Fairfield, Iowa, July 14th, 2010. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
This tire store is next to a mattress store in Fairfield, Iowa. In the background is the sign for “Yummy’s Gourmet Cakes.”
If you are looking for information about my dad’s service and/or obituary, click here. I’ll post more next week about my conversation with Sharon (Wickre) Rickard.
(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page.)
In my most recent post I had said that by the end of this week I’d post the third segment of my conversation with Sharon (Wickre) Rickard.
I have so much fun posting that I hate to say this, but I need to go back on my word. My intent is to post again by Tuesday or Wednesday, the 20th or 21st of this month (i.e., next week). Maybe I’ll surprise myself and post before then, but I doubt it.
Several people have asked when Daddy’s (Deane Gunderson) memorial service will be, and have also asked when his obituary will be in the newspapers. His obituary (ooooooohhh, it is difficult for me to use that word in reference to Daddy) is intended to be in the Pocahontas Record-Democrat on Wednesday, July 21st. It is also supposed to be in the Sunday, July 25th edition of the Ames Tribune, the Fort Dodge Messenger and the Des Moines Register.
I’ll wait until his obituary is published in the Pocahontas paper on the 21st before I post it on this blog.
His memorial service will be at the Shared Ministry in Rolfe, Iowa, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 31st (right before lunch on the last day of the month…if that helps you to remember). Directly afterward will be a luncheon in the church basement.
During the several years before his passing away on July 1st, Daddy had said that if people wished to provide a memorial gift, he liked the idea of it going to the Rolfe Lions Club. If you would like to do so and want to mail your contribution directly to the Rolfe Lions Club, the address is: P.O. Box 101, Rolfe, Iowa, 50581.
If you do attend the service, please (if you don’t mind) be sure to let me know you are there…even if you think I might have seen you there. A few days after Mother’s service in 2004, I became aware that I had not been aware of a long time family friend who had attended the service. I hated it that I missed the chance to talk with him.
“See” you soon with a post sometime next week.
(Click here to go to this blog’s home page.)
According to Sharon (Wickre) Rickard, this photo was taken of the feed mill in Rolfe, Iowa, "After my dad opened for business." At the beginning of the Wickre ownership of this business in 1944, it was named Climax Mill and Feed. Later it was Climax Feed and Grain. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
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Click here to listen to the second of five segments of a conversation I had this spring with Sharon (Wickre) Rickard (Rolfe High School, 1960). This segment is approximately seven minutes long.
The first two segments refer mainly to Sharon’s parents’ Rolfe business shown in the photograph above. All of the five segments have to do with Sharon being raised in Rolfe, Iowa, from 1944 to 1960.
If anything Sharon said conjures up any of your memories, I hope you will email them to me (mariongundersonart@gmail.com) and/or include them below in the comment area.
Sharon’s parents, Barbara and Henry Wickre, purchased Climax Mill and Feed in 1944, the same year they moved to Rolfe with Sharon and her sister Beryl. (Sharon was two years old at the time.) Because the functionality of the business changed at a later date, they changed the name to Climax Feed and Grain. That functionality change is explained in the first segment included in a previous post. That previous post shows two photos…including the “elevator” scale.
In the comment section of that previous post, my sister, Clara, asked me to tell my story about that scale. It IS a fun little story…..now! But, not then! You may navigate to that story by clicking on the following links.
Grain Elevators and Teenage Dating — Part I
Grain Elevators and Teenage Dating — Part II
Subsequent segments of my conversation with Sharon refer to several former and/or present landmarks in Rolfe, Iowa. I’ll most likely have the third segment posted by mid- to late- next week.
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(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page.
(Click here to go to this blog’s home page.)
Daddy is on the left with (I think) auctioneer Jay Arnold during a Lions Club auction when it used to be held at Rolfe's Post Office parking lot. The view is looking northerly. Daddy was in charge of the Lions Club auction for several years. I remember he'd contact area residents, including all of the business owners in town, for donations. (Click photo to enlarge.)
A previous post includes information about my dad’s (Deane Gunderson) “Bubbles in the Wine” weekly column that he wrote in the ’70s for The Rolfe Arrow. Below is another of his “Bubbles” columns, this time having to do with the Rolfe (Iowa) Lions Club annual auction.
This Saturday, July 10th at 11:00 AM, during Greater Rolfe Days will once again be the Lions’ annual auction. It will be held at the gazebo on Main Street. (I’ll be in the library across the street selling prints of Mother’s watercolors. The prints profits will go toward digitizing 101 years of Rolfe newspapers so they will eventually be accessible at no charge on the web.)
Before my dad passed away last week, he requested that in lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions be made to the Rolfe Lions Club (P.O. Box 101, Rolfe, Iowa 50581). He’d be just as glad if you stopped by the gazebo this coming Saturday and bought something for way more than it was worth in an effort to “Help the Lions Help Others.”
Also, at 10:00 AM on Saturday, just before the auction, will be the Greater Rolfe Days parade…with the Rolfe Lions as Grand Marshals. How fitting!
BUBBLES in the WINE
In the March 6, 1975, issue of The Rolfe Arrow
by Deane Gunderson
Elsewhere in this issue is an ad about the annual Lions Club sale which this year will be held March 8 at 1:30 p.m. The proceeds “Help The Lions Help Others.”
The Lions, officially known as Lions International, has over a million Lions club members in 147 countries. The purpose stated in the constitution is to serve others. Our club has [?] members. Roger Witt is our president; Pat Wood is our secretary and has been a Zone chairman.
The main projects of the national organization are related to serving the blind. They are:
(1) Operation of an eye bank — a storage of eyes in medical centers for the replacement of faulty eyes.
(2) Sponsoring a school for leader dogs.
(3) Collecting discarded eyeglasses which are checked and redistributed through a national center. (We’ll take yours.)
Our neighboring towns of Palmer, Gilmore City, Laurens, and West Bend have Lions Clubs. Some towns have clubs that are more for fun and the pulling of practical jokes on each other at the meetings. Our Rolfe club is a serious club and is very intent on the service angle. Proof of this is this list of local activities:
(1) Easter sunrise services.
(2) Easter Egg hunt.
(3) Scholastic banquet for honor roll students.
(4) College educational fund for two handicapped children, one now in college.
(5) Summer Little League program.
(6) Eye glasses for the needy students in Rolfe School. The students remain anonymous as far as the Lions are concerned.
(7) Christmas baskets for the elderly and/or needy.
(8) Ushering for basketball games.
(9) Installation of house numbers, street signs and sidewalk benches.
The Lions are grateful to the merchants and other people of Rolfe for their generous support of our projects. Almost every merchant will be donating some new merchandise for the sale, and other people will be donating worthwhile used items — some real goodies. Homemade baked goods will be donated. The auctioneering and clerking are donated.
We have some fun too. Several years ago we sold one bushel of competing seed corns (buyer’s choice). The price got up to $70. Les Allen and Art Sellers were bidding against each other, but Les had the advantage because he charged half to his landlord*.
So, Saturday, March 8, be in Rolfe, bring your money, take home some bargains, and “Help The Lions Help Others.”
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*Hmmm…..The inside joke is that I think that landlord just happened to be someone with the initials of D. G.! That Les was certainly a prankster.
Most likely next week I’ll include information about the Rolfe Lions Club’s current projects. My intent is to later this week post the second audio segment of my conversation with Sharon (Wickre) Rickard. I’ll wait until July 21st to post my dad’s official obituary. His memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 31st at the Shared Ministry in Rolfe.
(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page.)
Sharon (Wickre) Rickard said this photo is of Climax Feed and Grain, "When we bought it from Vic Shimon in 1944." (Click on photo to enlarge.)
This 2009 photo is of the same location as the photo at the top of this post. In this photo (immediately above) is the former Farmers Co-op grain elevator office and scale, used until moving to the new location to the south across Broad Street in 2002. The scale dial hung in the window and was used until the early/mid 1980's when it was replaced with a digital readout and printer system. (Click photo to enlarge.).
This post includes the first segment of a conversation I had with Sharon (Wickre) Rickard (Rolfe High School ’60) this spring. We talked a lot about the Rolfe business owned by Sharon’s parents: Climax Mill and Feed which later became Climax Feed and Grain.
To listen to the first segment (9 1/2 minutes long), click on this link: SharonWickreRickardDPart1.
Partial map of Rolfe, Iowa, including landmarks referred to by Sharon. (Click on map to enlarge.)
This map at left includes just one portion of Rolfe over a cross-section of time. (I.e., it includes a mix of former and current landmarks.) I’ve tried to include areas in Rolfe that Sharon mentioned during our conversation*.
I’ve divided Sharon’s and my conversation into five segments. I’ll include those segments in five sequential posts. However, in the string of those posts, I may intersperse additional posts about unrelated topics.
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*If you want to refer to the map while you listen to the audio recording, you may do so by opening your browser to view the map, and then by opening a second tab/window in your browser to listen to the audio.
Most likely I won’t post the second segment for another week or so, since I want to post something related to my dad. As far as my dad goes, his memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 31st at the Shared Ministry in Rolfe, Iowa. Immediately after the service, there will be a luncheon in the church basement. (I.e., we will not be going to the cemetery between the service and luncheon.)
Daddy requested that, in lieu of flowers, any memorials be given to the Rolfe Lions Club. For anyone who wishes to do so, contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 101, Rolfe, Iowa, 50581.
(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page.)
My dad, Deane Gunderson, passed away today.
He was (still is, in my mind…you know…the present tense) 91 years old — almost 92. He fell a second time on this year’s Father’s Day, after an initial fall two months ago. He had been hospitalized since June 20th until yesterday when he was transferred to a hospice house.
Wow, what a G-R-E-A-T guy. Always a loving (even when strict) “teacher,” always looking for the best in people and always trying to make the most of life (his own and others’).
I feel so incredibly lucky that I’ve been able to spend so much time with him these past several years (my whole life, actually), especially recently. He exemplified the “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade” philosophy.
I wanted to post maybe a couple of pictures that captured some of his unique traits. Just starting to look, I came up with 40 photos…and I knew I had even more. I want to post them ALL!
I’m pooped. So, for now I’ll post just two of my favorite “a picture tells a thousand words” images that tell about my full-of-life dad. Yes, I know…almost every dad is “great.” So, thank you for indulging me in the past, today, and in the future by letting me express my joy in relation to my dad.
From the Iowa State vs Missouri football program, Homecoming, October 17, 1981. (Click photo twice to read text.)
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Daddy (Deane Gunderson) dancing with Peggy at Katie's and Joe's wedding two years ago, July 2008. At age 89 he was the life of the party. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
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Click here for another post about my dad’s statue of Cy. It includes a photo of him with Cy in 1975 and another photo of him with Cy from 2007. Cy will be in Rolfe on the Karras RAGBRAI loop on Monday, July 26th.
My dad’s memorial service will be in Rolfe, Iowa, sometime on Saturday, July 31st. By next week I’ll post more details.
(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page.)
Jackson and me last night reading Kitten's First Full Moon. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you'll understand the moon's intrigue.
Last night Jackson, Grandpa Bill (my husband) and I went outside to experience the full moon. That prompted Jackson and me to read Caldecott Medal-winner Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes*. After reading, it was late, late, late for Jackson to go to bed.
Even from his bed, nothing gets past Jackson. He came out of the bedroom to realize I was getting my camera ready to photograph the moon. He asked if he could get the “tall thing” (tripod).
So, at about 11:00 PM, all three of us in our jammies went outside into the humid summer night for our photo session. Just the three of us and the moon, stars and lightning bugs. We set the tripod/camera height at about 24″. I sat cross-legged right up to it with Jackson sitting in the bowl of my lap so he, too, could see the camera’s moon-images. I know these photos aren’t the most memorable ever, but those moments from last night are.
One of last night's first photos.
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Right before the wind picked up, suggesting we go indoors.
*Click here to hear Kevin Henkes pronounce his name.
(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page. Soon to be posted is a series of interview segments regarding Rolfe, Iowa, in the ’40s and ’50s.)
Daddy (Deane Gunderson) fell again on Sunday. I’m with him a lot and therefore back into short-and-simple posting mode, at least for now.
I know that people look at this blog for a variety of reasons. Many people look purely because they want more information about Mother (Marion Gunderson). After I posted the image of the placard from Mother’s 1970 exhibit at Younkers in Des Moines, I thought maybe readers in the “want to learn about Marion” category might like to see Mother in her element (the library) around the time of that 1970 Younkers exhibit.
Mother (Marion Gunderson) in the former Rolfe Public Library, circa 1970. What you see here, including the walls in the background, comprises about 1/4 of the main room of the former library. Does anyone know what the artwork is on the back wall? (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Mother’s note on this photo says, “About 1970.” (That was my sophomore year in high school.) The location is the former Rolfe Public Library where Mother was a librarian for 35 years. Click on the photo to read the saying she took to heart.
It’s sort of fuzzy so (even though I still hope you’ll click on the photo to look more closely), here’s the saying. Simple, but so easy to forget.
LOVE is a basket of five loaves of bread and two fishes.
There is never enough until it is given away.
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(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog.)
When I was an undergrad at Iowa State University, I took one agronomy class to help prepare myself for farm-wifery. It turned out that I was pathetic at having any logic or understanding regarding agronomy, including about weather (although, one agronomy concept and visual that stuck with me is that soybean plants are dicotyledens).
The wonders of nature still get lost on me, including weather-related phenomenas. Thank goodness I have Bill to point them out to me, like he did Friday night. We were out for a walk at about 8:30 PM when the humidity was 78% and the temperature was 75 degrees. Sticky.
Looking east-southeast. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
According to my resident expert, the cotton ball-puffy clouds in this photo are mammatus clouds occurring in a large cumulonimbus cloud. (Rats, that a lot of the photo’s cloud detail is lost when viewed on the web.) Cumulonimbus mammatus clouds are typically associated with strong thunderstorms, oftentimes with tornadic activity and very high winds. For that reason, Bill said pilots steer away from this type of cloud.
Wow. At the link in the previous paragraph (in case you don’t want to click on it and read the info) it says, “The individual mammatus lobe average diameters of 1–3 km and lengths on average of 0.5 km.” From the ground they seem so teeny tiny.
(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page.)
Speaking of Younkers…at about the same time I posted most recently, I ran across a placard from one of Mother’s (Marion Gunderson) watercolor exhibits. Below is the front of the placard, as well as the back of it with her handwriting indicating the month and year of the exhibit. July 1970.
The handwriting is in pencil on a dark background, making it quite difficult to read in the raw scan. Using the actual placard as a guide, I edited the bottom photo to provide more contrast between her penciled writing and the dark background. Mother’s actual handwriting is probably most dear to her immediate family. Even so, I wanted to include it in this post.
Placard from Mother's July 1970 exhibit at Younkers in Des Moines. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Mother's handwriting on the back of the placard. (Click on photo twice magnify.)
As far as I know, none of us in the family knows where in the Younkers store Mother exhibited. We are assuming her exhibit was in the Younkers Tea Room in downtown Des Moines. If you happen to have more information, either verifying or contradicting, I hope you’ll let me know.
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(Click here to go to Louise Shimon’s blog’s home page.)
Marion Gunderson Art (and the Farmer's Daughter) 