Lydia Helen Bretches, the second child of Albert Byrd and Cora Ethel (Beathe) Bretches was born near Radical City, Sycamore Township, Montogmery County, Kansas, November 16, 1898. Lydia Helen was after her two grandmothers, Lydia Ann (Shaffer) Bretches and Helen Mar (Keller) Beathe.

Lydia was a loving child and learned to work hard under her tutelage of her father. She loved flowers as her father.

She met John Clifford Dickens, born August 9, 1895, in Spencer, South Dakota and they were married in Independence, Kansas. (Marriage book: Z, page: 163) They settled in Neodesha, Wilson County, Kansas were John worked at the oil refinery forty years.

Clifford and Lydia had three children, who all attended and graduated from Neodesha High School. The Dickens family belonged to the First Baptist Church.
1. Florence Iona Dickens, born November 16, 1920, married Frank Schultz, born August 21, 1915, near Coy, Woods County, Oklahoma. They were married in the home of the bride and farmed in Greeley County until Frank's death June 13, 1983. They had three sons, Howard Dean, Clifford Paul and Everett James and nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
2. Charles Vernon Dickens, born June 11, 1922, married Wanda Marie Letherman, born February 25, 1923, Burlington, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma. They had five children, Charlene Vernell, Jonnie Stephen, Timothy Craig, Michael Allen and Rodney eugene, twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Vernon served in the Air Force during World War II. He was stationed at Almgaordo with the B-29 test crew. He is retired and they lived in Canon City, Colorado.
3. Myreta Muriel, was born January 27, 1932, married Kenneth H. Lungwitz, born October 25, 1931, Leoti, Wichita County, Kansas. They had two sons, Kenneth Ray and Martin Peter and three grandchildren. Kenneth is the owner of an engraving store in Wichita. Kenneth, Mureta, Peter and his wife, Sherry works in the store. Ray is Director of Music, Ascension Lutheran church.

Lydia liked gardening. Her gardens were prolific and she canned food for the family. She was a good cook and set a bountiful table. Her flower gardens were equally. she liked to quilt. Lydia died December 21, 1971, in Tribune, Kansas and Clifford died April 4, 1975, Osawatomie, Kansas.
They are buried in the Neodesha City Cemetery.

I lived in Tribune. After retiring from farming, I worked in the Sheriff's Office and The Helmwood Care Home. I'm currently the sander in a porcelain doll shop, where each doll is individually crafted.
COMPOSED AND WRITTEN BY FLORENCE DICKENS SCHULTZ

KANSAS BIRTHS AND CHRISTENINGS INDEX 1895-1911
Name: Lydia Bretches
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: November 16, 1898
Birth Place: Sycamore Township, Montgomery County, Kansas
Father's Name: Albert Bretches
Father's Age: 22
Father's Birth Place: Kansas
Mother's Name: Cora Beathe
Mother's Age: 20
Mother's Birth Place: Kansas
FHL Film Number: 1404666

1900 --- U. S. Federal Census, Sycamore Township, Montgomery County, Kansas -- - Page: 91 - ED: 144 - Microfilm Roll: 491 ----- Bert A. Bretches 29 (head) Kansas -- Cora E. 22 (wife) Kansas -- Ada I. 3 (daughter) Kansas -- Lydia H. 1 (daughter) Kansas.

1910 --- U. S. Federal Census, Oak Valley Township, Elk County, Kansas -- Dwelling Number: 93 - Sheet: 16B - Microfilm Roll: 439 ----- Albert B. Bretches 34 (head) Kansas - Cora E. 32 (wife) Kansas -- Ada 13 (daughter) Kansas -- Liddie H. 11 (daughter) Kansas -- Everett O. 9 (son) Kansas -- Hazel J. 7 (daughter) Kansas -- Orval P. 4 (son) Kansas -- Lola A. 2 (daughter) Kansas -- Ethel B 4/12 (daughter) Kansas.

1920 --- U. S. Federal Census, Neodesha, Wilson County, Kansas -- Dwelling Number: 304 - Line: 9 - Page: 17A - Microfilm Roll: 554 ----- John Dickens 24 (head) south Dakota -- Lydia H. 21 (wife) Kansas.

1930 --- U. S. Federal Census, Neodesha, Wilson County, Kansas -- Dwelling Number: 210 - Line: 83 - Page: 9B - Microfilm roll: 726 ----- John C. Dickens 34 (head) -- Lydia H. 31 (wife) -- Florence I. 9 (daughter) -- Charles V. 7 (son).
↑ 1940 --- U. S. Federal Census, Neodesha, wilson county, Kansas -- Dwelling Number: 431 - Line: 4 -- Page: 12A - Microfilm Roll: 1265 ----- John C. Dickens 44 (head) South Dakota -- Liddy H. 41 (wife) Kansas -- Florence I. 19 (daughter) Kansas -- C. Vernon 17 (son) Kansas -- Myreta M. 8 (daughter) Kansas.