Lexia Dastrup

Born 16 Mar 1890 in Holden, Utah, to Pauline Larsen and Jacob Dastrup
Married Irvin Leroy Warnock 10 September 1913
Lexia-Marie
Died 5 Mar 1985 in Sigurd
Buried in Sigurd

1900 Census
1910 Census
1920 Census
1930 Census


Stories From My Family Tree
Written and Compiled by Jolene Christensen Dew
(You can find this book here to read or download.) Her Our Sixty Years is also a good source.  I wish I had a better photo, but this is it for now.

Dolls and Prayer

Lexia was looking for her dolly. She had looked for it everywhere she could think of, but with no results. To a little girl this is indeed a tragedy. Sadly she sat down on the step all alone, grieving for her loss. Lexia had been taught to pray about her problems. She had knelt with her family in family prayer as she heard her parents ask for blessings from their loving Father in Heaven. This seemed the answer, so with all her faith she folded her arms, bowed her head, and prayed sincerely that she could find her beloved dolly. As she finished her pray she immediately thought to look in her mother's bureau drawer. The bureau where they kept the dishes and table cloths. Why would her dolly be in there? But she obeyed the thought and ran to the bureau "There was her dolly!" She ran to her mother shouting for joy. Her mother asked, "How did you find your doll?" She answered, "I asked Heavenly Father to help me find her, and he did." Little Lexia was overjoyed. She told everyone she saw about how her (*13)Heavenly Father had answered her prayer.

Not long after this, Lexia met her Aunt Millie. She was only 10 years older than Lexia and a great friend. Lexia enthusiastically told Aunt Millie all about how she had found her doll. Aunt Millie smiled to herself as she remembered a time in her own childhood when she'd had a similar experience. She then related her own story to Lexia.

When Millie was a little girl, she had a little home-made doll that she loved and she had made lots of clothes for her from tiny scraps of cloth. One day she could not find her doll clothes. She hunted and hunted but with no success. Finally, she was too tired and discouraged to look any further. Millie went to the swing under the apple tree to take a rest. She sat swinging and wishing for clothes. After a little while, she decided pray, just as little Lexia had prayed for her lost doll.

Millie had small faith in her efforts, so her prayer was not very sincere. "Father in Heaven," she prayed, "please send my doll clothes flying to me." Not thinking of results from her prayer she kept swinging. But soon to her astonishment -- here the doll clothes came "flying" and landed at her feet. She was completely delighted and doubted no longer the absolute reliability of prayer.

There is another side to this story, the side telling where the "flying doll clothes, really came from. Millie's oldest sister, Sophia was busy with the daily job of cleaning the house. She was tidying up the upstairs room where she found the doll clothes. Looking out the window she saw Millie swinging on the swing, so she took the doll clothes and threw them out to her and went back to her work Millie did not see Sophia at all, so she believed the clothes came "flying" --in answer to her prayer.

Lexia Dastrup Warnock is the daughter Jacob and Pauline Dastrup. Millie and Sophia are sisters of Jacob Dastrup. Lexia grew up and married married Irvin L. Warnock on Sept. 10, 1913. This story was adapted from two stories in the booklet Stories of Those Who Preceded Us, compiled and written by Lexia D. Warnock (p.91).

Late For Primary

Six-year-old Lexia was having so much fun at play. Soon she heard her mother calling that it was time to get ready for Primary. Oh, but Lexia was not done playing. "In a minute," she called back. She continued her play until she was through. Her (*14) "minute" now over, she came sauntering up to the house only to find that her mother had already gone.

Undaunted, Lexia decided to follow. Quickly she washed her face and hands and put on her Sunday dress. Now is where her real dilemma started. The dress buttoned down the back. What would she do? She could not button it, hard as she tried. Could she make it to the meeting house without being seen in this revealing situation? She decided to chance it.

She ran all the way and was overjoyed when she finally made it to the door of the meeting house. She glanced in, but to her horror her mother was not near the door. She could not get her to button her dress without everyone seeing her. This was too much for the frustrated little girl and she began to cry.

Just then she noticed the children standing up and coming towards the door. Primary must be over! As the children came out, Lexia stood by the door with her unbuttoned back pressed up against the wall. She was now, of course, the center of attention. Tears continued to flow as some kind soul went into the building and told her mother about the pitiful plight of her child.

Mother came out and wiped little Lexia's sad face, and buttoned the dress! Now Lexia expected a scolding, but her mother must have realized that Lexia had already had punishment enough and simply said, "Well, next time, I guess you will come when you are called." And Lexia did!

This story is about Lexia Dastrup Warnock, taken from her life history entitled Lexia Dasttrup Warnock, My Story (p.4), written by herself at age 89.

School Pictures

The day for school pictures had arrived. The photographer had come to town and the children were all a-bustle to get ready for the pictures. A photographer was not often in town back in 1896, so it was a big deal when he came.

(*15) Lexia was six and her brother Leland was five. They had been fussed over all morning to look nice for the pictures. Their mother did their hair and smoothed their school clothes before sending them out the door. As they walked toward the school, they met other students arriving at school all primped and pampered by their parents. Each student looked just right.

The teacher was extra stern that day for he wanted everything to be in order. First, the students were lined up by height so that the tallest could be positioned in the back and the shortest in the front. One row of chairs was lined up in front of the school, and the photographer chose a few of the youngest girls to sit on them. Lexia was one of these girls and she was placed on the second chair from the right side. The other students were taken from the line and positioned in a group around the backs of the chairs. There were not very many children in the one-room Sigurd School, and it didn't take too long to have everyone situated in just the right spot.

When every one was positioned, the great photographer went to his camera for a look. He hummed and hawed and looked carefully at each student. The picture had to be just right. Then an idea struck him. He asked the teacher for some books. It would add to the academic look of the picture if some of the children were to hold books on their laps. Of course the only students with laps were those on the front row who were seated on the chairs. The teacher ran to his desk and gathered a few books and handed them to the photographer. With the books in hand he placed one on the lap of each seated child. Some of the books he opened to give a (*16) better look to his picture.

Being seated on the front row, Lexia was handed an open book. She looked down at the book and recognized it as the teacher's Black Book! This was the book in which the teacher wrote the names of those students who acted up or talked too much that day. To little Lexia's horror, there on the open page before her was her very own name in black ink. Lexia wanted to turn the page so her name wouldn't show, but she was afraid she would be reprimanded. There sat the mournful little girl in such a predicament. She was sure that her name could be seen from the camera and she would be branded for life. Oh, such a sad thing!

The photographer again placed himself behind his camera and covered himself up under the great black cloak. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . POOF, and the picture of the little worried girl on the front row was preserved for posterity.

Lexia Dastrup Warnock is the little girl in the picture. My grandma Lexia D. Warnock often told me this story as we looked through her picture books together. She would always say that she thought her worried expression showed a little in the picture. She would also say, "I don't know how my name got to be in his book because I was always such a quiet girl in school."

A Bumpy Buggy Ride For Baby

(*17)"Time for Sunday School," Mother called. The children paraded out the front door of their log house. Lexia was the oldest of the five children, and although she was only nine years old, she wheeled out the baby buggy. Mother lovingly placed the small baby, all bundled and wrapped in her blankets, into the buggy and off they went to church.

The shortest route to the church was across the fields, but the buggy could not go that way, so Lexia was charged with the responsibility to take the baby around the wagon road and through the gate. Mother led the other children out across the fields.
Lexia was very careful and tried very hard not to wake the sleeping baby as she walked along over the bumpy wagon road. As they came to the little gate, Lexia opened it and pushed the buggy through. Turning to close the gate she let go of the baby buggy just for a moment, but being on the un-level ground was all it took to upset the buggy, and down it went spilling the tiny baby in all her wrappings onto the ground. Lexia grabbed for the baby expecting a loud cry, but no sound came. She pulled the buggy up on to its wheels and put the pillow in it again. Then she slowly lifted up the baby, almost afraid she had killed her. As she gently unwrapped the bundle, she saw that the little one was still asleep and moved drowsily as the covers were disturbed. Lexia gratefully placed the precious bundle back in the buggy and proceeded on her way.

When she reached her mother near the church, Lexia told her of the frightening mishap and asked her to please check the baby herself to see if she were all right. Mother examined the baby who was still asleep in the buggy and pronounced her well. Lexia felt the Lord had kept her little charge safe in spite of her seeming inattention and was very glad.

This story is about Lexia Dastmp Wamock. The baby was her little sister Evadna. This story was taken from the life history entitled Lexia Dastrup Warnock, My Story (p6), written at age 89.

"Wait Etsie Wait A Wees"

(*18)Moonlight filtered into Lexia's room as she lay pondering the death of her little sister. This tragedy had been very Arlene Dastrup hard on her. She had loved this sweet little one so. It seemed only yesterday that life had been so happy with little Arlene toddling around the house. She was a smart little whip. She learned things quickly and was always happy. Lexia was the oldest in the large family and had just recently graduated from Snow Academy in Ephraim, Utah. Now she had secured a job teaching at their town school in Sigurd. Arlene loved her big sister and hated to see her leave for school. Every morning it was the same routine: Lexia would kiss her mother and little Arlene good-bye as the other brothers and sisters scampered to ready themselves for school. As Lexia walked down the path she would hear "Wait Etsie, Wait a Wees" from the tiny voice of her baby (*19)sister. Baby Arlene wanted Lexia to wait for Louise, or "Wees," who also went to the school where Lexia taught. But Lexia had to go to school early, so she would smile and wave, "I'll see you tonight, Arlene."

Things went along at much the usual routine until little Arlene fell sick. It was not too long until her condition grew worse. The doctors could do nothing for her. Many prayers ascended to our Father in Heaven for their baby, but one cold winter day, little Arlene was called home to live with her Father in Heaven.

The death of their precious little one left a great void in the family. Lexia grieved much over the loss. She would wake at night with a start thinking of that little cold grave under the snow where they had laid her baby sister. Through her tears of grief, Lexia prayed to Father in Heaven for understanding.

One night Lexia had a dream in which she saw her beloved little Arlene running happily through a sunny field of flowers. The child seemed so happy and warm that Lexia felt content. Peace flowed over her and she thanked her Father in Heaven for his love.

Arlene was the daughter of Jacob and Pauline Dastlup. Lexia Dastlup Wamock was their oldest child. This story was written from the memory of Jolene Dew as she remembered hearing the story from her grandmother Lexia Dastrup Warnock.
Cutting Lexia's Hair

(*28)As Lexia answered the door of her home, she greeted her sister Ila with a warm smile. "Hello!" It was always nice to visit with her sister. She and Ila were close and Lexia enjoyed her sunny face and the fun they had as they talked and laughed together. They talked about Lexia's children, Ila's schooling, dresses, and new styles. Ila told Lexia about the new styles in ladies' hair. Everyone she knew was bobbing her hair. All the girls were cutting their hair short and curling it. Ila had cut hers and loved it. Lexia knew that the going style was short hair for ladies.

When she and Irvin were married, the style was still long hair tied neatly back in a bun. Lexia had beautiful long hair. Her father had always loved long hair on his daughters and Lexia had left it long for him. She had never cut her hair. When she married Irvin, he had told her he loved her hair and she had been quite content to leave it long.

Ila went on and on about the new bobbed style. She thought Lexia should cut her hair so she would look more stylish. The more she talked, the more fun it sounded to Lexia. She could always grow her hair out long again if she didn't like it, and it might be fun to have a new style. As the two continued their visit, it was decided that indeed Lexia would have her hair cut and Ila would do it. No time like the present, so Lexia got down the comb and scissors and sat down in the kitchen. She unpinned her hair and it flowed down over her shoulders. Ila combed the beautiful thick mass, then prepared to cut it. She gathered a bit from the top and held it up straight in one hand while holding the scissors in the other.

Just as she was ready to make the first cut, in the door walked Irvin. Irvin's eyes blazed at the sight that greeted him. "Stop it right now! Don't you dare cut that hair!" Ila put down the scissors and comb and quietly left the house, and Irvin and Lexia were left together to iron things out. Lexia had not realized how important her long hair apparently was to her husband. She was quite willing to leave it long if that was his wish. Irvin had been startled by the sight and had been a little rough. All things were settled (*29) and life went on as before the incident, and the hair was left long.

At one time Lexia had the front section of her hair curled with a permanent to alleviate all the time she spent curling it with the curling iron. This turned out to be a disappointment, for as long as the permanent lasted, she combed out little curls broken off the end of her hair.

Some years later, Irvin wanted to know if Lexia couldn't have a permanent in her hair to "save all this curling." Lexia said she didn't think they would give a permanent in long hair. Irvin wasn't satisfied, and upon seeing a hair dresser they knew at a meeting, he walked over to question her about a permanent for Lexia. She answered that of course she could have a permanent as soon as it was cut. "Well, it won't be cut" came his reply and that was the end of his talk of a permanent.

Lexia Dastrnp and Irvin Warnock were married Sept. 10, 1913. Lexia, my Grandmother, told me this story often as she would sit curling the front section of her hair with her little curling iron. She had beautiful thick brown hair which she never cut throughout her life.
Church Widow

Lexia hugged her new husband of only one short week. Tears flowed as they held each other. This would be the last time they would see each other for two and one-half years. Irvin was leaving to serve the Lord in the Northern States Mission. As they gazed at each other fondly, their hearts were comforted by the realization that this was the right thing to do. They knew the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was true and that in serving the Lord they would find true happiness in life.

The two and one-half years rolled slowly by and the time came to reunite in Chicago, Illinois for a belated honeymoon on the way home from lrvin's mission. The years had been long but the growth the two shared because of their faith and service to the Lord was worth the price.

Together again, the young couple settled down and started their family in Sigurd, Utah. Irvin was called to a number of callings over the next six years: a home missionary in the stake, president of the stake religion classes, and president of the Sigurd, Ward YMMIA. Presently he was serving as the ward clerk. Two little girls had joined their family; Elayne was four, and Idell was two. They were expecting their third child at any time.

This particular Sunday was their quarterly stake conference. The family had gone together as usual to Richfield to the meetings. Just before the afternoon session (*30)started President Christensen came down to where they were sitting in the audience. He greeted the young couple then turned to Irvin. With a solemn look in his eyes he said, "Irvin, you have been appointed Bishop of the Sigurd Ward. Who will you have as your counselors? We would like to set you apart after this meeting." This was the first either of them had even considered such a possibility.

The calling weighed down upon the shoulders of this young man. He was only twenty-eight years old. He felt uneasy about leading a ward where resided other men older than himself and with so much more experience. Lexia stayed by her husband in this trying moment lending her quiet support.

Irvin prayerfully chose his counselors, Joseph B. Johnson and Alma Knight. After the meeting Elder George F. Richards of the Council of the Twelve set them apart. In the blessing Irvin remembered distinctly the words "Although you are young in years you shall be old in wisdom." This blessing proved true. For the next fourteen years, as seven more children came to their home to live, Irvin served as bishop of the Sigurd, Utah Ward.

In 1940 there was a very special meeting held in the basement of the Sevier Stake tabernacle. Two Apostles were present, Dr. John A Widtsoe and Elder Joseph Fielding Smith. It became a rather exciting meeting too, as the priesthood of the stake were told that a new stake presidency was to be chosen. The men of the priesthood began discussing possible leaders for this important work. The talking got a bit loud, and there was a bit of bantering among the brethren. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith came to the pulpit, and, in a most kindly voice said, "Please, brethren, not so much levity." The room became as solemn as Solomon.

Irvin was invited to meet with these two Apostles the next morning. They broke the news gently. Irvin had been selected to serve as president of the Sevier Stake. He would have until end of the morning session of conference to choose his counselors.

Irvin called his wife, Lexia, to his side (*31)and together they rode around in the car for the whole two hour period between sessions of conference. Irvin felt sick, just plain sick! This call was so unexpected. But he had learned early in life to accept church responsibilities and of course the answer to the Lord's call came, "I will."

That evening as Irvin returned home his young daughter Arda Jean, then only 11 years old, ran to him calling, "Who is the new stake president?" As he turned to greet her, he looked as though the whole weight of new responsibility rested on him, but his face was shining. He put out his arms in an appealing gesture -- "Come and kiss him." Her delight was unbounded as she flew into his outstretched arms and shared with him one sacred, special moment of eternal meaning.

Shortly after Irvin had been made stake president, he went to visit with Brother Winkel at his bakery in Richfield. Brother Winkel and his wife Everdina had sold their bakery in Monroe to Irvin's mother at the time that Irvin was to leave on his mission. It was from the operation of this bakery that his mother obtained the money to help keep Irvin on his mission. So, the Warnocks and the Winkel family were very well acquainted. Irvin found Brother Winkel in the back of the store tending the ovens. As Brother Winkel finished his job at the oven he turned and recognized Irvin. "VeIl, veIl, so it iss you, Broder Varnick" he said in his rich Dutch accent. "VeIl, veIl, so you iss the new stake president. I vould never have believed it."

Lexia stood by Irvin's side through all his callings in the church. Her support was rewarded when they were called in their later years to serve a mission together in England. This was a sacred experience. They grew closer to the Lord through their service together. Lexia was also blessed to serve as a scribe for her dear husband when he was called as patriarch to the Sevier Stake.

A "Church Widow" to some, and she probably was, but as Lexia always taught with her instinctive wisdom, "The gospel of Jesus Christ is the best way to live.

This story was adapted from accounts found in the book Our Sixty Years by lrvin L. and Lexia Warnock and from papers of lrvin Warnock.