Broadview Acres
(a.k.a. So. Grant Street, ’54 – fall ’72
—the first home they owned since 1935)
The hillside home we had bought in March was on 12 acres of land at the south edge of Houston. The tumble-down buildings and half the land was within the city limits. Palmer was working at the feed mill and driving the Oak Ridge school bus. We felt we were still in the prime of life. We worked hard during Saturdays and evenings pulling down parts of the house, leaving the main 20 by 20 foot structure which we cleaned and papered so it would tide us over until we could get a foundation and a living room addition built.
The place that became “Broadview Acres” was a fixer-upper. No wonder Margit took some years off from painting.
On July 5 we moved the wood range and other necessary furniture down. Believe it or not, it looked cozy. The first year we carried in wood and water and visited the privy in back. The urge to keep up with the Jones’ drove us to work very hard. Our goal was to have the house as ready as possible by the next summer when Frieda & Ron were planning their wedding.
Our families came on Sunday afternoons to help us pour the foundation for the basement under the old and new part of the house. We enjoyed seeing the progress even if it went slow. We worked hard all winter building closets and shelves and covering all the walls and ceilings with wallboard. We made a modern kitchen with built-in cupboards and electric stove and refrigerator.
Frieda spent most of her vacations at home helping us. The biggest help was being so prompt paying up what we had loaned her for college. Palmer was offered the job as assistant janitor at Houston schools besides continuing as bus driver.
We already had Finnish, Swedish, English and other nationalities. Now an Irishman was joining our family. Frieda and Ron Nowland’s wedding on Saturday afternoon, August 13, could be described as “all in white.” The three bridesmaids (Ellen and two college roommates) and flower girl were dressed in white and carried blue and white daisies. It was a beautiful wedding on a beautiful day.
I felt sad as they left on their honeymoon. Frieda had been a big help to us, giving us new ideas, pulling us out of our rut, so to speak. We had become used to her being away from home, but now it would be different. Her thoughts and interest would mostly revolve around their own home.
Now we were on our own again. Our farming those 30 years had not been a great financial success but they had been years full of mostly good, interesting living.
After Frieda’s wedding, as we look around, we saw lots of work staring at us. While Palmer was at work I, with my faithful wheelbarrow, worked all day leveling and landscaping. Palmer gradually pulled the old sheds down. As I worked around our home I felt selfish to strive only to make ourselves more comfortable. I wished there were some volunteer work I could do. I prayed about it.
That fall I was asked to teach Sunday school at the Houston church. I was speechless. Me? With my broken English. I said I wish I could, but the town kids would make fun of my incorrect English. They said it was God’s word, not grammar, they tried to teach. The Sunday school superintendent said, “We’re not alone. God is with us when we teach. Let’s pray about it.” I’m sure it was the Holy Spirit who gave me courage to tell the children about God’s love. I spent a lot of time studying each lesson. It wasn’t always easy to keep the children’s attention. But those six years were a great blessing to me. I hope the children will remember some of what I tried to teach.
My prayer through life’s joys and struggles was that we all may be steadfast in our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The following poem by Leslie Pinckney Hill expresses my sentiments.
The Teacher
Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?
I teach them KNOWLEDGE, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them POWER to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.
I teach them LOVE for all mankind
And all God’s creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.
Lore, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.
Scenes from 1961: Click an image to enlarge and swipe through
Palmer and Margit have their arms full with 11 grandchildren all pre-school age. Palmer holds Becky while Margit has the newest additions, Jonathan and Faith.
Margit and her siblings attend the Landsverk reunion in Rio WI.
L-R: Halvor, Gunhild, Margit, and Ole.
December: Palmer and Margit celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Their daughter Frieda claimed this was the first time they had ever eaten at a restaurant.
For several years our families that lived around Houston spent Christmas Eve with us but as each family increased in numbers the walls began to bulge. One by one the families decided to celebrate in their own homes, except Ellert and Nancy. They and their girls have been with us almost every Christmas.
Ellert has a good voice and when his girls were little he taught them the Norwegian hymn “Jeg er saa glad hver julekveld.” (I am so glad each Christmas Eve) We still sing it together and also many other Christmas carols as they share our little devotional program.
Ellert’s three daughters (and Doo-Doo the cat) at Margit and Palmer’s during Christmas time, circa 1962.
After five years Palmer retired from his job as janitor and bus driver on account of his health. The irregular eating did not agree with his stomach. He was well liked by young and old. The next year he applied for a job as a McNess dealer. He enjoyed the visiting part but he had little success financially.
When Cross of Christ Church was completed in 1960 we were hired as caretakers of it, the Stone Church, and both cemeteries. The church was new and beautiful but was surrounded by crushed rock and dirt roads. Pews, Sunday school rooms and all furnishings had to be dusted continually and the windows washed almost every week. It was lots of work but we enjoyed it. I felt we did this work for the glory of God.
The sixth year we were there I had a slight stroke and was advised to take care of only my own work at home. Palmer had a riding mower now and had become very quick and efficient. The congregation liked his helpful and willing attitude but it was too much work for one. He was 68 years old. He decided to retire. The congregation gave us a farewell reception. We received thank you cards with gifts for work well done.
During the 12 years since we had moved to this hillside home, many activities had taken place. Our children and grandchildren came often on Sundays. The grandchildren were at the age when it was fun to visit Grandpa and Grandma. There was lots of space to run, play, pick flowers, and explore with no restriction on whooping and hollering. There was berry picking down the ravines and edge of the woods. We had strawberries and raspberries to sell in addition to what we gave away each summer. Our far-flung families came once a year, spending several days of their vacation with us. Croquet, baseball, and other games were played with the local uncles and cousins. I especially remember one evening around a bonfire on our lawn. After roasting wieners and marshmallows, Frieda and Ron led us in singing campfire songs and hymns. Only the light from the dying fire flickered on our faces. No one seemed in a hurry to go home.
I had been painting during the winter months for several years. Now I went at it full time. I was swamped with orders. I had a good start after New Years 1970 when in the middle of January I found myself in the hospital with congestive heart failure and pneumonia. I came home so weak and shaky I thought I would never make it. God must have had a purpose for making me well. I was overwhelmed and thankful for all the cards, letters, gifts, and long distance calls I received reminding me that so many cared. There were many visits by our children although I wasn’t conscious of their presence the six days I was in intensive care. I also felt so greatly blessed having a cozy home and loving husband waiting for me to come home.
Palmer did everything in his power to help me regain health. My roommate and many others were not as fortunate. They must return to a lonely house that once had been a happy home. How thankful I was for our concerned children and their families who brought prepared meals and did many other helpful things for me. Three months later I was back to light housekeeping. By the end of the year I was about back to normal.
Socially, 1971 was a very busy year with confirmations, graduations, and weddings. The Mindrum family reunion was held at our home that summer. And to top it off, our children hosted an Open House at the church fellowship hall in honor of our 50th Wedding anniversary. Around 200 people were present. We were happy that our attendants, my sister Gunhild, and Palmer’s cousin, Minor Johnson, could be with us. A program of songs and reminiscences were given by all of our children. Paul was Master of Ceremonies. Some of our granddaughters sang. Ron gave the opening prayer. Pastor Everson closed with some kind remarks, prayer, and benediction.
We were happy that all of our children, and almost all of their mates and our grandchildren could be present. Only Paul’s family in California was missing. Palmer and I agree it was the loveliest anniversary we had attended! Greetings, cards, and gifts came by mail for several days. Our families talked us into investing money gifts in a color t.v. set. We are thankful to God for the 50 years we were allowed together. We received the following verses from a friend:
Together Still
Let me hold your hand as we go down hill
We've shared our strength, and we share it still
It hasn't been easy to make the climb
But the way was eased by your hand in mine.
Like the lake, our lives have had ripples too
Ill health and worries and payments due
With happy pauses along the way
Graduation, a raise in pay.
At the foot of the slope, we will stop and rest
Look back if you wish, we've been truly blessed.
We've been spared the grief of being town apart
By death, or divorce, or a broken heart.
The vision ahead is one of the best
Just a little farther, and then we can rest
We move more slowly, but together still
Let me hold your hand
as we go
down hill...
by Peggy Cameron King
Our families had increased a lot these last 25 years. The last count was 55, counting us, our children, their mates, grandchildren, their mates, and great grandchildren. We love them all. It has been a joy to watch our grandchildren grow up well-behaved and strong and healthy.
For 13 successive years we received announcements that one or more healthy, well-built grandchildren had joined our family tree. When baby announcements thinned out, wedding announcements filled in the vacancies and still later, great grandchildren came.
There have been times of sickness and worry for each of the six families. Ellert and Nancy’s first daughter was still-born. Sorrow filled our hearts when we were told that Frieda’s first-born son was born blind. But prayers are answered and miracles still happen. His eyes have gradually improved and although he still has limited vision, he attends a regular high school and is doing well. His ambition is to become a pastor or a social worker. A few years later we received the sad news that Ellen’s six month old baby girl had suffered major brain damage while in the hospital with virus pneumonia. Her temperature had reached 108 degrees. Becky Louise never recovered and died five years later. As we saw Becky’s parents praying and watching her for some improvement, the thought came to me that our heavenly Father also watches over our sinful lives looking for improvement of more love for each other.
All six families own or are paying for a home of their own. All the grandchildren take part in either sports, bands, or choirs, and there are some promising signs that there might be some artists in the family. Best of all, they have all been brought up in Sunday School and church. We pray that through life’s joys and sorrows they may not wander too far away but that they will hear God’s loving call and find their way back. We have six good-looking great grandchildren.
In June 1972 while Palmer was mowing the school grounds he had a bad spell that scared him into seeing a doctor. After a thorough examination they found nothing special wrong. He continued to feel unsure of himself at times. We decided it would be a good idea to move down into town. We sold Broadview Acres.
It held so many memories of grandchildren’s laughter and play, Palmer and I strolling in the woods on Sunday afternoons carrying home little elms, birches, and evergreens to plant around our home. Now they are tall beautiful trees. There are memories of a little white fluffy kitten who grew into a big, beautiful, loveable cat. We called him “Do-Do.” He was our companion and our grandchildren’s friend for over 17 years. The last couple years he began to show the infirmity of old age and finally couldn’t eat. A few days before we moved, Palmer had the sad task of putting him to sleep. We buried him under the bushes where he had loved to play and hunt.
The cozy times Palmer and I sat watching t.v., reading, or just small talk and relaxing the 18 years on the hillside were, I believe, the most serene and carefree years of our lives. We are thankful to God for calming our sea of life. We ask forgiveness for all our sins and good intentions we have neglected to fulfill. We believe Jesus when he suffered on the cross paying for all our many sins.
We knew we would miss the beautiful scenery in all directions from our kitchen and living room windows. We watched a panorama of the changing season all equally beautiful in their own way.
Next chapter: Downtown Houston
Margit Mindrum 