James "Jay" Albert and Helen Lorene Nelson Ralphs

They married on June 12, 1935, in the Logan Utah Temple, and were married 66 years before Jay's passing in November of 2001. They spent their life in Rockland, raising what Jay called their best crop ... their six children, Eldon Jay (Charmaine) Ralphs; Janice Mae (Robert) Freeman; Ilene (Carl) Haskell; DeeAnn (P. Ronald) Farr; Robert Lee (Nancy) Ralphs; and Dan Evan (Linda) Ralphs.

Both Jay and Helen were lifelong, active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jay served in the ward and stake Sunday school. As a Seventy he served as a stake missionary for the American Falls stake. At the time of his death he was a high priest living in the Rockland Ward. He loved going home teaching with the young men of the valley. Helen served in all the auxiliaries of the Church. In 1948, she wrote, "I have worked in the Primary since I was a Sophomore in high school. This has not been consistent service, although I have worked over 15 years in all the different classes... . ... I feel that it is a great privilege to be called to work with the children of our ward..."

Jay and Helen lived on a farm in Rockland raising turkeys, grain and alfalfa hay, and milking cows. When they retired, they moved into town, but Jay still loved driving to the farm each day helping with the irrigating and feeding the animals as long as his health permitted. Jay also served on the school board for several years.

Helen was a dedicated correspondent for "The Power County Press" for 32 years, keeping Rockland's happenings in the news.

She gave much sweet service to the community, church and especially to her family. Many pots of homemade chicken and noodles or new peas and potatoes, or beautiful flowers from her garden were enjoyed by families in the event of a new baby, sickness or death.

Jay passed away of natural causes at their home on 11/13/2001. Life just wasn't the same for Helen without her beloved companion, and she followed him to the eternities on 08/12/2004. At the time of Helen's passing they were survived by all 6 of their children and their spouses, 32 grand children, and 69 great grandchildren. They both left a legacy their posterity is proud to strive to carry forward.