John

I grew up in Pomeroy.  My life revolved around family, school and church activities.  As a child, I remember going to Grandpa Buentings  (Grandpa died when I was five.  I can remember sitting on his lap and him tickling me with his moustache) where often we were served a small glass of homemade wine and a huge lunch –  everyone sitting around a huge table with a bench behind.  We either played checkers, dominos or Wahoo, a marble game.  Even when Grandma was older, she liked to play games and after she moved to her house in Pomeroy, we would visit her while my dad went to Brotherhood at church. 

Grandma loved babies.  I have pictures of her holding my children. Grandpa and Grandma were my sponsors when I was baptized.  Grandma gave me a Bible when I was confirmed and a suitcase when I graduated from high school.  I remember the Christmas programs at church which were always on Christmas Eve and we all wore white capes with a red bow and we got a sack with an apple, orange, peanuts and candy cane. 

One time, when Mom and Dad brought Grandma and Aunt Kate to Des Moines to visit us, my husband, Jerry, took them to visit an old friend and they were thrilled to see each other.  I came to Des Moines after graduating from high school and worked at Bankers Life (which is now Principal Financial).  It was quite a change, but exciting.  I remember how excited I was the first Christmas I was working at Bankers Life and able to buy presents for my mom, dad, and brother.  (Before I came to Des Moines, I did a lot of babysitting and detasseled corn for four summers.)  I met my husband, Jerry and we were married exactly a year from the day we met; June 7th, 1958.  We will be celebrating our 50th anniversary and plan to go on a cruise with our whole family. 

Before I met Jerry, I had only been in two states, Iowa and Minnesota.  Now, I have been in all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, several European countries, Africa, South America, and the Holy Land.  The first time we had ever flown was when Mom and Dad and our whole family flew to Seattle, Washington, where we rented a car and drove to California.  The highlight of the trip was going to Disneyland.  Mom and Dad even rode the sky lifts.  We have lots of good memories and have received so many blessings.  We have three children, Gary, Patti and Susie; seven grandchildren, ranging in age from five to twenty-four.  They keep us busy.