Sunday Obituary - 50 Years Ago - Paul Kinnick

Sunday Obituary

50 Years Ago

Paul Kinnick

Dorothy and Paul Kinnick, seated

From left, Eileen (dau), Pete, Ida Marie, Leo (son), Colleen, Buzz (son)

 August 1964 - 50th Wedding Anniversary

This was my maternal grandfather, of course. Three years younger than I am, 50 years ago.
Can't believe I missed it last week, but thanks to cousin Deborah Wills for reminding me.

Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, April 5, 2018 - Page 5:

50 Years Ago
April 4, 1968
…

Funeral services were held here
Wednesday morning at 10:30 o’clock
in the First Methodist Church for Paul
H. Kinnick, 75, of Bayard, who died
April 1 at St. Anthony Hospital, Carroll.
Officiating at the services were
the Rev. Mark Sullivan, minister of
First Methodist Church, and the Rev.
Dale Bass, Methodist minister at Bayard.
Mrs. Paul Nelson was organist
and accompanied Wayne Textor,
John J. Schumacher, Oliver Textor and
Paul Nelson in quartet numbers. Casket
bearers were Lyle Kinnick, Paul
Nielsen, Donald Herron, Wilbur Herron,
Dennis Ford and Duane Herron.
Burial was in the Coon Rapids Cemetery
under the direction of the Mason
Funeral Home.

Personal note: I attended this funeral en route from my home in Schenectady, NY, where we had recently buried an infant daughter, to a three-month work assignment for General Electric in Phoenix, AZ, with two short weekends home during that time. By early June, I had decided to leave GE and return to Iowa with my family. It was a rather traumatic period of our lives.

Dr. Bill

Some Personal Thoughts - When Examining DNA Results

Some Personal Thoughts - When Examining DNA Results

Everyone seems to have an opinion on what DNA results mean. I won’t express an opinion, on that, but I can add some comments, food for thought, perhaps, to the process you may face. Testing your DNA, whether at Ancestry.com, 23andMe, FamilyTree DNA or others, seems to have become a national pastime - and that is probably a good thing.

I recently read an essay by a writer friend as he and his wife went through the testing process and looked at the results. I suppose a few of his comments encouraged me to share these thoughts.

Although DNA tests can shed light on many aspects of our heritage, the most popular, spurred by the incessant commercials these day, no doubt is the percentage of origin from different parts of the world. And these will vary, of course, depending on which tests you take because their test results each display different regions. Regardless of that, however, we are virtually all immigrants; it is just a matter of general relativity as to the distribution.

Remember this fact, though: we each have - 2 parents, 4 grandparents, etc.
How many of them have you identified in your research?

Parents - 2
Grandparents - 4
Great-Grandparents - 8
2nd G-Grandparents - 16
3rd G-Grandparents - 32
4th G-Grandparents - 64
5th G-Grandparents - 128
6th G-Grandparents - 256
7th G-Grandparents - 512
8th G-Grandparents - 1024
9th G-Grandparents - 2048
etc.

ONE of my 9th G-Grandparents (out of 2048, or so) came from England and was a co-founder of Salem, Massachusetts, in the mid-1600s, to put this on a timeline perspective. Think about that for a second in terms of that one tidbit - He is important to me, because I’ve identified him - but even this is teeny-tiny part of my DNA.

The 2048 may be high, of course, if any of your ancestors married first cousins, or other relatives (that cuts down the total numbers, but not by a lot-still a lot ancestors, not that far back!).

Some folks like to talk about surnames as they may relate to heritage. My Schmidt ancestors were either from Germany or from France, depending on the geography lines after the most recent war. How is that expressed in my DNA? Of course, my maternal grandmother was born in Denmark. I think that means I am 25% Danish, or Scandinavian, or Northern European, or… Well, you get the message.

BTW, I really hate the commercial where the guy turns in his Kilts for Lederhosen!! Or is it the other way around?!?!?!?!?

Well, enjoy your DNA Test Results! Get your DNA Test Results! Please, just don’t get all worked up over the results. Do the research. Learn about more than just 500, or 5000, of your ancestors and their descendants. Keep searching, Enjoy the search!! It is worth the effort!


Your comments are welcomed, and invited! ;-)

Happy Hunting,

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Ralph Huffman, Jr.

Sunday Obituary - Ralph Huffman, Jr.

Ralph and his wife, Winona, were First Cousins, Once (one generation) Removed. Winona is the daughter of Louise (Sorensen) Nielsen who was the sister of my maternal grandmother, Dorothy (Sorensen) Kinnick.

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, March 29, 2018, Page 3:

Ralph Huffman Jr., of Audubon died March 19 at the Friendship Home in Audubon.
The family met with friends on Friday evening March 23, at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Saturday, at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. Interment will be in the Union Township Cemetery east of Coon Rapids. The casket bearers were Mike Birkel, Bryce Trout, Brenden Trout, Roger Vincent, Gary Vais, and Dennis Schwab.

Ralph Huffman, Jr.

Ralph Huffman Jr., the son of Ralph, Sr. and Goldie (Hammer) Huffman, was born September 9, 1929, at his parents’ home near Scranton, and died March 19, 2018, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, at the age of 88 years, 6 months, and10 days.
The family moved to Farlin, in 1936 where he attended school until the family moved to Coon Rapids, where he attended Coon Rapids High School. On January 3, 1947, he enlisted into the United States Army. During his tour of duty he was stationed in Panama. On January 5, 1950, he was honorably discharged and returned to Coon Rapids where he farmed.
On June 5, 1952, he was united in marriage to Winona Nielsen. They were blessed with two children, Patti and Larry. They farmed near Coon Rapids until they moved to Audubon in 1954. Ralph was employed as an auto mechanic for over 40 years working with Searl’s Chevrolet, Conklin Ford, and Larsen Ford. He retired in 1993 then worked part time at the Audubon County Courthouse until 2003.
Ralph and Winona enjoyed riding their motorcycle to motorcycle rallies in different parts of the country. He enjoyed stock car races and watching his son Larry race motorcross. He had a small woodworking shop and made many different items and enjoyed going to craft fairs. He loved being outside and enjoyed hunting and fishing, but most of all mowing his four acres of their lawn.
 

Ralph was preceded in death by his grandson Damon Huffman; his son-in-law Russ McCune; his parents; his brothers: Virgil Huffman, Kermit Huffman, and Ronald Huffman; and his half-brothers: Pat Lyons, Willard Lyons, and Richard Lyons.

Survivors include his wife Winona Huffman of Audubon; his children: Patti McCune of Omaha, NE, Larry and wife Sherrill Huffman of Audubon; his grandchildren: Christy Trout of Omaha, NE, Carrie and husband Jason Riley of Sarasota, FL, Kalin Huffman and fiancé Mike Birkel both of St. Paul, MN; his great grandchildren: Bryce Trout, Brenden Trout, and Brinley Trout all of Omaha, NE, and Cadyn Riley of Sarasota, FL; his half-brother Bill Lyons of Bedford; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Annie and husband Jerry Vincent of Jefferson, Judy and husband Dave Marques of Fort Collins, CO, and Marie Nielsen of Jefferson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Sharing Family History Stories and Photos on Holidays

Sharing Family History Stories and Photos on Holidays

 

Sharing family history stories and photos during holiday gatherings has become a strong tradition in our family. This year was no exception, of course. Specifically this year, my youngest daughter began looking at some photos of mine from my younger years, many of which she didn’t recall having seen before.

The one I’ve shared here particularly caught her attention. The photo being taken of Dad, Mom, and me (as a baby) is very familiar-but this one of the photo being taken, by my uncle (Mom's brother), has many additional interesting features! Who also had a second camera, in 1939, and took this photo, in particular? Note the cars on the left... This photo provides a broader background than the other, narrower image, as well. The earlier photo showed only the three of us and the barn, not the rest of the yard and barnyard in the background. Very interesting to me, for sure!

Did your family share stories and photos at your gathering this year? I certainly hope so. Perhaps, there is still time to do so!


Families are Forever!! ;-)

Just when you think you may have seen everything in family history…this happens!

Just when you think you may have seen everything in family history…this happens!

 

Grant and Ella when she married my grandfather Smith, 1904

Thanks to a new genealogy friend for this latest exciting bit of my family history…

Out of the blue, yesterday, in my secondary genealogy email account:

“Mate Kinnick’s daughter (Mabel Jones) married Joe Ballard, the son of Martin Luther Ballard with his first wife.  Martin’s son (by his second wife) was Monty Ballard – your grandmother’s first husband.   It is a small world.” under a simple subject line, “Ballard connection.”

Kinnick is my mother’s side of my family. I’ve done very extensive research there, and Mate is a daughter of Joseph Kinnick, brother of my great-great grandfather, Walter Watson Kinnick. She lived in Wyoming/Montana around 1900, and was always, until recently, a very mysterious person to me, but her name was most familiar.

The mention of “Monty Ballard” - that is my father’s side of my family. He was the first husband of my Dad’s mother…he died in 1900, very young - climbing on a ladder doing Christmas Tree lights, it is said, fell off, hit it head, and died - their first son was only a few months old. She married my grandfather a few years later and they had several children. They raised that first son, Grant, of course. We never knew a lot about his family, except they had lived in Nebraska.

It turns out that Monty’s father was Martin Luther Ballard, and he had two families. Monty was a son of the second family. In Montana, in 1913, a grandson of the first marriage married the daughter of Mate Kinnick. Note that Joe was a grandson, not a son of Martin Luther Ballard…that made confirmation of this information a fun exercise!! Ha! Small world, for sure.

Just had to share. Have you had an experience like this? A first for me. Always something new coming up. What fun!! ;-)


P.S. There is always 'more to the story' of course. Monty's younger sister was an active suffragette.
Both she and their father were life-long active lawyers. Here are their stories...

Grace: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=113937265

Her father: Martin Luther: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=113937434

Her brother: Monte: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=113937474


Families are Forever! ;-)

Happy 8th Blogiversary to me!

Happy 8th Blogiversary to me!

As is typical, I let this important date slip by last week. Thanks to a reader for the reminder.

I have older blogs, but this is one started in Sept of 2009.

[Here was my first ever blog post, 12 years ago last Saturday...
https://flinthillsofkansas.blogspot.com/2005/09/flint-hills-scenic-byway-named-u-s.html ]

I've slowed a bit, but still going strong!!

Families are Forever!! ;-)

Sunday Obituary - First Cousin passes

Sunday Obituary

First Cousin passes

Connie Irene Pierce, age 63, of Coon Rapids passed away on Sunday, September 17, at Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids.
A Celebration of Connie’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25, at the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Rev. Joyce Webb officiating. Organist for the service will be Lula Garnes and soloist will be Cindy Seastrom.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Coon Rapids Public Library and may be left at the funeral home or the church.
Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 – 7 p.m. on Sunday. Visitation will resume at First United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Monday until the time of service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for Connie’s Family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Connie Irene Pierce

Born on February 18, 1954 in Carroll, she was the daughter of Warren and Bethene (Smith) Pierce. She grew up on her family’s farm south of Coon Rapids and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1972. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and special education. She earned her master’s degree in education psychology with an emphasis in learning disabilities from Wichita State University. Connie taught K-12 special education in Bartlett and Erickson, NE; K-12 special education in Polk, NE; fourth-sixth grade special education for several years at Kingman, KS; K-six grade in a behavior disorders classroom in Leota, KS; and K-third special education in Lakin, KS.
After 18 years of teaching special education, she moved back to her hometown of Coon Rapids. She enjoyed going to water aerobics and water walking at the Carroll Rec Center. She cherished her cats Toby and Tina. Connie also enjoyed reading, watching television, crafts and crocheting.
Connie did volunteer work at the New Hope Bargain Shoppe in Coon Rapids. She also did volunteer work for the Primary Title I Reading Program at Deal Elementary. Connie was a member of First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. Connie had recently made her home at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids where she received tender loving care.
Connie is survived by her sister Rebecca Tribby (Mike) of Stoughton, WI; her brother Darwin Pierce (Liz Garst) of Coon Rapids; her sister-in-law Pam Pierce of Sheldon; her niece Gretchen Swadley (Ryan) and their children Blake and Quinn of Green Bay, WI; two nephews Nick Pierce (Anna) of Waukee and Sam Tribby of Stoughton, WI; and many other extended family members and good friends.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents Warren and Bethene Pierce; two brothers Raymonnd and Dwight Pierce; her aunt Irene Smith and many other aunts and uncles.

Source: Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, September 21, 2017 Page 3