5 Years Ago

My grandpa, Charles Donald Hallstrom, passed away on his 76th birthday. He had a heart attack while he was on a trip by himself in Las Vegas, Nevada. Five of his six children, along with his wife, Shirley Rae Hallstrom (White), were at his bedside when he passed. They sang, "Happy Birthday" to him.



Grandpa Hallstrom's funeral was held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary in Salt Lake City, Utah. All six of his children were in attendance as well as several of his grandchildren. I don't remember the funeral being particularly sad, but more as a celebration of his life. All of the grandchildren in attendance sang, "I Am A Child of God." Grandpa's children spoke of his love for the scriptures and his love of family. There was a luncheon after the burial. (Grandpa Hallstrom was buried next to Shirley's parents, Ray and Merle White.) After eating, everyone watched the Hallstrom Family slideshow (given to Grandma and Grandpa Hallstrom on their 50th Wedding Anniversary). It was very touching. I wish there was a way to link that slideshow (from a VHS tape) on to this blog. If anyone knows how, please let me know.



I have several fond memories of Grandpa Hallstrom. Grandma and Grandpa Hallstrom lived in California and Utah when I was growing up in upstate New York. They drove out to visit us twice.

I think I was in the first grade when they came the first time. I remember waking up in the morning and realizing that I didn't have a pillow. I went out to the living room and noticed a couple of people sleeping on our hide-a-bed in the living room. When I asked my mom where my pillow was, she said, your Grandpa Hallstrom is sleeping on it. I had no clue that my grandparents were coming for a visit! We had a fun time getting to know them better. I remember Grandpa Hallstrom singing a silly song he made up. The words went like this, "Old Grandpa's goin' gray. He's gonna be 65 one of these days. And someday, I'm gonna kick the bucket, but for now, I'm just goin' gray."

I was ten years old the other time they came to visit. We were all at the dinner table and I remember my grandparents discussing their plans to visit the church sites the following day. At that very moment, I said, "I want to come with you." Then all of my brothers and sisters began begging to go with them. My parents let my grandparents borrow their minivan. Grandma & Grandpa took us up to the church sites in Palmyra, New York. I remember rolling down the grass of the Hill Cumorah, listening to the Spirit in the Sacred Grove, and my favorite, trying to find the Golden Plates. Grandpa had all of us tromping around in the woods of the Hill Cumorah, finding large rocks, and lifting them up to see if the Golden Plates were there. Good times!

Years passed, I graduated high school, and went out West for college. My dad and oldest sister, Amy brought me up to Ricks College. We spent a night or two at Grandma & Grandpa's home in Providence, Utah before heading up to Rexburg, Idaho. I was excited that I would be living only a couple hours from them and was excited to get to know them better. Over the next couple years, I would come and visit them. Grandpa Hallstrom would always be the one to pick me up from the Salt Lake City airport and take me up to Rexburg. I loved riding in the front seat of his old red Chevy truck and listen to the stories that he would tell me about his life. Grandpa was a great storyteller. He always got so excited when telling a story and would use his hands when talking. Sometimes, I'd have to remind Grandpa to watch where he was going when he was driving! Grandpa met Sam a couple of times when we were dating. He liked Sam and was very excited when he heard the news that we were engaged to be married. The last time I was with Grandpa was when he dropped me off at the Chevron gas station in Brigham City, Utah. Sam was picking me up to take me to the airport. I remember him saying, "I just knew you two would get married. I'm so happy for you."



It's still strange to me that my Grandpa Hallstrom is gone. It's comforting for me to know that I will see him again someday. I miss him!