On Thursday, April 17, 2025 (a beautiful Spring Day during Easter week), Dawn Nelson Hafen completed her journey on earth surrounded by family at her home in Mesquite, Nevada. She is now having a joyous reunion as she starts the next step in our Heavenly Fathers Plan of Salvation. She was born February 27, 1936, in Redmond, Utah, a small village famous for salt mines and red knolls. Her father, Charles Elmer Nelson, was aged 50, and her mother, Margaret Kate Jensen, was 43. They named her “Dawn” for this new era in their lives. Already an aunt when she was born, she grew up with nieces and nephews and cousins. Her Uncle Hilton lived on the other corner of the block with each brother having a barn between their houses. Farm chores and playtime were mixed together in this idyllic setting. Dawn attended elementary school in Redmond, and North Sevier High in Salina. She ventured to Cedar City and the College of Southern Utah but returned every weekend “back home to Redmond.” She graduated in 1958 with her teaching degree. Growing up on a farm, she was determined not to marry a farmer. Traveling through Nevada on family vacations, she vowed never to live there. A dashing sophomore, who was a Disc Jockey for the college radio, complete with a charming personality, crew cut, and a 1958 Ford Fairline convertible, asked her out on a date. He thought she was a high school, Senior. She was about to graduate from college. They dated a while, but after a quarrel, they broke up. Bryan played the song “Return to Me” on air. At the end of the song he said,”I wish she would.” They were married March 14, 1959. He was a farmer. They lived in Nevada. The convertible is still in their garage. Dawn taught school in Moapa and Virgin Valley. Reading was emphasized in her classroom and students were tasked with reading at home and bringing back notes. “Caterpillar” and “ice cream” charts marked their progress. The Boxcar Children and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory were read out loud. Vibrant bulletin boards were utilized to accent the subjects, seasons and students and each student had their own “Friend of the Week” bulletin board. Dawn’s testimony of our Savior and His gospel is tremendous and enduring. She served Him in many capacities. Temple attendance with a group of her “Church Sisters” was a joy. When in charge of a lesson, program, or party, she included a noteworthy song or reading, centerpiece with coordinating tablecloth, handout and treat. (Her friend Noma Houston ensured everything was the trendiest.) Serving many, but ministering to the one, she would check on a Primary child who had not attended that day or take an extra “handout” or treat to a shut in. Her last official calling was with her friend Pat Reber when they were called to be “Grandmas” to the Young Women. Her life’s work was her boys! Cub Scouts. Boy Scouts. Athletics. Future Farmers of America. Good Grades. Church activities. Cooking. Cleaning. Prodding. Encouraging. Demanding. Praying. Loving. She had three goals. Eagle Scout. Mission. Temple Marriage. Times five. These goals were accomplished, all the while giving heed to free agency. The boys could attend church and like it, or they could attend church and not like it. Either way, the boys attended church! For this work she was rewarded with 25 wonderful grandchildren who she unceasingly spoiled. Although she had a booming teachers’ voice, she never used it on her grandkids. They looked forward to her taking them birthday shopping, but school clothes shopping was exhausting. She wanted them to try on “just one more outfit.” Dawn is survived by her five sons and daughters in law, Nelson and Laurel of St. George, Derek and Sandy of Bunkerville, Kraig and Aron, Merlin and Victoria, and Tilman and Jennifer of Mesquite, 24 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, sister Lora Dee Christensen of Las Vegas, brothers and sisters-in-law Tim Hafen of Pahrump, Monta Hafen of Mesquite, Doug and Ann Hafen of St George. Preceded in death by her husband, daughters-in-law Kim and Susan, grandson Max, brother and sisters Tilman (Bessie), Melva (Lloyd) Johnson, Lyal (Merlin) Ashman, Vergie (Leedrow) Anderson, De Lora Nelson, brothers-in-law Gary Hafen and Don Christensen, and niece/close friend Kay Ashman Christensen. The family would like to thank Haille, Heather, Angela, Paula, Karina, Lori, Jaren and Akilah, Estelle and Sarah for their devoted care and attention to our mom. Kim Thompson for doing her nails, Karen Off and all the girls with holes in their jeans at Fringe Salon for keeping her hair pretty, Aunt Monta for her daily phone calls and rides, Aunt Dee for her calls, cruises, and Conference Weekend cabin trips, and Victoria for her work and loving care these last few years. Viewing will be Friday, April 25, from 5:00 to 7:00pm (all times Nevada time) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center on 100 N Arrowhead Lane and Saturday, April 26, from 9 to 10:30am at the same location. Funeral Services will be at 11:00am with burial after the services in the Mesquite Cemetery on Hillside Drive. Live streaming through Star Mortuary.  Family and friends are invited to leave condolences and memories at www.starmortuary.com

Sister Arianne Gardner has returned after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Iowa, Iowa City mission. Arianne is the daughter of Hans and Shirleen Gardner of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward. Sister Gardner spoke on April 27th. Welcome home!

Elder Joe Kazek has returned after serving his mission. Elder Kazek served in Mexico Sonora Mission. He is the son of Mike and Amy Kazek, Heritage Ward, West Stake. Elder Joe Kazek will be speaking Sunday, March 9th, at 9 am in Stake Center. It is located at 100 N. Arrowhead Ln. Welcome Home!

Heritage Days was held with the East and West Stakes Saturday, March 1 at the Heritage Park. The local VFW presented the flag followed by Alana Davis singing the National Anthem.   President Ryan Toone of the East welcomed everyone and told the story of Mary Jane Leavitt whose statue stands in front of city hall. Mary Jane Leavitt is a great example of faith and service in her care for the sick and broken hearts.  She delivered babies and took care of their mothers.  Her door was always open to those who stopped by and she always fed them saying, ‘there is enough such as ‘tis!’ “I hope that same feeling will exist here, and we can use her example to show love and to help one another.” President Jared Hollingshead of the West Stake also spoke of the pioneering spirit.  When they had hardships they soldiered-on. He said,” I see the same grit and determination that was exemplified in the settling of the valley. I have witnessed adversity today in the lives of people in this valley and their strength to overcome adversity and help one another.  Elder Emerson Carnavale at our recent stake conference said, “there is a special spirit here in this valley. “He could feel that spirit of kindness and caring.” Pres. Hollingshead continued, “Let us continue that legacy and help our friends and neighbors. “ Thank you to all those that provided booths, food to taste, crafts, and activities. The kids enjoyed eating cotton candy and kettle corn.  There were numerous pioneer games, stick pulling, horseback rides, or roping “steers”.  The Abbott family had a petting zoo with goats to love, baby rabbits to cuddle, baby chicks, hens and roosters and pigs to feed.  Kids and youth could try milking a cow or making adobe bricks.  The Cox family had their branding irons heating and burned initials in wood for the kids to take home and wear around their neck.   Rag doll making was a favorite activity as well as making small handcarts.  They could also try the ring rolling area.  The Harlachers had small wagon train that took kids around the parking lot to get the feeling of a long journey across the plains.  Leon Gubler brought his team of horses and wooden wagon to give rides.  We appreciate his traveling to Mesquite to help with the Heritage Days celebration and give us the feel of pioneering.   Pioneer stories were related by Elayne Storrs about her great, great, great grandmother, Mary Elizabethe Cox Whiting, and how they lived in dugouts in San Pete County during the winter.  The area was infested with rattle snakes and rattlers would drop down through the ceiling of the dugouts and it terrified the pioneers.  There were rattle snakes in their beds.  The men got torches and weapons and killed over 300 rattlers in a cave or den of the snakes!  This happened night after night.  There was a 2-year-old boy who looked sickly after being in the dugout all winter.  His mother set him out on the stoop to get some sunshine while he ate his morning bread and milk.  But he didn’t seem to get any better, in fact he grew sicklier and had a little blue tint to his skin.  He would dip his spoon in the milk, move his arm to the side for a little and put it to his mouth.   The answer – a rattlesnake was licking the spoon each time he extended his arm and then the boy was getting a little venom with each bite!  When this was discovered, the rattler was killed, and the boy grew and regained his health and color returned to his skin!  Amazingly no one was ever bitten by a ratter! Rosa Zarate and her daughter Isela make authentic fresh tortillas, rolled and cooked them and served them with freshly made salsa.  Rosa is an expert at mixing, rolling the dough and cooking it perfectly on the grill. Terry and Josie of the Summercrest Ward served 3 kinds of lemonade – Raspberry, Strawberry, and just lemonade along with scrumptious homemade cookies.    Homemade ice cream was a favorite as the day grew warmer and it was hard to decide between chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry! Jan & Craig Mitchel and family had their electric ice cream freezer going and it fascinated the kids who wanted to look inside as it turned.   When asked their favorite flavor, Craig said banana and Jan voted for strawberry.  They are carrying on the family tradition of ice cream making.  They remember Sunday afternoons making ice cream and having the neighbors come over to enjoy the sweet treat. History presentations with pictures and slide shows could be viewed inside the building. Aaron Bunker of the Virgin Valley Water District told the history of the water supply from the piping of the springs on the mountains to the water reservoir and new wells and tanks presented through pictures and posters.  The story of the longest running non-union picket line was told with posters, photos and a video slide show, and documents.  It told the story of the Pron Store that was opened in Mesquite in 1993 and the battle to get it finally shut down in 1996. A timeline with pictures showed the chapels built, Camp Helaman and Camp Ruth, three trek enactments for the youth and three recent floods in the valley.  The family history center was open for people to search records of their ancestors.  The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers had a booth to share information about their pioneer ancestors.    Everyone received a punch card and after visiting all 18 stations a drawing was held.  Prizes included Daniell’s popcorn and two quilts which were tied by ladies that morning.   Norman Ray sang and played country music while lunch was served. Dutch Oven chicken and potatoes, salad and rolls, and dessert were enjoyed in the picnic area. Thanks to Wes Carter and his crew who had 40 Dutch Ovens on the fire pit.  Thank you to the chefs -- Jon Meierhoff and sons, Vall Woods and Jos. Thank you! Tietjen for the traditional pioneer food.  Thanks to Krissy and Richard Cook for their committee or organizing the event.   By Cheryl Jensen

Connie Jo Tanner, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on January 27, 1949, in Shelbyville, Indiana, to Rowland and Margaret Moore, Connie spent her early years traveling the world due to her father’s military service, including spending time in Germany. She later graduated from high school in Woodlake California, before attending a small business college to pursue a career as an administrative assistant. While living in Southern California, Connie met the love of her life, Dennis LeRoy Tanner. Their love story began in a rather unconventional way—Dennis, a skilled tire salesman, convinced Connie to let him inspect her tires, only to hoist her car up on a lift until she agreed to go on a date with him. That fateful meeting led to their marriage on October 16, 1971, in Los Angeles, California. The couple later settled in Mesquite, Nevada, where they built a life together and raised their family. Connie found great joy in her faith and was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after moving to Mesquite. Through the kindness of neighbors and friends, she embraced the gospel and was baptized on October 11, 1987. Two years later, on October 20, 1989, Connie and Dennis were sealed in the St. George Utah Temple, a testament to their deep commitment to their faith and each other. A hardworking and dedicated woman, Connie worked in the “cage” at the Peppermill Casino before transitioning to banking as a teller. Later, alongside Dennis, she became a business owner, opening Tanner’s Videos, which evolved into Tanner’s Collectibles and eventually Tanner’s Pawn Shop. The couple worked side by side for over 26 years, forming not just a successful business but a treasured partnership. After Dennis’s passing in 2008, Connie continued to embrace life with resilience and humor. She spent several years in Mesquite before moving to Hurricane, Utah, to live with her son and daughter-in-law, and later to Prineville, Oregon, to be with her beloved sister, Bonnie Rogers. In Prineville, she found joy in caring for her elderly stepfather, Gene Ridgway, and was known for her mischievous spirit and ability to bring laughter to those around her. Connie is survived by her two devoted sons, Tommy Jo Tanner and Jimmy James Tanner, her cherished sister Bonnie Rogers, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was a loving mother, sister, and grandmother who found her greatest joy in her family. Connie will be remembered for her kindness, humor, and unwavering love. Her legacy of faith, resilience, and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit will remain a guiding light, and the memories she created will be forever treasured. A funeral service was held on Saturday February 22, 2025, in Prineville OR to honor and celebrate Connie’s life. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Mesquite City Cemetery in Mesquite, Nevada at 11:00 a.m. pacific standard time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you share a kind act in her memory, just as she always did for those around her. Until we meet again, Connie. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.