Announcing DUP Royalty (2024)

Marti Clayson, DUP Museum President, welcomes everyone under the shady trees on the lawn next to the museum to hear the announcement of this year's Royalty.

Jolene Thomas, President of the Weber Far South West Company announces their queen:

 Marilyn Briem Blakeley

Marilyn Briem Blakeley was born in 1934, in Ogden, Utah. She is a daughter of Leland Jesse Briem and Edity Ivy Gidney. In 1953, Marilyn married LuJean "Luke" Blakeley. She is the mother of 2 children and has 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, whom she loves dearly!

Education is important to Marilyn. She graduated from Weber State University at age 58. At age 74, Marilyn graduated from Utah State University with a master's degree. She celebrated her academic success by skydiving into the Ogden High School Football Stadium, at age 74!

Marilyn joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 2004. She is a member of Camp Sunbonnet in the Weber Far South West Company, where she has served as the Parliamentarian and Lesson Leader.

Marilyn has volunteered assisting elementary school students with their reading skills. She also hosts an annual Pirate Party for neighborhood children. She has served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, teacher in Primary and Young Women's classes, Meetinghouse Librarian, and Ogden Temple Receptionist. Marilyn has used her writing skills to write and direct a Roadshow - a short, humorous play, starring the residents of Harrison Regent Senior Living. Marilyn was responsible for three scenes in the "Walk with Christ" presentation.

Marilyn Briem Blakeley's pioneer ancestor is George Gidney, who was born and raised in Sharrington, Norfolk, England. When he was 22 years old, he and his father immigrated to America. George crossed the plains in 1860 with the Daniel Robinson Handcart Company. President Brigham Young assigned him to assist in building the new settlement of Brigham City, Utah. He became a great and generous landowner. He had two wives - Elizabeth Sarll, the mother of 9 children, and Emma Rand, the mother of 6. George Gidney died of pneumonia at age 66, in 1905.

Trudy Pehrson, President of the Weber North Company, announces their queen: 

Heather Marie Bartholomew Neilson

Heather was born two and a half months early on February 14, 1972, in Napa, California to John and Debra Bartholomew. Her parents moved a lot with work opportunities, including Salt Lake City; Lewiston, Utah; Roswell, New Mexico; Harwood, Texas; Kearney, Missouri; Weston, Idaho; Logan, Utah, and Ogden. Heather and her husband Paul have lived in Pleasant View for 28 years.

Heather graduated from Logan High School and attended Utah State University with a major in Interior Design. She started photography in 1995 and has not put the camera down since! Heather enjoys getting out in Nature and meeting new people by taking their photos.

Heather and Paul Neilson were sealed in the Logan Temple in 1992. They have four children, two girls and two boys. She has loved being a stay-at-home Mom, with a side hobby business!

Heather joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 20089 and is a member of Camp Evergreen in Weber North Company. She has served as a Camp Captain, vice-captain, historian, and on the Company board as a vice-captain and social media expert. She feels that there is a new younger generation interested in pioneer history and is excited about the future of DUP!

Heather volunteered on the Weber County Holiday Festival planning committee for the entire 5 years that it ran and has wonderful memories from serving as their photographer. She is the legal guardian for her brother who has autism and assists her autistic nephew.

Heather has been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life. She has served in various positions in the Primary, Relief Society and Young Women's organizations. She has also served as a Cub Scout leader and loved supporting her four children who worked summers at Scout Camp.

James Henry Rollins, Heather's pioneer ancestor, was born in Lima, New York in 1816. When James was a boy, his father, John Porter Rollins, died in a shipwreck on Lake Erie while transporting cattle. His mother, Keziah Van Benthusysen Rollins, took James and his two sisters to Ohio to live with her brother and his wife. Her brother, Sydney Gilbert, was the co-owner of the Whitney store. James began working at the store at an early age and was asked to be a clerk as a teen. He was always willing to serve when needed and learned new skills, such as stonecutting for the Nauvoo Temple. His first wife was Eveline Chrissy Walker and they had 10 children. His second wife was Hannah Hulme and they had 13 children. In 1847 James was asked to stay in Council Bluffs and raise crops for pioneers leaving the next seasons. He came to the Salt Lake Valley in 1848 with the Willard Richards Company. James was appointed to settle in San Bernardino and served as the District Attorney. He later returned to Utah, settling in Minersville in Southern Utah, where he was called to be the Bishop of the Lower Beaver Ward. James was elected to the Utah Territorial House of Representatives in 1867. Later in his life he moved to Lyman, Wyoming to be close to family and died there in 1899.

Joyce Schmitt, President of the Weber North East Company, announces their queen:

Catherine Joan Eskelsen Anderson

Catherine Eskelsen Anderson was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1958, the daughter of Virginia Elizabeth Bird and Richard Morrison Eskelsen. Three other children - sister Kim and brothers Todd and Dan - were also born into the family.

Catherine graduated from Box Elder High School in Brigham City. She then went on to graduate from Utah State University with a degree in Home Economics and Consumer Education. Catherine taught in Utah schools in the Wayne, Uintah, Box Elder, Weber, and Ogden City School Districts. She taught Home Economics, Special Education, and English as a Second Language, retiring from Ogden High School in 2013. She then went on to teach another year at the Utah Military Academy. 

Catherine married Vic Harold Anderson in Ogden, Utah. They are the parents of Emily Catherine, Sarah Vee, and Kyle. Vic passed away in 2018. The family shared summers at Lake Powell, skiing, camping, and snowmobiling at Yellowstone National Park. Catherine saw 44 states in the United States and parts of Canada and Mexico, riding on the back of Vic's motorcycle! Two sons-in-law and four granddaughters have been added to the family. Family continues to be the most important part of Catherine's life.

Catherine is a member of Camp Segio Lily, Weber Noerth East Company, in Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She has been the 2nd Vice President, historian, lesson leader, and outreach coordinator in her Camp.

Catherine volunteers as a Weber Master Gardener and a blood platelet donor.

Catherine has served as the Relief Society President of her ward for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was also a Sunday school teacher, in the Young Women's Presidency, and a Temple Work and Family History Specialist.

Annora Coleman Boden, Catherine's ancestor, was born at Pontypool, South Wales in 1828. She was the daughter of James and Mary Coleman. When her father died, leaving her mother with five small children, and living in poor circumstances, Annora went to work early in her life. As a young girl, she worked in a confectionary store, where people made their own candy. Annora learned to make candy as she worked. Annora married James Boden, eventually becoming the mother of eleven children. James and Annora came to Utah in 1868, traveling by ox teams and wagons. A baby boy was born while crossing the plains. He lived for twelve days and was buried on the plains. Husband James became ill as they crossed the plains, becoming worse as they traveled. He died the day after they reached Salt Lake City. Annora joined other family members already living in Brigham City, earning money for her children by making candy and doing any other work that she could get. When her daughters got old enough to help, Anora operated a hotel in Brigham City. Well-known for her hospitality, Annora died in 1899.

Linda Fulmer, President of the Weber West Company, announces their queen:

LaDee Everton Eastland Jensen

LaDee Everton Eastland Jensen, a daughter of Walter Cecil Everton and Arda Roberts Everton, was born in Brigham City in 1939. LaDee lived in Brigham City until her marriage to Howard Fred Eastland in 1960. Howard and LaDee adopted three children: Russ, Ron, and Lisa. After living in Washington state, California, and several places in Utah, the family settled in Roy, Utah. In 1989 their youngest son, Ron, died serving an LDS mission in LaPaz, Bolivia. Later Howard and LaDee divorced.

LaDee worked as a secretary at the University of Washington for 3 years and Weber State University for 22 years. She retired in 2005. Go Wildcats!

LaDee has served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as ward and stake Relief Society President and various other callings in the Primary and Young Women's organizations. After retiring, LaDee served a full-time LDS mission as a senior sister in Santa Rosa, California. Upon returning home, LaDee met her sweetheart Gale Richard Jensen. They married in 2008. Gale and LaDee enjoyed serving in the Church together as hosts at the LDS Conference Center for 6 years and traveling. Gale died in December 2023. Combined, Gale and LaDee have a wonderful family of 7 children, 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

LaDee enjoys taking piano lessons, baking bread to take to people, and recently organized a Cousin Reunion!

LaDee joined Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 2000 and is a member of Camp Honey Bee, Weber West Company. She has served as the company President, Camp Captain, and several other positions.

Gwen (Winnifred) Lloyd Roberts Evans, LaDee’s ancestor, was born in 1823 in LLanbrothanshire, North Wales to John Lloyd and Catherine Evans Lloyd. She came to the United States with her 1st husband- Daniel Roberts and 4 small children in 1850. Her husband and 1 child died of cholera and were buried on the bank of the Mississippi River. Gwen did not know the language or anyone, but with her remaining 3 children she traveled to and spent the winter of 1851 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Going from there to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the spring Gwen fitted out an ox team and wagon and crossed the plains to the Utah Territory. As they came into the valley, they were met by some Welsh friends with melons and other supplies. When Gwen got to Salt Lake City, a man asked her to marry him. When she refused, he made her pay for the supplies he had given her. In 1853 she married Captain David R. Evans at Brigham City, Utah. He died in 1861 leaving Gwen with a family of 8 children. Four years later the two youngest children died and were buried in the same grave. Gwen moved to Malad, Idaho in 1871 and lived there the rest of her life. Gwen died in 1909 in Malad, Idaho at age 86 and was buried in Brigham City, Utah.

Our lovely ladies, the 2024 DUP Royalty

Posing by the museum:

Standing next to the Miles Goodyear's cabin:

Marilyn

Catherine

LaDee

Heather

At the conclusion of the crowning, refreshments were served: brownies and ice cream with water bottles on ice in the horse's watering trough!

DUP Queen was first Miss Rodeo Utah

OGDEN — When she was just a young teenager, Karen Neuenschwander Gall bought her first horse named Duchess with her hard-earned babysitting money.

“I began riding horses at the age of 5 with my best friend Connie Jones,” she said. “Her father was Earl Jones and he was a member of the posse. When he bought another horse, I just had to have the horse I had been riding, so I bought her with my babysitting money.”

In 1955, Gall entered the Miss Pioneer Days Sweetheart contest and won. Later that summer, she became the first Miss Rodeo Utah.

This year, Gall will once again be recognized Monday during the Ogden Pioneer Days Grande Parade after she and three other local women were named this year’s royalty by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. and will take place along Washington Boulevard, running north between 31st and 20th streets.

“This is a really unique situation this year,” said Marti Clayson, president of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum. “All four of the ladies this year are incredible women. Karen’s story is very distinctive because she was the first Miss Rodeo Utah and it’s so neat to have her be a winner as a young contestant and now returning to the seat as an older winner.”

Gall will be joined by other royalty winners Gayla Lloyd Dye, Rose Mary Holley Breitweiser, and Rosemary Wangsgard Waite.

“Each of the ladies really sent detailed information this year about their pioneer heritage, even more so than their church or DUP involvement,” Clayson said. “They all have very strong connections to their pioneers and each story has something heartbreaking, something to be proud of and so much sacrifice.”

Gall is a descendant of Lorin Farr, who served as Ogden’s first mayor.

“I always thought that was kind of neat,” Gall said.

Gall was born in 1937 and grew up in North Ogden. She said she has always been an avid animal lover, always having dogs, cats, and her horse throughout her life.

Gall graduated from Ogden High School and Weber College, now Weber State University. She married Bert Gall and together they had two children. In 1999, she joined the DUP and is a member of Camp Purple Sage.

Breitweiser was born in Ogden in 1937. She graduated from WSU with a degree in education and taught for 10 years in North Ogden. She and her husband, Jim, have four children. She joined DUP in 1999 and is a member of Camp Mt. Ogden in the Weber South Company.

Waite was born in Ogden in 1939. She and her husband, Wallace, have four children. Because of her love for the arts, she has taught many dance classes and art lessons.

Dye was born in 1933 in Ogden. She was part of the Brigham Young University School of Nursing’s first graduating class. She and her husband, Rulon, are the parents of six children.

“We are really grateful Ogden Pioneer Days continue to recognize and be mindful of these women,” Clayson said. “They are all wonderful and we want them to know they are valued, treasured, and loved.”

Each royalty member’s bio can be found at ogdenpioneerdays.com.

Royalty Photos

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers is dedicated to perpetuating the names and achievements of those men, women, and children who founded Utah.

You can find stories and photos at Ogden Pioneer Days.

Gayla Lloyd Dye

Karen Neuenschwander Gall

Rose Mary Holley Breitweiser

Rosemary Wangsgard Waite

24th of July (2023)

The parade was on a Monday this year starting at 9:00 am. Our DUP royalty rode in a carriage near the front of the parade. Afterward, the public headed to the DUP museum for free lemonade and cookies. They could sit in the shade and listen to fiddlers play, dress up as pioneers, or participate in a stick pull.

Royalty Events

The Ogden Pioneer Days Devotional was held on July 16, 2023, in the Ogden Tabernacle. This special spiritual experience featured guest speaker, Elder Kyle S. McKay General Authority Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Historian and Recorder, and Executive Director of the Church History Department. Our DUP royalty got a chance to pose with the current Miss Rodeo.

The 24th of July featured the parade and special luncheon at the DUP museum.

2023 DUP Royalty

Karen Gall, Rosemary Waite, Rose Breitweiser,  Gayla Dye

Karen Neuenschwander Gall 

Karen was born in June 1937 at the old Dee Hospital in Ogden to Clarence and Claire Neuenschwander. The family moved to North Ogden when Karen was beginning elementary school. Always an animal lover, Karen learned to ride horses and bought her first horse with babysitting money.

Karen graduated from Ogden High in 1955. She entered a contest and became Miss Ogden Pioneer Days Sweetheart. That same summer the first Miss Rodeo Utah contest was held. Karen entered the contest and became the first Miss Rodeo Utah!

After graduating from Weber College, Karen married Bert W. Gall, Jr. and moved to Chicago, Illinois where Bert was in dental school. Upon completing dental school, Karen’s family moved to northern California where they lived for 35 years. Bert and Karen have 2 children, a son Jeff and a daughter Erin.

Karen served as ward and stake Relief Society President in Fair Oaks and Rocklin, California. Bert and Karen served a mission in the Roseville California Mission. Bert retired from dentistry and the family moved back to Ogden in December 1998.

Karen is a descendant of Lorin Farr. In 1850 Brigham Young called Lorin and his family to go to Ogden and take over the settlement of the area. Lorin assisted in laying out the city of Ogden and organizing Ogden’s first government. He was Ogden’s 1st Mayor, serving for 22 years. He was also the 1st President of the Weber Stake of Zion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving until 1870.

Karen joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1999. She is a member of Camp Purple Sage where she has been the Camp Captain, teacher, and treasurer. Karen has also been the Vice President of the Weber Far South Center Company.

Gayla Lloyd Dye

Gayla Lloyd Dye was born in 1933 at the old Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah to Samuel N. Lloyd and Lureta Celia Harper.

Education has been important to Gayla. In 1956 she graduated as a Nurse from the B.Y.U. School of Nursing in the school’s 1st graduating class.

Gayla married Rulon V. Dye in 1958. They are the parents of 6 children, 31 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren, with 3 more on the way. Gayla loves family parties that are big! They are a great way to all be together!

Thomas Harper, Gayla’s great-grandfather, emigrated from England to New Orleans in 1853 at age 22. The Perpetual Emigration Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints paid for Thomas’s voyage with the understanding that he would repay the fee with his future earnings. In Keokuk, Iowa Thomas joined the 61st Company of Pioneers in 1853 as a mule and ox team driver. Thomas married Hannah Jane Jones, an immigrant from Wales, in the Salt Lake Territory.

They moved first to Bountiful and then to Call’s Fort, north of Brigham’s Fort, where they raised crops and cattle. Thomas married Rachel S. Lewis as a 2nd wife and built her a log house in Call’s Fort for her to live in.

Gayla joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1986 as a member of Camp Easton in the Weber Far South Company. She has served as the Camp Captain and Historian, and as the Company President and Vice President.

Gayla has served as the Young Women’s President and ward and stake Relief Society President. Gayla volunteers at the Uintah Days celebration and at the Riverdale Senior Center where she teaches scrapbooking and card making.

Rosemary Wangsgard Waite

Rosemary Wangsgard Waite was born in Ogden, Utah in 1939 to Mary Clarke and Burns Wangsgard.

Rosemary married Wallace Waite in 1961. She has 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

The Arts have always been important to Rosemary. She has taught many dance classes and art lessons. She was involved in 4-H activities. Rosemary enjoys supporting her grandchildren in their sports.

Harriet Teeples Clarke, Rosemary’s pioneer ancestor, was born in Michigan in 1830. Her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1834 and moved to Missouri, to Nauvoo, Illinois, and to Iowa in 1846. After a bad marriage and the birth of a son, Harriet joined her parents in traveling to Utah. Harriet married Nathaniel Worden in 1852 and helped settle Provo Valley. In 1859 Harriet’s brother explored a little valley east of Ogden, building a log cabin on the North Fork River. Returning to Provo, he told his family about the beautiful valley called Ogden Hole. Harriet, Nathaniel, and their 6 small children moved to join him in the valley.

The winter was long and very cold. Nathaniel decided to leave for southern Utah. Harriet chose to stay, caring for her small family. In 1861 a young man, Francis Clarke, immigrated to Utah from England and found himself in the valley east of Ogden. Harriet and Francis married in 1867, eventually adding 2 boys to the family. Happily married and active in their community and church, Harriet died in

1911 at 81 years old and Francis passed in 1913.

Rosemary joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1985 as a member of Camp Eden, Weber North Center Company. She has served as Camp Captain and Company President.

Rosemary has served as a Primary teacher, in the Relief Society Presidency, and as the activity chair.

Rose Mary Holley Breitweiser

Rose was born in Ogden, Utah to Deloss Watson Holley and Almira Bartholomew Holley in 1937. Brigham Young asked Rose’s great-grandparents to settle in Slaterville. Rose was the “Farmer’s Daughter”, living on her parent’s farm in Roy. She enjoyed a rural life with rural responsibilities.

Rose married James Russell “Jim” Breitweiser in 1958. They have 4 children, 18 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Education has always been important to Rose. She attended Weber State

University when her children were small, graduating with a degree in Education. Rose taught elementary school in North Ogden for 10 years.

Almira Mesick Green is Rose’s pioneer ancestor. At about 4 years old, Almira and her father Peter Mesick left her mother and a sibling to join the gathering Saints in Missouri, then onto Nauvoo. They lived at the home of Hyrum Smith at the time of his martyrdom. Her father joined the Mormon Battalion, leaving Almira in the care of a good family, who lived that winter in a cave in Winter Quarters on the bank of the Missouri River. After fulfilling his service with the Battalion, Peter

came back to Winter Quarters with Brigham Young and was reunited with Almira. They traveled together, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in the fall of 1848.

Almira eventually married Ammon Green Sr. and raised a family of 13 children, residing in Weber County. She was very well thought of. Almira died in 1892 at the age of 54.

Rose joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1999. She is a member of Camp Mt. Ogden in the Weber South Company. Rose has served as Camp Captain, secretary, treasurer, and lesson leader. She has also been the Weber South Company President and Vice-President and on the Weber County DUP Museum Board.

Active in Church, Rose has taught Sunday School classes, been a Young Women advisor, and served in the Relief Society Presidency. Rose and Jim served as greeters for 7 years at the Conference Center and Tabernacle at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

24th of July Parade and Pioneer Devotional (2022)