Memorial Day 2025

 We remember those who died while fighting for our freedom.

My Dad's brother Arthur died on May 20, 1944 and is buried overseas in the Sicily Rome American Cemetery.   

I wonder when my Grandparents received the news...was it before or after Decoration Day in 1944?

My Grandmother is a Gold Star Mother.   She had 12 sons and 2 daughters.  Five of her sons would serve in the military...one died and two carried wounds for the rest of their lives. 

We visited the cemetery where my grandmother is buried.  Someone moved her Gold Star Mother marker over onto my grandfathers grave.  Well you can bet I moved it right back when it belongs. 

My Dad does still not have a Veteran's flag holder but someone left him a flag. 

Far Side

Visit

 Had a quick visit with my other baby brother,  she who sees robins first, Katie, Aubrey, Brooke and Olivia.  They were in town for a basketball game, she who sees robins first had a bit of a cold so we met at  Cabelas by the fish tank where there was a bench.  Good to see everyone and wave at my sister in law! 

They all would have stayed with us but they did not want to chance getting Far Guy sick. 

I ran across this photo the other day.

My other baby brother, cousin Kevin and our Paternal Grandfather (Grandpa Sam)

I believe the photo was taken in the summer of 1961 as my other baby brother was born in October of 1960. 

My Grandpa Sam liked to visit, he would often show up at our home unannounced.   In this photo he is dressed for a weekday or a Saturday; long underwear, shirt, bib overalls, coat and his everyday hat.  The pink peppermints that he shared with children would have been in one pocket wrapped in a white handkerchief.  He wore long underwear year round to keep the heat in or out.  His Sunday clothing was different than everyday, on Sunday he wore dark pants and a white shirt and tie....he also saved his hearing aid batteries for use on Sunday so he could hear the sermon in Finn.  He chewed tobacco and could spit a long ways...which used to irritate his many daughter in laws and his two daughters.   Grandpa Sam was widowed when he was 63 years old ( Grandma Hilda was 64 years old when she died) ...he visited many different widows over his lonely years and finally married a nice lady who we called Grandma Annie, who he outlived by 10 years.  Grandpa Sam died when he was five days short of his 88th birthday back in 1978.  

I got to thinking about my Dad's brothers and sisters...how old were they when they died?

Wilbert 77, Hugo 73, Jalmer 42, Ervin 59, Oscar 56, Arthur 23, Adolf 76, George 74, Einard 6 months, My Dad Jake 96, Marie 82, Andrew 67, Arnold 59 and Anna 85.  They mostly died from cancer or heart attacks.

Far Side

Christmas 1965

 In December of 1965 we went on a family vacation to see my Dad's relatives; our Aunt Anna, Uncle Stanley and their children Clark and Leann in Ontario California. 

 My parents took turns driving straight through to Utah.  My other baby brother napped on a blanket in the floor boards of the front seat, my baby brother and I slept in the back seat.

I recall being impressed with Salt Lake City and the Provo Utah area where we stayed in a Motel...the first Motel I had ever stayed in. Our Mom had packed food to eat along the way...we did not eat in restaurants.  At the California border we sat at some picnic tables and ate what fruit we had because it was not allowed into California.

Leann, Carey ( my baby brother), Jody ( my other baby brother), Clark and me

We had lutefisk at Sylvia and Gusty home ( Uncle Stanley's parents), luckily there was also roast pork, potatoes and gravy!  

We went to a Candlelight Church Service on Christmas Eve.  The day after Christmas we went to Disneyland. After we left California we headed toward Houston Texas and stopped at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and someplace that had reptile gardens (I was scared nearly to death). 

Leann and Aunt Anna.

It was a good trip, the only family vacation that I can recall. 

Far Side 

1953 or 1954 Deer Hunting

 I have several old photographs of me and a deer. 

Who: My Dad and me

Where: the Farm in Carsonville Township

Why:  Hunting photo

When:  1953 or 1954  I am either two or three years old.

I believe that is my Uncle Adolf on the left and my Dad on the right.  Note my fancy headscarf...most likely a dish towel.  The windows in the center of the photo were living room windows, the outside wood chute is the little toot on the left and the door to the house is on the far right. 

Here we have another person...Uncle George or maybe my Aunt Marie's husband Uncle Kenneth on the far left. 

I wish I knew exactly who was who...but in the end it is my Dad and his brothers or his brother in law  at the end of a good hunt. 

Far Side 

Cousin Kathy

 My Cousin Kathy died on October 11th.  We attended the visitation at the funeral home, the funeral was the next day the same day as Paige's wedding.  

Kathy was one of my favorite cousins, she printed family scrapbooks and cookbooks. She was very interested in family history and stories and was always up for any cousin adventure!  Before Kathy had her stroke she and cousin Geraldine would get together and could visit a day away seeing as many relatives as they could in a day.  

Aunt Eleanor with Mary Jane, Leonard with Mike, Uncle Oscar with Kathy and Ronnie.

This is a photo that my Mom took in 1953.  Everyone in the photo is gone now except for the two youngest...Mary Jane and Mike. 

 Leonard died October 23, 1958 in a hunting accident age 15

Ronnie died May 16,  2022 age 75

Kathy died  October 11, 2024  age 75

Kathy's Dad Oscar and my Dad were brothers. 

I will miss my cousin Kathy, her smile, laugh and her hugs.  She gave the best hugs. 

Far Side

Here is the newspaper article about my cousin Leonard's death.

One Year Later

 My Dad died a year ago today on his Father's birthday, my Grandfather was 87years old when he died, my Dad was 96 years old when he died.  Dad outlived all of his siblings.  Wilbert was 77, Hugo 73, Jalmer 42, Ervin 59, Oscar 56, Arthur 23, Adolf 76, George 74, Einard 6 months old, Marie 82, Andrew 67, Arnold 59 and Anna 85.  Yes it was a family of 14 children.   Other than World War II and an infant death they all died of heart attacks or cancer except for Uncle Adolf he died of undiagnosed Celiac Disease. My Dad was a cancer survivor...he survived it for 37 years...he also had Celiac Disease....but Dad died from late stage dementia and a form of blood cancer.  

No one else in Dad's family had dementia...but then no one lived as long as Dad.  Dementia is a slow  death that is incredibly hard on everyone.

My Dad is on the far left in the double breasted suit.  This photo was taken in June of 1953 when my Grandmother died of a massive heart attack at the age of 64.  Everyone is present except for Arthur who died in WWII and Einard who died as a baby.   My Aunt Senia is in this photo in the white suit...she was married to my Uncle Wilbert.

 I have many good memories of my Dad, those are the times I choose to recall when I miss him. 

Far Side

Memorial Day 2022

 We made it to a few cemeteries to put out some flowers. 

My Paternal Grandmother is a Gold Star Mother, the flag and the red white and blue flowers are hers.  Her son Arthur died May 20 1944 during the Invasion of Italy...that would have been 78 years ago.  

Far Side

Church History

History

The Crow Wing Apostolic Lutheran Church of French Lake (also known as the Riverside Church) was decided to be built at the annual meeting of the Cokato Apostolic Lutheran church on January 6, 1885, as an annex to the Cokato congregation.  The reason for this decision was that many families had moved into the French Lake and Albion area, necessitating a meeting house nearer home than the Cokato church.  Transportation being horse and buggy in those days.

A special meeting was held at French Lake September 26, 1885, how to raise the necessary funds.  It was decided to send out collectors to each member of both the French Lake and Cokato areas.

Nels Nelson donated 1/2 acre of land for the church site, and at that same meeting a committee of three men ( Jacob Ojanpera, Esaias Kostani and Matti Mukkala) were designated to arrange for the laying of the foundation of the church building.  The construction work was done mainly by the French Lake congregation.  The church was completed in 1887.

Those performing ministerial duties were the same for the Cokato church, namely; Isak Barberg, Caleb and Jacob Wuollet and William Lahtinen, until his death in the sinking of the Titanic.  Various other men have served both the French Lake and Cokato congregations since that time.

The church was actively used until the 1950’s when it was decided to discontinue using it, due to better model of transportation, which made possible for all remaining members to attend the Cokato church.  

Charter Members listed include my Great Grandfather Isaac Yliniemi.

Another bit of history; My cousin Geraldine had surgery this past week and praise God she made it through the surgery and is doing well. 

She wrote: It was a LEFT POSTERIOR COMMUNICATING ARTERY ANEURYSM Dr. Copelad [at Abbott Northwestern ] says it was a very high risk brain aneurysm due to the size and location and the fact that I'm almost 100% Finish in Heritage. The treatment was ENDOVASCULAR EMBOLIZATION This treats the aneurysm from the inside of the blood vessels and is minimally invasive.

This may be hereditary on the Yliniemi side.

Far Side

The wood stove and a special pew

 The Finnish Apostolic Church was heated with a wood stove.  I imagine that someone who lived near to the church went over and started a fire in the stove well before church started.  I am not certain about this church but many churches held limited services during the winter months...having  a proper church service once a month if the weather permitted. 

 

This backward facing pew was for women with small children so they could be nearest to the wood stove. 

Far Side

Church with a History

 My Great Grandfather Isak helped to build a church in 1886 near French Lake Minnesota.   Years later it was moved to be part of a Historical Village in Annandale Minnesota.  Last summer on one of our trips to Minneapolis to the U of MN Clinics we went one day early and took the time to stop for a quick visit. 

A photo of the Church near French Lake, Minnesota

A photo of the church being moved.

Photos of the church as it stands today.

Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church Built in 1886.   The red number 2 signifies the number of the building as they sit at the Historical Village. 

I was delighted to finally be able to see this church!  It had been on my list of things to do for a long time. 

Far Side

A Veteran's Story

 Sometimes family history retold by others needs to be backed up by facts.   For years we all thought that my Dad's brother Hugo recuperated in California. 

Here are the facts from his Honorable Discharge paper. 

Inducted April 16, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.  He was 28 and 2/12 years of age and was a farm laborer, blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion.  He was 5 feet 9 inches in height.  He completed 2 years and 20 days service. 

He was a Rifleman qualifying with the M 1 Rifle

He was in the Sicilian Campaign

Decorations EAME Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal

Wounds received  Shrapnel wound in buttocks, left leg and ankle

Hospital Tuscaloosa Alabama dated 2 May 1944

Left U.S. 8 June 43, arrived North African theater 22 June 43; left North African theater 5 July 43; arrived European theater 10 July 43; left European theater August 43; arrived North Africa theater August 43; left North African theater 15 Oct 43; arrived U.S. 24 Oct 43

Honorable discharge button presented at Northington General Hospital Tuscaloosa, Alabama.   He spent 193 days in the hospital.

He was part of Company K, 157 Infantry in the United States Army.

My Uncle Hugo was a quiet man, who only spoke when it was necessary ...and when he spoke it was important so you better be listening.    He limped especially in the winter.   I have many memories of him.  He married Aunt Mia and they raised Mia's Grandson together.   Hugo had no children of his own but Grandson Joe was like a son to him.  

Uncle Hugo  4 Feb 1914 - 25 Oct 1987

Thank you Veterans! 

Far Side

Bucket Lists

 I have a Bucket List and a Photo Bucket List. 

I revised my Bucket List. The old list only had one thing crossed off!

Old List

1. Ride in a convertible...I did this twice. 

2. Beach Boys or Moody Blues Concert...Bee Gee's would have been on the list but only Barry is left.

3. Play in the World Series of Poker

4. Go on a Cruise in the Caribbean

5. Go to Finland for a sauna

New List

1. Visit Morden Manitoba Canada Display Gardens some year when it rains.

2. Visit the Peace Gardens

3. Learn to spin

4. Visit the church in Annandale Minnesota that my Great Grandfather helped to build

5. Spend two months in Hawaii during the winter.

This is the old church I longed to see in person.  On one of the recent trips to Minneapolis we did a slight detour...went early and visited the church and then went on to stay overnight in a hotel near the clinic. 

The church was originally built in French Lake Minnesota in 1896 -1897 and it was donated and moved to Annandale Pioneer Park in 1975.  My Great Grandfather Isaac Yliniemi was one of the founding members.

I was thrilled to see the church in person! 

If you have a bucket list...are you revising your list..or are you managing to cross some things off? 

Far Side

The 31,081st Day

 That is a whole bunch of days!  31, 081 days equals 85 years and 34 days. 

Yesterday morning my Aunt Anna fulfilled all her days here on earth.  Aunt Anna was a breast cancer survivor for many many years.  Then she was diagnosed with Metastatic Bone Cancer, she has been having chemotherapy treatments for the past several years...they were doing no good and would have to be increased... so three weeks ago she decided to stop treatments and to spend her last days at home.  Her only daughter cared for her for a few weeks and a week ago Hospice brought her a hospital bed and comfort care.  I spoke with her and she was thankful for the great care her daughter was giving her... she said if it were not for her daughter that she would be in a Nursing home.  Very recently her son came home to be with her.  So the house was filled with the voices she loved.

One day I took over a shawl for her ( I left the package outside the door), so she could feel the warmth and love from her family...her daughter sent me a photo.

  

She loved all the colors! 

There will be a private family service with a Celebration of Life next summer. 

I guess that is the best we can hope for in these Covid times. 

My Aunt Anna was a marvelous person...one of my favorite people.  Her only living sibling is my Father. My Father is nine years older than her.  Are we sad...yes...but happy that her earthly struggle is now over. 

Her daughter wrote "Heaven got a little bit brighter this morning.  We will miss you Mom."

Job 14:5 A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.

Far Side

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who died while fighting for our freedom.

This is a photo of my Dad's brother Arthur before he went in the service.

Arthur was in the Army.

His grave  at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.

Arthur Edwin was born November 6, 1920. He died May 20, 1944 during the invasion of Italy.

I have a file upstairs, knowing that he was in the 340th Infantry the 88 Division I researched troop movements until I gave up on that project.  I always hoped for more information.  It was rumored that my Aunt Marie had all the letters that he wrote...but  they were never found.  ( I think he was wounded and spent some time in a hospital someplace before he died...just from the battles that were fought and the dates they were fought. )  Perhaps someday I will have more time to research some more.

Arthur would have been just 23 years old when he died.  Some family records have him born on November 5, 1920 but his Birth Record says November 6, 1920.
Far Side

From my brother:
The 351st faced heavy fire on 18 May 1944 in its attempt to take Monte Grande, while the 349th and 350th advanced from Roccasecca to the Amaseno Valley, which they cleared on 28 May. After breaking out of the mountains, the 88th Division was thrust right back into combat. They were headed towards the Eternal City.

During Operation Diadem on 11 May 1944, the 349th Infantry attacked Mt. Bracchi, Mt. Cerri, Mt. La Civita, and the town of Spigno Saturnia after a tremendous artillery barrage. By the morning of 15 May, they had accomplished these objectives against strong enemy resistance, and managed to capture numerous enemy prisoners and even a German Panzer. The regiment was attached to the 85th Infantry Division for its attack on Hill 490 on the night of the 15th, and again encountered stiff resistance, but took the hill.^[6]

• First Entered combat: Advance party on night of 3–4 January 1944 in support of Monte Cassino attacks.^[4]
• First Organization Committed to Line: 2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment plus attachments^[5]
• First combat fatality: 3 January 1944
• Began post war POW Command: 7 June 1945. Responsible for guarding and later repatriating 324,462 German POWs.^[6]

The 88th Infantry Division was one of the first all-draftee divisions of the United States Army to enter the war. Ordered into active military service at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, the division, commanded by Major General John E. Sloan, arrived at Casablanca, French Morocco on 15 December 1943, and moved to Magenta, Algeria, on the 28 December for intensive training. Destined to spend the war fighting on the Italian Front, the 88th Division arrived at Naples, Italy on 6 February 1944, and concentrated around Piedimonte d'Alife for combat training. An advance element went into the line before Monte Cassinoon 27 February, and the entire division relieved the battered British 46th Infantry Division along the Garigliano River in the Minturno area on 5 March. A period of defensive patrols and training followed. The 88th formed part of Major General Geoffrey Keyes' II Corps, part of the U.S. Fifth Army, under Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark.

After being inspected by the Fifth Army commander on 5 May, the 88th Division, six days later, drove north to take Spigno, Mount Civita, Itri, Fondi, and Roccagorga, reached Anzio, 29 May, and pursued the enemy into Rome, being the first unit of the Fifth Army into the city on 4 June, two days before the Normandy landings, after a stiff engagement on the outskirts of the city. An element of the 88th is credited with being first to enter the Eternal City. After continuing across the Tiber to Bassanelio the 88th retired for rest and training, 11 June. 

Wistful Wednesday: A Whisker Rub

I thought my Dad’s brothers were the only ones who gave the dreaded whisker rub. When I was little my reaction to the mention of a whisker rub was to run away giggling. When I was close to being caught the giggles turned to a squeal, twas a noisy game.

Yesterday my Dad told us “ My Grandfather Isaac was a fun loving guy.  He would chase us kids down and rub his beard on our faces.”

Wistful Wednesday: Aunt Lila

My Aunt Lila died last week, she was 86 years old, her funeral is later this week.   She was married to my Dad’s brother Adolf.  Adolf died in 1998.  Lila joins him 20 years later.

Adolf and Lila were married in June of 1953.  I think my Dad was the best man.

They lived in a tiny two room house near Bad Medicine Lake. My baby brother and I stayed with them one long weekend in the late 1950’s…it might have been 1958 or 1959….our parents were going to “The Cities” for something and we were not old enough to stay by ourselves.  Uncle Adolf tried to teach us some Finn…but we were poor learners.  They took us fishing in a boat out on Bad Medicine Lake, I believe this was the first time I was ever in a boat on a lake. I thought being in a boat on the lake was both magical and a little bit scary. I had been on lakes in the winter and was comfortable fishing on a frozen lake, or in the summer fishing safely from a dock near the shore..but a boat..that was a big deal.  I loved watching the water over the side of the boat.  I don’t remember if we caught fish or not..but I do remember that we had fun, and a ice cold soda and a candy bar. 

One summer my Uncle found a fawn without a mother or the game warden dropped it off for some rehabilitation, a small fence was made near the front of the house and the fawn was fed bottles of milk.  My Uncle was a farmer…he milked cows and put up crops…hay and maybe corn for his herd.  

Their property was heavily wooded interspersed with fields and that made for perfect deer hunting.  I hunted there a number of years…I had the fire and kept it going at my campsite…all my uncles and cousins would come by to warm up and put their sandwiches near the fire and sit down and talk.

In later years Adolf and Lila would adopt two children; a boy and a girl.  I remember the baby showers held in their new home… I think they adopted through Lutheran Social Services and in preparation for adoption they built a new home.

Aunt Lila had Rheumatoid Arthritis.  What a terrible crippling disease.  It crippled her body but her mind has been sharp up until the last couple of years.  She was one of my most faithful blog readers. My Uncle Adolf died from undiagnosed Celiac Sprue when he was 76 years old.

Aunt Lila has been in the nursing home a very long time…when you visited she was always happy to see you.  She got more company as other relatives were in “the home”…Aunt Violet (her sister), Aunt Marie, Aunt Senia, Aunt Grace…For years and years Aunt Lila’s roommate was Cousin Shirley.  Sadly all those relatives have died while in “the home.” As far as I know we have no one in “the home” any longer…Aunt Lila was the last of the bunch.  I think she was the first one in and the last one out.

Veteran’s Day

Today is the day to thank all the Veterans in our lives. Those that serve now and those who have served.  Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air National Guard, Army National Guard at home or overseas….THANK YOU!

Far Guy

My baby brother, my nephew, my dad and my husband.  Thank you all!

Luckily these family members made it home.

My Paternal Grandparents were not so lucky. Five of their twelve sons were in the military.

They all returned but one.

My Uncle Arthur is buried in the Sicily Rome American Cemetery in Italy.  He was 23 years old when he was wounded and died during the invasion of Italy.

Some gave all.

Wistful Wednesday: Grandpa Sam’s Sisters

Growing up I knew my Paternal Grandfather had seven brothers…but I didn’t know he had five sisters.  Of course four sisters would die before I was born so maybe that had something to do with it…. that and not being interested in “old people” at the time. 

Greta “Maria”  Born Nov 16, 1886 and died December 10, 1886  (Probably from what we know today as a crib death)

Maria or Mary Born October 10, 1887 and died June 17, 1938  Maria was 15 years old when she got married. ( It was common to repeat a name, it was meant with the utmost respect…but it is a pain in the neck for relatives searching for family information.)

Ethel born June 2, 1901 and died June 29, 1931.  She drown in Toad Lake while swimming with her brother in law Arthur who had recently been widowed.  (He also drowned that day) It was reported that a family member heard spiritual singing that day…and yes I believe she did.

Ethel

Esther was born December 9, 1903 and died December 23, 1930.  She was married to Arthur Larson.  They had a child named William who died and is buried supposedly in Leed South Dakota, I can find no record of his birth or death or a grave.  Another baby was born and died and is supposedly buried in Astoria Oregon but I cannot find that child’s records either.   Esther died from complications ( kidney poisoning) during a third pregnancy. Arthur returned her body to Minnesota for burial. (He drown with Ethel six months later.)

Esther and Arthur Larson

Ida Matilda was born September 29, 1905 and died January 21, 1983.  I remember her son Harold who was blind, but Ida herself…I cannot come up with one memory.

All the deaths must have been hard on my Great Grandmother Margaretta “Greta” before she died in 1944 at the age of 76 she would bury baby Greta in 1886, Esther in 1930, Ethel in 1931 and Maria (Mary) in 1938.  On December 9 1932 she would also prepare to bury her husband.

I bet she wished she could just by pass those first years in the 1930’s.

World War II Casualty

I am certain that my Grandmother’s heart was broken when her sixth son Arthur E. was killed during the invasion of Italy.  He died May 20 1944.  He is buried in The American  Sicily-Rome Cemetery in Nettuno Italy.  He was 23 years old when he died.

Arthur E. Yliniemi

My Paternal Grandmother is  a Gold Star Mother.

This Gold Star Mother marker was not in place the last time I visited this cemetery two years ago.

There were letters.  Letters that Arthur wrote home.  They seem to have disappeared, I tried to watch for them the day of my Aunt’s auction sale…I hope they were not thrown away.  I never understood her reluctance to share them… but some relatives share their photos and mementos easily…and others do not.

My Grandmother would see  five of her twelve sons go off to war.   All would return but one.   I cannot imagine her sadness that Arthur was buried so far away. 

I have a whole file of research on Arthur E.  I tried to follow the troop movements and read first hand accounts of soldiers in the vicinity.  I guess it doesn’t matter, he had no children…no one to pass on his story or his letters.

 

There are 10,484 soldiers buried at The American Sicily-Rome Cemetery in Italy.

Wistful Wednesday: Two Uncles

My parents come from large families.  Since my Dad has eleven brothers and two sisters I have many Uncles.

 

This must have been taken at some family gathering.  Cousin Verniel took the photo and shared it with me.

Uncle George on the left and Uncle Arnold on the right….looks like they brought out some sauna dressing room benches into the yard.  Looks like they were at Uncle Ervin’s place just from the lay of the land.  Late on summer evenings that woods would be filled with fireflies.

Uncle George was son number eight and Uncle Arnold was child number thirteen and son number twelve.  My Dad was son number ten.

Uncle George was a farmer and a fixer.  A piece of baling twine could be used to fix many things.  He was a kind, kind man.  He married Aunt Grace and together they merged her girls (she was widowed early in life) with four more children that they would have together.  I always considered the older girls “real” cousins…one day one of them said to me “BUT I am not a real cousin.”  Maybe not to everyone…but to me they were “real.” One was four years and one was two years of age when their Mom married Uncle George…so he was the only father they ever knew and they called him Dad.  

Uncle Arnold was a farmer and a carpenter, he could build just about anything. He was a wonderful gentleman who always had a kind word or two.  He and his wife Sharon have five sons.  I know one reasonably well, the others I don’t know at all. They lived on the farm where my grandparents raised all their children, now their oldest son lives there.

This photo was taken in 1978.  Uncle George would die in 1997 from cancer at the age of 74.  Uncle Arnold would die in 1991 from a heart attack at the age of 59.  Both of their wives are still living. 

My grandparents raised a wonderful bunch of boys and girls.  They were all hard working law abiding, welcoming, kind, honest people.   There wasn’t one I didn’t like or admire for some quality.  Not a carouser in the bunch….although they could make lots of noise at a couple of Shivarees I attended when I was little.