As Goldenwest celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, I have asked our members to share with me stories about the early days and members of the Credit Union. I have been thrilled by the response from our members, and wish to share with you some snippets (listed below) from their memories. We will recognize the winner of the $100 CD in the next issue of the Newsline, scheduled for release in Autumn 2016. – Kerry Wahlen

I hired on with the Ogden Union Railroad and Depot Extra Board in June of 1959, working in the Freight House and some occasions in the Freight Office to cover employees on vacation. I joined the Credit Union in June, 1959…and still rely on the Credit Union for my banking needs.

Payday was always a very busy day for the Credit Union because the railroaders would stop by the Freight Office to pick up their checks and would immediately head for the Credit Union to cash them, or make a deposit to savings or make a payment on a loan. The Credit Union always had enough cash on hand to accommodate all comers on payday.

– Gary Jackson

Our Father, Cyril B Stanger was an early member on the board of Directors for Ogden Rail Road Employee Credit Union. My older brothers and sisters performed the manual “stuffing” of monthly statements. At the time, one had to work or have a family member to be a member. All nine of my father’s children started out with 4-digit account numbers. We have been a proud credit union family since my Father was an early railroad employee in the 30s retiring with over 40 years of employment ending with the Southern Pacific Transportation Company in the 80s. Thank you for this opportunity to prod many fond memories of the credit union, including Lagoon days of the 60s and 70s. Our family has utilized financial opportunities over the years to “flip” houses in Ogden, before that was a trendy business.

– Deborah (Stanger) Finn-Nokes

In 1964 I transferred on the railroad from Nevada to Ogden, UT. I joined the Ogden Railroad Credit Union. The president at the time was Monte Call. I opened a checking account and applied through the most incredible loan officer, Ruth Wilson. She had an amazing memory and when I called she recognized my voice and would immediately say, “hi there (and my account number)”. She then would say, “Hi Tom, what can I do for you?” She meant it with the utmost respect. At the time, I had 5 children and applied for a loan on my first home.

Over the years the credit union has helped me with many endeavors in Missouri, Nevada, Idaho and Utah. Most of all, my children are members and I have talked most of my grandchildren into memberships. That’s 56 years of membership. It has been wonderful experience.

– Tom Babcock Sr

One of the founders of Goldenwest Credit Union was my Grandfather William H. Christensen. He and his wife Esther were not able to have biological children, and so they adopted my father William A. Christensen, and his sister Lois Christensen. I am not sure at what age my father William A. Christensen opened up an account, but I think he had an account for the majority of his life.

My dad helped me open up an account when the name was still “The Ogden Railways Credit Union”. I still remember the blue folder with a picture of a curving train on it that I was given when I opened up my account when I was in about my mid 20s. I am now 59 years old.

Goldenwest has serviced me well throughout my life, I refinanced my home, and finished paying it off through a Goldenwest loan. I am still proud to be a Goldenwest member.

– Brent Christensen

I joined ORRCU in 1974. I had moved to Ogden, UT from a small town in Minnesota and worked at St Benedict's hospital. Henry Poce was also at the hospital and that is one of the reasons I opened my account. In the past 42 years I have had car loans, home loans, Visa and recreation vehicle loans with them. I moved to St. George and continued with this great organization. Kelly Blake always greets me even when I’m at the drive through. And he has great tips on grilling. I didn’t know the assets were as strong as they are. I do know how I am treated.

–Patricia Peacock

Forward looking men in Ogden organized the Railroad credit union under and made it possible for a working man to obtain emergency funds from people he could trust. Among those men was my father, Lamont C. Call who served for decades as the auditing committee chairman when the Railroad Credit Union was housed in a small office upstairs in the Ogden Union Depot Building and later when it moved to 26th Street. Dad had me open an account with the first money I ever made at fifteen years of age which I have maintained for the past 67 years.

The Credit Union movement has been an important part of my life, first of all through the involvement of my father and later for the significant contribution of my brother Monte Call. I will be forever grateful for the lessons of thrift, and service that has been my heritage through the “Railroad” (to me it will always be) Goldenwest Credit Union.

– Vern W. Call