Some Background Stories

Quote from Prairie Doctor written by:

John R. Fischer, M.D.

"My ancestors came from Germany. Typical Germans, they showed a genetic predisposition for hard work, consistency, responsibility and emotional constipation."

I suppose this is a description that could be said about people from many nationalities. This quote tickled my funny bone and made me laugh when I first read Prairie Doctor. 

Growing up in my childhood home there was a mixture of, "Keep a stiff upper lip,"

and "Cry your eyes out." 

For example I can never listen to the song "Pomp and Circumstance" played by a high school band at a graduation without tears rolling down my cheeks. I don't  know why. It takes me back to a girl in 6th grade playing a clarinet and hoping to hit the right notes and praying that the reed would not squeak. 

As was mentioned before, six of the Skrivseth family married Martins or cousins of the Martins.  The remaining three children, Jo Ellen, Phillip and Leah led very different lives. My uncle, Phillip Mark, was born August 1, 1956. When he was a little more than 2 months old his big sister, Norma, married Lester Martin on October 11th.

When Phillip was 13 months old there was a little sister born to the family named Leah Christine. Leah became an aunt  three days later when her niece, Rebecca Irene Martin was born. Becky was the first daughter born to Lester and Norma and the very first granddaughter born to Bendick and Christina Skrivseth. 

There was so much rejoicing in the two families with two beautiful little girls to love.

Sadly, Phillip died October 18th when Leah was one and a half months old. 

More sadness came to the Skrivseth family. 

In March 1958 Grandma's mother died. Great grandma Caroline was only 60 years old. 

In June of that same year, Sharon married Lloyd and moved to WI with her new husband.  Now Arnie was 19, Sid was 17, Carol 13, Jo Ellen was 8, Rhoda 5 and Leah almost a year old.

It seems to me Grandma was suffering from postpartum depression. And grief. Losing a loved little boy. Then saying goodbye to her mother. It is beyond my comprehension to think of all she was going through. 

She was helping a lovely daughter get ready for her wedding day. And then saying  goodbye to her daughter as she goes away to make her own home. All good and joyful happenings but overwhelming when all of this is smashed  into such a short space of time.

Grandma was unable to do her work. My mom was asked to come and help. She cooked (on a wood cook stove) and cleaned, washed clothes (with a wringer washer) and helped care for the little ones in the household. 

This wasn't a modern house. As Mom remembers there was a pump at the kitchen sink so they didn't  have to haul water in. Otherwise the plumbing was a path out back to an out house. 

There is a story about the lunches Mom packed for the men. They were working in the woods and took lunches with them. Mom sent hard boiled eggs in the lunches, but unfortunately one of them was a raw egg instead of hard boiled. Sid was the unlucky  one who cracked the egg. He is convinced it was a trick played on purpose. Mom continues to defend her innocence every time that story is retold.

After a time Grandma regained strength and courage and was able to continue on in making a home for her family.

Mom later went to PA to help Noah and Ella Hege after a new baby joined that family. By that time Dad and Mom were dating. Dad traveled to PA to visit one weekend. There are many questions I never thought to ask Dad about his time in Indiana and the dating years.

-- to be continued