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chosen to work in the Bishopric and I hope that I can always live worthy of you and my mother. He sends his tithing each month, sends a $25.00 war bond home each month, he also sent me $10.00 and his mother $10.00 and said buy the things that you need most, because I don't know just what to get for you.'
"Mother, believe me it is touching to get such letters as this, from a boy so young and in his tender years, I wish you could be here and weep with me for joy as I write this letter to you. may God continue to bless him and bring him back clean and pure as he left. I know that if I live worthy the things that I ask will be granted. Hoping and praying that some day all my brothers and sister will see the light."
Conference Time
On Nov. 12, 1945, Lyle had just returned from a trip to Salt Lake to attend conference and do temple work for his family. James Uriah was there visiting them for awhile. Lyle had missed Dallas so much he promised he would never go to another conference without her.
Dealing with Fred
Little Freddie, as he was called, was both a joy and a heartbreak to his family. He was a blue baby at birth, according to Lyle, which left him retarded for life. Lyle would play ball with him, which he always enjoyed.
In May of 1943, Dallas had written that Fred had been ill since LaVonda had been there. "He almost had a complete nervous breakdown right after she left." "That poor child has suffered more in the past 5 years than most people suffer in a life time. Talk about a thousand deaths he has sure went through them." "It's no wonder he swears. I'm afraid most people would do worse than swear. Well, Vern is out working in the garden. He is taking over things pretty good since Lyle left."
In Feb. of 1946, they were looking into placing him in Sonoma State Home. Fred was 9 years old, and had suffered from Petit Mal since the age of 6. By 1946, he had been treated with sedatives for several years.
As Dr. Howard wrote: "Efforts to educate him both in public and private schools have not been markedly successful. He does not make social adjustments readily and is a constant problem. Enuresis is less marked than formerly." He requested he be placed in Sonoma.
Building a New Home
In March of 1946, Lyle and Dallas were planning on building a home. Dallas wrote on May 27, 1946, that they had sold their big house and were now living in a small rental across the street from where they were building a 5 room house. The whole family was in awe of their new home.
Dallas wrote from Mesquite that she hoped he would wait until she returned to pour the foundation, as she had worked out a floor plan for a 20 foot wide home. The living room would be 11 foot wide and the bedroom 7 foot wide, or the living room 10 foot and the bedroom 8 foot wide. But lumber, according to Vilate, was only available to returning War Vets.
There was no tone of rancor in her letter, but by March, 24, 1946, Lyle was alone with Fred and afraid Dallas might never come home. He wrote to her in southern California, assuming she was with Amelia. Lyle regretted all his harsh words. Fred missed his Mama and Lyle expressed his undying love. But his letter was sent back, unknown at that address. A March 19th letter to General Delivery in Mesquite had also been returned unclaimed.
Cubmaster
It was in Del Paso Heights that they were very involved in Cub Scouting, Lyle acting as Cub master, and Dallas as den mother. They had money making projects, including charging 25 cent admission to plays that Dallas would direct with the 20 to 35 cub scouts at the Del Paso Grammar School. They had many marshmallow and weenie roasts. Lyle developed a good relationship with the boys, many of whom he kept touch with during the years.
Son Leaves for Mission
At the age of 21, Fred's older brother, Vern was called to serve in the Central Pacific Mission in the Hawaiian Islands, from Jan. 1948 to January 1950. After he returned home he continued his schooling in Logan, Utah, and the Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State). During 1949, Lyle was offering to sell cows to members of his family. His mother, Maud, wanted to know why. She found out it was to pay off the money they had borrowed from her. She told him not to worry about it. Lyle offered his rental cottage to Frank and Lavonda.
Fred Goes to School
On April 27, 1948, Fred was recovering from a bout with the mumps. On Dec. 4, 1949, Fred was at the Ruth Lipp's Sunny Crest School in Los Angeles. Mrs. Dieraks had written that Fred had adjusted well and was eating well and seemed to be happy. His progress in school was very slow, but he did work hard.
Tuition there was $100 a month, plus $5 medical. By March 1950, they complained that Dallas was having trouble paying on time.
The Daughter they always Wanted
By Mar. 5, 1950, Lavonda's daughter, June, was staying with them. Lyle spoke of teaching her life lessons in honesty and fairness. June was apparently escaping a rough home life. In Aug. she was back home, but wrote that she was glad to be coming over next week.
That Christmas, Vern came home from college for the holidays. In January June, a Beehive, was still living with them. Dallas had just returned from a trip with Fred to Los Angeles.
Changing Wards
Their first ward in Sacramento was the old Sutter Ward, which was changed to Second Ward which then split to leave them in the Arcade Ward. There they stayed until 1951, when they bought a home on 1120 40th Street, in the Sacramento 3rd Ward, where they lived the rest of their lives.
Called to the Bishopric
Lyle was called to work in the bishopric of the Arcade Ward as 2nd counselor, with Elmer C. Gardner as Bishop and Oscar Larson as 1st counselor, and Carol Skinner as Ward Clerk. He served there for 5 years. He wrote, "I like it very much and know that most of my time should be spent in working for the Lord."
Then, in 1951, they moved to a new ward.
Now a High Councilor
When the bishop of his new ward was released, Lyle was called by the Stake president of the Sacramento Stake, Perry E. Tingey, to serve on the high council. He was ordained May 1952, by Elder Delbert L. Stapley. His name appeared in the Church News.
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