January 5, 2019: Lena's Words

January 5, 2019

These are Lena’s words as said to her daughter. The items in parenthesis were added for clarification. Lena Married August John (Gus) Wickenheiser on April 20, 1915.

“Attendants Rose Rivard and Arthur Brancheau (her sister, his best friend)

Father Moran (They were married at St. Charles Church, Newport, MI)

Attended                                                                                            Gift

Louis Nadeau and family                                                    hat rack quilt

Arthur Nadeau and family                                                   lamp

Mother and Father                                                               13 chickens

Rose Mary and Louis Rivard                                               2 table cloths

Nick and Anna Wickenheiser                                              dresser and kitchen towels

Cecelia, Margaret, Fred Wickenheiser                                 pasty dish and cake dish

Joe Wickenheiser and family                                               flour potatoes and other eatables

Schneider’s                                                                          4x6 rug

Aunt Julia Sankeur & Millie Sankeur                                  towels and $4.50

Patrick Marran                                                                      $4.50

Julia Veler                                                                             set of silverware

Mr. John Corcoran                                                                 a hen, 13 eggs setting. All hatched 13 chicks

Brother Eli bought a set of Rogers silverware before his death (11-15-1914)”

Eli was a fun-loving young man.  In many photographs, he is seen laughing and horsing around with his brother Louis.  The family story was he died on the kitchen floor of his home, writhing in pain.  Actually, his death certificate said he was brought to Harper Hospital, Detroit, MI where he died of “gangrenous appendicitis followed by general peritonitis.”  His brother Louis is the one who took him there, poor Louis.  It also listed his occupation as an auto worker.  Such a loss for a close family, two sons/brothers lost.

She also wrote about her first homes.

“Newport Rd to Ben Cousino residence on Telegraph Rd. Farm house, cement front porch. Paid $76.00 a year rent but stayed only 6 months. 4-24-1915 to 11-1-1915.

Moved to Ervin’s farm, rented it for 3 years.  Lawrence born. (Aug 20, 1916) Was 110 acres, had 13 chickens, 1 cow, 2 horses (her husband was said to have the fastest horse in Carleton.  He liked fast ponies) raised 400 chicks and bought 1 more cow and sold milk.

Husband was milkman (Wickenheiser Dairy in Carleton owned by family members).

November 1918 moved to Anthony Fuhrman’s farm. Borrowed $500.00 for first payment. Paid $6,600.00 and sold it for $14,600.00. bought place. Made the house larger. Moved in 11-1-1926.

Added to family. Theresa 6 months old. (born May 31, 1926)   There were 7 ¾ acres, sold 3 1/4 to Nick W (Her father in law).

Family increased.

Rosemary Oct 11, 1929

Agnes Ann Feb 1,1931

Rita Elizabeth April 20, 1933

Helen Louise Oct 12, 1935 (Baby Helen died Oct 25, 1935)

(Other children were Clara Dec 10, 1918, Earl July 30, 1920, Cletus Dec 26, 1921, Herman Feb 16, 1924)

(Gus, died July 23,1942)

(That house was where she lived until her death June 9, 1972)”

This is from me:

Lena's  daughter Agnes wrote about the death of her baby sister Helen Louise in her memoirs.

“I think my earliest memory is when Baby Helen died. I remember standing up on the dining room chair to look into the white box on the table where Helen was laying.  She was such a beautiful baby.”

Later, my mother Clara lost a son to the same genetic disorder that took Helen.  It is called Pyloric Stenosis.  My sister Joan’s second son had the same disorder.  Remembering Johnny, she argued with the doctor who passed her off as a young, nervous mother.  He suggested she go home and get some rest.  Finally, a doctor listened and performed a lifesaving procedure on young Scott.  Years later, Scott’s nephew Jacob had the same symptoms, and again Joan knew what was wrong, and her grandson survived as well.

 My mother was the second oldest child. The children were taught to pray at their mother’s knee, to work hard, and to make do.  My mother once related a story about one Christmas each child received an orange and a new pencil.  Unfortunately, she left the pencil at school, and it was lost when St Patrick School, in Carleton MI burned in 1926. That is when the current school was built and myself and my siblings all attended that school.