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.

Wistful Wednesday: Old Folks

Making Great Grandma Katie comfortable in  the shade in the yard..making sure her head is covered, and that she has her favorite sweater on.  I wonder did they carry her out of the house in her favorite rocking chair, or did she walk ..and I bet her pipe was in her pocket. 

Yes, she smoked a pipe, so did her daughter, my Grandmother..my Dad says after everyone in the house was quieted down at night..that was Grandmas time and she would light up her pipe.

My Dads Aunt Elena is the lady in the apron, she looks a tad impatient..she must have been in charge of the chair, or was she impatient with the photographer?  I am not sure who the other lady is..the one helping to light the pipe.  I am not sure what year this photo was taken in or if anyone remembers the dogs name ( he/she seems happy to have everyone outside).

This was before old folks homes or nursing homes as they are called today. Old folks used to be cared for in their homes and died in the beds they shared with their loved ones..perhaps even the ones that their children were conceived and born in. Now it seems at the first stages of forgetting something..they are shipped off to the home:(