In the early 1920s, having served as a wireless telegraph operator and sergeant at the end of World War 1, high school valedictorian Andrew Fredrick Losee, set his course for college degrees that would some day land him as a teacher at a university. Part way to his goal, with a master’s degree in hand, he took a position as a high school teacher in Malad Idaho and acquired residence at the local boarding house where Ardella Anderson worked for room and board. Andrew and Ardella developed a friendship, fell in love and married in the Salt Lake Temple in September of 1924 then departed for Chicago to complete his doctorate studies in education, mathematics, physical science, history and psychology. While learning and serving in church callings, Ardella had an appendectomy, and was diagnosed with a leaky heart attributed to earlier rheumatic fever. Putting his goal on hold, Andrew moved Ardella back to the clean dry air of Idaho and Utah where he took teaching positions in Preston, Orderville, and a temporary assignment at Snow College in Ephraim, returning to Lehi each summer to help on the farm. They welcomed a son, Rex into their family in 1926, then a second son, Ferril in 1928. Ardella’s heart condition worsened so the small family made another move closer to better medical attention in Price, Utah, however in December of 1930, Ardella died in the hospital at the age of 27. Andrew found himself alone. A faithful teacher, Andrew taught for another year and a half in Price, then thinking of his boys, he moved back home to Lehi, terminating his goal, and his profession, to raise his boys on the family farm and to care for his aging parents.  Ten years later, Andrew married a widow with five children, together caring for seven. In the words of his son, Ferril, “Andrew Losee’s life was filled with unselfish service. He was kind and loving. He was an intelligent man and well educated. He was respected and honored by all who knew him.” Andrew Losee inspires me to set good goals, pursue them with effort, but place family and service first above all else. Both of Andrew’s sons went on to teach at universities.

(by Kenneth R. Hardman, Ref. “The Losee Family History – Ancestors and Descendants of Lyman Peter Losee and Mary Ann Peterson,” Compiled by Ferril A. Losee, Jana K. Hardman, Lyman A. Losee, 2000, photo from family files) #ancestorclips #familyhistory #genealogy