The John and Gertrude Milder Story continued...

The War Years

The war years brought many changes. The country went on war time, which was one hour ahead. In March of 1942 the family opened and re-canned fruit, sweetening it before sugar rationing started.

Maurice, Bernard, and Lawrence all served during the war years. During 1942 John and Gertrude bought war bonds and got to go to a free movie because of it. They had to sell 10 old tires to the government and had their first trial blackout in November.

In 1944, while things were tense elsewhere in the world some domestic things still had to be taken care of as in January "Johnnie sold his last civet cat for $1.25".

After six years, John sold the farm in his final farm sale and purchased an acreage near Iowa City. Gertrude's philosophy through life showed through when years later she talked about all the farm sales they had. "You think, and you worry, and you wonder what kind of day you are going to have, whether you will have a good crowd, so on and so forth ... good prices. But I found out that after its over the sun comes up the next morning just the same as it always did. And you start over again."

On D-day, June 6, 1944 the radio wasn't working so Wilma called to tell them. They spent the day at Louise's listening to it on the radio.

November 15, 1944 Gertrude's. Mother died. The funeral was held at the same place as her father's.

By that time, John and Gertrude had 12 grandchildren. In the same year, Bernard married Joanne Frazier. John and Gertrude continued their love of daily Mass. John did carpentry work for a living while the younger children worked whenever they could to help out with their education and clothing. John built two houses nearby and rented them out.

Milder Family, 1946

May 8, 1945 brought the defeat of Germany and stores and schools closed because of it. The family went to church that evening in thanksgiving.

On August 3rd of that year John was hurt at work. He crushed the lower part of his shoulder blade when he fell. He was in the hospital when the announcement was made that the war had ended on August 14th. He was hospitalized for over three weeks, and surprised the family by coming home earlier than expected in a taxi on August 25.

Gertrude (the daughter) graduated from nurse's training (1947) and later married B.D. Nicholas in 1949. In 1948 John (the son) joined the Benedictine Order in Canon City, Colorado, becoming a Brother. Maurice worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. Gerald married Pauline Dohrer in 1950 after he served in the Army.

In 1951 John and Gertrude celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary with a Mass and family celebration with their 15 children and 26 grandchildren.

Many happy family picnics, parties and celebrations were enjoyed. In earlier years they were held at home, but after the older children had homes they invited the family to their places. Those living on farms were often volunteered because they had room for horseshoes, volleyball and other games.

There was always card playing whether the event was held inside or out. John and Gertrude's birthdays were always cause for celebration, as were Mother's and Father's Day, Christmas and Easter. Gertrude was always busy at these events keeping a count of how many attended.

Patricia married Glenn Kasper in Iowa City in October 1953. Lawrence married Cynthia Tenety in Jersey City, New Jersey. Leonard married Marilyn Nagel in 1956. Eugene married Betty Parizek and Maurice married Joan Vaske in 1957.

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updated 9/14/2002 - Copyright© 2000-2002 Milder.org