The Golden Years

RETIREMENT--For me meant that I would have time for all the things I had put aside to do "when I have time". `Now that I am almost 82 yrs old it has come to me that I'd better get busy. Not sure just what God permits in Heaven. Being busy is bred in my soul. All the way from my Pennsylvania dutch great grandmother to my grandfather and my dear mother. At times I am sure that I drive people crazy--but I have the feeling that one must not just sit and do nothing. Tatting, crocheting hand stitching seems to take care of that obsession. Having learned that some dust and a few dirty clothes in the basket are not a crime, it is easier to sit and do the things I find enjoyment from. My dear husband tells me that I am on a merry-go-round. Lordy it is fun. Also takes care of the feeling to be needed.

The Yuma Potpourri Artists is a wonderful organization. Through the membership of this club New and special friends have come along into my life. They have enriched every day living so very much. A special Friend Joyce especially. She grew up in Oregon. Has one daughter. Been on her own for over 20 years and has done such a great job making her life happy while rearing a daughter that any mother would be Oh so proud of. Joyce lost her older sister who would be my age. So I have become her older sister. We have so much in common and enjoy so many of the same things. I accuse her of being fussy. She is but in a sweet sort of a way. She leaves Yuma for the summers and heads to cooler northern Arizona and Oregon. She visits family in Oregon each summer. In April 2010 Joyce and I joined a team from my church Gila Mountain Methodist to walk the 24 hour "Walk for Life" for the cancer fund. She for her sister and I for Bob's and my daughter Susie daughter. We lost her in 2004 at the age of 54.

Each year in the spring the county fair is held here in Yuma. Fairs are so much fun and bring back so many wonderful memories of the Lorain County Fairs that my grandpa Wilson would take Brother Bill and I to each summer when we had our wonderful vacation time time with him. Both of our grandpa's were great guys but Grandpa Wilson was the most mischievous. I am sure that I inherited some of that from him. He was so much fun. He grew the most wonderful gardens and made the best home made beer. We called it grandpa's pop. I am off subject--At the Yuma county Fair the artist group I belong to accepts, catalogs, judges and displays all the art from the general public. For all this work we have the use of the building for 2 3 day craft shows a year at no charge. It is work but fun at the same time. Like any other group there are a group of members that always can be counted to be there. Each member and any helper that they bring is given credit toward the table fee during the two shows.
This organization also supports the Yuma County Library. In the years past craft shows were held on the lawn of the old library now known as the Heritage Library. We now have 4 wonderful new modern libraries in the county system. My husband came up with the idea to hold craft shows at the new libraries. We tried and it worked. We move around to a different location during the winter season. Bob and I are in charge of getting the dates and setting up the show. His help is so important and it something that we can do together.

In our almost 63 years together we have traveled many a mile together. Many miles back to Ohio and then Nebraska when we moved to Washington State. All the miles with our Airstream Trailer as well as 3 trips to South Africa and a trip to Switzerland. In 2009 we took a month long trip, during which we bought ourselves a cute little Toyota Rav 4. We plan to do the same this summer. Bob says this may be our last long trip but if I can keep in stretch class and walking he will stay in good shape. He will get "anncy" and we will go again.

It is my plan to live to be 100. Why just because no one in my family has ever done it. I had a great grandmother we lived just short of her 96th birthday. I shall try to pass her her record. From beginning to end my Life has been an adventure in Living. Happpiness, Sadness, excitment, disappointment and all the other things that can happen in 80 plus years. God has granted me many blessings along the way. If I had a chance I would do it all over again. What I have lived has made me the person that I am and it is my hope that along the way my path has crossed others paths and it was as much of a pleasure and blessing for them as it has been for Me. Thank you God for traveling sthe whole route with me.

NEW AND WONDERFUL ADVENTURES

In 1973 while Bob worked in Los Angles for Boise Cascade by accident we were offered a Trip to Tahiti because of the unfortunate illness of a fellow in the sales department. He had won the trip along with others in the Sales department. It was an ulcer that did him in. Bob's boss offered us the trip. Bob called me to tell me we were having photos taken that evening for passports. When he came in the door of the apartment I said that "I can not go, I don't have a thing to wear." Susie who had come home from her job marched down the hall and came out of our bedroom with her hands full of clothes and had a few choice words for me. You know that I did go and wow, what a time we had. Never having been to Hawaii this seemed to be the next best thing.

RETIREMENTbegan in 1988

Now we are "retired" Bob is still repairing trailers and I am into my crafts. Selling what I make MOSTLY AT THE FLEA MKT with a friend who began as a customer. Since I did all the phone work I really got to know the people that Bob worked for. Some I'd rather forget. A certain lady, Beverly became a very special friend. She and Dale her husband, were really snowbirds from Illinois. This past year 2009 they sold out and moved back to their home state because of poor health. That happens a lot now for all of us. Thank goodness we were smart enough to make this our permanent home. As time passed I began to do more alterations and before I knew it I had a full blown business again. I joined an artists group also and through that club I branched out and left the flea mkt selling. In the mean time I had joined a Methodist church here in the foothills and became very active there. First joining the choir and then serving on the board of Trusties, and serving on the building committee for the present church. This began as a church of retired people
Slowly younger people began to attend and then join. When we moved to the new church a Day Care center and Pre-school was added. A nursery was offered for young familes.
Then it was time to have a Sunday School. We began slowly with only a few children. I became involved with the children's program and left the choir. Several other persons including 3 young mothers took turns teaching the class. At first we all met in one room and the lesson plans from Coksbury Christian Publishing. about 3 years after first beginning the "Children's Church" a young family joined the church. The Mother Wendy is a school teacher. She and I are born and raised in Ohio so immediately had a bond. At one time she served on the Peace Corps in Kenya. The father, an officer in the Arizona National Guard as well as working for Game and Fish of Arizona. They have two Children The little boy was only 2 and his sister almost 5. Wendy and Dan lived 90 miles east of Yuma and each Sunday Morning drove into church. As time went by Wendy and I organized and made the Sunday Church work and happen.Now 9 years down the road it is a well organized unit with a nursery program, one for the toddlers, one for 4-10 and a group of tweens and teens. Numerous people help and quite frankly I am proud of the Children's Church. It reminds me of the wonderful Sunday School I attended as a child. "A little Child shall lead them". Without this program Gila Mountain Methodist Church would fade away just like so many other churches. We have a hard working group of young people and with their children keep the church alive.

We still had our home in Seattle and after three years of going back and forth we sold our home of 34 years in Seattle. It was a bitter sweet feeling but made sense. The taxes were going up and the cost of the trip back and forth became more costly each year. So Yuma became our home. My first home was Ohio, then Nebraska, Washington State, down to California for two years, back to Washington and to Arizona. My husband calls this house our 2nd in Yuma, Gods waiting room. He designed both of our homes here in Yuma on his little Mac SE. computer.

I mentioned our meeting with Margery and Julius Fredenthal from Johannesburg SA. Margery passed away from heart problems in 1986. Strange things happen for a reason. We had decided to call Julie and Marge for their wedding Ann. on September 7. When the phone rang in their home their grand daughter answered. Julie was off on a lawn bowling touranment but would be home in the following AM. He would call us. He did but only to tell us that Marge had passed just hours after he returned home. How fortunate we called when we did. I always promised Marge that I would see her country and that we did together, Julie, Bob and I. But I know that Marge knew I kept my promise.

A new adventure/Airstream Trailer days/1974-

Bob went to work for Airstream Trailer dealer in Kirkland, Washington. He was in charge of the service department. Service was most important to Bob. He treated his customers the way he wanted to be treated. He had to deal with a dealership that was not always on the same page as he was. I would not call the owner a crook but he pushed the envelope a bit. The dealership insisted that we belong to the "Wally Byman Travel Tralier Club." Wally was the man who designed the original Airstream Trailer. It was designed to be like the body of an airplane so the wind would just slide over the body of the trailer . Very road worthy. and the amount of fuel to pull it was very small in comparison to the square built RV's. Of course in the late 30's not everyone could afford to purchase even the kit to build their own. We joined the travel trailer club and shortly after we "floored" a trailer that I was able to decorate the way I wanted it. Flooring is a term that means we put up the money through our bank, made the payments. The bank held the pink slip and we were able to use it when ever we wanted to. However it sat on the sales lot and was for sale. It turned out that since our bank held the pink slip we really were in control. Thank goodness. later I'll tell you why.

We attend the club meetings and went on the rallies and to the Eating meetings. Members began to realize that Bob was to be trusted and you could depend on his work men ship. As time went by we left the Kirkland dealership and became connected to another dealership South of Seattle that had been in business for many years. The Kirkland dealership tried to Cheat us out of the trailer but fortunately our banker held the pink slip. That is a whole story in it's self. you need to know it that we won. Boys if you never learn anything--keep track of your money, pay the bills yourself and be sure to deal with someone you trust. Bob and I both served as President of the club. When I was President we joined a caravan of trailers and went to Notre Dame University for the International Rally. What fun. We made many trips with that trailer. It was necessary to have the certification showing that you were accepted by the Airstream company. We drove down to Anihiem, Ca. to stay in the Disneyland RV park for the week. It had been arranged that we could sleep in the trailer and shower there but no cooking. That was alright with me. It meant a real vacation.We had arranged to be able to park next to the restrooms in case the trailer was not ready and of course it was not. Looking ahead I had a cooler for cold foods and the necessary things for happy hour. We were sitting on the tail gate of our tow vehicle having a drink while waiting to go to dinner at a favorite place when this lovely lady came over from a very new motorhome and offered us a pot of tea. It was very clear that she was not from the US. We thanked her, declined but said that after we came back from dinner we would come over to visit. That we did. We always went to the early bird special and when they found out about the early bird special they accompanied each day for dinner. There we met and became friends with Margery and Julie Freidenthal from Johansburg, South Africa. We began a whole new chapter of our lives.

Marge wanted us to come over to visit so badly. We promised that we would. My father-inLaw was so adiment about us going to Africa that we did not go until after his death. Unfortunately Marge who suffered from a heart condition also passed away.

In 1988 Bob" retired". We made out first trip passing through Yuma. Arizonia on our way to

Texas. We traveled with one motor home brand X and 2 other Airstream's. Our goal was a rally in Harligin, Texas to a company rally. We never made it. Bad weather got in the way. The motor home had stayed in Yuma. one of the trailers left us and returned to Washington state. We stayed in Yuma for a period of time and then began to work our way home. WE learned a good lesson. Never travel with anyone that is military retired. He insisted that we be close to a base and only he could avail himself with the services offered to retired military. No taking turns in choice to stay. Must be the way all retired navy chiefs think.

We continued to be active with our Airstream unit. Bob then accepted an offer from Central Trailer Exchange and he did a lot of work for them in the north end of Seattle. He continued to service RV's in Yuma and it became a full blown business.

lLife moves on

My employment over the years has been varied. By trade I am a seamstress and most of the time I have done a lot of sewing for my family and others. The first job I had in Seattle was as a helper for a lovely lady who had her business in her home. I knew that she really was satisfied with my work when she took a two week vacation and left me in charge. I worked for Mrs. Zerung for 3 years. A job at the University of Washington was presented and I took that job in 1963. Worked there for 2 years. At a whopping $185.00 a month. After paying income tax, SS, and Washington

State retirement there was not much left. I met many students from all over the world. the 2nd year I was employed there a job opened to be the supervisor on one of the serving lines. I got on well with the students. An occasion happened that helped put me in hot water--I might add again-these things just seem to come my way. Several of my favorite students came when I was cleaning up my serving station after lunch one day and ask if they could have 2 empty milk dispensers that we used in the dinning room. I was busy and just "sure help yourself" did not give it another thought. They took the milk cartons, cleaned them out very well and then took them and had them filled with draft beer.

One of the boys was a server on my side of the dinning rm serving line. He always lifted the full milk cartons up into the dispenser for me as when full they weighed 40-45lbs. At lunch time He got the beer filled cartons into the machine and I remember wondering why he had 4 cartons instead of two on his cart. WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWell it was not long before a long line was winging its way around the serving hall. The next thing I am aware of is the kitchen manger is yelling my name. I was removed from duty that day and had to go before the general mgr of all the kitchens in the system several days later. In the meantime a group of students formed a boycott of the food lines until I was re-enstated. When I look back on it now I understand what a mess was caused by some clean fun. Several years later I took a job in the Shoreline Schools. and finally at the Washington Plaza Hotel in down town Seattle, Washington.

Bob had left the insurance business. The company he was working for had sold out to American States Insurance Company. Home office in the state of Indiana. As a family we did not want to leave the Pacific Northwest. As mentioned previously Bob took a job with a mobile home business as a repairman. It did not take the powers that be long to realize that he had more to offer the company. He was hired to be the Service Manager out of the plant in McMinnvile, Oregon. Susie and I stayed in Seattle while she finished her high school years and began going to beauty school. An opportunity to go to Los Angeles to work from the LA office was offered and Bob and I left our home behind and our daughter to finish beauty school and setup house keeping in an apartment in Cerrotis, California. before the year was up we had moved to Redondo Beach, California to a 2 bedroom apt. and Susie joined us there. She had to return to beauty school for three months and take their state boards for her license to be able to work in California. Our son John, his wife Chris and son Peter moved into the house. John had just returned home from the Marine Corps. He had spent a year in Vietnam. finishing out his tour of duty here in the states.

I became a stay at home wife. Catching up on some sewing and quilt making I wanted to do. We had friends in the general area. Chuck Shields and family. Bob had been in the Navy with Chuck. Also Betty wright and her family. Bob and Betty had attended grade school together in Omaha, Nebraska. When the war began Betty's father relocated to Los Angeles for the better employment.

We settled into a routine that worked well for us. After Susie finished beauty school in California and passed her state boards she found work and purchased her first brand new car. A cute little yellow Honda. Her Daddy told her she looked like a roller skate going down the road. She used to barrel that little car all over. Earlier in this narrative I told you about the death of my father. His ship had pulled in to San Pedro harbor which became the large shipping harbor in Long Beach it is today. The large steam ships had to be unloaded on to barges and then towed into the docks. When the men had shore leave they had a Captains Gig type boat to take them ashore and return to the ship. One afternoon a shipmate of my father who was from Norway had gone ashore to drown his feelings in booze. His country had just been invaded by Germany. He carried a gun and had been reported many times but nothing had been done to remove it from him while on board. He came back on board drunker then all get out. He stumbled as a shipmate reached out to help him he pulled the gun and shot him in cold blood. Crazed he began running. He passed my father's cabin who was resting before going on duty. Stuck his head in the door and said" Bill I'm going to shoot you" The bullets lodged in my father's liver. Before he could be gotten to shore and the hospital he bleed a lot and during the surgery to removed the bullets he died. At the age of 37 on December 9, 1940. On December 9, 1948 our son was born. The Lord taketh and then he giveth. When the Lord closes a door he also opens a window. Now our Son is almost 61 years old. I knew my father had died in the month of December but not the actual date until Susie and I went to the Newspaper office and looked up all the old articles. The man who killed my father was heart broken when he sobered up. He was convicted and sent to prison. In 1957 he was sent back to Norway. My Uncle who was my God Father sued the shipping company on behalf of my brother and I. My Mother invested the money in a sav- ings account and it was that money that helped me go to Omaha, Nebraska and attend school and there by I met my husband of 62 yrs.

Boise Cascade closed its Mobile home business on the West coast it was time for Bob to find another job. We returned to Seattle and Bob went to work for the Airstream RV Trailer dealer in Kirkland, Washington. There began a whole new adventure for us. Nothing has ever been dull in our lives.<

While working for Boise Cascade, in 1973 because of the illness of one of the top salesman in the company, we were offered a trip to Tahiti that he had won because of a great many sales. Bob called about 3PM that afternoon to tell me were going to have our photos taken for passports that evening. When he arrived home he told me what it was for and the first words out of my mouth was" I can not go. I don't have a thing to wear. Susie had just arrived home and she marched down to our bedroom and came out with her hands and arms draped with clothes. Her words to me were "you are going". I did.

Seattle, Washington 1959

We settled in a nice older home on Haller Lake in the area just north of a large shopping area. The school that John and Susie attended was only a few blocks so that they walked to school each

day. We began to look for a piece of land to build a home on just as soon as our home in Omaha was

sold. We did find several lots but we could afford the lot we chose to build on. Some homes were

already built or in the building stages. The lot we bought from Mr. Budkee the builder was on the side of a hill. From the street down perhaps was 100-125 feet. The back yard was small as most of the rest of the property went down hill to woods. The house was appeared to be one story but actually it was 2 levels with the back being open to the view and trees of the woods. The view was lovely as we could see the tips of the Cascade Mountain range to the east. In 1960 we moved into 18428 16th NE. our home for the next 34 years.

Our son became active in the Boy Scouts of America. His troop leader Robert Herzog was a perfect troop leader. He loved the out doors and saw to it that his 3 sons and the rest of the boys had a wonderful experience. Our son John belonged to that troop until he became an Eagle Scout.

Several years before we moved from Omaha Bob built 3 travel trailers in our back yard. He fashion them after a 1956 Aljo trailer. That little trailer had everything but a bathroom. Another of the trailers he built for friends who lived in Seattle, Washington. The Schaefer family and the Stilling family did much camping with those trailers. The two Schaefer boys and our son John all belonged to the same Boy Scout troop. Both families had many happy trips using those travel trailers all over the western part of the USA. When we moved to Seattle we towed the trailer to Washington for a vacation and then returned to Omaha aboard the Union Pacific RR to sell the house and prepare for the next change in our life.

When our daughter Susie was in the 4th grade I became the leader of her girl scout troop. Since I had been a den mother it just seemed right that give as much time to Susie and girl scouts. We had an active troop and by the time the girls were old enough to be in middle school (Jr. High) My husband had taken the girl scout leadership training and became my assistant. We had a group of devoted parents that always came forward and help when we needed them. I can tell you we had one of the best trained, disciplined and loyal troops in the Seattle Girl Scout Council. I was the the envy of all the leaders in our area and that was thanks to my husband. To this day we still hear from some of them. When the girls had finished the 7th grade we hiked from the west side of Cascade Pass to the East side, down through the Stehekien valley to the top head of Lake Chelan. It took us 7 days. We carried all of our food and clothes in backpacks. "Trapper Nelsons" Thank goodness for rye krisp and freeze dried food. The next big project for the older girls was preparing for a whole year for a auto-truck trip that took us all the way from Seattle Washington to as far East as Buffalo, New York. Each girl had to raise $100.00. They had car washes, bake sales, split wood and sold it delivered by the cord as well as baby sat and saved all the birthday money they had. 8 Cadet girl scouts, our Eagle Scout son and our German shepherd dog "Smoky" took off in our 1966 GMC pickup and 1956 Chev. station wagon on a trip of a life time. Take a look at the map. Freeways were just being developed so we saw some wonderful places and things along the byways of our wonderful United States. These girls made a great impression no matter where they went. They all dressed the same so it told folks they were part of a special group. They were great kids and it was a pleasure to be their leader. They showed Bob and I respect. Which is not to say that they were not teens who acted like kids do. We did things then that I am not sure would be possible today especially since one of their leaders was a man. Those girls treated Bob just like they would their father. Even getting mad at him at times but no back talk.

Bob was employed by the Safeco Insurance Company. He was in the data processing depart-

ment. He also worked for the Western Insurance Company as well as Trans-America Insurance always in the data processing department. He got tired of wearing the white shirt and tie and took a job for a Mobile home dealer in North Omaha. This led to his being singled out by to big boys and was offered a job as service mgr at the plant in Oregon. By now John has left home and is in the Marines. Our daughter has less then 2 yrs to graduate from high school so I stayed in Seattle