MEMORIES

by: Louise

When we were small, there was a cartoon called "Bringing Up Father." In it, Maggie and her daughter were always trying to help Jiggs, the husband and dad, improve. That was one of the challenges in our home: to finish bringing up Dad. Since he was one of ten sons and three daughters, (Yes, that's a total of thirteen children!) it seemed to us that he needed a little polishing, a touch of refining. His parents, George and Ida (Kaler) Helle, did a good job, but with that many children they probably did not have quite enough time to "finish" each child. With the rest of the children, it may not have been quite so necessary. However, we three ladies in our home

(Mother, Lorraine and I) deemed it essential to Dad's health and happiness to improve on the product a little.

One of the most vivid images is of Dad in his striped overalls. I do mean bib-overall! Well, it was our opinion that a proper business gentleman should not wear striped overalls to the office. Uncle didn't! It took quite some time, but we eventually convinced him. I think it only took 10 or 15 years.

When we (Mother, Dad, Lyle, Harley, Lorraine and I) were a young family, one of our few recreational activities was to go to the movies on the weekend.. .usually a double feature western, often at the old Webb Theater on Main Street in Savanna. Dad has a reputation for walking fast. Mother has a reputation for walking slowly. We often joke and say that Mother has two speeds, slow and stop! Dad would park the car, get out, shut his door, scurry down the street with we children straggling somewhere in between, and buy the tickets while Mother was still opening her door. I'm not certain if we ever got him to open the door for her although he does walk with her now; however, he has slowed a little... perhaps due to his sore knee(s).

When Lorraine was little, she used to comb and style Dad's hair.. .while he still had enough. Now he styles it "short." It always amazed me that he stayed still long enough for her to do that.

Dad was a rather traditional male. He often took - or let - the "boys" Lyle and Harley go with him to the mill. We girls helped at home. But, that's alright. Sometimes when we went to the mill on week-ends or evenings while everything was stopped and all was quiet, we would take off our shoes and walk on the sawdust piles.. .digging our feet into that soft, hot sawdust..., feeling it squeeze up between our toes. It was great! Naturally we thought those piles of sawdust were mountains. They seemed so to us, the three younger children. Or at least, they seemed so to me.

Dad and Uncle Walter were brothers since long before I can remember.. .and I have a LONG memory. I can remember when we left the story and "a half" house on Wacker Road and moved with us riding in the front seat of the truck to the big two story brick house, one block East when I was two years and one month old. Anyway, they were so close that it was always stated that when one itched the other scratched. Well, we KNOW which one did the scratching! We also know which brother did the cussing for the other brother, who never swore beyond an occasional ". . .believe me..."

Memories of our family would not be complete without mentioning my other grandparents, Fred and Nellie (Ault) Hendrick, two of my favorite people and most cherished memories. We have shared an extraordinary Hendrick/Helle family heritage. It's been fascinating to be in the circle of it, to participate, or to watch. We four offspring, three still here and one peering from the other side, have seen a wealth and variety of life and people through this.

Mother and Dad have lived an interesting existence. They have had a unique and special fifty years together. I am grateful to have been part of it... perhaps to have contributed something to it.Mostly.. .there is a sense of gratitude for our legacy, our intangible inheritance, and our future, whatever it holds... wherever it takes each of us.

T. Louise Radke

.........................................................................................................................

The following poem was written by Konrad's mother in the early 1970's, when Andria was a baby. I have enjoyed reading it, and decided to include it here in Louise's Chapter.

"Chronicle of a Family"

In the shadow of the mighty hills,

Near a wide, slow-flowing river,

Beneath high, blue prairie skies,

Dwells a family greatly blessed.

As a girl, as gently as a tiny wren,

Lively, happy, pretty too, met

And loved a sturdy, jolly fellow.

He returned her love.

Few rocks have marred their path in life.

Troubles did not strike this union.

In happiness they obtained their children.

First a tiny girl, blonde Gentle as her mother.

Demure and quiet Is her bearing.

Two boys, then came to bless This family,

Loving, happy They brought more sunshine,

Joy beyond describing. Now an added delight,

Has joined the loving Family Circle, A baby girl,

Dark-haired and pretty,

Could any couple wish for more?

by: M. Elizabeth Radke

NOTE:After this poem, one more blessing came to the family when they had their last son, Ryan.

continue