1960
Diary
(transcribed by
Charles Miller)
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1960- Went to Mass. Didn’t know how the roads would be, but Gene called and said that they were all right so Betty went with us. I worked at looking things over from the hall closet part of the forenoon & afternoon. Then we went with Gene & Betty to the Stations & then to the grocery store. I still don’t feel very good. Gene Betty came over in the eve & we played 6 games of cards. We won 2.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1960- Went to Mass with Gene & Betty. I worked around here this morning helping to straighten up the house as Betty came over & cleaned for me & then Paul’s stopped & left Catherine here for the day & she helped some. Pop & Gene fixed lawn mowers & put new handles in axes and then they cut the brush out of the chicken pen. Catherine & I worked on old letters and things this afternoon, then had an early supper as Catherine had to go to Leonard’s to baby sit this evening. No company this eve. Gene & Betty went roller skating with Joe Frantz & girl friend.
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1960- Went to 7:30 Mass. Women’s Altar & Rosary Society. After breakfast & when I had my work done up - we got ready & went with Gene & Betty up to Gertrude & Nick’s. We got there in good time & stopped at the store. Gene had a flat tire & had to get it fixed. We had a nice dinner & good visit and enjoyed looking over the house that they recently bought. We got home around 5:45 p.m. & hurried & got supper as Betty had to go over to baby sit at Leonard’s at 6:30. Then Gene & I got the dishes done & we went over. I went with Louise & Charles to Regina for their choral singing - then back to Leonard’s & baby sat with the children until Leonard & Marilyn came home.
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1960- Went to Mass. Roads plenty bad. Big holes on the road at city limits. They hauled quite a lot of rock out here in front of our house this p.m.. I made out checks for gas & electricity & also for bottle gas & other letters for Easter cards. In the afternoon I worked at sorting over a basketfull of stuff and then watered plants, it took all afternoon. Gene & Betty stopped in for a while & he helped Pop get the siphon stated. Quite evening.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast Dad worked around here & put up shelves and changed pictures etc.. Louise came over and did some painting of shelves and under cupboards & in closet. Then I got ready & went downtown with her & got my new hat for the anniversary celebration. Quite evening.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1960- Our 50th wedding anniversary. We went to our Mass & took Frances & Louise with us. Also at Mass were Pat & Glenn & 3 little ones. Paul & Lillian & family. Joann & 7 boys. Leonard, Betty , Wilma, Libb & Lyle, Ed & Mary. After Mass, Monsignor gave us his blessing at the communion rail, also a nice picture. Then Ed & Mary, Libb & Lyle, Wilma, Betty, Pat & Glenn, Mary Lou, Gene & Jerry, Lillian & Louise all came out for rolls , coffee cake & coffee. We had a real nice time. Then Marilyn & Debby & Doug came over and brought the gift from Bro. John & Leonard’s & Giovani the Pope’s picture & Blessing - got 28 cards - letter from Bro. John saying he was having a Mass said for us and one said by Father Norbert in Rome. Bro. Paul also wrote that he was having Father Luke say a Mass for us. Lillian stayed for dinner. Later in the p.m. Dad & I went downtown & got his suit and came home & baked chicken & then Gene & Betty took us out to get my rugs. Then they had supper with us. We played cards for a while in the eve.
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1960- Went to Mass. Got mail ready - Letters to Bro. John, Larry’s & Bessie & sent checks, Great Plains Gas, Culligan Soft Water & Milk bill. Then we had early dinner & went over to the house & did my washing & baked 4 Angel Food Cakes. Joe Cozine & Marilyn stopped in for a little visit. It was sort of late when we got done & I folded clothes in the eve. Ben & Joann and boys came out for a while in the eve.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1960- Went to Mass. Worked around here and got my ironing done this forenoon. In the p.m. we went to the Stations and then downtown to pay M.W. & Co. and also got groceries. In the eve Gene & Betty came over also Lee & Roseann and later on all the Frantz’s - so we played cards & paid Lyle ($9.28) for the ham to be used for our anniversary dinner.
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast the girls came to help clean old house. Louise, Betty, Lillian, Mary, Wilma & Libb. I went over there & stayed most of the forenoon - as the girls brought things for dinner - Catherine & Phyllis came after they took their exams at Regina - they helped me sort things over in the p.m.. Paul also came for dinner - they got along fine & got the house nice & clean. Gene & Betty came in the eve - Gerald, Pauline & family.
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1960- Went to Mass at 7:30 a.m.. Men’s Sunday. Paul’s came out, all but Tom, & eat their breakfast here - then went to Bernices. Marilyn & little folks came over for a while & for eggs. Then Dick & Reg came for dinner. After dinner Betty came over, also Lee 7 Roseann. I gave Reg & Roseann Sacred Heart pictures & Consecration. Then they left when we went to church. After Stations, Dad & I & Gene & Betty went down to McDonald’s for Hamburgers & Fries bought by Gene - then we brought them home & had ice cream & cake. We played cards & then Wilma, Clarence, Carol & Tony came for a while. Clarence played cards with the men & we visited.
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1960- Mailed Easter cards. Went to Mass. I went in before Mass & had Msgr. bless the Sacred Heart pictures. After breakfast dad & I went downtown & ordered my shoes & shopped a little. After dinner I worked on more Easter cards - then went downtown with Betty & did some more shopping. Dad & Gene picked me up & then we got Betty at her mother’s. I worked more addressing cards after supper & writing in my diary. Pop & Gene painted baby bed.
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1960- Went to Mass. Joann came out & did her washing today & brought Benny & jimmy along. Lillian out for breakfast & then did some shopping - got her new white shoes. I had them all for dinner. I made the pillow cover for Pop’s chair in the p.m. & worked around here. Quiet evening & no company.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1960- Went to Mass. Had a very busy day today. Did my washing with quite a lot of extras & a rug - so it took me up until time to go to church. We even ate our dinner at the old house. Pop brought our beef out from locker this a.m. & got a hair cut. We went to Novena & to confession. Got Ray Wieskamp’s silver wedding gift. Home & got house ready for our big evening. Moe’s, Leonard’s & Pat’s & Gene’s all came home with their families & we had their names enthroned with the Sacred Heart. Gene & Len got Msgr., he blessed our new home & read the prayers for us. Happy, happy me. Gene & Betty gave me an Easter Lily.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1060- Went to Mass at 7:30 - quite a lot of people there. I finished my thank you notes & wrote Sister M. & Bro. J. also sent insurance. Joann came out for eggs. Betty came over & shampooed our big chair. I worked over at the house getting things ready for our guests. In afternoon Louise came for her eggs & fixed 2 more invitations for us. It was sort of a rainy day & Pop didn’t get much done. We sliced bacon - then we went with Gene & Betty to Leonard & Marilyn for supper.
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1960- Dad & I & Betty went down & made ????? a hours visit at church. After breakfast Betty helped Pop wrap the bacon & also helped me some over at the house fixing beds etc.. I finished up some more of my work over there & then came back & ironed. Louise came over for eggs & fixed the tile in kitchen. In p.m. we went to Good Friday services & then got groceries. Lillian brought Catherine out to help me - we 3 went with Gene & Betty to Stations, then played some cards. Heard from Cindy that they will arrive tomorrow.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1960- No Mass this morning. We got up in fairly good time & Kay & I got work she was good help. We worked over at the other house & I baked pie crusts there. Betty cleaned here. We got a fairly good dinner. Larry & family came around 1:00 p.m. or later. We got them their dinner then. In the p.m. Betty took Cindy downtown & Larry, Pop, Gene & the boys went out to Pat’s & got Easter eggs. We planed to go to church but a bad rain storm came up & our lights were out around 4 hours so we didn’t get to go. I am up very late again.
SUNDAY, April 17,1960- Went to 6:00 Mass & Larry & Cindy went with us. Then Gene & Betty , Marilyn, Louise, Carl & Charles, Gerald & Pauline also were there. we got home & had a good breakfast and then got ready & went to Ed’s for dinner & had lots of rain this morning and lots of water on the road. We got there a little after noon. Pat & Glenn & family were there already. Then we had a lovely dinner and had a real nice time playing cards etc.. We stayed for supper and got home around 10:30 p.m.. The children were real tired. It finally stopped raining.
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1960- Went to Mass. Catherine went with us. Home & a good breakfast - then Larry’s family came over & ate. Louise came over then & visited a while. I got the washing started - ours & theirs - and then Cindy & Catherine came over & helped hang out some things and we finished it before we had dinner - although it was late. After dinner Larry’s got ready & went to Maurice’s for a visit & supper. I got my ironing done & then we had supper. In the eve Roseann & Lee - Gene & Betty and Johnie Caince & we had 3 hot games of 8 handed cards.
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1960- Got up at 3:00 a.m. so we could meet Bro. John at the depot. Charles was over when we got up and went along with us. The train was around 45 min. late, but finally arrived. We visited all morning then went to Mass. I had a big breakfast & then got a big dinner. Lillian & Tom & Ronny stopped in for a while to see Bro. John. Betty came over & cleaned up the house for us. Then we went to Wilma’s for a nice big supper and a very nice evening. I was real tired today, so rested this p.m..
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1960- Went to Mass and had a good breakfast. Cindy’s doing most of the work - so I am trying to rest - I feel so tired today & my knee hurts. In the p.m. we went out to Pat’s, Bro. John, Larry’s family, Dad & I. I lay down most of the p.m. after we got there. She had a big meal for us & we enjoyed it very much and had ice cream in the eve. We played cards & was up late.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1960- Went to Mass. Bro. John & Betty went along. Madden is back & very happy about that. I feel much better today but they won’t let me do much. I washed a batch of clothes to help me out. Catherine came after school to help & also to watch the children - Lawrence & Cindy & Bro. john went over to Leonard’s for steak supper. Gene & Betty stopped in & Wilma & Clarence - Libb & Lyle came out for a while.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1960- Went to Mass - Bro. John & Betty also. After Mass went in & talked to Msgr. about flowers & the particulars of the Mass. Then home & Lillian was here. They got our breakfast. Lillian went downtown to Mrs. Browns & got her hair set. Cindy got a good dinner & supper for us. My knee ached badly today - so they didn’t want me doing much - Lillian got our clothes ready for tomorrow. I helped around. I got my hair fixed at 3:45 p.m.. Up quite late again.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1960- Got up 6:30 as usual and got our breakfast and ate before 8:00. We got things done up & had a big surprise to get flowers from my Euchre band & also from the Hill’s Bank - big surprise. Then about 9:30 Gene & Betty, Marilyn & Roseann came with Sister M.. Then we looked at things, fixed our picture that she brought & got ready & went to our Solemn High Mass. Everything went grand. Lots & lots of Communions & a wonderful talk by Msgr. Meinburg - he forgot to give us his blessing after Mass. Big dinner, 5 priest present, our 3 + Father Broderick from Hills, Father Vogel from Nichols.
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1960- We went to Hills & got Sister Margaretta then back to Ia. City & St. Mary’s for 7:30 Mass. Home & had a good breakfast. Got very busy getting the house ready for the open house this p.m.. Betty & Carol came, also Louise & Myrtle. The lady delivered the cake. We got all things put out & in good shape. Larry got hamburgers & French fries for our dinner & I had cherry pies. The girls came to help & folks started coming in good time and sometimes could hardly get through. Lots of our friends came, we think around 160 or more in all. Tired but happy for all the friends that came.
MONDAY, April 25, 1960- We went to Mass. A little rainy this morning. Gene & Betty went to Hills & got Sister Margaretta. We fixed up a picnic lunch to take with us & then we got started sometime after 10:00 a.m.. We went as far as Dickeyville & ate our lunch in the car. Then went on to Platteville Wis. so Sister M. could see how they fixed up the convent there. It certainly is changed. Then we went back to Dubuque & took her to her home at Balltown. We stopped there a little while then left before 3:30 p.m.. It rained quite hard while we were there. Got to Paul’s before 6 p.m., had a good supper. A nice time.
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1960- Went to Mass. Lillian came & helped get breakfast. Joann came out for a while & got her pans & visited a while. Then I did my washing & some for Cindy & Lillian hung them out and then got most of the dinner. After dinner I got the thank you notes ready for the girls that sang - Lillian purchased the hankys for me - so we got them already for Catherine to take to school tomorrow. I just kept busy at something, watered plants in the eve. Louis Milder came for a while. Cindy & Larry & family went to Gerald’s this eve.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1960- We went to Mass as usual. Dad & I & Bro. John & Betty went along. Larry’s went to Louise’s for dinner & then to on Gertrude’s for supper. I worked around a little, got dinner for us & did up the work. In the late afternoon Gene & Betty, Dad & I & Bro. John went to Ed’s in our car. Had a nice time down there & while & went out to the Alfalfa field while the boys were catching foxes. Gene plowed the gardens this p.m. and they got their’s raked down.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28. 1960- We went to Mass as usual - Dad & I & Bro. John. After breakfast Dad & Larry went downtown to look at lawn mowers & automatic washers - so they bought a used washer & brought it out & Larry worked on it all p.m. & got some new parts for it so it should be in good shape. It cost $41.25 all together. It’s a gift from the grandchildren. We washed one batch of clothes - then we got ready & went to Libb’s for supper. Gene & Betty took Bro. John. We had a nice time but came home early. Cindy busy getting things packed up today.
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1960- Went to Mass as usual. Dad & I & Bro. John. Then home & had a big breakfast with Larry’s family. Then they got ready and left around 9:30 p.m., expect to get somewhere in Ohio by tonight. Bro. John rested both in forenoon & afternoon trying to get over his cold. Joann came out at noon for eggs. Betty came over after dinner & cleaned house again for me. In the eve Bro. John & Dad & I & Gene & Betty went to Gerald’s for supper. Had a nice time. It rained so we came home in the rain.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1960- Went to Mass. It rained quite hard in the night & it’s a very cold morning - temperature’s 34 degrees - spitting snow. Gene & Bro. John went downtown. Gene & Betty came for a steak dinner. Bro. John broiled them for us - sure were good. Bro. John went to Leonard’s this p.m.. Dad & I , Gene & Betty went to Confession. Then we had supper together again & had hamburgers broiled on the grill. Then we went to Regina to see the play that Ronny was in. I Remember Mama.
SUNDAY, MAY 1, 1960- We went to 7:30 Mass. Had a good breakfast. Paul’s family stopped in to say goodbye to Bro. John. Catherine & Phyllis stayed until Pat & Glenn came for them to go home with them to baby sit in the eve. Dad & I & John then went to Carl & Louise’s for Charles birthday dinner. Looked at there new house in the p.m. then went home. Wilma’s came out for a while & looked at the pictures. Then we had a little lunch. Gene & Betty came & we took Bro. John to the train for his trip home - Leonard’s also went down to see him off. Came home & played a few cards.
MONDAY, MAY 2, 1960- Went to Mass. We miss Bro. John a lot. I wrote a thank you note to the Euchre Band - then went over to the house - hung out blankets to air - then got started with my big washing. Had our dinner at the house and after dinner I got started at my cakes & made 4 Angel Foods. Got all the clothes out & dried. Betty hung out a few for me. In the eve Marilyn came over for eggs before supper. After supper Paul & Lillian, Clarence & Wilma, Libb & Lyle & Gene & Betty came - the girls helped with the thank you notes then we had ice cream & cake.
TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1960- Went to Mass. I worked all a.m. at thank you notes and got 76 mailed this p.m. - Pop took them down for me. In the p.m. I went over to the old house & put 3 cakes in the deep freeze & did some looking around. Pop planted 4 rows of potatoes & spaded a little for garden. In the eve I went with Louise to our Euchre card party. Had a real nice time & got home in pretty good time.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1960- Went to Mass. All afternoon I continued to work on my thank you notes. Then we went up to the corner & mailed them. In the p.m. I worked some at the other house 7 dampened clothes & rested a while. In the eve Dad & I went with Gene & Betty over to Mt. Vernon to see Lee & Roseann - had a nice evening, got to bed around 11:00 p.m..
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1960- Went to Mass. I wrote to Bro. john & sent off checks to Great Plaines Gas, Culligan soft water & Dairies. Then went over to the other house & started to get things picked up. Betty over and helped some. I cooked my chicken & potatoes for dinner over there. In the p.m. I did my ironing & then went over to the house for a while. This eve Lee & Roseann & Pat & Glenn came for their things we gave them.
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1960- Went to Mass. Rainy morning. I decided to wash - almost sorry I did as it was so bad going back & forth, but I got it done besides a comforter & drapes. Then rested some after I got my work done & dry clothes on. In the eve Gene & Betty came over also Lee Roseann and we played cards. They all helped to get our new clock hung up also 4 season pictures & candle sticks.
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1960- Went to Mass. Had quite a few telephone calls & Lillian stopped in. I didn’t do much this a.m.. In the p.m. M. Ward man came & got the pilot light in oven lit & Louise came to talk about plants & trees & Ben & Joann & Mike came for their stove & the things we were giving them. I watered plants & iced 2 cakes. Len came for his things.
SUNDAY, MAY 8, 1960- Mother’s Day. We went to 6:00 o’clock Mass & then Louise got a nice Mother’s Day breakfast. Went home around 9:00 a.m.. No one came all day - but Gene & Ronny stopped in with fish & Ben’s boys with a Mother’s Day gift. Then later in the p.m. when Ben’s decided not to come for the eve - he & Mike came out for their ice cream & cake & orange ice sticks. we found out that Smith’s were not going to take the old house. In the eve Gene & Betty came over early. Then all of Ed’s, but Don, all of Libb’s family, Paul’s family. Dick & Reg, Lee & Roseann & Anita, Pat & Glenn & family. All of Wilma’s, but Tony & Bill. 41 besides Pop & I - we had a nice evening - some played cards - lots of nice gifts & plenty of room for all. They moved the deep freeze over to Gene’s & the dryer over here.
MONDAY, MAY 9, 1960- Went to Mass as usual. After Mass went down to Press Citizen & put ad in paper to rent the house. After breakfast we went downtown & got pipe & vent for dryer and also got our plants & evergreens for $24.80. Not to much but a good start. In the p.m. Betty came over & cleaned, then we went down to the hospital & saw Pauline & the baby. When we got home the telephone was ringing & we started to calls about the house and kept it up all eve. We had it rented by dark to R. J. Weakland.
TUESDAY, May 10, 1960- Went to Mass. Lillian was here when we got home & she visited with me & we made a big pot of vegetable soup for dinner & then got busy in putting our nice anniversary gifts in the cupboard and taking other things out and changing them around - she left after dinner. Then Louise came & we planned where to set out our plants. She came back later & helped me get ready for company as Mrs. Yoder, Shirley & Jeff & Mrs. Woodburn called. I served them ice cream, anniversary cake & coffee. Quiet eve, no company. Reynold’s called & said they were moving.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1960- Went to Mass. Today went over & graded some on the road to the back place & also got water tanks & had Yeggy weld then together for a culvert at the aluminum house. We got the evergreens set out in the forenoon & the other plants in the p.m. also got lots more things hauled out of the house to the garage to get ready for the new renters. In the eve we took my chair to Libb’s, Gene & Betty drove. We took Gerald’s boys with us.
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1960- Went to Mass. I washed in my automatic today & hung them out over home. The women cane out & did quite a lot of cleaning today & we managed to get the rest of the stuff out of the house. Took care of Pat’s children before & after dinner. After dinner I ironed Betty’s kitchen & 2 bedroom curtains for her & then I swept the upstairs down & the front porch over at the house. After supper I set out my pansies & watered plants.
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1960- Went to Mass. Worked around here & ironed in the a.m. - didn’t get quite finished. Mr. nelson over to use phone. In the p.m. I baby-sat for Marilyn while she went down to the Dr.. Mrs. nelson came in to see the house. I didn’t get to finish my ironing - but set out Petunias in window boxes & wheel. Mike went to dance with Paul’s kids & stayed here all night.
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1960- Went to Mass, Betty went along. I kept Pat’s boys this forenoon. Ben & Joann & 3 little boys were out for a while. Lillian & big boys stopped in. We had lots of visiting after dinner. Then dusted & cleaned bathroom ??? & etc. also my sinks. Betty came over & vacuumed - then Dad & I went to Confession also bought anniversary present for Rogers & birthday gift for Sister M..
SUNDAY, MAY 15, 1960- Went to 7:30 Mass. Paul’s stopped in & visited. Betty over for a while this a.m.. Got a big dinner, did up the work & rested some. Ben & Joann & 3 little ones came out & brought us 3 big fish. Later in the p.m. Libb & Lyle came & brought my rocker. It sure looks nice. Then Gene & Betty took Dad & I & we went to Nolan Settlement to see Gerald’s baby baptized, Moe & Joan were the sponsors. They called him Wayne Christopher. Then we went to Gerald’s for supper. Then brought Catherine back with us. Then Paul & Lillian & took us with them to Elmer Rogers for their Silver Anniversary.
MONDAY, MAY 16, 1960- Rained in night & early morning. Went to Mass. After breakfast we ( Dad & I ) visited quite a lot and I took out my Chrysanthemums. Pop worked outside weeding the strawberries etc.. After dinner I did some sewing and mending & then we had another big rain. Dad & I got Sister’s box ready to mail. Then supper. Donny brought gas for the new renters & then paid Pop the rent. No company this eve. So quite eve. All alone.
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1960- Went to Mass. This morn Pat & Joann each called & I also talked to Bessie & wrote a letter to Sister & sent her birthday card. Also wrote to Cindy & Willma. After dinner we went downtown & got 4 new Philadendrum plants & Betty brought me 2 red Violets, so I set them out & then carried out house plants, was sure tired. In the eve Roseann & Lee came & played cards.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast I wrote out checks for Capper’s Insurance for Dad & I. Also for our last tank of bottle gas. Also I wrote to Ann asking them to come next Sunday. Then I did my washing & Betty came over to hang them out for me. Rain predicted for tonight again. In the p.m. it started thundering & raining a little so Pop & I got the clothes down & I hung them inside. Later it got better outside & Pop got my bowls set up so I got the flowers planted in them & my Hydrangea set out. Quiet eve, no company. I dropped my glasses then stepped on them & broke them.
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast went down to see about getting my glasses fixed, so they straightened them & then I have to go back either Tues. or Wed. & get my lens put in. Got home in good time. It rained most of the forenoon - so didn’t get much done. After noon I made my Holy Hour. Took down the dried clothes & kept busy at something. Gene & Ben went fishing. Betty took our car & went down to her mother’s. Ben caught a 9 lb. fish, gave it to Gene.
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast I wrote to Veatress & Velva & then started baking the Angel Food cakes. I made 2 round & the last one flat to have for short cake. In the p.m. I iced them & cooked up custard for ice cream & got ready to have Bessie & Gene & Betty for supper. Then in the eve Moe’s came, Louise & Charles, Libb & Lyle, Dave Bobby, Johnie & Rita, all of Paul’s family. Moe showed his & Glenn’s slides of our anniversary, all real good. Then we had ice cream & cake. Pat brought milk, cream and chocolate sauce & strawberries.
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1960- Went to Mass as usual. Cleaned up after the party. Took care of my plants. Pop not feeling good & inside most of the day. Betty came over in the afternoon & cleaned up the house nice looking for company tomorrow. In the eve Marilyn & children came over for a while. Also Lee & Roseann. Lee went down & bought a pizza & we ate it & played cards till nearly 11:00.
SUNDAY, MAY 22, 1960- Went to 7:30 Mass. Paul’s stopped in. Pat’s went to 9:00a.m., then brought Catherine out & we had them all for breakfast. Then Catherine stayed. She helped me good getting the house straightened up - as I was looking for Aunt Ann & Stephaus but they didn’t come. Gene & Betty took Catherine home & stayed there for supper then brought all of them back with them. Wilma’s came & then when they went I rode along to Leonard’s to baby-sit.
MONDAY, MAY 23, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast Dad & I went out to Pat’s and Pop helped Glenn in the field & I helped Pat and then she did my washing for me. I washed some dresses out & ironed them for myself. We stayed for supper. Got home & watered plants & then Roseann & Lee came. We wrapped up picture to send to the Messenger & then played 4 games of cards.
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1960- Went to Mass. Got bread for Pat after Mass. Then after breakfast we went out there again. I helped with the work & Pop worked in the fields. We had a good dinner then a rain storm came up - so the men couldn’t go out - we mended some. Pat got my ironing about finished then we came home early. Got record from Bro. John. Gene & Betty came over & played it for us - it’s real nice. Paul & Lillian & big boys stopped in on their way home from the May Crowning at Regina.
WEDNESDAY, May 25, 1960- Went to Mass, then downtown & got the lens put in my glasses - also mailed pictures to Messenger & Sister’s & Pat’s boxes & left clothes at cleaners & did a little shopping. After dinner Gerald’s came out & got his picture, then he was taking Paul & family home. I wrote out checks this p.m. & got mail ready. In the eve Gene & Betty went to Col. Junction to get meat from the locker & Dad & I rode along to Ed’s and we played cards for a while.
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1960- Ascension Thursday. Went to 7:00 a.m. Mass. All of Paul’s family came out to stay for the day - as Paul & Lillian were working - they brought some of their food along. Then Glenn & Pat came & brought their breakfast along & ate after 9:00 o’clock Mass. They were also here for dinner. Pat took Gene to the dentist - we kept Mary Lou & Jerry here. We were alone this eve. watched TV & stopped early. I made my Holy Hour.
FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast I wrote to Sister M. & Bro. John & Reg & Dick. Did a little weeding in front of house, mended a little in the afternoon. Got a big fish supper again & Gene & Betty were over for supper and stayed & played cards for a while with us. Gerald came for Kay. Lillian & the others were here for a while. Marilyn came over for eggs.
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1960- Went to Mass. Busy forenoon of company coming & going. Betty was over & put up my hair after I washed it and then she cleaned. Lillian helped some while she was waiting for the boys to come from fishing. They caught a nice batch of big ones. In the p.m. I baked a cake & then went to Confession. After supper we went with Gene & Betty to Libb’s - had a nice time.
SUNDAY, MAY 29, 1960- Went to 7:30 Mass. After breakfast & the work done up I went out & picked a lot of flowers for to take to the cemetery. I had 8 big bouquets, mostly Peonies & Iris. After dinner Gene & Betty came & drove our car & we went to the cemeteries. Betty took a bouquet to her Father’s grave in Ia. City. Then we got Bessie & went to West Liberty cemeteries & put bouquets on Father & Mother Milder graves, our baby & Aunt Frances’ baby, & Uncle Harris graves ( reference to St. Joseph’s Cemetery here ). Then to the other Cemetery & put bouquets on my parents grave & Rueben’s. Then we went to Harold’s for a while & Bessie stayed there. Then we went to Pat’s for Mary Lou’s birthday supper. Had a nice time. Pop & I both had bad nights.
MONDAY, MAY 30, 1960- Went to 8:00 o’clock Mass & home & had a good breakfast. Leonard was over & borrowed the tractor & grader. Pop went over & talked with Carl & Louise & then went & talked with Dappen’s until nearly noon but didn’t make much headway with them. In the p.m. I just worked around & got my Chrysanthemums & Petunias set out. Gene & Betty & Charles came in the eve & we played 5 handed bid Euchre. I won 2 games & Pop won one.
TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1960- Went to Mass. Pat called this morning & Glenn wanted Pop to come out & help in the field again - so told me to bring my washing along, which I did & she washed & got hers all done & my washing & ironing too. We came home in pretty good time & then I worked with flowers again & got my Geraniums out also some Jacob’s Coat & Ivy. Leonard & Marilyn & family over for a little visit.
June
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1,1960- Went to Mass. Joann came out for a while. Pat called & they wanted Pop to come out again & help - so we went. I did quite a lot of mending for her today. They got their plowing finished - then a big rain came up around 3:00 p.m.- so we went home. We got around 2 inches. In the eve Lee & Roseann came. Lee helped wrap Bro. John’s & Larry’s pictures. Also Tommy, Johnie & Linda came while the folks went to the 8th graders party.
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1960- Went to Mass. Got clothes at cleaners, also envelopes at Lubins, mailed pictures & got stamps at P. Office. Then I wrote a letter to Larry’s - sent the 8th grade cards & checks for Milk, Gas & Elect, Soft Water, Locker, Iowa Lumber, Gene’s gas. Joe Frantz came out for a while. Then after noon Paul’s children came out & ate their lunch. Ron went to B game in p.m., the others stayed here. I was real tired, so rested a while, then back to work. Then we went over to Gene’s for a steak supper - then afterwards looked around at things, then they bought us home. Wilma, Clarence, Carol & Tony came for a visit.
FRIDAY, JUNE 3,1960- We went to Mass. Catherine, Phylis, John & Linda came home with us. After breakfast I wrote a letter to Bro. John & sent order for wheel balances to Witney & Co., then had an appt. at 10:30 to get my hair fixed - so Dad took me & then went downtown - we brought Tommy home after school was out as Ronny was in Davenport for the orientation tomorrow. Louise talked about Dappen’s trouble & seemed very much to take their side of it - so Pop still insists what he will do. We got quite a bit of work done today & cooked up Rhubarb & Catherine made & baked a Coffee Cake. Gene & Betty & Joe Frantz were here for fish fry.
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1960- Went to Mass. Wrote to Sister & sent family picture clipping. Joann & the 2 little boys came out for glass coupons. Then I started working in putting out flowers - then got daisies & 2 kinds of lilies from Mrs. Yoder & gave her a peony. I kept working until dinner time & again right after dinner I went out & put more plants out until it rained. We had lots of rain again this p.m. - one right after the other. Dick & Reg stopped in for a while.
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1960- Went to 7:30 Mass. Woman’s Sunday. After breakfast I started with my dinner. Paul’s stopped in for a bit & gave us the tickets for Dad & I to get good seats for the graduation. Gene & Betty, Dick & Regina, Dean & Anita all came for dinner. After we were through Pat & Glenn & family came & we gave them their dinner too. So they left early & the rest of us got ready to go to the graduation at Regina to see Ronnie & Joe Frantz graduate. We enjoyed it very much & Dad & I had our pictures taken with the 2 boys. Then we went home & got ready to go to Libb’s for the big supper for the boys. There was a nice big crowd & we had a nice time. Got home in fairly good time. Then I made my monthly Holy Hour.
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1960- We went to Mass. After breakfast Pop went downtown. I got Marie Milders letter ready to go & also wrote out some checks for more bills. Then I did my washing. Betty came over and helped hang them out. Then I talked quite a while with Mrs. Weakland and gave her some plants, then I weeded around for a while. We didn’t have any company this eve. Paul & Lillian & Ron stopped in to see were Gene & Betty was. I mended this eve.
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1960- Went to Mass. Worked outside about all forenoon. Pop worked on bricks and we kept busy. I did quite a lot of hoeing in the afternoon. We heard where the new tiling was going. I got ready in good time to go with Louise to our card party. We had a good time. Pop alone all eve.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1960- We went to Mass & then after breakfast Dad went downtown and also put ad in the paper for to rent our back place. In the p.m. Gene & Betty went with us & we got it cleaned up some & they painted the front room. When we got home the phone was ringing and people asking about the house - so we got it rented before dark. Marilyn came over for flowers & Lee & Roseann came & we wrapped the picture for Gertrude. We played 5 games of cards. Roseann & I won 3.
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1960- Went to Mass and Betty went with us. After Mass we went to P.O. and mailed the picture to Gertrude. After breakfast I wrote to Bro. John & also sent a letter for Novena to Clyde Missouri. Then I worked outside some. Ronny & Tommy stopped in. Pop disked & plowed the garden over at the back place. I made my Holy Hour in the p.m. & also watered plants outside before supper. After supper we went with Gene & Betty to Frantz’s to see Joe before he left.
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1960- Went to Mass. After Breakfast we went downtown. Dad got a hair cut & I went up to Dr. office for a B.P. check up - which was 174/80. Very good so Dorothy says. Then home & got ready & went over to Dappens for coffee for Mrs. Weakland. Mrs. Yeggy, Mrs. Yoder & Shirley were the other guests. We had a real nice time. Had Gene & Betty over for a fish supper. Then went to Moe’s in the eve. Baby is much better.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1960- Went to Mass. After Mass worked around here some. Betty helped Pop plant sweet corn & pop corn before it rained. Joann & boys were out for a while - also Paul came after it rained. Lillian, Ronny, Phylis & Linda also stopped in for a while. After dinner Betty over & cleaned & I helped some, then rested a while & read some prayers. Then we got ready & went to Confession. Gene & Betty came & we played some cards. Then Paul’s came, we thought to play cards until Ronny would have to leave but found out he didn’t have to go yet tonight. They are trying to get him out of the Service so he can go to Ambrose this fall.
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1960- We went to 7:00 a.m. Mass in Nichols to be present at Rosemary’s first Holy Communion. We got there in good time & then went to Ed’s & stayed all day for breakfast, dinner & supper. Played cards, ate big meals all day, had a nice time. Got home around 10:00 p.m. or a little later C.S.T. Then had to put the clock up for daylight time which went into effect in Ia.City today. It was a very, very rainy day today but didn’t rain after Mass so they could get pictures.
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1960- Went to Mass. New time not so bad. Then I did my washing. Lillian & Linda stopped in while Paul & Ronny went down to find out if R. had to go to the Army or if priests got him out, well he did so Paul & Lillian & Gene & Betty hurried up & took him, Left here around 11:45 D.S.T.. I did my 2 weeks ironing this p.m. and after supper mended some. Lee & Roseann came & we watched TV & played cards. I was up late.
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1960- Went to Mass. Still sort of hard to get up. Paul & Lillian & Gene & Betty got back early this morning. Dad & I got our closets straightened out this a.m.. Gene was here for dinner as Betty was working. In the p.m. I did up my work and rested some. In the eve Pat & Glenn & family came in & brought eggs. We played 3 games of cards. Pat & I won 2 of them.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1960- Went to Mass. Real tired today. Talked to Joann & worked around here, not getting much done. In the afternoon Betty & Marilyn came over & they worked on Betty’s blouse & got it pretty well finished. I fixed a dress for myself, made sleeves larger. We had Marilyn for supper. After supper we went to Leonard’s for Diane’s 1 year birthday party. Marilyn’s folk & Gene & Betty were there also. Had a nice time.
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1960- Over slept this morning so didn’t get to Mass. Don’t know what happened but just to tired. Must have shut off the alarm & dropped back to sleep, so awful sorry as it was Corpus Christi today. I wrote to Bro. John today, did a little sewing, hoed flowers & picked Strawberries. In the eve Lyle’s family came also Roseann & Lee later. We played quite a lot of cards & had a nice time. Then I had to make my Holy Hour & was up late. Pop got a nice shirt from Gertrude today, we also heard from Cindy.
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1960- Went to Mass. Tommy came early to help but since they didn’t have the tractor finished couldn’t dig anyway & also Gerald wanted him to help in the hay field. So he helped Pop & Gene on the tractor & was here for dinner. Then he went with Gene to Gerald’s & Betty drove for us & we got Mike & all went out to see how much we could help. Pop drove the tractor on the baler & the others hauled in. Mike worked in the barn. Gene & Tom left early to go & help Paul. Pop & I & Betty stayed for supper. They worked pretty late.
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1960- Went to Mass at 7:15 a.m. as there was a funeral & 2 weddings today. I wrote to Gertrude & Moe’s to tell them about next Sunday. Lillian brought me some strawberries so I was busy with them today. I put 8 pints in deep freeze & kept plenty out to eat & we had shortcake for dinner & supper. Louise came for eggs & visited for a while. Betty came over & cleaned & was awful tired too. I worked late cleaning up all the dishes, pans, stove & things in bathroom.
SUNDAY, JUNE 19,1960- Father’s Day. Went to 7:30 Mass. After breakfast Paul’s family stopped in for a while & left their Father’s day gift. I made a good dinner. Gene came over after dinner to work some more on the tractor to see what was wrong with it & then he & Dad went to the ball game to see Kenny play. Betty went down to her mothers. I went with Louise to funeral parlor to say the Rosary at 4:00 p.m. for a lady. Then Gene & Betty, Dad & I went to McDonald’s for hamburgers. Then we played cards & Lyle’s came out for a while & brought a Father’s day gift.
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1960- Went to Mass. Wrote letter to Mary. Then Pop started taking things off the shelf in the utility room so we can get things straightened up in there. I also did my washing and got things put away that we took out & straightened up the house some. In the eve Ed 7 Mary, Joyce, Alan & Keith came & brought Pop his Father’s Day card & gift. Gene & Betty came over for a little while. We listened to the prize fight, Paterson won. Then we played cards.
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1960- Went to Mass. Busy this a.m. making cookies. Paul came out & ate his dinner here. Charles came over for the catalogue. I an real tired today. Pop doesn’t feel a bit good with his cold. Betty brought me over some Rose Moss & we put it out & she dried some clothes in the dryer. In the eve we went to Libb’s, had a nice time. Played cards & ate all the strawberry shortcake & cream. Very, very good.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast Mrs. Weakland & children were over a while. Then I started working with my Rose Moss. Then Mrs. Yeggy came & was here nearly til 11:00. Betty brought me a pan of strawberries so took care of them & got dinner & shortly after 1:00 p.m. D.S.T. Betty drove our car & we went out to Pat’s and help her out until around 4:20 we came home. It was quite hot today. I got supper & in the eve I watered all the plants inside & out. No company this eve.
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1960- Went to Mass. Talked with Louise, wrote letter to Bro. John and got a good dinner. Quite tired today but tried to keep going & got the floors cleaned & dusted, rested a while. I also swept up the breezeway which was in such bad shape after the rains. In the eve Betty came over & sewed & Gene & Chas went fishing. Then came & played some cards. Made my Holy Hour late.
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1960- Went to Mass. Feast of the Sacred Heart. The High Mass said for the intentions of the John Milder family. Louise got down & Gene & Betty went to the 5:10 Mass. Then I had Gene & Betty for a good fish supper & then we went out to Pat’s to help with her work. Betty ironed & Dad & I stemmed strawberries, Mrs. K. helped some. Then we played cards & had home made ice cream & strawberries.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1960- Went to Mass. After breakfast Betty & I went out to Pat’s & helped out there to get ready for the Father’s Day & Gerald & Pauline 10th anniversary party. We stayed until around 3:30 p.m. and came home. It was quite hot. Betty cleaned up my house for me. Dad & I got ready & went to Confession. Then I finished up my work after I got home. In the eve Paul’s family came & also Gene & Betty & we played cards & had Kool Aid & cookies.
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1960- Went to 7:30 Mass. Father Meyer’s last Sunday & collection was taken up for him. He preached all the sermons. We will miss him very much. I roasted a chicken to take out to Pat’s for the Fathers day celebration. We went early so could help. There were 67 of the clan & Anita who had her diamond & will one day be one of us. Gertrude’s & Moe’s didn’t come so I wonder if I let Moe’s where it was to be. We all had a real nice time and got home rather late. The men played a lot of horseshoe & women played cards.
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1960- Went to Mass. Did my washing which was fairly large. Mailed checks for telephone & Modern Woodman Insurance. Hung clothes outside today & was awfully tired, rested for a while in the p.m. - then got clothes down & dampened to iron tomorrow. Gene & Betty went to Williamsburg. We watched TV and spent the eve alone.
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1960- Went to Mass. In the forenoon I hoed the flowers and picked a bunch of lettuce & looked it over. Campbell out to talk more about the place. Pop not feeling a bit good. A little rainy but not much rain. I did my 2 weeks ironing in the p.m.. we had fairly early supper. Quiet eve & no company.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1960- We went to Mass - quite a nice morning. After breakfast we went downtown to do a little shopping. Then I lost my cards & went back downtown & found them at Scotts. After dinner I did up my work good. We got more lettuce out of the garden & Pop planted some beans for me. We had Gene & Betty over for supper to eat up the tame rabbit that Frantz’s gave us last week. Then Chas came in the eve & we played cards.
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1960- Went to Mass. Stopped for Bessie & brought her home with us for breakfast. Then Betty came & took us in our car out to Pat’s where we helped her with the Rhubarb. She froze some, canned some & made jam. I brought 6 qt. home to freeze. Gene & Betty & Pop came for us & then we got our supper in good time. Libb & Lyle & family came & we visited for a while & then they went to the Drive In. Then Lee & Roseann came & we watched the McCoys & then played 7 games of cards. Roseann & I won 3 games.
milder.org 3/2001