James Alva Hendricks Family: Ione Sant

Ione's Life Sketch
given by her sister Norma Sant Green on
April 14th 1981 at Ione's funeral.
re-typed and posted to this blog by her Granddaughter
(Keri Glenn Gunter) April 21, 2010

Ione Sant Hendricks was born October 12, 1914,
at Cleveland, Idaho, the 4th of 10 children born to
George Oscar Sant and Luvanah Townley Sant.
She died April 11, 1981, in the Bannock Memorial
Hospital, of Kidney failure brought on by more than
25 years of sugar Diabetes.

She is survived by her husband James Alva Hendricks
of Pocatello, and 7 sons and daughters.
James Lavon, Anaheim, California., Dennis K., Idaho Falls,
Eugene Lee and Bruce Verlon, both of Pocatello.
Mrs. Bill (Mary Lue) Roberts, Pocatello, Colleen Ione Pritchett,
Pocatello, and Mrs. Danny (Renae) Oniska, Portland Oregon.

Her father and mother and 5 brothers and sisters proceded
her in death. A brother, just older, was stillborn and not named.
Lynn, just younger, lived just a few hours. Ruth the 8th child,
lived about 6 weeks and died of pnuemonia. Lucille, the oldest
died at the age of 28 of peritonitis, after an appendix operation.
Dale, the youngest, was 24 when he was killed in a car accident.
She is survived by two brothers and two sisters.
Cecil Leroy Sant, Boise, Harold Oscar Sant, Salt Lake City.
Mrs. George (Vera) Shappart and Mrs. LaMont (Norma) Green,
both of Pocatello.

Ione must have gotten her love to travel at an early age,
because our family did a lot of it. Our dad was basically
a farmer, but had many different and diverse jobs.
This took the family to many places and locations as they
moved accross the country. Dad was born in Treasureton.,
Idaho and his parents had a farm there. Our Grandmother,
on mothers side lived in South East Texas, in the little town
of Enoch. We moved back and forth at least 3 times with
stops in diverse places in between. Vera was trying to
remember the places they had lived and could remember 36.
This does not mean that it was cheaper for us to move than
pay rent. We were poor, but we were honest, clean poor.
We moved because this is where dad found work. He
would work at any job that came his way. Those were the
early years of this century, the lean and then depression years.
Also the horse and buggy and Model T. Ford years.

Dad and mother taught us all to work hard, and to pay
for what we got. To be honest and truthful was almost
a compulsion with them. We were also taught
compassion and to help the less fortunate - tho at times,
they were hard to find. Ione learned these lessons and
rules of conduct and practiced them all her life.

We were living at Cold Water Camp, about 19 miles west
of American Falls, when Ione was in her early teens. We
had a service station, with groceries and a lunch counter.
Dad had built some small cabins. Ione became the jack of
all trades. She pumped gas (and in those days you did
pump it) She waited on the lunch counter, sold groceries,
and made change. She said she could even change oil
in cars. I don't doubt she learned to do this, but she
certainly forgot quickly, after she married Jim,- or wisely
acted like she did.

When we left Cold Water Camp, and moved to American
Falls for Dad to work on the dam Construction, Ione went
to High School there. Some of the other places Ione
went to school were, Cleveland, Idaho, Grace, Thatcher,
Logan Ut., Fall Creek and the last schooling at American
Falls. We moved from American Falls and went back to
Treasureton. Later, Ione came to Pocatello and did
domestic work. Then Vera came to Pocatello and they
rented a room in the old Keystone Hotel on East Center
and both did house work and some Cafe work.

In the spring of 1935, Ione was working for Dale and
Bea Plain, and a friend of theirs Jim Hendricks came
for lunch one day. They were introduced, liked each
other on sight. They dated and fell in love, and on
June 17th, 1935 they were married in Preston, Idaho,
by a justice of the peace. This was the Justice of
the Peace's first marriage ceremony, and about all
they heard him say as he mumbled some words was
$5.00 please. They were married for Time and all
Eternity, and their 4 older children were sealed to them
in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 14, 1947. The
last 3 children were born under the Covenant.

Jim had also been taught well to work and provide
for his wife and family. He was working for Martin
Spring works from 8 in the morning to 6 each evening
and 1/2 days on Saturday for $18.00 a week.
Before Von was born it was increased to $20.00.
About 4 years later he started working for the
Government Bate Plant and made $25 a week then.
They bought a house at 1031 So 3rd, and have lived
there and at 1005, on the same block for over 41 years.

By 1944 their future looked better. Jim went to work at

the Naval Ordinance Plant as an oiler for $1.00 an hour,
and soon started to weld, from then on he has always
made good wages, and living became much easier and
pleasanter for them.

All seven of their children were born in Pocatello.
James Lavon was born on February 9, 1937 during a
blizzard. They rushed for the hospital, were stuck in
several drifts, which Jim frantically dug out of, finally
got behind a snow plow and made it to the hospital
with just 20 minutes to spare. Vera was along on that
hectic ride and decided that Von was part hers,
she still thinks so. Dennis K. born September 22, 1940.
Von came fast and easy, but Dennis came late and slow.
It was two anxious days before Ione saw him.
Vera claimed Von but Dennis was mine. His best
friend as a 4 or 5 year old was an imaginary one
named "Corn Can". He cried when they wouldn't name
Mary that. Eugene Lee came to them on December
4, 1942, not in a blizzard. While Ione was still partly
under the anasthetic she was told she had a nice
healthy boy and she said "Take him back, I've got
two perfectly healthy boys, I want a girl." As soon
as she looked at him and held him, his love and
place in their family were assured. Mary Lue, born
April 23, 1945, was named after Jim's and Ione's
Mothers. After 10 years of marriage - a girl!
but sad to say, Mary soon became a tom boy.
With 3 older brothers to coach and teach her all
they knew, she didn't have a chance. No dainty
girl there. Colleen Ione arrived Sept. 11, 1947.
Another girl, and Ione decided this one would be
a girl. Those of you who know Ione, know that
when she makes up her mind - it happens.
Bruce was born on November 24, 1953, the day
before Thanksgiving. She was now ready for
another boy and he was a doll. He won a baby
contest, and if you could see his baby pictures,
you would know why. Vera also decided it was
time for her to have another one of Ione's children,
so she claimed him also. Renae, the last born,
came on December 10, 1957. Ione knew her
child bearing days were about over at age 43
and really enjoyed her last one, and with Jim
and 6 brothers and sisters all ready to assist,
Renae had it made. Ione taught her to read,
and spent extra time with her.

Ione loved flowers and plants, and could make
everything grow. The last few years she started
oil painting with Vera, and discovered a hidden talent.
Each child and several grandchildren have a painting
she made. She loved camping and fishing with her family.
She took a fly tying course at I.S.U. and got an A.
She bowled 2 years in the Union League. Her first year
she got a 200 pin and a booby prize both.

She and Vera went on several trips together. Usually to
see Vera's son Larry or daughter Karen. They loved
her and always welcomed her. They went to Washington
for a week, and she had a ball picking up oysters on the
sea shore. They went to San Diego, to the zoo, and
Sea World. How she enjoyed going from there into
Mexico and the bargains she got there. Ione and Vera
went to Venezuela and visited Von and Connie for
several weeks. Just last year they went to Phoenix AZ.

She loved her childrens husbands and wives, but oh,
how she loved her grandchildren. Ione had an instinct
for children, and they gathered round her like bees to the
honey pot. Our children, everyones children loved her.
She gathered them around her wherever she went.
She told them stories and sang them songs.

Ione loved family and friends and you were
always welcome. No matter when you came
or how long you stayed, you were welcome.
Her house was always like Grand Central Railroad Station.
People were coming and going constantly and she loved it.

She was a member of the LDS 6th ward. She was
a Relief Society teacher and had belonged to the
singing mothers. She taught the 11 and 12 year old
boys in primary for many years. That alone should
earn her a halo. She belonged to the Daughters of
the Utah Pioneers, and was proud of her heritage.
She was an active member of the War Mothers for
over 25 years and held several offices.

Ione's health started to fail last fall and gradually
declined. She especially enjoyed this last Christmas
with her family, and all made an effort to come home.
By sheer will power and determination she went to
Portland just a couple of weeks ago for Renae's
wedding. She was so happy she could be there.
Ione knew she was dying, and was prepared to go on.
She talked to Bruce not long ago and told him she had
had a good life, with few regrets, and when it was time
for her to go she was ready. She told Dennis-
"You just take your life as it comes."

This life sketch could not be complete without mentioning
the love and devotion and tender care given Ione by Jim.

Not just recently, but all their married life. He has loved,
cherished and cared for her in every way. If she wanted
something, all she had to do was let him know and she
got it. His life was completely devoted to her and their
children. He has hardly left her side the last 5 or 6 months.
Their children and grandchildren have all helped, but the
big task has been Jim's.

Ione left a fine posterity. A good husband, 7 children,
25 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She
did not preach a sermon, she lived it. She accepted
you at face value, or as you were and never tried to
change you. She did not criticize or pass judgement
just because you were different. She was much loved,
by many people and will be greatly missed. May her
family live by the example that she and Jim taught,
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Sant photo collection

Lucille (standing), Cecil, and Ione

Cecil sitting on the horse, Ione standing next to the horse, and Vera almost in left of picture

Burt and Leona Sant (Ione's aunt and uncle), Luvanah Sant (Ione's mother) Sarah Luvinia Townley (Ione's grandmother)

Luvana, George Oscar Sant, Lucille, Ione. Cecil and Vera

Luvanah (Ione's mother), Lucille Sant (Ione's sister), Sarah Luvenia (Ione's grandmother) Herbert and McKinley (Ione's uncles, 1/2 brothers of Luvanah)