OPEN DOOR POLICY

My grandmother, Lena RIVARD WICKENHEISER had an open-door policy long before it became a political catch phrase.  Her door was always open, and her house was always full. She and her husband Gus WICKENHEISER had 9 children.  Soon it became even more full.  Mae RIVARD LAFOUNTAIN, her widowed sister died in 1938.  Her children were separated, one boy going to sister Rose RIVARD WEISS, one child going to a family friend, and the youngest five going to Lena.  She raised them as her own, and they all appreciated and loved their “Aunt Lene.”  In 1942 her beloved Gus died, leaving her with the children to raise on her own.  Soon there were more residents of her modest 4-bedroom home.

Her father-in-law Nick WICKENHEISER had moved in before Gus died.   Her mother ROSE LEDUC RIVARD lived with the family until her death in 1949. It was a large loving family group, who all worked hard in the home and at jobs when they were able. The large gardens provided food. The family faithfully attended Mass, and prayed together, kneeling to say the rosary every night (6PM sharp!)

Nick died in 1952, the children grew up and moved out, and Grandma Lena got lonely.  She would often call one of her children and say, “I need a grandchild to spend the night.” And the parents would try to send one or more kids to spend the night with Grandma.  Sometimes she would call several of her children and several cousins of the same age would converge on Grandma’s house.  We would play cards, sing, watch Lawrence Welk with her, and play Chinese checkers, or with the box of toys on her front porch.  She would bake her famous sugar cookies in the evenings, and in the morning, we would feast on what she called French panny cakes.  (Small pancakes with butter and powdered sugar.)  Since most of us attended the same school, we could even go home with Grandma after church, then walk to St Patrick School in the morning.

She opened her home again during the construction of the Fermi plant in Monroe MI. Many workers came from all over and stayed in the area during the week.  Her son in law Irving Reaume let it be known of a respectable boarding house.  He carefully vetted the men. No smokers, drinkers, cursers, or womanizers.  They had to pass Grandma’s strict moral and cleanliness code.  She had three bedrooms, and they were usually occupied.  That limited the over night stays for the grandchildren, but she felt safer with “her men” there. We still had the weekend.

Grandma had such a huge heart and loving nature.  Her open-door policy endeared her to many. A light went out of all of our lives when she passed away in 1972.  

 

Rana Joblinski Willit

02/14/24N DOOR POLICY