Hilda Arvilla Richins was born on July 14, 1907 at eight a.m. on a Sunday morning in Grouse Creek, Utah in Box Elder County. She was the first daughter and third child of seven born to Clarence Charles and Ann Eliza Toyn Richins.

She was blessed by her grandfather David Harry Toyn. Her growing up years was divided between Grouse Creek and the homestead northeast known as Pine Creek. They farmed at the homestead, growing wheat, corn taller than they were, and a large garden. There was a pond of water along with a spring of clear running water. Many of the Grouse Creek people would come and swim in the pond, including their Grandmother Richins, whom they thought was an expert swimmer.

The family would get in the wagon and drive the six or seven miles down to the church and to dances. They would make a bed in the back of the wagon for the kids to sleep in on the way home.  After a while, the family moved to Grouse Creek in the home down the lane from Blanthorns.

Hilda was an active child with an active mind. She was a good worker, having learned well from her mother. She could do lots of outdoor things such as changing a tire, shooting a gun, and driving a car. She loved to dance. She and her future husband, Arlin, won many dance contests.

The Richins home was always open to company. Almost every night someone would come to play the Victrola and the old player piano. They would also enjoy a late supper. Her mother could always make room for them all.

Hilda cooked for shearing and thrashing crews before and after she was married. She was a very good cook, never skimping on ingredients and always turning out a good meal. Hilda had a special gift for helping others. She didn’t need to beasked, she just seemed to know when she was needed.

On March 6, 1926 she married Arlin Elmer Wakefield. They lived with his parents at first. A daughter Arlene was born while they were living there. They later moved to the home down the hill from Blanthorns. Four more children were born while living there, a son, Burdell, daughter, Fay, and twin sons Robert and Richard.

The family loved to go camping, especially to the Cotton Thomas Basin. They were often accompanied by Grandma and Dad Richins.

After the family moved to Washington Terrace in 1946, she obtained work at the Union Pacific Laundry, where she worked for many years. In 1952, they moved to Roy, Utah.

Hilda died on March 14, 1974. She is buried in the Washington Heights Memorial Park in South Ogden, Utah.

We, their children, couldn’t let a book about Grouse Creek be made without including our parents. They loved their birthplace and felt fortunate to  have called it home. They provided us a very simple, yet fulfilling way of life. We are grateful to them for that. We also learned to love the place we still call home, although we have not lived there for many years.