Money Creek
(a.k.a. the Sorenson farm, ’43 – ’45 &
the Campbell Valley farm, ’45 – ’46)
The two mile stretch of windswept ridges to the country school was a lot of worry when a howling snow storm suddenly developed during the day. That and the long climb down the bluff to meet the bus to high school made us decide to move to a larger farm in the valley. The house was a large, cold, old, brick building. It needed the same treatment as the last one. The owners were always glad to furnish the paint and wallpaper if we put it on.
Our children had arrived at an age when something surprising can happen anytime. Paul was bringing Elsie Kymberg, his fiance, home to meet us. They had met in college. She majored in Home Economics. Oh, dear. What will a home ec major think about my housekeeping and cooking? They came, and immediately Elsie made me feel good and at ease.
Alf was also engaged. Doris Evans was still in high school. After she graduated they came, full of youthful self-confidence, sure that they were ready and able to establish a home of their own. Would we sign for Alf? They were so young, only 18 and 20 years. After several sleepless nights and prayerful hours, we signed, hoping it would be for the best.
We received a letter from the Air Force saying Paul got his wings as a pilot and was now a Second Lieutenant. They added that only the cream of the youth can pass this test. Needless to say, we were proud of our first born.
Both Paul and Alf were married in September. Now there were two empty chairs. We missed Alf’s good-natured smile, his jokes, and good sense of humor around our home.
We attended Houston Church services, Sunday school and Adult Bible Study on Sunday mornings. Houston Church has been our church home ever since. Arne was confirmed in the Stone Church by Rev. Arne Waldemar Nelson. Ellert, Ellen, and Frieda went to school in Paradise Valley.
Palmer worked hard but our landlord figured he did not have enough help after Alf married. We left good friends again and moved to a small farm in Campbell Valley. There the three youngest went to school in Money Creek. Arne took the bus to Houston. In the spring we put in an acre of cucumbers. Palmer got work in Winona. Arne and Ellert did the chores and some haying and helped the girls and me pick cucumbers. Our aching backs, uff da! Palmer delivered them to the cannery on this way to work. It was a good crop, it netted us $400.
In late June Alf announced that we had become Grandpa and Grandma to a little girl, Catherine Anne. Where had the time gone? We, grandparents? And “Affeboy” a Daddy?
Late one afternoon we saw a plane coming in our direction. When above us, the plane banked and someone waved. Could it possibly be Paul? We were excited and thrilled. An hour later, Paul called from Rochester where he had landed. He couldn’t leave the air field but wondered if we could come there.
A kind neighbor drove us over the next morning. We toured the C-47 transport plane. In couple hours Paul had to start back. We stood in wonderment as we saw him take off into the sky. It seemed such a short time since we had watched our little “Pauliboy” raise his arms and say “so high.”
Margit and Palmer with Paul
My parents had been failing for several months. When springs work started Halvor could not care for them alone. It was almost impossible to get help. Gunhild tried to help out. Nordis came from Chicago and stayed with them for several weeks. To Ellen and Frieda’s delight she left her little two year old David to stay with us. In the late summer it was decided that my parents would have to be moved to our home.
Father had hardening of the arteries and was very feeble and helpless. He had been with us only five weeks when he was called to his heavenly home. He lacked two weeks on 86 years.
When my parents came to live with us Palmer bought a large coal heating stove. We kept Mother very warm that winter and she was gradually relieved from the terrible pain in her arms and hands. She celebrated her 80th birthday that winter.
Ellen had failed a subject in eighth grade. Nordis offered that she could come and stay in Chicago, help her some with the children, go to school and take couple subjects in eighth grade. Then the next year she would be in the same grade in high school as Frieda. On second thought we regretted having considered letting her go. Chicago was so far away. But 13 year old Ellen had always been adventuresome and excited about something new. She didn’t want to take no for an answer.
We were happy to have her come home during Christmas vacation, even if it cost us a nights sleep. Palmer, Arne, Ellert, and Frieda drove to La Crosse to meet her train. It was delayed many hours because of a snow storm. The roads were awfully slippery. I couldn’t sleep. I baked Christmas cookies all night. They didn’t come home until almost morning.
Next chapter: Cushion Peak
Margit Mindrum 