My mother has finally decided that now is the time to start her own history book.
This idea stems back to my dad. Dad kept a file of funeral brochures in his suit jacket’s inside pocket.
Over the years, he managed to collect quite a number of them. When he was in conversation with my aunt Helyn one day several years ago, she also quickly produced her ever growing number of these memorials of people passed. Yes, she had the information.
My dad thought this was a worthwhile hobby and the saving in earnest began. All these years later, the number grew in number by leaps and bounds. Mom recently said she thought she should put them in the plastic pages that fit into a notebook, and file them alphabetically, so the information would be easier to locate.
Here is a history that is not apt to appear in history books. Even so, it does hold valuable information about the people who have lived, especially those in Southern Minnesota.
Morbid? Not a bit.
It is very interesting reading. The people come alive in memory and are not forgotten.
I would guess mom is about a third of the way through with this project of putting the brochures into a notebook. As she files them, she reads them again and remembers those she knew in this part of our community. The binder is staggering in size already.
Memorial Day was first started to remember the soldiers who defended our country. It has now grown to also remember those in our community who were a part of its growth, changes and lives of those who made a difference. Everyone makes a difference, good or bad. They all deserve to be remembered.
Ruby Jensen, a former Geneva resident, made scrapbooks from things she found in the newspapers that were interesting to her. I believe she had made 18 scrapbooks filled beyond capacity of events that took place before she passed away.
When she died she left them to Warren Sorenson, as they were important to him too. He read many of the articles and then he passed them on to the Ellendale Historical Society, as he thought that others would also like the opportunity to look back at many of the local events that had happened over the years.
Ed Jensen has been thoughtful enough to share these books of local history with many of the local residents in Whispering Oaks. As Ed said, "Better to have people enjoy these things than to just put them in box where nobody sees them."
Ed has also been credited with searching for pictures and articles about the old school houses in Ellendale and the people who attended there. He also was a great sports player and has added lots of facts, articles and pictures of many of the old ball teams.
How have those days changed? How will they change in years to come? The child who is encouraged to keep a journal is to be commended.
Being able to put one’s thoughts down on paper is an exciting adventure, now and when looking back on the pages years from now. Not everything is good, but being able to look back at those other times when things weren't so good, it does help one remember that they were able to make it through.
One needs to remember that if something devastating happens, it is just a temporary setback and that they can see through it and move on and experience other great things.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, June 6th: Steve & Kari Vanden Heuvel, Stacy & Shannon Wobschall, Dean & Roberta Lembke, Hope Kilian, Eric Sorenson, Cheryl Louks, Steve Lonning, Todd Born, Owen James Wheeler, Blake Rolland Baudoin, Isiah DuBois.
• Friday, June 7th: Chris Blouin, Daniel Eliason, Jesse Langlie, Roger Sommers, Faye Thompson, Paul Stollard, Trisha (Gross) Gilbertson, Brandon Gross, Katie & Kevin Knudson, Holly & Jake Dau, Richard & Karen Holmes, Irvin & Joan Diderrich, Richard & Bonnie Peterson, Jeff & Lynne Draayer, Jim & Joanne Pichner.
• Saturday, June 8th: Deb Wallace, Steve Hagen, Owen Ryan Krueger, Monty Miller, Sandi Meyer, Rodney Wayne, Steve Lembke, Morgan Hutchinson, Michelle & Damon Gowlland.
• Sunday, June 9th: Torsten & Melissa Wayne, Rhonda (Lund) & Troy Thevenot, LeRoy & Gladys Peterson, Lexi Wayne, Ahinka Jensen, Sharon Lageson, Bennett Ver Hey, Carrie Paulson, Karen Swearingen Cox, Dana Waltz, Greg Smith, Tait Ingvaldson.
• Monday, June 10th: Arnold Lund, his 93rd; Warren Wayne, Samantha Mae Schumacher, Kathy Allard, David Ellis, Chuck Groth, Jamie Weller, Margaret Reese, Forest Peterson, Adam Wacek, London Avery, Sarah (Cornelius) & Rob Routh, Marv & Pat Schulz, Missy (Lonning) & Paul Richards.
• Tuesday, June 11th: Angie & Thad Aaseth, Rick & Becky Johnson, Andy Lerberg, Zoie Marie Jensen, Diana Ritz, Matthew Horan, John Xavier, Mary Simon, and Karen Carlsen.
• Wednesday, June 12th: Nancy Ver Hey, Hanna Gail Crabtree, John Wallace, Charlotte Hill, Grant Pavek, Keith & Teresa McDonald, Ryan & Amanda (Reese) Beavens and Ron & Julie Peterson.
Wishing you quiet moments of beauty on your special day!
