Vesta Nielsen Beckstead Barber Obituary (1925 - 2009)

“Granny” Vesta Nielsen Beckstead Barber passed away May 12, 2009 from causes incident to age. Born March 15, 1925 to Hans Nielsen and Pauline Page, Vesta was the tenth of eleven children. She was graduated from Jordan High School in 1943. She married Edward Junior Beckstead on April 7, 1944. Together they had eight children (later divorced). She married George R. Barber on May 7, 1996. Vesta was born and raised in South Jordan, UT, and spent most of her life in the South Jordan and Riverton, UT area. She was proud of her heritage and her faith in the LDS church, having served a mission in Canada. Vesta worked with her husband in the farming and dairy business for many years, making a home, milking cows, and nurturing her children. Later she worked as a secretary, first for the Civil Defense Department at Camp Williams and then for the Utah Department of Transportation. Vesta had a terrific sense of humor and was one of the luckiest people in the world. She enjoyed going to Wendover periodically to test her luck. She was an avid bowler, at one time bowling in five different leagues. Vesta loved chocolate and won the hearts of many by sharing her “Lindor balls.” She crocheted countless projects and showed her love to those around her by making slippers, afghans, doilies and more. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Vesta’s legacy is the spirit of giving. She has been a blessing to all those who had the privilege of knowing her. Survived by four siblings: Phil Nielsen, Ralph Nielsen (Rose), Paul Nielsen (Beth – deceased), and Galen Nielsen (Pat); eight children: Larry Beckstead (Ilene), Atwater, CA, Clark Beckstead (Karen), Santa Barbara, CA, Hans Beckstead (Sharie), Riverton, UT, Pauline Stagg (Steve), South Jordan, UT, Bette Allen (Dennis), West Valley City, UT, Vicky Chavez (Jim), Boise, ID, Bruce Beckstead (Carissa), Payson, UT, and Craig Beckstead (Tonya), Nampa, ID; 28 grandchildren (three are serving in the U.S. military), and 38 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband: George R. Barber; her sisters: Opal Nielsen, Glenden Smith, Wilda Hayden, and Iris Dahl; her brothers: Lee Nielsen and Rulon Nielsen; two grandchildren: Edward Larry Beckstead and Stacey Jo Beckstead; and one great-grandchild: Maegan Heath. Friends may call at a viewing from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009 at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley located at 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, UT, or from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2009, prior to a celebration of Vesta’s life which will take place at 12 noon. Interment will be at the South Jordan City Cemetery. Special thanks for the compassionate care given by the staff at Harmony Hospice.