HOME IN IMOGENE

This photo was taken of myself, my sister Carolyn and our Dad. I was between 2 and 3 years old and Carolyn was between 1 and 2.
The picture was taken in Imogene Iowa. Everything that was there on that property is gone. The house burned and I returned several years ago and walked the property and found nothing. No landmarks and it was then I decided the place would exist only in my memory. Next to me was the pump we used as our water source. In the background is a building we called the barn, used mostly to raise chickens. To the right of Carolyn is a place we called the cave where vegetables and canned goods were stored in the winter and where we would go in case of a severe thunderstorm. This photo brings back a lot of memoriew to me.

OUR FIRST GRANDCHILD

Our first Grandchild was born on April 11 1978. A little girl named Josephine Rose. My wife Mary and our Daughter Lisa were present for the birth.She was a perfect little girl and she brought joy to our hearts and satisfaction that we had the most precious Grandchild, and we were so proud.
She has grown up and moved away and we don’t get to see her as much as we used to but the memories of her as a baby and little girl are with us always.
I have a lot of memories which, perhaps I can put into words later but suffice it to say, she will always be our little Josie.

GRANDMA STUELKE

Grandma Stuelke was happiest maintaining her home and garden. She was what I would call a typical Grandma. She loved having people at her table and seemed to never run out of food. I recall one time when I was there she had strawberry shortcake for dessert. A large crock was filled with strawberries and when that was finished she magically produced another bowl,.
She cleaned the fish and game that the men brought home. I expected the same from my wife when I got married but soon found out that Grandma was one of a kind in cleaning fish and game. When I was in the service stationed on Guam she sent me a pheasant she had canned in a tin can. What a feast I had
Grandma would start gathering flowers from the yard and her garden prior to Memorial Day. She would wrap them in wet cloth and put them in the icebox on the porch and put them on the family graves on Decoratiion Day;.
Grandma loved her grandchildren and would make us our favorite dish or dessert. My favorite was currant pie. I wish I had a piece now.
I really miss my Grandma. I have fond memories of her I will always cherish.