The Family Train

Note: This story was written when Connie became a Freshman at Waukon
High School in 1957. Her first assignment was from Miss Cora
Ruggenmeier -- a confirmed teacher! You do or else! So, starting with
the engine of the Family Train-she called Dad,-the power and guidance of
the train,--Mother came next, and she was the coal car-namely;she fed
the engine, which produced the power to pull the 4 passenger cars and
feeding the four passengers. James, the oldest and Donald in the second
car. Then the two last cars were trailed along called Marilyn and
Constance.

The Family train continued in this manner for 13 years when suddenly it
was decided the train needed a "Caboose"!

This was for the little chap who decided he wanted to belong to the
"Train Family". So he became "JC" or Jon Craig and he has trailed along
steadily these many years, keeping pace with his oldest brothers James
and Donald and sisters Marilyn and Constance.

So for Dad and Mom's 50th Wedding Anniversary, the children celebrated
by all being together as "The Family Train".

By the way, Connie received an "A" on her essay from her notable English
teacher, Miss Cora Ruggenmeier of Waukon High School. Miss Ruggemeier
passed away in February of 1990.

Jimmy's first day of school at Churchtown

1938 - Sending our first child to school was an exciting and nervous day
for us all! Mother, of course, thought Jimmy should be dressed up as
though he was going to church. He rebelled and his Dad saw the picture
and told Mother to give him a pair of overalls! So, that being done and
Jimmy and his Dad went to school. When Dad decided to leave him there,
he wanted his Dad to stay too, but Dad said, "you go and play with the
children and I will stay awhile". Our neighbor girl, Ruth Rissman,
helped him to be introduced into the children's games. Dad decided it
was time to leave, as he saw Jimmy wasn't afraid any more and was
enjoying his new friends.

DONALD'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

Donnie's first day at school was an interesting one! Especially when he
invited all his new friends down to Ben Decker's general store after
school was dismissed. He treated all the children to bananas - FREE!
So when the boys came home, Jimmy told his Dad that Donnie gave them all
free bananas. His Dad asked Donnie if he had money to pay for them and
he said "no, he didn't". So his Dad told him he would have to talk to
Mr. Decker and pay him for the bananas. So, Donnie knew from then on
that treats cost money and not to be so generous when he couldn't pay
for them. That is the way Donnie enjoyed his first day of school at
Churchtown, Iowa.

GOOD GREEN COOKIES !

One day, Mother was going to the Ben Decker store at Churchtown for some
groceries. Marilyn, who was 8 years old, wanted to make some cookies
while I was gone. So I gave her permission. And when I came home she
came running out to tell me and feeling so sad--about her green cookies
and "oh they look so awful". So we carried in the groceries and then
looked at the cookies in the cookie bowl. The dough looked like ground
up grass! The cookies were to be oatmeal cookies! So I told her that
we would bake a pan of them so we could see how they looked. Much of
the coloring had baked out, but there was light green hue to them. They
didn't look so bad after all, and tasted just like should. They had the
right amount of flour and tasted very good! So Marilyn felt so happy,
but she never wanted to use green coloring in her cooking again. Quite
an experience for a little girl to help her Mother make cookies and
the family cookie happy again".

THE CONFERENCE ROOM

One weekend, all four of the older children were home; James, from Cedar
Rapids, Donald, home on furlough from the army as an MP in Georgia,
Marilyn, home from Wheaton College, and Connie was at home attending
school in Waukon. Little Jon Craig, 5 years old was outside playing all
by himself. We had had our lunch and I was in the living room reading
when I heard the "grown-ups" laughing and having a good time trying to
out do each other with their stories. I thought I would stand by the
door and observe them in their enjoyment without being noticed by them.

All of a sudden, here comes little JC crying and wanting to be comforted
over some problem he had. The big fellows, Don and Jim, laughed and
told him to go out and play. He didn't like that kind of sympathy or
help and cried louder than ever! I could see that he wasn't gettiing
any comfort from them, so I called to him to come to me and we found a
quiet place in the living room and proceeded to talk over his
troubles.

When he seemed calm, we just talked and all of a sudden I thought, why
don't we haave a Conference Room? He wanted to know what that was, so I
explained it is a room where we can go and talk over what we wanted and
not be disturbed by others. He could ask someone to come and sit with
him and have a conference all by themselves in peace, quiet, and
privacy. He thought it was a good idea. So we looked around searching
for a good place to have the Conference Room - not the living room, den,
dining room, or kitchen - but where? I noticed the enclosed hall
stairway and I said, how about the stairway? We went up a few steps and
sat down. It felt cozy and quiet. I let him choose how many steps up
and sat down. We called this place JC's CONFERENCE ROOM. He liked that
very much. When he had a problem, he could invite someone to come to
his Conference Room and no one woould bother them. One day I had guests
and I was pouring coffee, when JC came in the door and said, "Mother
please come to the conference room." I responded to him, "in a minute
I'll be there." I excused myself to my guests, and told them that I
would be right back. We had our conference quietly and quickly and JC
left by the front door and I returned to my guests. They asked me what
little Jon Craig had meant by going to a "conference room". I told them
it was where we go to discuss his problems and I also said "did you
notice how quiet our conference was and that there was no noise when he
left? They did and they thought it was a good idea!

Several years later when JC had graduated from college and wad employed
by AMOCO OIL CO. in Texas he took me on a tour of the newly decorated
office building. He stopped at the doorway of one large room and said,
"This is a Conference Room" It was very large and impressive to me. As
we observed how large it was, JC looked at me and said with a big smile,
it is much larger than ours was, isn't it" And I said "yes it is"-but we
really settled many problems in our conference room and JC looked at me
with a big SMILE and said "We sure did Mother"!

My sister--Florence Johanna Signe Lea

My sister Florence was born Dec.26, l908 in Chippewa Falls, Wis. to my
parents, Rev. & Mrs. Anthon Peter Lea and Emilie Melbye Lea. She was a
frail girl, born with a crooked spine and "wry neck". The doctors
didn't think she would live to be two years--but she lived till she was
40 years old. She was about 4 and a half feet tall and of a dainty
figure. She had lovely blonde hair and a pleasant smile on her face.
She was always willing to helpp what she could for the family. She was
my Mothers' cheerful assistant. Making pudding, and jelly rolls and
good hashbrown potatoes with beef. Very Good! My Mother took her on
the train when she was l2 or l3 years old to the Crippled Childrens'
home in Nebraska. It was very hard for my Mother to leave her there.
But Florence became the school pianist and she enjoyed playing the
Evangelical hymns.

She had to wear a brace around her hips and shoulders to help her stand
straight and give support to her back. She didn't like to wear it as it
made sores under her arms. When she came home she hid in the haymow in
the barn her father insisted she wear it until it blistered around her
arm pits, and so she was able to stop awhile. She was so very plucky
with all her difficulties and unpleasantness she had to endure...but
Florence "hung in there". She played for church services, Ladies Aid,
Sunday choir and practices, Sunday school and programs, Bible school,
weddings, funerals and other special occasions. When she came home from
Nebraska, she attended Cedar Rapids Business College which she completed
in 8 months. She worked for the California highway department, while
visiting her brother Abe and his wife Helen. Then she decided to come
back and help her brother Ambrose and his wife Eunice with their baby,
Florence became sick with pneumonnia and died in the La Crosse hospital;
frail, loving, thinking of others, and of her faith in her Saviour's
love. She told me I looked like mama sitting in the chair by her bed.
She looked upward to see her Savior's love with a smile. At last....
peace. Dear sister Florence and I were close to each other and
confidence!

CHRISTMAS TREE PROGRAM AT CENTER BAPTIST

We had a very special number by James, Donald, Marilyn and Connie
sung in Norwegian accompanied by Mother. I used to sing it too as a
child and aroound the Christmas tree. The first verse was, Thy little
ones dear Lord are we --and come Thy lowly bed to see,Enlightend
everysoul and mind,That we the way to Thee may find ,,:::::
"Her Komme Dine Arme SMAA ;;;hEAR tHY LITTLE ONES SMALL
i ALWYS REMEMBERED THAT WAS ONE SONG BY CHILDREN N THE PROGRAM OR A
CHORUS. Our Christmas tree stood in the middle of the room with
very few decorations- but with hands clasped together around the
tree singing the familiar favorites of Christmas...Christmas at the
OLD EAST PARSONAGE in MOM"S DAY. I got the tree on a distant h ill
and dragged it a long way from the hills. UFF DA! That was hard
work, but a very wonderful memory that I got the Christmas Tree!!!!TREE

hands singing songs. With very few ornamente on it

every souland around the

MY MOTHER'S FAVORITE EXPRESSION

When we were finished eating our dinner on Sundays, and visiting and
laughing at each other and about each other and my Father had left
the room for his study up stairs or to take a nap, then we could all
laugh and talk and not need to be so quiet. Then the dishes needed
to be DONE and table to be cleared aw ay. Aaaboout that time my
Mother would say,"I just have to get out of this world,for awhile"
which mean't She wanted a nap! So one day my sister Antoinette said
she should go and have her nap and she would do the dishes...When MAMA
GOY UP FROM HER NAP SHE WENT TO THE KITCHEN STOVE AND REACHED UP TO GET
THE SHAKER TO shake down the ashes and start a fire for the coffee.
There she saw all the dirty dishes neatly stacked in the warming oven!
I heard my Mothers" voice, '"OH Antoinette"! I don't remember who
washed the dishes!!!!!UFF DA!!

DET HVAR GALT!!

!!MAMA sure needed her COFFEE !

PSALM (95)
It is a good thing too give thanks unto the Lord

And to sing praises unto His Name, O most High To shoe forth Thy
loving kindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night. Holy

My FAVORITE HORSE ~~BLAZEN

He had a brother named Pilate, who was a very nervous and edgy to
ride. They were the horses my Father used to drive to church services
and visit the sick and elderly in his congregations. He had two churches
he served-Old East and Old West Paint Creek, and to town.The mother
horse was called Bruno, brown in color and a pleasure to ride, and a
fast driving horse. No one wanted to ride Pilate and all wanted to ride
Blazen. He had white blaze on his forehwad. My Father used to use the
buggy, bobsled, cutter(sleigh) like Santas, and a race cart. I used it
to ride 5 miles to the Waterville Highschool, lluckily no rain! I sure
did ride the horses--especially Blazen!

A NIGHT CALL

I was awakened one night after I had gone to sleep by my Mother,
to go out and harness the team and hitch them to the buggy. My Father
had received a phone call from a Doctor to come tcomfort o
help a lady in
childbirth who was not expected to survive. She passed away just as he
arrived. Ii felt so sad about it and went to the funeral, but I didn't
get to see the baby. That was sad. I always think about it. The lady had
two little girls, but it is hard to lose a baby.

THE THREE MARBLES

One day our hired man had a bad toothache and decided to go to the
dentist in Waukon. I went out to wish him 'good luck' and I noticed
three marbles on the floor behind the door. Baby Connie was crawling on
the floor near the door. I hurried back in and looked for the marbles
but but baby Connie had put them all in her mouth. I picked her up and
felt in her mouth and found all three. I gently slipped them out....
That was a big scare and I was glad I was aware of them when I came back
in. Children are so quick to do things and in scary ways!!!!

Anyway, never leave a toddler alone on the floor when you go outside. I
sure learned many things each day with my children being active and
curious!

MAKING BUTTER

I had my mixmaster on the cabinet making butter also making my bread
into buns. Little Craig was standing on the chair beside me and
watching me. I had 7 or 8 buns made on the cake pan when Mother Nature
called me away. I shut the mixer off and left. When I returned, I
noticed my buns had disappeared. The little fellow had fun putting them
into bowl of whipped cream. I dipped them out and wiped the cream off
carefully and put them back on the pan to raise awhile to raise. I let
them raise awhile and baked them. They tasted very good even with the
experience they went through. Never leave a child alone -- take "him"
with you -- when you leave your post of duty!!!!!

Rotten Spots

When Marilyn was a little girl I had a hired girl by the name of
Gretchen. She was 18 years old and very capable, and lots of fun.I had
several girls to work for me during my child bearing years, that was
such a help to me. I paid them $3 a week and board and room.and of
course transportation. Girls were always glad to earn a few dollars to
help buy thungs they wanted and soome spending money. One day Gretchen
was making bread and she patted the dough into large cake pan. Then she
took some thick cream and spread on top and mixed sugar, cinnamon and
spread all over the top and then she used her finger and poked holes all
over the top. We asked her why she did that and she said she liked lots
of rotten spots!!!! Then she let the bread raise and baked it and it
smelled so good...... Everbody liked it all so well we wanted her to
make lots of bread with "Rotten spots" after that day. I would make
rotten spots often to enjoy and enjoy and enjoy!!!!!!

Marilee help me!
One Christmas at our church program, the children always sat in the
front seats for the program. Little
connie had two pieces to speak, One was our school piece and the other
for Sunday school and they were very much alike,She was 5 years old and
we tried to give all the little ones a chance on the program.So she
bravely walked up to speak her piece and started to say her school piece
and remembered she was to say her Sunday school piece. So she got
flustrated and felt badly and called to Marilyn where all the older ones
sat and giggled. Connie called out to Marilyn--Marilee help me! So
Marilyn helped her and she finished her piece and ran down to her Mother
and climbed up onto her lap and pulled on the buttons of my dress. I
thought she would pull them all off!She was so scared and sad! But we
enjoyed the rest of the program, and they all enjoyed their candy,apple
and presents! Oh dear to be young! Always help when you can --Never
know when it is your turn for a helper!OK Marilee ? Dec.l989-Midway!

THE BEATITUDES
FOR our Bible school progam Marilyn surprised me by reciting the
Beatitudes from memory! Quite an undertaking for a girl so young about
10 or l2 years old! We heard several remarks about well she did! I will
never forget how proud her DAD and I were of her!

How Arthur changed his name.
Connie had a black cat that she called Arthur. He was named after
General McArthur's son, Arthur. He was so cuye, she thought. One day
she went out on the front porch and there she saw
Arthur having kittens! She came running back into the house and
exclaimed Arthur was having kittena!on the front porch! she 7 or 8 years
old. Anyway she gave Arthur another name, but I don't remember
it!!!!!!so

anyway she gave arthur

Christmas Shopping

One Christmas season we took the children to town. We left Marilyn
at Delbert and Irenes' while Dad took the boys and I went alone by
myself..I had bought some candy at the dime store and was putting it in
my shopping bag when I noticed a pain in my knuckle I looked at my hand
and I noticed my diamond was gone out of its mounting!Was I ever feeling
bad to see my diamond was missing! I asked the clerks to watch out for
it if they could. So I left the store and was walkingdown the street
sadly when I met Dad coming towards me. He wondered why I was
feeling so badly? I told I lost my diamond out of my
mounting!So Dad said don't feel bad, people will think I am
mean to you,but I sais , you get things like this before you
are married not afterwards!and I didn't care to shop
annymore!1So we back to Delberts' and I told wvweybody leave
the room and I shut the kitchen door and I got down on my
knees and everything ouy of the bag then I looked into the
empty bag????????There was my diamonnnd way down in the bag
all by itself!!!!! Was I happy!!1 Dad had it all fixed yp
with tellow gold mounting and new wedding band to match
different from the white gold that was popular in the
depression.I think it was in l938 or,,l939?? My set is 58
years old so all came out ok!! l99O -- l932 March 9 !!!!!!years
oom'''''''''

dad nnamed General Mc

A POLITE LITTLE GIRL

One day when I was little girl, my Mother came to visit me in the
hospital. The nurse met her as she came into my room and said to her
that she had such a polite little girl My Mother asked why she said
that the nurse said to her that when she was going to give me the
medicine I told her , No thank you, I don't care for any (SMILE)
No matter how old I get, I would to say,"no thank you I don't care for
any!

The Spanking Stick

When JON CRAIG was a very young boy---I took a paintstick for stirring
paint and I wrote on it "Craig's Spanking Stick". He understood that if
he was naughty that the stick would be used on his spanking place -- but
Craig was always a good boy and I didn't have to spank him. One day, we
went on a long trip, Dad, Craig and I in our nice, big car to Colorado
to visit Uncle Albert and Aunt Claudia. When we were on our way home,
Craig stood up behind us in the back seat so he could hear us talk.
As we were driving along, Craig said "Mother, where is your spanking
stick?" I said "right in the back window where I put it". Craig said "no
it isn't" and I replied "then, where is it?". Craig smiled and pointed
out the window and said "it's way back there". So I said, "Craig see all
those bushes and trees out there? There are lots of spanking sticks to
get if we need one." He looked at me and grinned and said "I can't fool
you, mama!"

JC's Speculation

When JC went to grade school in Waukon, there was a corner grocery store
in the next block by the name of the West End. Craig went to the store
and bought various kinds of candy and gum. On the way home on the school
bus, he sold the items for a profit and it turned out good for him and
the other kids were happy to get a good treat. JC has always managed to
have some spending money when growing up -- doing jobs like mowing lawns
for lawyer Art Jacobsen, pushing the lawnmower all the way across
Waukon, delivering papers for the Des Moines Register, cleaning barns
for his brother Donald on the farm, and so forth. Even the night of his
honors graduation, he cleaned the back barn area for Donald but standing
up and receiving his honors that night, he looked pretty handsome!

Alvin Alonzo and Elizabeth Adelaide (Lea) Aldrich - 1931 to 1989

The years of 1929 and 1930, Alvin's sister Charlotte was my classmate.
We met the first time in the fall of 1929 as students. We were good
friends over all of the school year. she would drive her brother,
Alvin's car once in a while and we would eat our lunchin the car. I
never met Alvin until the fall of 1930. The rural school districts
would put on a home talent play to raise money to buy something special
for the school. Some schools would have 'basket socials' and some just
served basket lunches after the play.

This night after the play, people visited each other and Charlotte and
her brother Alvin had attended with some friends. I noticed a fellow
over at the far side of the room and I asked Charlotte if she knew who
he was and she said "he is my big brother Alvin, come over and meet
him". So we got aquainted and then it was time to go home. Alvin told
me later that he wanted to take me home but he already had a car full of
Charlotte's friends from town. I had to walk home on a November night
on cold, frozen roads to the Old East Paint Creek parsonage! So then
Charlotte had a party soon thereafter and invited me to come. I had to
catch a ride since it was too far to walk. I caught a ride to Waukon 10
miles away and stayed with a friend until it was time to go the party.
Then Alvin stopped by and picked up a load of Charlotte friends - and of
course, I had to sit in the back seat. Alvin told me afterwards that he
wished that I'd been sitting in the front seat next to him. So I stayed
overnight at Alvin and Ch's home and they took me home the next
afternoon. Alvin wanted to make a date with me but I didn't dare to
make a date just then. On January 28, 1931, I had my nineteenth
birthday and my Mother said I could have a party so , of course, Alvin
and Charlotte were invited to the Old East Paint CreekP. Mama,
Florence, Harriet, and Christine all tried to make good things to eat.
Even soft homemade ice cream! Oh well, we all enjoyed each other a lot.
Alvin made a date with me to go to the movie - Lawrence of Arabia. It
was great. Alvin reached over and took hold of my little finger and he
said that I grabbed it away like lightning. I was scared!

When Alvin came in to get me at the parsonage, my brother Abe invited
him into the parlor and they sat visiting while I was upstairs getting
dressed. My Mother came up to my Father's study and said to him "are
you going to let Adelaide go with that man downstairs?" My Father
replied in Norweigian " er hungalen"( is she crazy?). My Mother asked
the same question again and he repeated "er hungalen?" I heard Mama
say "He is downstairs talking to Abe" so I hurried down the steps. I
motioned to Alvin to come quickly. He didn't know hat I meant but we
hurried out the door, up the road, and through the gate to Waukon to see
the movie.

Coming home, we parked in the neighbor's driveway. Then we went home and
I had to wonder whether I would get to my room without getting a whack
on my head from my Father (his way of letting us know of his
disapproval). More than once, that had happened to me. I giot to my room
safely and the next morning my Father called me from the foot of the
stairs and I went down the stairs and quickly passed by him through the
door and out to get the milk pail and then out to the barn to get on
with my chores. So far, so safe -- just a good girl. Nothing was ever
said about where I went and so forth but there was a lot of wondering
and curiousity. Flo said she like d Alvin so a few days later I rode
with my neighbor girl friend to another school play and another
district and I met Alvin there and he took me home. The neighbor guy
that took me over with his sister got mad (can you blame him?).

So about February, my Father had me go to Chippewa Falls to work for my
Uncle Chris to keep house. He was a baker so I did not have to bake but
just take care of the first floor of the house for him. I received $3
per week - it was easy work. A month later, Alvin came up to see me. He
wanted to know 'how it was between us'. He wanted some encouragement
from me and so I gave him some - but I was thinking of taking nurses
training in the fall in Minneapolis. He said that he would wait for me
if I did. There was no money for poor people to diddle around with. I
felt that Alvin and I had to be careful not to be seen together. He did
not feel that way but i was was a minister's daughter and a Lutheran so
I went in the fall to Minneapolis and started nurse's training. I stayed
for two months out of the three months of the probationary period - NO
NURSING FOR ME! UFF DA!

My Father was very mad at me. I thouight that I'd get a job at
something and earn some money -- even housework at $3 per week. In the
fall, Charlotte had her birthday, October 18, 1931. I went to her
party. Alvin and I had a date over at the big tree over at the OEast
Paint Creek chuch cemetary. When I came back, my brother Abe wanted to
know where I had been. I told him that I had beeen to the outhouse. He
said that that was a long time for that!

One day Abe made my Father very angry by going into the big safe in my
Father's study. My Father told him to leave and so he hiked to Lansing
(about 10 miles away) to take thetrain to Minneapolis to visit his
girlfriend Helen. He went from there to Sacremento, California to his
Uncle Joe Niburg's and found a job working at the Ponderosa Pine Lumber
camp.

He had taught school in Baldwin, Wisconsin a couple of years but did not
enjoy teaching. He had stomach pains all the time! Antoinette also
taught there several years. It was very hard on my Mother for Abe to
leave. Money was very scarse.

Next my Father told me to leave. I got as far as the windmill with my
little suitcase and my little blue forget-me-not plate that a lady gave
me when I was 16 years old. He called to me to come back so I was a good
girl and went to milk the cows, clean the barn and pitch the hay. I
guess that he wondered who would do the chores if I left. Mama and
Florence were my confidants.

Alvin had bought a big fox fur for me. Hjalmar Olsen had caught the fox
and Alvin sent it to Dubuque to be tanned and made into a 'throw'. It
was a beautiful fur. He paid Hjalmar $25 for the hide and another $25
to have it tanned and so faorth. I wore it a lot after I was married.
Mama said to Papa "you should see the beautiful gift that Adelaide's
boyfriend got for her" and Papa replied " I will smash it". Florence
and Mama laughed and said that it wasn't 'smashable'. A few days later,
my Father and I had a scrap and he threw me on the floor and got on top
of me and tried to choke me. How my Father got me on the floor, I can't
remeber. My Mother was scared stiff and couldn't move. She just
looked. My sister Florence screamed and said that she was going to call
the sheriff. She rang the phone and then Father got off of me and ran
to the phone to put the receiver back on the hook. I jumped up and
looked at him and said "you will never do that to me again". Mama and
Papa left for Waterville and Florence and I were alone. We talked and I
said that I was going to call Alvin and I told Charlotte '#9" which
meant that I wanted to see Alvin tonight. So he came and I met him at
the barn and told him that I was le4aving home and thatif he wanted to
see me, he had better take me along with him. He tried to discourage me
but I was determined to leave. So he took me with him that night and I
had my little black suitcase and blue plate. We walked over to the big
tree at the church in the snow to Alvin's car. We stayed overnight at
Alvin's home and left early in the morning for Mason City to visit his
Aunt Minnie. We were stopped at a crossing by a patrolman and we
thought 'this and that' for sure but he only wanted to check the
registration. We stayed two nights, Thursady and Friday and came home
the next evening to waukon. Alvin went into Opfer's drug Store to use
the 'farmer's phone' to see if his Mother needed anything. The first
person that he met was Sheriff Bulman who congratulated him. Alvin
asked 'what for?' and the sheriff smiled a big smile and replied that he
had heard that we had eloped. My Father had contacted the authorities
and wanted the patrolman to get us. I stayed in the car. We went to
church the next day. The people all wondered if we were married and we
said 'no'.

The next day, Monday, our neighbors - the Gruber's - started butchering
and Alvin was going to help. Charlotte was going to help too by cooking
the meals. Alvin and I were driving the team and bobsled in the new
snow that had fallen. As we were about half-way up, my parents and one
of their neighbors - a Wurtzel- came walking up. Alvin invited them to
ride but when we got there, Alvin turned the team to gointo the yard and
my Father said that they could get off there at the gate. He then
motioned for me to come with them but I said no that I was not going
with them. My Father reached for me and I called for Alvin and he told
my Father not to touch me. My Father acted like he was going to fist
Alvin and I started to climb over the wagon rail and my Mother took hold
of my coat. I slipped out of my coat and let her have it. I ran into
Gruber's house up into their bedroom and shut the door. My Father and
Mother went into the house and Tade Wendell said that that was far
enough. My Father wanted to call the sheriff and Mama sat down in a
chair. The sheriff and deputy came out and wanted to talk to me so I
came out to the parlor to talk with them. He asked me how old I was and
I said '20'. He said that I was old enough. He thought that Alvin and
I wanted to get married so we all got into the cars, the sheriff in his
car, Papa and Wurtzel in his car and Alvin and I and Mama drove to
Waukon and parked in front of the old bank and drug store. The couny
attorney's office was upstairs and there we went to see Judge Richter.
Papa was furious and saying what he wanted to say. The sheriff told us
to go into another room where we could talk by ourselves. The sheriff
said "as long as you two are engaged, why not just get married? Then
your Father would have to leave you two alone". We weren't planning on
marriage just then. It was March 1932, the midts of the Great
Depression. Alvin's Father had passed away unexpectedly the October
before. There was very little money. How else could times be worse!
Charlotte got a job in town - housework. Hilliard was just graduating
from high school. Sidney was just a little 8 year old boy and Grandma
Aldrich was not feeling very well. There were funeral bills, estate
bills, farming bills and so on.

The sheriff told us not to go home that night as he thought Papa might
be dangerous. So we stayed at Uncle Fred's. The next morning, we
decided that we would get married. Alvin only had $100 to his name.
Isadore came down after the Penney's store closed for the night and we
shopped there. I got my wedding dress, coat, shoes, hat and gloves.
Dad got a new (very nice) suit. At the greenhouse, we got wedding
flowers, yellow roses and white Easter lilies. We kept the car
overnight in a heated garage and paid $1 for the privilege. We arranged
for the ceremony to take place at the Baptist parsonage. We were all
very nervous as we thought Papa would burst through the door at any
minute. However, we had a nice wedding and many tears of sorrow and
joy. Charlotte was my bridesmaid. Alvin's cousin Truman Aldrich was
the best man.

Alvin paid for it all. He paid the preacher, for the garage, for the
license, for the lovely room overnight in Gailsville, wisconsin ($2).
Everyone was happy to make a dollar. Alvin saved $5 for the chivarie
crowd but they wouldn't take anything. Charlotte and Grandma made a
nice lunch for the well-wishers. Alvin had dressed me from head to toe
for the wedding. It was all so unexpected and so hard for Alvin as he
had the farm work to think about and no money to lavish.

We were married at the Baptist parsonage with a Lutheran service. Tying
the knot which lasted for 58 years and two months - the best present
that the Lord ever gave to me. The Lord called Alvin home to heaven
December 19. 1989. My husband and father to our children, James,
Donald, Marilyn, Connie, and Jon Craig.

MOTHER --- JUST START TYPING!!!!

Well I shall start and it is twenty minutes to ll o'clock

ONLY PORCELAIN

I made a cake one day in my pretty mixing bowl. It probably didn't
cost so very much--5O cents or a dollar. It was a gift from our neighbor
Mrs, Englehorn for our wedding. Money was hard to get in those of the
depression times and anything was very much appreciated and enjoyed,
Little Jimmie was a toddler and I put the bowl on the floor for him to
scrape what he could and enjoy. There was plant stand close by and it
got accidently tipped and the plant broke falling on the bowl breaking
it.I was thankful Jimmie didn't get hurt! I felt soeey that the bowl got
got broken as it was a gift and a useful size, And I didn't know when I
could buy one with no money for luxeries, so I was feeling so sorry
about it.
Alvin's Mother said to me," It is only porcelain", and I felt better and
thought , I will get another one someday, and I thought to myself, it is
only porcelain. I have told this story at wedding showers and get
togethers,, and asked to present an addition to a program. When gifts
are admired at showers to remember "They are only porcelain,if they get
broken.

When Harlen Shellhammer preached at our church one Sunday

Dad was asked to give the prayer for thr service and I kept it. He had
written it before the service.

Our heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy Son, Jesus.
Who was willing to be born and live among men. To die on the cross for
our sins. Who arose from the grave and is on the right hand of God
interceding for us. We ask Thee to heal and comfort those who are
sick. Be with those who are traveling today , Be with Harlan as he
brings us the message today. That Jesus Christ be lifted up. The
scripturs say,''if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.'We
ask in the name of Jesus....AMEN Dads' prayer shortly before he
passed away. Dec. l9, l989 our sins

" We must love them while we can"

Thet tied our shoes, took us to school and patched our worn out jeans, s
They soothed our tears and childhood fears, and listened to our
dreams. Somewhere along their golden years, their hair has lost its
sheen. The notes of hymn llO cracke when they sing. ---Now they are
alone: no children voices filling up their home.// The folks that
taught us our first words, have much to say. The silver secrets of
this world lie beneath those crowns of gray. As they approach the end
we change our roles from "Children to Best friend. We always thought
they'd be around till the end of time, Then one day we wake and
find....We must love them while we can. From Jon C. Aldrich

OH LORD, make me grateful for what JESUS is and for all He has done for
me!

LORD We give you all the praise and honor! We thank you for this food,
Keep us in your way and safe from harm in this new day you have given
us . table prayer.....

Life is not long and another smile,,,,And then romping feet and then thr
sweet remembrance awhile, Pastor Wingblade

from dawn to day--from gold to gray, And then the quiet hours, And
Life is too brief to hunt for grief--For thorns among the flowers. onog
the flowers,
JON CRAIGS' GRADUATION l973 HONOR NIGHT

"" I dreamed death came to me the other night, and heavens' gate swang
wide.. With kindly grace, an Angel ushered me inside. And there to my
astonishment stood folks I'D KNOWN ON EARTH. Some I'd judged and
labeled as "unfit" or of little worth. Indignant words rose to my lips
but never set free..For every face ....For every face showed stunned
surprise! NO ONE EXPECTED ME!!!!!!!!!!!! SONS OF NORWAY T

Just have been thinking of the next story to tell, so this it! When I
was a Freshman at Waterville HS .I had to stand and hold onto my gunny
sack bag with a Civet cat hide in it--My brother Albert and I had killed
one on a Sunday morning. I was milking the cows and usual Albert always
foumd something else to do when chores were to be done! He had gone over
to the woods to see what he might find in his trap. Yhere was a strange
looking animal in his trap and it was viscious!

so
albert came home in a hurry to get me to help him to kill it!So I
finished my milking and hung the pail on the peg and went with him to
see this valuable animal caught in his trap! We didn't have anything to
kill it with. So Albert looked around and found some heavy branches. He
took one and told me to have him keep eyes on me and he would pound him,
which he did seversl times and I threw crusty snow chuncks at gim and
between the twoo of us he tormrnted the poor cat dead! My he thought he
was going to have a valuable hide . He carried it home to the parsonage
and put in the tool shed. My father called to us to harness the team up
to the sleigh as he had to go to the WEST PAINT CREEK CHURCH to preach.
It was about 5 miles away from the EAST PAINT CREEK CHURCH> After he
had gone we thought we could go into the house and have some breakfast.
We were greeted wirh scream and tol to get out and my Mother brought
some clothes for us to change in the woodshed (COLD) Then we went back
in and thought we would get something t0 eat, but Christine threw up and
ran into my Mothers bedroom and shut the door! She was so mad at us and
the others disappeared, and told us to feed ourelves which we did and
then we took the animal over to Hjalmar Olson to skin it for us...The
day, Monday I took it school (5 miles) and waited dor the janitor to get
thru talking to the Supt. Then I got permission to leave it the furnace
room till school was out. Then I carried my bag all the way down the
hill and over to Joe Tysland Meat market. Joe said he would give me 6O
cents for it. So I sold it to him and when I got home Albert wanted his
share of the money which was 3O cents! He thought kept more then I
should and I told him to go and ask Joe Tysland..That was big money iin
those days!!!!!!!!!!HARD WORK Let the kids nowadays see how hard it was
to get 30c Then a few years later I happened to wakl behind my English
teacher, Miss McCormick wearing a beautiful civit cat fur coat! It was
beautiful. Was our big fur in it? OY YOY AND UFF DA !!!!!!!Year about
l926 or l9 28!!!! Long time ago!

Making butter the fun way

My Mother always had us,, Christine, Florence, Harriet, and Albert to
some work which would add to the pleasure od the fanily. We always
liked butter and we sometimes used the glass churn, but making butter
together and running around the house and then sitting on the south
porch and tell jokes oe laughing at each other or a lot of the times we
would sing and take parts and sing away, We would start again around the
and then see had butter first. Mama would separate the butter from the
buttermilk and then was the butter till the water was clear, Then she
would salt just right. Real butter!1QAnd then she would put in
containers and make fancy designs on top. We were't out kiking a ball or
throughing basket balls, we would ride horseback, make fudge and some
times delicious chocolate cakes and pancakes with real buttermilk.We had
to see that MAMA had to have wood carried in the woodbox amd water
carried from the windmill which was so fresh tasting we always did these
tasks willing, We didn't expect her to do those things. My Mother was
hard pf hearing and she couldn't afford a hearing aid and in thoae days
you had to wear a long cord attached to a case about 4 in. by 3 in, and
then drape it up over your ears. They just weren't so easy to wear aond
keep out of the way. She had a soft voice and didn't like to yelled at/
I don't think we did yelling, Seems like now people think that they
have to yell to be heard which really detracts from hearing well. I
see when I visit Jim/how the holler when they talk to Jim instead of
going over to him, w hen he can't see them to go over to him and put
their hand on his shoulder and talk to him. This hollering to hard of
hearing people is unpleasant as well as irritrating! OOh it is to far
to go the person and take a minute to talk gently and hearing a pleasnt
voice from someone who cares. If it is worth saying, say it with.care!
(((((The hearing Aids in my Mothers day were worn on your breast and
the cord drawn up to your ear. In the Bible it reads---to be thankful
you can hear! and be thankful you can see! I ssaw 5 ladies on a program
who had been in accident and had terrible disfigurements. They showed
pictures of them bwfore their accidents. and I thanked the Lord that my
disfigurement was't worse than it was........

How well we know who have experienced it, and
what it does to a person!. IT WILL ALWAYS be there......

One day my brother Albert had fight feedinf the pigs at OEPC
parsonage , and I was barefoot. And I stepped a board that had bad
nail.. So my Mother called Dr. Dillon, who lived 5 miles to
Waterville. I had washes my feet and had my foot up on a chair when
he came. So he bathed with what Doctors use, I think rubbing
alcohol and he had a long needle in his hand and talked to me....
then he said to me , do you see that big bird out there? and I
looked and he pushed that needle up into my foot!!!! Wow! Then put
some salve on my foot and wrapped it nice and told me not to step on
it for a few days, and to sit with it up on a chair for awhile. So

Albert and I AND I DIDN'T FIGHT for awhile .............
Albert and I used to sing together when we were younger. And one
day they wanted me to sing a solo at church, I was even offered
twenty five cents but I wouln't so then they offerer Albert twenty
five cents and he sang. If I had sung that day maaybe I would
have developed my voice like Albert did. He had a beautiful v0ice
and everyone loved hear him sing.

There were e elderly ladies who lived alone in a big rock house
near my home at OEPC . Thier names were Jana and Emmma. Jana was
short chunky. She was blind when was 3 years old. She had a bad fever
and it left her blind. Here father was in the Civil war so that was
sad.People would read to and she learned Sunday school books by heart.

she could milk the cow they had and make bread. She wore her hair that
came part way down her back, in two nice curly curls, and she would tie
them with ribbon.
she always would talk and laugh along with us. she even croch d or
knitted wristlets to wear on your rists to keep warm.
she used long poles to guide her walking and Jana would see that the
paths were free of branches.Emma kept some cats too. And she would keep
a heifer or ster, but they were just like they were wild.They would come
to her but that was all.Jana would buy button the front mens' sweaters
and then she would buy yardage and cut anough material for a wrap around
skirt. That was their style. They were content in thier home, without
runnin water or electric heat or drains or bathrooms, They had a brother
Olaf who would sometime scare uu, Hw was married but show up for a few
daya and then leave to go back to his family. He finally was arrested
because he would peak in the schoolroom window or pound on the door so
he could see them. He did that too often and so he was sent away for a
short while.. My father would trim his beard and give him a haircut,
and a couple jackets and coats. He was a large man and good really not
doing anything wrong. He would take our hoesn rakes or shovels, and then
Jana would carry them up to our place again. When we would see the
grocery man drive by to Janas' we would watch to see thr grocery man
would drive by in his pick-up andwatch when he left, we would go down
to see them and Jana would always give us treat out the big sack of
candy the grocer would bring them . He didn't even try to shut the sack
as it was plump full !!!! The best chocolates in the world!!

OLGA
IN THE SUMMER MONTHS WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO bIBLE
SCHOOL

We always had fun playing with kids of sll ages.We played ANTI I OVER
the school house,-baseball and races and jump rope and also Jacks. Yhat
Is almost a forgotten game. We took ggod care of our jacks. So one day
We were sitting under favorite tree, a group of eating our lunch.Olga
Was really enjoying her lunch chewing with her mouth wide open . There
Was a bee flying around us and we told her to close her mouth when esh
Chewed or that bee will fly into her mouth. She said she could chew
Anyway she wished. So sure enough the bee flew into her mouth and
Did ever spit out her food and screamed. He stung her and so cried
And went in to tell the teacher. Recess was over ,but OLGA cried and
Cried and her cheek started to swell so the teacher told her big
Brother to take home. We didn't see her for a couple days. I think
she learned to chew with her mouth closed after that. I was the
First graduate from the Dalby school new achool building. The old
School house burned down after a play practice . When thry called and
Said there would be no school because the schoolhouse had burn down.
I felt so sad because my precious pencil box had burned up. I sure
Liked my pencil box as it was a two layer box and the top moved to
One side to fet to the bottom layer. I can still see my dear PENCIL
BOX!!!!No more box socials or plays at the old DALBY school!!!!!!!eYte
On the way to school, Albert annd I were running to schol thru the
Woods on a cold Nov. Day. The ground was frozen and our pockets full of
Apples, I fell and broke my left collar bone, and my pretty long
Thumbnail broke way down, so it just burned and hurt so much. I didn'
Know which so the worst.Albert ran on to school as the bell was
Ringing. I picked up my apples and hurried to school. I hurt so much
The teacher told me to go home. I couldn't put my coat on so I carried
It. When my Mother saw me walking down the road she thought I was
Carrying Albert. When they saw I had so much pain they took me to
Waterville to Dr. Dillon. He fixed me and taped my arm across my chest
And I had to go that was for 3 weeks. I was glad when he took the tape
Off and let my arm down oon my side,so that I went to church with my arm
On my side, for the Christmas tree program.

OUR THANK YOU

Golden thoughts come stealing
Down Memory's lane today
As on this fiftieth milestone
We linger on our way
The dear forgotten faces
Again we seem to see;
Old songs, old friends,old places
Are here in memory.
We praise and thank THEE,FATHER
For THY great love and care,
And for the many blessings
Which we together share.
We pray THEE GOD to strengthen
The ties which been made
Bless all the earnest effort
AND plans which have been laid,
For greater work and service
Througout the coming years
Lord,may it shed some glory
Upon THY name so dear.

Giving thanks always for things unto God and the Father in the name of
our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Ephesians 5:2O

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