Women of Faith and Courage

 Block 9 - Lena Anna Kern Gill 

Lena was born 26 March 1889 in Wipkingen, Zurich Switzerland.

Lena's mother showed interest in religion, her father frowned upon it. Lena, her mother and younger brother would attend different churches. They were always asked by her father upon returning, "Where have you been". He wasn’t happy about them going to church. Mother was introduced to the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and decided to attend a sacrament meeting. While at the meeting, Lena turned and saw her father at the back of the congregation. Mother told her to pretend like he wasn’t there. When they returned home he was pretending to be asleep in his chair. As they were getting ready to attend the meeting the following week, her father  asked where they were going. They said to church. He replied, "Why aren’t my shoes shined. I’m going too". Never had they polished his shoes so quickly. Shortly after, they accepted the invitation to be baptized and became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Persecution influenced them to move to America. Not being able to afford all to travel at the same time they sent Lena 11, and younger brother 9 year old Jacob to America first. With faith and courage they set sail leaving all they had but a few clothes and some Swiss chocolate. They were teased that they didn’t have all their passport papers and would have to be thrown overboard. Upon arrival in America (New York) a young “whippersnapper” grabbed her satchel and ran. Her brother Jacob took off after him and a few minutes later returned with it. Leaving New York, they traveled to Logan Utah to stay with her Father’s sister Louise Harris who was married to a nephew of Martin Harris. She was not very nice to them. She took Lena’s new dresses her mother had sewn to give her own daughters and gave Lena the old ones to wear. 

They started school in Logan and were made fun of by other children because they couldn’t speak English. She milked 18-20 cows morning and night besides other chores. Eventually her father came and they began farming in  Preston, Idaho. Lena was sent to Nebraska to stay with her mother's sister who had lost a daughter and was struggling. Her aunt treated her well. 

Lena's mother and younger brother came to America and the whole family gathered in Idaho. One day father was on top of a stack of hay and the wind blew hard. He fell off and landed on a pitchfork and died. 

Lena married Alfred Orin Gill when she was 21 years old. They had 9 children they raised in a very humble home in Idaho. The depression made food scarce. Lena could practically make soup from a rock and an old shoelace. With faith Lena tried her best to raise her family to teach them to be hard working and use the talents they were given. The family never seemed to get ahead financially. Money was always a struggle, yet their faith was strong and they trusted in the Lord. 

She lost two sons from illness. 

Lena and her husband retired to Payson Utah. She was known by many because she was very giving of her talents. Many people in her stake received dolls made from bleach bottles, crocheted items or stitched dish towels. She gave food, shoveled snow for neighbors and hand sewed temple clothing. She was a proliferous quilter. She served in the temple regularly. It was common for her and her husband to do about 10 temple sessions each week. 

She passed away May 4 1974 from a stroke while making someone temple clothing. 

This woman always exhibited strength, love, faith and courage and I am so grateful to call her my Grandma.

I'm sure you all have ancestors with similar stories that are meaningful to you.  I hope you are reminded of them as I share the story of a life that is so important to me.

For this block you will need:

2) 5 1/2 - inch light blue squares

2) 5 1/2 - inch background squares

5) 4 1/2 - inch dark blue squares

1) 2 1/2 - inch by fabric width of background

Cut 16) 2 1/2 - inch squares from the 2 1/2 - inch background strip. Draw a diagonal line on the back of each of these squares.  These are placed on the corners of four of the dark blue 4 1/2 - inch squares with the outside edges aligned and the drawn line running edge to edge.  Sew on the drawn line.  Trim 1/4 - inch from the line and press.

Place a 5 1/2 inch background and light blue square together with the right sides facing and the outside edges aligned.  Draw a diagonal line on the back of the background square.  Sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the drawn line.  Cut on the drawn line. Press the resulting half-square triangle toward the blue.  Repeat using the remaining background and blue squares.

Place two of the background and blue half-square triangles together with the blue of one square facing the background of the other square. The seams of both squares should match up and run the same direction.  Draw a diagonal line on the back of one set perpendicular to the seam.  Sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the line.  Cut on the line and press.  Trim the resulting quarter-square triangles to 4 1/2 inches.  Repeat with the remaining sets to create 4) quarter-square triangle sets.

Use the photo to assemble and sew the block.

Happy Quilting!

A reminder:

Main street will be closed for construction beginning Monday.  We have a back door you are welcome to use.  You will pass through our work area to access the front of the shop.  Parking may not be as convenient for which we apologize.  We really appreciate your loyalty and support!  THANKS!!