September 2009 Gathering

I'm organizing my laptop computer files and I came across these notes.  At the gathering, Uncle Ken asked if I would make some notes.  Here they are for all of you to enjoy (and correct errors, please!).  

16 September 2009  Family Gathering in Lomira, WI

In attendance:  Ron, Deb and Ann Bendis

Ken and Ruth Kortemeier

Nieta Hayes, Stan and MB Hayes

Irene and Henry Hayes

Nieta sat at the head of the table as she is the oldest!!   94 years old.  This means she is also in charge of this crew.  We are all impressed with her mobility, clarity and great sense of humor. 

Ruth remembered the death of Henry’s sister.   Her body was at the home across the road where Ann and Andy and family lived.  Henry asked for a piece of bread with butter and took it to his sister as he thought she would be hungry.   (There were two sisters who died young this could be the sister whose name began with M...I looked this up and Marjorie was born May 1922 died in Feb 1923.  Jeanette was born in May 1926 and died in Apr 1927)  Henry said that the two girls had thyroid conditions that led to their deaths.

Henry said he was born in this house on K.  He also said his parents moved in 1928 to their family home on the corner of Y and Butternut Rd.  This is the house we all refer to “Ann’s” house.  He said that Bob was born at that house.   

Ruth lived across the road  (on K) in the big house (currently Merlene’s house).  Ruth and Henry were playmates because they lived so close and remained very close as they grew up.  Henry moved before he started school, so he would go to Marion school with Nieta and Val as now he lived in that school district.    Ruth went to Burroughs across from
Rohlf Cemetery.

Ken remembered his first visit to Ruth’s home.  He borrowed his father’s car (can’t remember the brand!! but he did)  and drove up.  He said it was a bit of a challenge to find RR 1.   Both he and Ruth thought it was probably for a Sunday meal.  They remembered that Stan “came in and out.” 

Ruth, Henry and Stan remembered the day Stan got his tongue stuck on the metal bridge.  This was the bridge that is south of the Carl Hayes farm.  ( between the house on the hill and the main homestead)  Stan thought he did it on a dare.  Ruth thought the heat of his breath had to have finally released him. 

Ruth did not know of Estelle Hayes and Othello Nichols.  Irene did not know of them either.  Ruth remembered visiting the “old” women with her mother.  Probably Etna. 

All of the 4 Carl and Elsie Hayes children were married by their Uncle Bill at Ebenezer Church.    Stan says Uncle Bill told him some very important things that he never forgot.

Irene and Henry were planning their marriage when it was found that Henry’s brother Jim was terminally ill.  They were married at Irene’s parents home so Jim could be there and he was.  Irene noted that Ruth was also there as she was so special to Henry.

Irene is also interested in working on restoring Rohlf Cemetery.  

Ron is happily retired and enjoying cooking.  We talked about roasting beets!!  Their dog Tipper is deaf, blind and cannot smell.  Deb is commuting 4 days a week to Chicago and everyone waits for her writings to appear.   Ann is one month into school.  She told us about her trip to Africa and the work she did in women’s health.  In addition, she described the women greeting them in red dress and with great happiness.  We are so proud of her taking the time to do this work. 

MB and Deb rejoiced in the leadership and speaking talents of President Obama.  Irene (when asked) told us she is a Republican.