My good friend wrote this is your life for my mother Irene Minnie Van Horn Brewer
My name is Barbara Snyder Andresen. I would like to give this gift to Irene for her "75" birthday.I hope she will enjoy it and Cherish it the rest of her life. Also in later years her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren will enjoy reading it. I would like to write a story on Irene's life. Things I have learned about her. All the sad moments, and happy moments. "Irene Van Horn Brewer" "This Is Your Life"It was a happy day, on March 22, 1908, Katy and John Van Horn was blessed with a baby girl. They were so thrilled she was a girl. Waiting at home in there little house at Albert Kansas was only one sister Marie, and three brothers Bill, Benny and John Jr. They called there beautiful little girl Minnie Irene. Irene's father was a cattle farmer, her mother a housewife. Things were very rough back in those day's. You accepted life as it was. But they tried to stay a happy family. Later the family was blessed again with a cute baby boy. They called him Chester. Oh how thrilled they were over him. Everything was going along beautiful, and all were so happy. Than one day there little brother Johnnie got very sick. The little tyke was only 5 years old. He had scarlet fever. In those days there wasn't much a doctor could do. Little Johnnie passed away. The sad part was every one was quarantine in, which means no one could leave the house. So no one could go to the funeral. As life went on things never got much better. Because a few years later tragedy hit the family again. Irene mother was left with five little Children to raise alone. She was in poor health herself. But she loved her children so much, and wanted to keep them together. So she decided to leave Kansas. She took all her children to Muscatine Iowa, to an orphanage called Lutheran Homes to live. At that time Irene was only 4 years old. They were only at the home a few months when Irene's mother passed away. She was only 33 years old. But the children remained at the orphanage together. Everything seemed to be going very good for the children. They attended school at the orphanage and worked. Irene went to high school, and worked to save money so she could go to nurses training. But Irene dream of going to nurses training never came true. She was only 18 years old when she had a terrible accident. It was her night off but her friend had important plans and Irene said she would work for her. So while she was working a dumb waiter cord broke, and the dumb waiter came crashing down on Irene's head. Irene was seriously hurt and laid up for a long time. When she got better she had no choice but to get another job. So she went to work as a cook. While working luck finally came Irene's way. She met a young man named Archie Brewer. They fell in love and were married in August 1927. In the meantime her sister Marie had gotten married and was raising a family. Her brother Bill was working on a farm in Iowa City, Iowa. Chester her youngest brother was working on a farm in Muscatine for two old maids. Later he worked at Carver Pump, and than married Beulah Kisner. Her brother was going to college to be a minister. He had won several scholarship for many essays he had written. But at the age of 21 years in August 1927, he got very sick. He had surgery and bled to death. But life had to go on. Irene and Archie was very happy. There was one thing lacking. They wanted children but no luck. They were married almost 8 years before there dream came true. January 12, 1935 they were blessed with a healthy baby boy. They named him Ralph James Brewer. Then almost two years later, December 7, 1936 came a beautiful baby girl. They named her June Irene Brewer. They had there nice little family a boy and girl. They were married 21 years. Like some people things seem to fade away. They later separated. Irene worked in a lot of cafes as a Cook (and a darn good one). She had to work to support her two children. While working one day, her brother Chet and her sister Marie and Marie's son Dick Oppelt went to tell Irene her brother Bill had been in an auto accident. They all left to be at his side. They were with him when he passed away. Irene than came home and continued working. Now were at the present 1983. Irene's daughter June is married to a nice Fella Ralph (Bob) Welsch. June gave her three granddaughters Candis, Tammy, Desiree. Her son Ralph married a real sweet lady named Cintra Verlee (Cindy) Whitehall. Ralph gave her 4 granddaughters Teresa, Loretta, Crystal, Lynnlea and 3 grandsons Randell, Larry and Archie. She also now has 6 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Irene sister Marie now lives at a place called Clark House, a house for senior citizens. Her brother Chet lives in South Muscatine. Irene lives at the Muscatine Towers, another apartment for senior citizens. She goes a lot to Bingo with her sister Marie and friends. She is also busy enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I hope this 75th birthday is one she will always remember and enjoy. And Irene I hope you have many more. Irene, now I would personally like to express my feelings and experiences I had with you. I first got to no you when I was 9 or 10 years old. You worked with my mother at "Johny's Grill", and "Grandma's Kitchen". You and my mom became very good friends. I remember two other ladies who was also friends, Mary Faith Hart who owned Grandma Kitchen and Ella Sprague Hill. It doesn't seem like my Mom, Ella and Mary Faith are now deceased. Thinking about them it seems like the past was just yesterday. Anyway your daughter June and I became very close friends and still are. I use to spend a lot of time at your house. Your place was my second home and you were my number 2 mom. I usually got whatever June got if it was money or the devil. I remember when we wanted to go to the Junction to a ball game. Boy was it bad out, slick and snowy. You knew we'd figure out a way to go, so you and Lyle took us. The weather was so bad you couldn't even see the road but we went. You couldn't find us when it was time to go home. We went to the locker room to see the boys. Boy did you ever chew us out. Do you remember the same night you took your socks off and gave them to me because I never wore any. You knew my mom would spank me for not having any on. There was another time June and I got into a fight with the twins. You went to school to straighten things out for us. Later when I was in high school you gave me a job at Grandma Kitchen. Later I married and had a lovely little girl. You and June got her a nice outfit, came to the hospital to see me and brought me a malt. You use to think of my Vickie as a granddaughter. June and her boyfriend Bob use to baby sit for her. I remember how all 3 of you use to say how you all wanted a little girl just like her. Believe it or not your first grand child was a little girl. Remember when June, Toots, my daughter Debe, you and I went to Davenport to play bingo. We got outside and Debe said June your car's lopsided. Someone had stolen her tire, rim and all. Coarse we all got excited. You said to call Bob, so we did and he told us what to do. How about our trips to Iowa City, the flat tire Jackie, the time you did a mooner. There was Jackie, me, Jim Kleindolph, Vera Harvey, Toots and all in the same car. How about bingo at Iowa City Halloween when we all dressed up in different costumes. Irene, I want you to no, you mean a lot to me. I want to thank you for everything you did for me over the years, even making me pies. If you ever need a ride to bingo or home just ask me.
Dear Mom, I would like to take a few minutes to tell you what you mean to me. Mom you always gave what ever you had to make other people Happy. I've known the day you gave your last dime so someone could ride home on the bus. Mom, we never had much when we were little but I want you to know you gave us lots of "LOVE" Mother your my mother first but my very best friend second. You always took my part when others said things about me. You have always been by my side during happy and sad times. You have always been so kind to other people and I knew someday you would be rewarded, so I hope this party I've planned for you is a surprise. Mom you have a lot of friends. Mom you have been the best mother anyone could have and next the best Grandmother and last but not least the best Great Grandmother. I don't say it often enough but I love you with all my heart. Signed"I Love You Mom" Your Daughter June.
- June Welsch
My name is Barbara Snyder Andresen. I would like to give this gift to Irene for her "75" birthday.I hope she will enjoy it and Cherish it the rest of her life. Also in later years her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren will enjoy reading it. I would like to write a story on Irene's life. Things I have learned about her. All the sad moments, and happy moments. "Irene Van Horn Brewer" "This Is Your Life"It was a happy day, on March 22, 1908, Katy and John Van Horn was blessed with a baby girl. They were so thrilled she was a girl. Waiting at home in there little house at Albert Kansas was only one sister Marie, and three brothers Bill, Benny and John Jr. They called there beautiful little girl Minnie Irene. Irene's father was a cattle farmer, her mother a housewife. Things were very rough back in those day's. You accepted life as it was. But they tried to stay a happy family. Later the family was blessed again with a cute baby boy. They called him Chester. Oh how thrilled they were over him. Everything was going along beautiful, and all were so happy. Than one day there little brother Johnnie got very sick. The little tyke was only 5 years old. He had scarlet fever. In those days there wasn't much a doctor could do. Little Johnnie passed away. The sad part was every one was quarantine in, which means no one could leave the house. So no one could go to the funeral. As life went on things never got much better. Because a few years later tragedy hit the family again. Irene mother was left with five little Children to raise alone. She was in poor health herself. But she loved her children so much, and wanted to keep them together. So she decided to leave Kansas. She took all her children to Muscatine Iowa, to an orphanage called Lutheran Homes to live. At that time Irene was only 4 years old. They were only at the home a few months when Irene's mother passed away. She was only 33 years old. But the children remained at the orphanage together. Everything seemed to be going very good for the children. They attended school at the orphanage and worked. Irene went to high school, and worked to save money so she could go to nurses training. But Irene dream of going to nurses training never came true. She was only 18 years old when she had a terrible accident. It was her night off but her friend had important plans and Irene said she would work for her. So while she was working a dumb waiter cord broke, and the dumb waiter came crashing down on Irene's head. Irene was seriously hurt and laid up for a long time. When she got better she had no choice but to get another job. So she went to work as a cook. While working luck finally came Irene's way. She met a young man named Archie Brewer. They fell in love and were married in August 1927. In the meantime her sister Marie had gotten married and was raising a family. Her brother Bill was working on a farm in Iowa City, Iowa. Chester her youngest brother was working on a farm in Muscatine for two old maids. Later he worked at Carver Pump, and than married Beulah Kisner. Her brother was going to college to be a minister. He had won several scholarship for many essays he had written. But at the age of 21 years in August 1927, he got very sick. He had surgery and bled to death. But life had to go on. Irene and Archie was very happy. There was one thing lacking. They wanted children but no luck. They were married almost 8 years before there dream came true. January 12, 1935 they were blessed with a healthy baby boy. They named him Ralph James Brewer. Then almost two years later, December 7, 1936 came a beautiful baby girl. They named her June Irene Brewer. They had there nice little family a boy and girl. They were married 21 years. Like some people things seem to fade away. They later separated. Irene worked in a lot of cafes as a Cook (and a darn good one). She had to work to support her two children. While working one day, her brother Chet and her sister Marie and Marie's son Dick Oppelt went to tell Irene her brother Bill had been in an auto accident. They all left to be at his side. They were with him when he passed away. Irene than came home and continued working. Now were at the present 1983. Irene's daughter June is married to a nice Fella Ralph (Bob) Welsch. June gave her three granddaughters Candis, Tammy, Desiree. Her son Ralph married a real sweet lady named Cintra Verlee (Cindy) Whitehall. Ralph gave her 4 granddaughters Teresa, Loretta, Crystal, Lynnlea and 3 grandsons Randell, Larry and Archie. She also now has 6 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Irene sister Marie now lives at a place called Clark House, a house for senior citizens. Her brother Chet lives in South Muscatine. Irene lives at the Muscatine Towers, another apartment for senior citizens. She goes a lot to Bingo with her sister Marie and friends. She is also busy enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I hope this 75th birthday is one she will always remember and enjoy. And Irene I hope you have many more. Irene, now I would personally like to express my feelings and experiences I had with you. I first got to no you when I was 9 or 10 years old. You worked with my mother at "Johny's Grill", and "Grandma's Kitchen". You and my mom became very good friends. I remember two other ladies who was also friends, Mary Faith Hart who owned Grandma Kitchen and Ella Sprague Hill. It doesn't seem like my Mom, Ella and Mary Faith are now deceased. Thinking about them it seems like the past was just yesterday. Anyway your daughter June and I became very close friends and still are. I use to spend a lot of time at your house. Your place was my second home and you were my number 2 mom. I usually got whatever June got if it was money or the devil. I remember when we wanted to go to the Junction to a ball game. Boy was it bad out, slick and snowy. You knew we'd figure out a way to go, so you and Lyle took us. The weather was so bad you couldn't even see the road but we went. You couldn't find us when it was time to go home. We went to the locker room to see the boys. Boy did you ever chew us out. Do you remember the same night you took your socks off and gave them to me because I never wore any. You knew my mom would spank me for not having any on. There was another time June and I got into a fight with the twins. You went to school to straighten things out for us. Later when I was in high school you gave me a job at Grandma Kitchen. Later I married and had a lovely little girl. You and June got her a nice outfit, came to the hospital to see me and brought me a malt. You use to think of my Vickie as a granddaughter. June and her boyfriend Bob use to baby sit for her. I remember how all 3 of you use to say how you all wanted a little girl just like her. Believe it or not your first grand child was a little girl. Remember when June, Toots, my daughter Debe, you and I went to Davenport to play bingo. We got outside and Debe said June your car's lopsided. Someone had stolen her tire, rim and all. Coarse we all got excited. You said to call Bob, so we did and he told us what to do. How about our trips to Iowa City, the flat tire Jackie, the time you did a mooner. There was Jackie, me, Jim Kleindolph, Vera Harvey, Toots and all in the same car. How about bingo at Iowa City Halloween when we all dressed up in different costumes. Irene, I want you to no, you mean a lot to me. I want to thank you for everything you did for me over the years, even making me pies. If you ever need a ride to bingo or home just ask me.
Dear Mom, I would like to take a few minutes to tell you what you mean to me. Mom you always gave what ever you had to make other people Happy. I've known the day you gave your last dime so someone could ride home on the bus. Mom, we never had much when we were little but I want you to know you gave us lots of "LOVE" Mother your my mother first but my very best friend second. You always took my part when others said things about me. You have always been by my side during happy and sad times. You have always been so kind to other people and I knew someday you would be rewarded, so I hope this party I've planned for you is a surprise. Mom you have a lot of friends. Mom you have been the best mother anyone could have and next the best Grandmother and last but not least the best Great Grandmother. I don't say it often enough but I love you with all my heart. Signed"I Love You Mom" Your Daughter June.
- June Welsch
My good friend wrote this is your life for my mother Irene Minnie Van Horn Brewer
My name is Barbara Snyder Andresen. I would like to give this gift to Irene for her "75" birthday.I hope she will enjoy it and Cherish it the rest of her life. Also in later years her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren will enjoy reading it. I would like to write a story on Irene's life. Things I have learned about her. All the sad moments, and happy moments. "Irene Van Horn Brewer" "This Is Your Life"It was a happy day, on March 22, 1908, Katy and John Van Horn was blessed with a baby girl. They were so thrilled she was a girl. Waiting at home in there little house at Albert Kansas was only one sister Marie, and three brothers Bill, Benny and John Jr. They called there beautiful little girl Minnie Irene. Irene's father was a cattle farmer, her mother a housewife. Things were very rough back in those day's. You accepted life as it was. But they tried to stay a happy family. Later the family was blessed again with a cute baby boy. They called him Chester. Oh how thrilled they were over him. Everything was going along beautiful, and all were so happy. Than one day there little brother Johnnie got very sick. The little tyke was only 5 years old. He had scarlet fever. In those days there wasn't much a doctor could do. Little Johnnie passed away. The sad part was every one was quarantine in, which means no one could leave the house. So no one could go to the funeral. As life went on things never got much better. Because a few years later tragedy hit the family again. Irene mother was left with five little Children to raise alone. She was in poor health herself. But she loved her children so much, and wanted to keep them together. So she decided to leave Kansas. She took all her children to Muscatine Iowa, to an orphanage called Lutheran Homes to live. At that time Irene was only 4 years old. They were only at the home a few months when Irene's mother passed away. She was only 33 years old. But the children remained at the orphanage together. Everything seemed to be going very good for the children. They attended school at the orphanage and worked. Irene went to high school, and worked to save money so she could go to nurses training. But Irene dream of going to nurses training never came true. She was only 18 years old when she had a terrible accident. It was her night off but her friend had important plans and Irene said she would work for her. So while she was working a dumb waiter cord broke, and the dumb waiter came crashing down on Irene's head. Irene was seriously hurt and laid up for a long time. When she got better she had no choice but to get another job. So she went to work as a cook. While working luck finally came Irene's way. She met a young man named Archie Brewer. They fell in love and were married in August 1927. In the meantime her sister Marie had gotten married and was raising a family. Her brother Bill was working on a farm in Iowa City, Iowa. Chester her youngest brother was working on a farm in Muscatine for two old maids. Later he worked at Carver Pump, and than married Beulah Kisner. Her brother was going to college to be a minister. He had won several scholarship for many essays he had written. But at the age of 21 years in August 1927, he got very sick. He had surgery and bled to death. But life had to go on. Irene and Archie was very happy. There was one thing lacking. They wanted children but no luck. They were married almost 8 years before there dream came true. January 12, 1935 they were blessed with a healthy baby boy. They named him Ralph James Brewer. Then almost two years later, December 7, 1936 came a beautiful baby girl. They named her June Irene Brewer. They had there nice little family a boy and girl. They were married 21 years. Like some people things seem to fade away. They later separated. Irene worked in a lot of cafes as a Cook (and a darn good one). She had to work to support her two children. While working one day, her brother Chet and her sister Marie and Marie's son Dick Oppelt went to tell Irene her brother Bill had been in an auto accident. They all left to be at his side. They were with him when he passed away. Irene than came home and continued working. Now were at the present 1983. Irene's daughter June is married to a nice Fella Ralph (Bob) Welsch. June gave her three granddaughters Candis, Tammy, Desiree. Her son Ralph married a real sweet lady named Cintra Verlee (Cindy) Whitehall. Ralph gave her 4 granddaughters Teresa, Loretta, Crystal, Lynnlea and 3 grandsons Randell, Larry and Archie. She also now has 6 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Irene sister Marie now lives at a place called Clark House, a house for senior citizens. Her brother Chet lives in South Muscatine. Irene lives at the Muscatine Towers, another apartment for senior citizens. She goes a lot to Bingo with her sister Marie and friends. She is also busy enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I hope this 75th birthday is one she will always remember and enjoy. And Irene I hope you have many more. Irene, now I would personally like to express my feelings and experiences I had with you. I first got to no you when I was 9 or 10 years old. You worked with my mother at "Johny's Grill", and "Grandma's Kitchen". You and my mom became very good friends. I remember two other ladies who was also friends, Mary Faith Hart who owned Grandma Kitchen and Ella Sprague Hill. It doesn't seem like my Mom, Ella and Mary Faith are now deceased. Thinking about them it seems like the past was just yesterday. Anyway your daughter June and I became very close friends and still are. I use to spend a lot of time at your house. Your place was my second home and you were my number 2 mom. I usually got whatever June got if it was money or the devil. I remember when we wanted to go to the Junction to a ball game. Boy was it bad out, slick and snowy. You knew we'd figure out a way to go, so you and Lyle took us. The weather was so bad you couldn't even see the road but we went. You couldn't find us when it was time to go home. We went to the locker room to see the boys. Boy did you ever chew us out. Do you remember the same night you took your socks off and gave them to me because I never wore any. You knew my mom would spank me for not having any on. There was another time June and I got into a fight with the twins. You went to school to straighten things out for us. Later when I was in high school you gave me a job at Grandma Kitchen. Later I married and had a lovely little girl. You and June got her a nice outfit, came to the hospital to see me and brought me a malt. You use to think of my Vickie as a granddaughter. June and her boyfriend Bob use to baby sit for her. I remember how all 3 of you use to say how you all wanted a little girl just like her. Believe it or not your first grand child was a little girl. Remember when June, Toots, my daughter Debe, you and I went to Davenport to play bingo. We got outside and Debe said June your car's lopsided. Someone had stolen her tire, rim and all. Coarse we all got excited. You said to call Bob, so we did and he told us what to do. How about our trips to Iowa City, the flat tire Jackie, the time you did a mooner. There was Jackie, me, Jim Kleindolph, Vera Harvey, Toots and all in the same car. How about bingo at Iowa City Halloween when we all dressed up in different costumes. Irene, I want you to no, you mean a lot to me. I want to thank you for everything you did for me over the years, even making me pies. If you ever need a ride to bingo or home just ask me.
Dear Mom, I would like to take a few minutes to tell you what you mean to me. Mom you always gave what ever you had to make other people Happy. I've known the day you gave your last dime so someone could ride home on the bus. Mom, we never had much when we were little but I want you to know you gave us lots of "LOVE" Mother your my mother first but my very best friend second. You always took my part when others said things about me. You have always been by my side during happy and sad times. You have always been so kind to other people and I knew someday you would be rewarded, so I hope this party I've planned for you is a surprise. Mom you have a lot of friends. Mom you have been the best mother anyone could have and next the best Grandmother and last but not least the best Great Grandmother. I don't say it often enough but I love you with all my heart. Signed"I Love You Mom" Your Daughter June.
- June Welsch
My name is Barbara Snyder Andresen. I would like to give this gift to Irene for her "75" birthday.I hope she will enjoy it and Cherish it the rest of her life. Also in later years her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren will enjoy reading it. I would like to write a story on Irene's life. Things I have learned about her. All the sad moments, and happy moments. "Irene Van Horn Brewer" "This Is Your Life"It was a happy day, on March 22, 1908, Katy and John Van Horn was blessed with a baby girl. They were so thrilled she was a girl. Waiting at home in there little house at Albert Kansas was only one sister Marie, and three brothers Bill, Benny and John Jr. They called there beautiful little girl Minnie Irene. Irene's father was a cattle farmer, her mother a housewife. Things were very rough back in those day's. You accepted life as it was. But they tried to stay a happy family. Later the family was blessed again with a cute baby boy. They called him Chester. Oh how thrilled they were over him. Everything was going along beautiful, and all were so happy. Than one day there little brother Johnnie got very sick. The little tyke was only 5 years old. He had scarlet fever. In those days there wasn't much a doctor could do. Little Johnnie passed away. The sad part was every one was quarantine in, which means no one could leave the house. So no one could go to the funeral. As life went on things never got much better. Because a few years later tragedy hit the family again. Irene mother was left with five little Children to raise alone. She was in poor health herself. But she loved her children so much, and wanted to keep them together. So she decided to leave Kansas. She took all her children to Muscatine Iowa, to an orphanage called Lutheran Homes to live. At that time Irene was only 4 years old. They were only at the home a few months when Irene's mother passed away. She was only 33 years old. But the children remained at the orphanage together. Everything seemed to be going very good for the children. They attended school at the orphanage and worked. Irene went to high school, and worked to save money so she could go to nurses training. But Irene dream of going to nurses training never came true. She was only 18 years old when she had a terrible accident. It was her night off but her friend had important plans and Irene said she would work for her. So while she was working a dumb waiter cord broke, and the dumb waiter came crashing down on Irene's head. Irene was seriously hurt and laid up for a long time. When she got better she had no choice but to get another job. So she went to work as a cook. While working luck finally came Irene's way. She met a young man named Archie Brewer. They fell in love and were married in August 1927. In the meantime her sister Marie had gotten married and was raising a family. Her brother Bill was working on a farm in Iowa City, Iowa. Chester her youngest brother was working on a farm in Muscatine for two old maids. Later he worked at Carver Pump, and than married Beulah Kisner. Her brother was going to college to be a minister. He had won several scholarship for many essays he had written. But at the age of 21 years in August 1927, he got very sick. He had surgery and bled to death. But life had to go on. Irene and Archie was very happy. There was one thing lacking. They wanted children but no luck. They were married almost 8 years before there dream came true. January 12, 1935 they were blessed with a healthy baby boy. They named him Ralph James Brewer. Then almost two years later, December 7, 1936 came a beautiful baby girl. They named her June Irene Brewer. They had there nice little family a boy and girl. They were married 21 years. Like some people things seem to fade away. They later separated. Irene worked in a lot of cafes as a Cook (and a darn good one). She had to work to support her two children. While working one day, her brother Chet and her sister Marie and Marie's son Dick Oppelt went to tell Irene her brother Bill had been in an auto accident. They all left to be at his side. They were with him when he passed away. Irene than came home and continued working. Now were at the present 1983. Irene's daughter June is married to a nice Fella Ralph (Bob) Welsch. June gave her three granddaughters Candis, Tammy, Desiree. Her son Ralph married a real sweet lady named Cintra Verlee (Cindy) Whitehall. Ralph gave her 4 granddaughters Teresa, Loretta, Crystal, Lynnlea and 3 grandsons Randell, Larry and Archie. She also now has 6 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Irene sister Marie now lives at a place called Clark House, a house for senior citizens. Her brother Chet lives in South Muscatine. Irene lives at the Muscatine Towers, another apartment for senior citizens. She goes a lot to Bingo with her sister Marie and friends. She is also busy enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I hope this 75th birthday is one she will always remember and enjoy. And Irene I hope you have many more. Irene, now I would personally like to express my feelings and experiences I had with you. I first got to no you when I was 9 or 10 years old. You worked with my mother at "Johny's Grill", and "Grandma's Kitchen". You and my mom became very good friends. I remember two other ladies who was also friends, Mary Faith Hart who owned Grandma Kitchen and Ella Sprague Hill. It doesn't seem like my Mom, Ella and Mary Faith are now deceased. Thinking about them it seems like the past was just yesterday. Anyway your daughter June and I became very close friends and still are. I use to spend a lot of time at your house. Your place was my second home and you were my number 2 mom. I usually got whatever June got if it was money or the devil. I remember when we wanted to go to the Junction to a ball game. Boy was it bad out, slick and snowy. You knew we'd figure out a way to go, so you and Lyle took us. The weather was so bad you couldn't even see the road but we went. You couldn't find us when it was time to go home. We went to the locker room to see the boys. Boy did you ever chew us out. Do you remember the same night you took your socks off and gave them to me because I never wore any. You knew my mom would spank me for not having any on. There was another time June and I got into a fight with the twins. You went to school to straighten things out for us. Later when I was in high school you gave me a job at Grandma Kitchen. Later I married and had a lovely little girl. You and June got her a nice outfit, came to the hospital to see me and brought me a malt. You use to think of my Vickie as a granddaughter. June and her boyfriend Bob use to baby sit for her. I remember how all 3 of you use to say how you all wanted a little girl just like her. Believe it or not your first grand child was a little girl. Remember when June, Toots, my daughter Debe, you and I went to Davenport to play bingo. We got outside and Debe said June your car's lopsided. Someone had stolen her tire, rim and all. Coarse we all got excited. You said to call Bob, so we did and he told us what to do. How about our trips to Iowa City, the flat tire Jackie, the time you did a mooner. There was Jackie, me, Jim Kleindolph, Vera Harvey, Toots and all in the same car. How about bingo at Iowa City Halloween when we all dressed up in different costumes. Irene, I want you to no, you mean a lot to me. I want to thank you for everything you did for me over the years, even making me pies. If you ever need a ride to bingo or home just ask me.
Dear Mom, I would like to take a few minutes to tell you what you mean to me. Mom you always gave what ever you had to make other people Happy. I've known the day you gave your last dime so someone could ride home on the bus. Mom, we never had much when we were little but I want you to know you gave us lots of "LOVE" Mother your my mother first but my very best friend second. You always took my part when others said things about me. You have always been by my side during happy and sad times. You have always been so kind to other people and I knew someday you would be rewarded, so I hope this party I've planned for you is a surprise. Mom you have a lot of friends. Mom you have been the best mother anyone could have and next the best Grandmother and last but not least the best Great Grandmother. I don't say it often enough but I love you with all my heart. Signed"I Love You Mom" Your Daughter June.
- June Welsch
Bio by: June Welsch
