History of Annie Leah Ware
GEORGE AND LEAH RICKENBACH FAMILY (10/91 by Norene Oldroyd)
Annie Leah Ware was born March 5, 1897 in Manti, Utah to James Russel and Annie Sophia Willardson Ware. She was the first child in a family of six children. When she was two years old, her parents moved to Brooklyn (near Elsinore) where they lived until the Spring of 1903 when the family moved to Monroe. Leah attended the schools in Monroe and graduated from high school in 1917. The following year she taught the third and fourth grades in Sigurd. She first met George Rickenbach the night of her high school graduation dance, June 1, 1917. They were married November 20, 1920 in the Manti Temple and they became parents of a daughter and a son, Norene and R.J.. George and Leah lived in Glenwood all of their married lives. An especially sad time in Leah’s life was when her preschool-aged son was the victim of a hit and run automobile accident that was a serious threat to his life. After a long hospitalization in Richfield, it was necessary for R.J. to have more specialized care in northern Utah where he and his mother spent most of one year. Leah’s first love was her family and home. The most golden times in her life were when she was doing things with her family or just having her family together under her roof. She was an immaculate housekeeper, and enjoyed cooking and gardening. She had beautiful plants in her home and worked hard to have a nice yard. In addition to her many household responsibilities, she supported her husband in all the work necessary to maintain sheep camps. Leah was a great help to her husband in that she kept the financial records of their business. Leah had a special relationship with her mother-in-law, and when she was no longer able to care for herself, she came to live with Leah and George. Leah also served as a teacher and a counselor in the auxiliary organization of the Church in Monroe prior to her marriage. After moving to Glenwood she taught in all of the auxiliaries and served as counselor in the Primary and Relief Society and as President of the YWMIA for many years. While she was president, Glenwood won a silver loving cup from the stake for having the most ward members participate in activities for a period of three years. She served on the Sevier Stake Sunday School Board for more than five years. She was Junior Sunday School Coordinator for a number of years. In 1953 she was honored for having given more than 39 years of service to the Primary. She gave 45 years of Sunday School service. More often than not she was serving simultaneously in two or more organizations. She was well read in the gospel and a faithful Latter-day Saint. Leah was an extra special teacher. She had great influence on the spiritual growth of countless young people. She taught many of the young girls in the ward the skills of embroidering and crocheting. She was still teaching far beyond the age when most people are thought too old to teach young people. She was a member and Captain of Camp Wasatch Daughters of Utah Pioneers and served in many capacities in that Camp. She was active in community affairs, having served as a Red Cross County Board member and Community Chairman for a number of years. She was a member of the Jensen-Colby Post American Legion Auxiliary and served in many administrative positions there. She served two terms on the Glenwood Town Board. She and Colleen Bell were the first two women to serve on the Glenwood Town Board. She also served for many years as the Glenwood Reporter for the Richfield Reaper, a local paper. The celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary was a highlight in the lives of George and Leah. Their children entertained at a family dinner and an open-house. Many relatives and friends came to wish them well and did special things to make this a memorable occasion. Leah endeared herself to many and was often called upon to pay tribute at funerals. Leah had health problems throughout her life, but in 1971 when she suffered a fractured hip and complications, her lifestyle changed completely. She was hospitalized for several months, spent time in Norene’s home recuperating, and when she finally was able to return home, she was confined to a wheelchair. Leah’s cheerfulness and love of life in the face of extreme adversity over a long period of time provides an example all can benefit from. She died in Richfield on January 24, 1979 at the age of 81, less than a year before her husband George passed away. Special tribute was paid to her in funeral services in the Glenwood Ward. Burial was in the family plot in Richfield.
Source: Family Search Memories
