Lois Arminnie Tanner was one of few women in Utah in the early 20th century to operate a business. She started her beauty parlor in response to inspiration and in an effort to provide for her family while her husband answered the call to serve a mission.

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Arminnie Tanner, my husband’s great-great grandmother, had three small boys when her husband, Franklin Fairbanks, was called on a mission to the Southern States. He left in 1897 and was gone for two years. Meanwhile, Arminnie was left to care and provide for her family as best she could. With strong faith that her husband was called of God to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, Arminnie sought a way to support her growing family.

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One night she dreamed of how to make a “cold cream”, a beauty product women put on their faces to hydrate and smooth the skin. When she woke up she immediately began making the cold cream. Over an extended period Arminnie began selling the cold cream throughout the valley, loading her boys in a wagon to make deliveries.

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Over time Arminnie developed her own product line, Excelsis, and opened a beauty shop under the same name, where she did hair and perms. Through faith and determination Grandma Arminnie was able to successfully provide everything her family needed, and she became one of the few woman-owned businesses in Salt Lake City in the early 20th century.

The Excelsis Beauty Parlor, owned and operated by Lois Arminnie Tanner Fairbanks in 1947.

Photo credit: University of Utah, Utah Department of Heritage & Arts, https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=696028&facet_setname_s=dha_uplp

Heartwood Frames + Custom Designs is a family-owned business. We are inspired by women of faith around the world. Women are at the heart of everything we do, because women are focused on serving families of all types and sizes.

This Easter I am thinking of my great grandmother, Laura Dewsnup, who lived a life of joy and tragedy. Her faith and perseverance are an example to me, and the reason I am filled with hope this Easter.

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My great grandmother was raised in Rexburg, Idaho, in a family of six girls. When she was eight years old, her mother passed away during childbirth. Her baby sister also passed away that same day. When she was 17 years old her family moved to a small town in Northern California, where she met my great grandfather.

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Together they built a home and farmed the land. They raised 9 children, 8 of whom were boys. Her husband dealt with asthma all his life however, and died of heart complications on the 26th of April, 1928. Laura's last baby was born the day after her husband was buried.

“When my husband died, it seemed more than I could bear".

- Laura Dewsnup -

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In her memoirs she wrote: "at the time it seemed more than I could bear, but through my faith and prayers, I have been blessed so much." Laura went on to raise her 9 children all on her own, one of whom was my loving grandfather. My great grandmother lived to the age of 95 and she is a great example to me of a strong and resilient woman. Today, women are dealing with our own unique challenges around the globe, but I know that with faith and hope we can conquer all things. I also know, this Easter season, that I will see her again through the resurrection of our Lord.

At Heartwood Frames and Custom Designs we are so grateful for the miraculous gift, the atonement and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We hope all will have His peace and hope this Easter.