Grandmas early years

I have been working hard on writing my book, and I pulled out my old journals and stumbled upon some of my grandparents' writings. Yesterday I was a wreck reading through things, as they were literally answering my questions through their writing. That is one very important reason I feel so driven to write my history for the kids. I have my journals they can read when I die, but they are all mixed up. I want them to be able to see it in order as it played out. It's been so hard, but super rewarding. I have missed my grandparents so much during this process and love them even more for what they endured for us.

Here is just a little of my grandma's early life until she met my grandfather. Her history is so similar to mine. History has a way of repeating itself.

I was born on May 11, 1937 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. My parents were Velna Madsen Chinn and William Howard Chinn.

Mother passed away when I was two years old of appendicitis. My father, who was a sheepherder, was away at the time and did not learn of her death until several weeks later. During this period of time my mother's parents had taken me to live with them, much to the distress of my father's parents. There was much conflict between the two families as to who would have custody of me. Eventually my father had it taken to court and I was given to him.

Having done this, he then joined the army and was shipped overseas. I was turned over to my grandmother Chinn to be raised.

Memories of these years for the most part were happy. Although my grandmother was a rather unstable person, she did love me.

When I was eight years old my father remarried and I was taken to Utah to live with him and my stepmother. She and I were incompatible the moment we met. She made it very clear that she had no love to offer me. I can remember all the futile attempts I made to make her like me, all to no avail.

My father developed Multiple Sclerosis when I was about eleven years old, and most of his thoughts and energies were devoted to his illness and raising his other four children. He seemed to have neither the desire nor energy in helping me overcome my problems with my stepmother. As a result I became withdrawn and completely uncooperative. When I was thirteen my father moved us to Oregon where he worked in the lumber industry. We were very poor and lived in a very poor neighborhood. My friends for the most part were older than I and with standards that were not to be admired. But I felt that being liked and accepted by them was the only important thing. I had experiences that I was unable to understand or cope with.

When I was fourteen years old my stepmother packed my clothes in a brown paper bag, put me on a bus and sent me to California to live with Mr. and Mrs. Milton Keep. This was the only kind thing she ever did for me.

I had no intentions when I arrived in Los Angeles of making life easy for these people. How quickly these intentions fell by the wayside the first time I saw Mom and Pop Keep. They had such a warm, sincere love to offer that it was hard for me to even understand it.

They made it clear from the start that they were my family if I wanted them, but I had to live by their rules and regulations. I tried to turn my back on all this but eventually love conquered all and they truly became my "Mom and Pop."

Mom was President of the Young Women's Mutual and she was Mom Keep to all of the girls in the ward. My friends were always welcome in our home and I was so very proud and grateful for her and Pop.

When I turned sixteen my father and stepmother moved to Los Angeles and decided that I should come back and live with them. No matter how I pleaded and begged they were adamant about the move. I stayed with them for three or four months and then ran away. I lived with a girl who was divorced and had two small children. This was an impossible arrangement and after about a month I decided to go to Idaho and live with my grandmother.

Grandma stayed with my Aunt Geneva (she is two years older than I) for a short time and then left to visit relatives. Geneva and I were left to fend for ourselves.

Geneva was a very wonderful person with a strong testimony of the gospel. But she was in no way prepared to deal with troubled sixteen year old girls.

Once again I sought after people with low standards and I had one problem after another come my way. I was unhappy but really didn't know what to do about it.

Six weeks before graduation I was told by the principal at Idaho Falls High School to "shape up or ship out." I quit.

Feeling that life was all but over, I boarded a bus that was going to Los Angeles. I really had no definite plans but when I arrived I called the Keeps. They came and got me and took me home — once and for all, according to Mom.

Life settled into a pleasant routine. I had a job, was active in the Church and enjoyed being back with the Keeps.

On July 24, 1955 at Sacrament Meeting in Mar Vista Ward, a young man by the name of Edwin F. Evenson, or Ted as he was affectionately called, was smitten by my charms. We were married, after a whirlwind courtship, in the St. George Temple on September 14, 1955. We were given a lovely wedding reception by Ted's mother and father at their home in Venice.

Ted's father asked me, when he heard of our marriage plans, if I was prepared to support his son in the manner he'd become accustomed to. I told him I'd do my best.

Ted's mother was a little unsure of our marriage because of my background but she did everything she could for us to help us get started.