early. She left high school halfway through her senior year so she could work and help give her younger siblings opportunities she didn’t have herself.

At just 18 years old, Arlene met Byron Reed Baldwin while working at the Pronto Pup as a waitress. They married in 1950 and began building a wonderful life and family. Together hey raised five amazing children: Diane, Daryl, Dale, Donnie, and Deridee. Arlene was, and still is, a very involved mother, spending countless hours supporting her children in their many sports and activities, all while running the Rose Shop in Idaho Falls.

Her home was busy and full of love. An accomplished artist, baker, knitter, and homemaker, Arlene has always shared her talents freely with others. Known affectionately as the “Candy Grandma”, she’s the heart of her family and a devoted matriarch to her five children, twenty grandchildren, fifty-one great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Arlene has held fast to her faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Luana Merrell grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the fifth of eight Brimley children. At just sixteen years old, she lost her mother and stepped into the role of raising her younger siblings. From that point on, hers became a lifetime of devoted service and care for her family.

After moving to Mesa, Arizona, Luana met her husband, Loren Vaughn Merrell, and together they raised eleven children. A gifted pianist, she has shared her love of music for decades and still teaches lessons at 94 years old. She is also passionate about sewing and crafting, talents she passed down to her family.

Luana and her husband served a mission in El Salvador, teaching literacy and blessing countless lives. Later, she also served a single-sister mission in McAllen, Texas. Through every season of her life, Luana has built a legacy of faith, sacrifice, positivity, and love.