My Dad was on the Local School Board

My Dad was on the Local School Board

Coon Rapids, Iowa - 1957

This photo shows Board Secretary Edith Johnson and board members Don Halverson, Ken Betts, Wes Thomas, Don Williams, LaVerne Smith [Leverne Smith] and Superintendent Ellis Hanson. The board room was located on the second floor of the high school building.

Source: COON RAPIDS ENTERPRISE - THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 PAGE 4

In May, 1957, my Dad got to hand me my Diploma when I graduated from High School. Great memory from those years. Proud of his service on the Board.

Families are Forever!! ;-)

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Wedding Anniversary-Pete and Eileen

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Wedding Anniversary-Pete and Eileen

We all know that March 17 is St. Patrick's Day. A few years ago, when we confirmed actually having Butler ancestor's born in Ireland, it became more significant to us. But, it had already been a big day in our family, because my parents, Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, were married on this date. Here in 2020 it is the 82th anniversary of that date.

From March 1-17, Pete and Eileen had been preparing the farmhouse that would be their home. They were renting the farm land from his mother's estate, with a house that had not been lived in for some time. Electric lines had not been run to this residence because no other homes were on that road.

Thanks to Mom's detailed diary entries, we have a lot of information on this time period. They were repairing, cleaning and scrubbing, painting and papering. They gathered minimal furniture from family and friends. They waited for the high-line to be brought to their home by the rural electric company. When it arrived, Pete had to run the wire to the house and the barn. He had to wire the house to have light fixtures and outlets where they needed them.

Late in the afternoon, March 17, 1938, with a couple of friends, they drove the 15 or so miles north to Carroll, where they were married in the Methodist Parsonage, by the Methodist Minister. Their friends were the witnesses. Their 'honeymoon' consisted of driving back to the farmhouse on dirt and mud roads to begin their married life together there.

I joined them on July 1, 1939. 

Families are Forever! ;-)

Brothers, Neighbors and Friends from Long Ago

Brothers, Neighbors and Friends from Long Ago

COON RAPIDS ENTERPRISE - THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 PAGE 5:

This photo includes by brother, Jim Smith, by brother-in-law, Al Bolger, and the rest are neighbors and friends. How neat!! Here is the caption from the local newspaper:

We’re continuing to feature junior high basketball teams from years ago, compliments of the Bill Keister photo collection.
Here’s the Coon Rapids Junior High boys basketball team from 1958. The coach was John Pitts.
There is no report in the 1958 yearbook to indicate whether this team was
any good, however four years later these players helped CRHS enjoy a very
good season.
Front row from left: D. Heater, Harrison Jewell, D. Shirbroun, David Nielson, Jim Smith, R. Kopaska, Roger Smith, T. Tugel, Gerry Halterman, Jim Herbert.
Second row:
Doug Honold, K. Tuel, Terry Hilgenberg, Alan Bolger, D. Shirbroun, Doug Carpenter, Tom Campbell, J. Olesen, Steve Roberts, M. Dailey, Arnold Palmer.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Services for Winona Huffman on March 3

Sunday Obituary
Services for Winona Huffman on March 3

Winona was a First Cousin, One Generation Removed. 

From: COON RAPIDS ENTERPRISE - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020 PAGE 2

Winona Louise Huffman of Audubon passed away February 20 at the Friendship Home in Audubon.

The family will meet with friends on Tuesday afternoon, March 3 from 12:30 pm until the time of the service at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. Services will be conducted by Pastor Ben Unseth at 2:00 pm. Interment will be in the Union Township Cemetery east of Coon Rapids. The casket bearers will be Mike Birkel, Bryce Trout, Brenden Trout, Roger Vincent, Donnie Dimig, and Danny Scharff.

WINONA LOUISE HUFFMAN

Winona Huffman, daughter of Rasmus and Louise (Sorensen) Nielsen, was born October 9, 1927, in Coon Rapids and passed away February 20, at the Friendship Home in Audubon at the age of 92 years, 4 months, and 11 days.

She lived and attended school in Coon Rapids until her family moved to Bayard in 1936. Winona worked at Frohlich Super Value in Coon Rapids for three years and then for two years at Central

National Bank in Des Moines.

On June 5, 1952, she was united in marriage to Ralph Huffman Jr. They were blessed with two children, Patti and Larry. They farmed near Coon Rapids then moved to Audubon in 1954. Winona was employed as a cashier for over 32 years at the Audubon Super Value.

Ralph and Winona loved riding their motorcycle to motorcycle rallies, traveling to many different parts of the country. They also enjoyed watching their son Larry, as he was growing up, race motor cross, and attending their granddaughter, Kalin’s, swim meets as she grew up. Winona

loved being outside gardening and mowing their 4 acres of land. But most of all, she cherished

the time spent with her family.

Winona was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Huffman, Jr.; her grandson Damon Huffman; her son-in-law Russ McCune; her parents; her brothers: Karl and wife Mary Jo Nielsen, Howard and wife Dotty Nielsen, Paul Nielsen, and Darryl Nielsen.

Survivors include her children: Patti McCune of Omaha, NE, Larry and wife Sherrill Huffman of Audubon; her grandchildren: Christy Trout of Omaha, NE, Carrie and husband Jason Riley of Sarasota, FL, Kalin and husband Mike Birkel of Minneapolis, MN; her great grandchildren:

Bryce Trout, Brenden Trout, and Brinley Trout all of Omaha, NE, and Cadyn Riley of Sarasota, FL; her sisters; Annie and husband Jerry Vincent of Jefferson, Judy and husband Dave Marques of Fort Collins, CO, and Marie Nielsen of Jefferson; her sisters-in-law Helen Nielsen of Coon Rapids; and Marjorie Nielsen of Carroll; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Sunday Special - River Rats at Silver Dollar City

Sunday Special

River Rats at Silver Dollar City

 

This is a series of old photo memories captured while looking for photo images of my cars over the years.

The River Rats playing at Silver Dollar City. We came many times just to see, hear and interact with them… Each of these fellows has gone to quite distinguished careers… Hope they/you enjoy these memories as much as I do!!

Sunday Special - We are Ancestors, Too!

Sunday Special 

We are Ancestors, Too!

A couple of weeks ago, son-in-law Larry Johnson asked if I remembered all the cars I/we had had - we were talking about my 80th birthday and our 60th wedding anniversary coming up. I’ve been thinking about that ever since… At the time, I recalled this post of my first car:

https://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/2011/01/52-weeks-of-personal-genealogy-history.html

Since, I’ve been looking through old print photos attempting to find some of 24 or so other cars we have had. In the process, I’ve run across other photos that should be shared with stories in line with this post - “You are an Ancestor, too”:

https://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/2010/04/sunday-special-you-are-ancestor-too_25.html

So, this starts a new Sunday Special series of posts on that theme:

Lions Club President in Urbandale, Iowa

This is about 1976, Gene Walker on the left is turning over the Presidential gavel to me as the new President of the Urbandale Lions Club. I had served as Third, Second, and First Vice-President of this long time club and was very proud to serve the community in this capacity. It was the leading service club in the city at the time. We sold a lot of light bulbs and made many financial and volunteer time contributions to the community every year. I ended up qualifying as a 100% President, whatever that means, meeting all the criteria expected from the position. It was a happy time. Serving others brings happiness, as we should each remember.

Simply memories, but important ones!!

Families are Forever!!  ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Jon Crisman

Sunday Obituary

Jon Crisman

 

One of my best friends in High School, Class of 1957; room mate Freshman Year at Iowa State… so sad to hear…

Jon Crisman
Jon Crisman silently passed away in his sleep at home and happily entered Heaven on May 25, 2018. He was diagnosed with cancer, had major surgery, and underwent chemotherapy. He fought the cancer for eight months.

Jon was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He was an Eagle Scout, and was honored with the Order of the Arrow. Jon earned his BS degree in Medical Technology from the University of Iowa. He was in the US Air Force for 8 years, and was honorably discharged as a Captain. He earned a Masters Degree in Microbiology, and a second Masters Degree in Hospital Administration. He was a VA Medical Center Director/CEO of different VAMCs throughout his career. He retired from the Federal Government and moved his family to Bemidji where he designed and built the family home. He then taught Microbiology at BSU and NTC for 13 years. He loved teaching the many students who took his courses. Jon's greatest loves were his wife, Jaci, and his two daughters, Becky and Abbey. He spent many summer vacations taking the family to America's National Parks. The way Jon lived his life was proof of his love for Christ. Jon enjoyed working at Bethel Lutheran Church doing whatever jobs were asked of him. It was common for him to spend entire days at church fixing things. His friends were the men with whom he coffee'd with before church and he greatly appreciated the home visits he had with Pastor Mark Kindem. His favorite hobby was Ham Radio. He enjoyed fixing radios, participating in Ham Radio contests, Field Day, and teaching a wide variety of technical subjects to new Hams. He was a born teacher. He was greatly loved by all who knew him and he will be missed more than words can say. We are heart-broken, but rejoice in the knowledge that he is in Heaven.
A Celebration of Jon's Life will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church on June 9th, 2018 at 10:30 AM.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji, MN.

Source: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/obituaries/4453340-jon-crisman