Christina (Hromas) Walker Funeral

Elaine and I met brother Don and Gladys at St. John the Apostle Church in Lincoln this morning to attend the funeral of Christina Hromas Walker. Christina had married Ralph Walker, my Mother's youngest brother on August 4, 1941. They lived in Lincoln and had 4 children. Ralph died in 1983. The picture is of Don, Ronald Walker, Duane Walker and I. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the two girls, Delores Havlat & Bonnie Burianek. There are 11 grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great Great Grandchildren. Christina is also survived by her brother Fred and his wife Georgia. 

This picture is of Fred and Irene Kovar Middleton who are both on the 1934 Oak Grove School picture shown below. Irene is at the left end of the 2nd row and Fred is standing next to her just as they are in this picture nearly 70 years later. Their mothers were sisters and part of the Henry Nemec family of 12 children. Christina was 3rd from the right end of the 2nd row with me standing behind her with my face partially obscured. My sister Vivian is to my right. Fred, Don and I really enjoyed our visit. Fred said that as he has gotten older he more that ever appreciates what Vivian, I and the Plautz boys did to help him go to High School with us in Garland. He was a very successful farmer in the Ulysses, NE and now lives in Omaha near their daughters. It was a most interesting day.

The Early Years

In visiting with son Verlon over Christmas, he asked about some early happenings. While I researched the information he was seeking, I came across this collage which includes his early years. While we think that our Great Granddaughter is pretty special and receiving a lot of our attention, it is apparent that  he too was very special. While Sadie is our first Great Grandchild, Verlon was the first Grandchild for my folks and also for Elaine's parents. You can almost sense that in the pictures of them in the upper part of the collage. Those were great years. We lived in the Maltby apartment, I  worked sawing wood to make some extra money in addition to my SCS job, as well as helping put hay in the barn at Flowerday's and stacking it at my folks.We had major floods here in Seward in 1950 which led Hughes Bros. to begin a dike project. My brother Don built many miles of field terraces with a Whirlwind Terracer. Elaine enjoyed horseback riding and Verlon liked roasting ears. We moved into our own little house in '51 and were proud of the limestone retaining wall that we built and the poured concrete "stepping stones"  that led up to the porch and front door. 

I even found time to play baseball. Those were the Days. I could tell you a story about every picture in this Collage and we enjoy recalling them in our minds as we come across the pictures.

Time Marches On

The Holidays are always a good time to look back at some of the earlier pictures. This is one taken at Christmas time 10 years ago at Carolyn and Ben's house when Julie was home. The first thing we notice is that Jack, the toy poodle, is no longer with us. Julie has matured, married and become the mother of little Sadie. I have lost a few pounds but Elaine hasn't changed a bit. In fact I think she and I are still wearing some of the same clothes. We are still living in the same house, driving the same car, and have the same Christmas tree. We are most fortunate. While we have lost family members and friends during these 10 years, we have also gained friends and especially John, our first Grandson-in-law and our first Great Granddaughter in Sadie. I believe that's what God intended.  

Christina Walker, Vivian, Fred and others

Few of you will recognize any of us  shown in this picture. We got it out of the file to take along to Christina's funeral on Tuesday. She is the 3rd little girl from the right in the second row in front of Miss Druker. I am standing behind her with only the top of my head showing. My sister Vivian is to my right in the 3rd row between Vern and I.  Christina and my Mother's youngest brother Ralph were married in 1941 making her my Aunt.  Ralph died several years ago. Christina is survived by their 4 children and their families.  Christina's brother Fred is the 2nd from the left end in the 2nd row. He and his wife moved to Omaha from a farm near Ulysses, NE a few years ago.  I hope to see him on Tuesday at the funeral and to see if we can identify more of the students in the picture.  Today, December 28th, would have been sister Vivian's 90th birthday had she not died suddenly in the spring of 2008. She would have been able to help with the identification if we hadn't waited so long to get the names "written down". 

A Monument to Farm Boys having Fun

On January 16, 1948, my brother Don and 3 other buddies left Seward, NE at 4:00am in my '41 Chevy and headed for Quantico, VA. One of the buddies, Don Armstrong was to pick up a Plymouth Coup being given to him by his brother stationed at Quantico. We did some sightseeing along the way as we traveled through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and finally into Virginia with a stop in Richmond.  We were most impressed with all the Monuments of Hero's and Horses on Monument Avenue. We had a Great time at General Armstrong's in Quantico, had a tour of Washington, D.C, saw our first professional basketball game, and headed for home in two cars. On a Sunday afternoon later that spring, Brother Don and I put the bridle on old Betsy, got her up on a pile of corn cobs and tried to imitate some of the poses that we had seen on Monument Avenue in Richmond. She was a very gentle old "plow horse" but Dad never did understand how we were able to get her to climb up the 5-6 feet  on cobs to get on top of the pile. The picture has been one of our favorites over the years as an example  of a couple farm boys having fun on Sunday.      Now "fast forward 65 years".

While visiting over Christmas with our oldest son, who lives in Richmond, VA, he brought up his memory of this picture. He lives near Monument Avenue and had visited the Museum there recently. He suggested I write up my story of the picture and send him a good copy so he could make it available to the Curator. I trust he knows the Curator well enough to avoid any adverse reactions since it could be considered a "spoof" on something quite "sacred".

Seward Manor

One never knows where they may find a bit of Holiday Cheer. While expecting it when Sadie is around and occasionally when I get into the "catacombs" of our basement, but surprised to come across this display while delivering Home Delivered Meals today. The Lady who lives at the end of the 2nd story hall of the Manor came out to demonstrate it. After plugging it in, the lights came on and the snowman began to sing and dance. He has a repertoire of some 20 songs and is activated by walking past him. She told of one of the fellows who delivered meals being shocked as he opened the nearby stair door and was greeted by the snowman. She said it had been given to her after being in its original box for over 10 years unopened. She was very proud to demonstrate the display and is always very appreciative of the meals we deliver. It is heartening to see people who qualify for Home Delivered Meals and living in the Manor enjoying such interesting displays. But it gives me even more Holiday Cheer to know that we as a community and state can help them enjoy a very acceptable standard of living. It's part of what helps to make our community special and an example of the Love that Jesus brought into the world. 

Sadie with Her Daddy wishes all a Merry Christmas

What better way to spend Christmas Day than with a Great Granddaughter. She was the center of attention and the star attraction. We went out for gift exchange and dinner, and then back out for supper. Enjoyed telephone conversations with the rest of the family during the afternoon and evening. I spent part of the afternoon "processing" pictures (like the one shown) that I had taken during our noon visit. Today's activities will be added to my list of how I've (we've) spent Christmas Days "over the years". Some years ago I went back through my old 5-year Diaries and Journals and compiled a list of how we spent the day. I have been adding to that list and now must have a record of over 70 Christmases. The Christmas when Elaine and I became engaged probably tops the list. We had some great Christmases during the time we were in Virginia and participated in the "live" Nativity Pageant at our Church but today with our Great Granddaughter and local family was also very special.