An Abundant Life: A Biography of Delbert Valentine and Jennie Holbrook Groberg

The world changes a lot in 90 years of life. Once you start adding the parents, there is even more that changes. Delbert and Jennie's parents grew up hearing the family stories of immigration to Utah. They, however, had greater roots in Utah. Jennie as somewhat of a small town urbanite as the granddaughter of a BYU president in Provo, Utah. Delbert had a rougher childhood. His parents died when he was young, leaving him to be farmed off to relatives in Utah and Idaho. He seemed to endure life happily. It was interesting that he was able to take a train into Ogden to go to high school. Alas, that train line has long since disappeared. 

Jennie was raised in a large family that valued education. She completed college and worked briefly as a teacher before getting married. After getting married, she raised a large family of her own. In addition to raising her family, she kept busy with a large amount of work. She was active in many positions in church. She also produced multiple theatrical productions and spent a great deal of time writing. She wrote to family members, wrote a detailed family history and organized her grandfather's collection of writings. This was far from "homemaking". (They would often have helpers in the house to help with chores.) It is also interesting that the "old" house they purchased are still standing in Idaho Falls. Raising a large family was not easy, but it could be done.

Delbert was busy in  business endeavors. He was also a rare Democrat politician in Idaho Falls. He was elected Justice of the Peace, but failed to get elected Mayor. He became a skilled appraiser, and also helped out with real estate development, the local media, civic organizations and the local banks. He would take numerous business trips, sometimes taking family members with him.

Later in life, they would explore many parts of the country with their children. It is interesting that they could have both very localized views as well as a broad exposure to many cultures. Their faith was the most important aspect of the life. The world was seen through this lens of faith. This approach flips the concerns that often appear in modern society. A child eloping before a temple wedding may be a more upsetting than other seemingly greater worldly challenges. This allows one to be at peace living in the world. Death after over 90s years of life is nothing more than a transfer to the newest calling.