This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Taylor, Eriksen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADE/541 Message Board Post: The Idaho Statesman, 8/2/2002 Sylvan Taylor, age 88, peacefully left his earthly state on Tuesday, July 23, 2002, to join his sweetheart and eternal companion of 63 years. Laurna went to prepare the way for them on July 7, 2001, in heaven where they will enjoy one another for the eternities. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N. Cloverdale Road. The funeral will be presided and conducted by Glen W. Fairbourn from the Meridian Eighth Ward at the request of Sylvan's daughters, Dee Paternoster and Peggy Connor (St. George, Utah). Dedication of the grave and interment will be held immediately after the service at Cloverdale Memorial Park. Dad often talked about how it was time for him to leave this earth, comparing his life to an "old tractor or other farm machinery parts were no longer" available stating "if it can't be fixed, it is time to go!" His idea of living was to be "as good as new" and enjoy the great outdoors as a "farmer of the land." Dad was always proud to call Idaho his home. He was born in Weston, Idaho, on April 25, 1914, a beautiful spring day, to his loving parents, Joseph T. Taylor and Anna Eriksen Taylor. Joseph and Anna were blessed with seven sons and four daughters. One brother and four sisters survive Sylvan. Dad loved his family and had so many wonderful memories of his childhood with his brothers and best friend, Floyd Bennett. Dad was proud to have been his mother's "right arm" and worked along side of her enjoying a deep and binding relationship with her until she passed away in childbirth when he was 19 years old. Dad was heartbroken at his loss and could not talk of his mother without crying. What a joyous reunion they will now have. Dad was a very tenderhearted man and often said, "If you can't get along with me, you can't get along with yourself" and then he would laugh. Dad had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh at himself. The memory of his laughter will forever live with all! of us; may we all remember "not to take ourselves so seriously." Dad, at a very early age, believed in himself and his abilities to be a dairy farmer and later raise hay. Dad often talked to me about "Faith" and the important role it had in his life when he gave a talk on the subject at the early age of 10. Dad's definition of "Faith" was "Belief + Effort = Faith." The earth turned to gold whenever he exercised his faith. Dad met Laurna at a dance in Winder and he fell deeply in love with his sweetheart. He told me she had such a spark for life and loved to have fun and they danced and danced. They were married Oct. 26, 1939. They left Weston in 1947 for the last time for a better tomorrow. They first farmed with his brother, Clyde, in Boise living and working side by side, which formed a special bond. He later obtained his own Grade A dairy farm on Cloverdale across from the cemetery until the late 1950s. At that time, he fulfilled a dream of developing large acreage in Or! ovada, Nev., where he spent the remainder of his farming days - growing alfalfa seed and hay. He put a lot of miles on his car between Boise and Orovada and probably could have driven it blindfolded. Dad's successes were great as he and our mother, Laurna, worked side by side overcoming the adversities of life and enjoying the "joys of simple living." Dad and Mom raised six children to adulthood and they were deeply sorrowed as their son, Leon, passed away Nov. 23, 2000. They are survived by Peggy LaRue Connor (Ernest) of St. George, Utah; and Dee (Terry) Paternoster who has lovingly stood by their side the past three years insuring them the peace and care they so richly deserved; Ethlyn; Janice; and Keith Taylor (Lodi, Calif.). Grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren blessed their lives as they entered the Taylor family. We often talked about how they would rise up to honor and bless the Taylor name and the heritage Dad held dear. Baby Cheryl left t! heir side in 1959. Dad's farming days came to an end at the age of 83 due to declining health. Dad's last days were filled with "farming" and the remembrances of "better days" as he reminisced with his daughter, Dee, and others about the "good ole' days." His two favorite books were "Winder Days" and a book on the history of the LDS Church in Meridian. By looking through and reminiscing, the stories flowed one after another. Dad was so thankful for his heritage and the good life he had been blessed with and for his wife, Laurna, who stood valiantly by his side. Dad was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Activity came and went due to a speech impediment at birth but his "faith and his testimony" never wavered. Laurna and Sylvan were sealed for eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 16, 1958, bringing an eternal vision to their union. Dad and Mother spent 2001 in the private care home of Bette and Lloyd Newborn and Dad the remaining days o! f his life. They were able to acquire the peace they desired without the influences of others. Bette and Lloyd and Angie and Bonnie and others lovingly cared to their every need. Peggy and I would like to thank them for this and making them feel loved, safe and protected. Dad and Mother, until her death, sat side by side in their chairs and finally had time "to smell the roses" and enjoy one another amid their afflictions. Dad really missed Mom in the past year and is now at peace knowing the best has finally come. We love you so much Dad; God be with you until we embrace one another in heaven. You are free at last!