George

My memory is not what it used to be, but, I recall making a trip to Iowa with my parents when I was a very young child, around 75 years ago.

The crops in IL were bad that year due to drought and IA had a better  year, so Dad fixed a wagon to go behind the car so we could bring back some potatoes.  He placed hoops and a cover over the top to protect it from the elements.  Dad, Mom, Eloise, Norman, and I along with Uncle Fred and family piled into the car and wagon and headed to Iowa.  We took turns riding in the back.  The wagon was loaded with potatoes from Iowa and we headed back to IL with our bounty.   I remember sitting amongst a pile of potatoes when riding in the back.

Another trip, in the winter, I recall that Uncle Henry took me Jack Rabbit hunting.  It was very cold and the snow was so deep that we could walk over fences.

I remember that Grandpa Buenting was buried on my Confirmation Day in 1943 on Palm  Sunday.  He and Grandma were my sponsors.  My parents made the trip to Iowa to attend the funeral and I stayed in IL for my confirmation.

A happier time, I served as best man for Uncle Henry and Aunt Clara’s wedding in February of 1950.

Uncle Peter told the story that when my Dad (George) was two years old it was customary to decorate the crib of the “birthday child”.   When Uncle Peter was born and the doctor came to the house for delivery, he noticed the decorated crib and declared that Peter’s birthday would be the same day as George’s.  

Evelyn recalls a couple of trips to Iowa.  One was for a reunion at the farm when we took our camper.  There were other campers there also.  Another time, we had planned a trip when I fell and broke my ankle just before leaving for Iowa.  I remember that we slept upstairs at the farm and I had to go up and down on the steps on my behind because I couldn’t manage the cast and crutches.