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Sarah Ann “Annie or Anna” Bell Funk

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Sarah Ann “Annie or Anna” Bell Funk

Birth	:	19 Apr 1857 Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah, USA
Death	:	19 Oct 1929 Cardston, Claresholm Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Burial	:	Cardston Cemetery, Cardston, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate	:	49.1906900, -113.3415300
Plot	:	Block 11, Lot 37, Plot 3.
Description	:	Sarah was born in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah. Her father, Matthew Francis Bell, was a reluctant polygamist. The book about his life indicates he was pressured for several years into taking a second wife. When Sarah was 19 years old Matthew took a second wife, Elizabeth Deseret Lang, who was also 19 years old at the time of her marriage to Matthew. From letters Sarah wrote it appeared she was not happy with that situation and looked to leave her Father's house. Sarah Ann Bell met Willard Richard Funk in Cache Valley where both families lived. She... Read More	Sarah was born in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah. Her father, Matthew Francis Bell, was a reluctant polygamist. The book about his life indicates he was pressured for several years into taking a second wife. When Sarah was 19 years old Matthew took a second wife, Elizabeth Deseret Lang, who was also 19 years old at the time of her marriage to Matthew. From letters Sarah wrote it appeared she was not happy with that situation and looked to leave her Father's house. Sarah Ann Bell met Willard Richard Funk in Cache Valley where both families lived. She married Willard on May 31, 1875 in the Logan Temple. Willard and Sarah Ann Bell Funk went on April 6, 1876 to Arizona. The exact location is unknown, possibly Utopia, but some where "along the Colorado River". Willard spent two years in Arizona on a mission. Because there were no Doctors, the local Veterinary insisted Sarah train to be a midwife. She later became a famous midwife in Clarasholm, Alberta, Canada. They went back to Cache Valley to show off their first child, Annie Bell, but the baby died November 7, 1878. They never returned to Arizona. Their children Effie, Esther, Willard, Jr and Clara were born in Cache Valley. Although Clara was born in Cache Valley the family lived in Idaho at the time of her birth. They then moved to Wilford, Idaho sometime before 1886 where their children Mary Alice, Chloe, Pearl and Ada were born. Canada beckoned, offering free land - 160 acres for men 21 and older - to homesteaders. Willard, Sarah and their children travelled with three other families from Idaho to Sterling, Alberta, Canada. They started July 5, 1902. The trip took 6 weeks placing them in Sterling mid-Sept 1902. Willard Funk 49, Sarah Ann Bell Funk 45, Effemia (Effie) 24, Esther 21, Willard, Jr. 19, Mary Alice 16, Clara 14, Chloe 10, Pearl 8, Ada 4. Their oldest daughter, Effie, traveled with her husband Will Dodson. The family traveled by wagon team through Montana. Brother Willard drove 40 head of cattle, mother Sarah Anne drove a democrat, Alice and her father each had a wagon team. The trip took 6 weeks. The life story of Pearl Funk says that they were camped and a photographer came by and exclaimed that he had never seen a more beautiful camp and asked to take their picture. They treasured the picture. Location: Most likely Montana or Northern Idaho. Because their wagon train arrived in September it was too late to build a house. Therefore they had to spend their first winter in Alberta in a dug out pit. Willard and his son, Willard, Jr. obtained adjoining sections of land from the Canadian Government which were located east of Clarasholm. The men eventually built a large house on Willard's property. It still stands today (2016). The children went to school at Starline - a one room school house. Pearl's life story tells about how the family had many parties at their house and loved entertaining guests. The Royal Canadian Mounties were often guests. Sarah was a very famous midwife and worked closely with the local Doctor. Pearl's life story indicates that they had a good life and happy home life in Clarasholm. Willard, Jr. died in 1909 while on a mission to Portland, OR and was buried in Clarasholm. Sarah and Willard eventually moved to Cardston in 1926 to be closer the to Cardston LDS Temple. Sarah died in 1929. Willard remarried the widow Rachel Lawson Hinds in 1930 who's husband had died in 1928. My father, William Lester Shafer, (Chloe's son) lived with them while attending high school in Cardston. Willard died in 1939. Their house still stands in Cardston.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Sarah Ann “Annie or Anna” Bell Funk's memorial?
Sarah Ann “Annie or Anna” Bell Funk's memorial is located at: Cardston Cemetery, Cardston, Claresholm Census Division, Canada.
When did Sarah Ann “Annie or Anna” Bell Funk death?
Sarah Ann “Annie or Anna” Bell Funk death on 19 Oct 1929 in Cardston, Claresholm Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the Sarah Ann “Annie or Anna” Bell Funk's memorial?
Latitude: 49.1906900
Longitude: -113.3415300

Family Members:

Spouse

Willard Richard Funk

(1853 - 1939)

Children

Effemia Jane “Effie” Funk Dobson

(1879 - 1951)

Esther Elizabeth Funk Smith

(1881 - 1906)

Willard Richard Funk

(1883 - 1909)

Chloe Ethel Funk Shafer

(1892 - 1980)

Flowers:

To my great grandmother - wishing I could have met you.Love always,Shirlene Omiunu

Left by Anonymous on 11 Jun 2013

Left by Anonymous on 11 Mar 2015

To my Great Grandmother, the famous midwife of Clarasholm, Alberta. You were a strong, determined woman who I admire even though we never had the opportunity to meet.Judy

Left by Anonymous on 15 Sep 2015

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Cardston Cemetery
Cardston, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1906900, -113.3415300

2. East Cardston Hutterite Cemetery
Cardston, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1908348, -113.2258004

3. Aetna Cemetery
Aetna, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1163000, -113.2707000

4. Leavitt Cemetery
Leavitt, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1830500, -113.4768200

5. Saint Stephen's Cemetery
Beazer, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0937300, -113.3852700

6. Woolford Cemetery
Woolford, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1945800, -113.1652300

7. West Raley Hutterite Cemetery
Raley, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2908857, -113.2283616

8. Kimball Cemetery
Kimball, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0949000, -113.2077000

9. Beazer Cemetery
Beazer, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1097500, -113.4975800

10. Big Bend Hutterite Colony
Cardston, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1636110, -113.1411110

11. Pioneer Cemetery
Levern, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3489700, -113.4642000

12. Mountain View Cemetery
Mountain View, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1293300, -113.5986300

13. Taylorville Cemetery
Taylorville, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0498100, -113.1404000

14. Blue Ridge Hutterite Cemetery
Hill Spring, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2320117, -113.6305672

15. Hill Spring Pioneer Cemetery
Hill Spring, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3035000, -113.6249000

16. Glenwood Cemetery
Glenwood, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3859800, -113.5003500

17. Hill Spring Cemetery
Hill Spring, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3128700, -113.6436100

18. Spring Coulee Cemetery
Spring Coulee, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3412100, -113.0541400

19. Waterton Hutterite Cemetery
Hill Spring, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2661602, -113.6918691

20. Spring Valley Hutterite Colony Cemetery
Spring Coulee, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3517043, -113.0551519

21. Riverside Hutterite Colony Cemetery
Glenwood, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4379404, -113.4492438

22. Saint Catherine Cemetery
Stand Off, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4516900, -113.3112300

23. Hartley Cemetery
Hartleyville, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3777000, -113.6227000

24. Thompson Hutterite Cemetery
Glenwood, Claresholm Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4269974, -113.5401975