On Wednesday, November 10, 1937, Marie Gardner and Ralph Kimmel were married in Knoxville, Iowa.
Marie Marries Ralph
Lamoni Beats Osceola
Taking a day off work in Muscatine on Friday, November 9, 1951, Dad and I drove to Osceola. He wrote, “Drove by Lloyd’s at 1 p.m. Took Marie to high school football game at Lamoni. They beat Osceola 33-12.” Lloyd and Marie were Dale’s siblings. We spent the night at Grandma Jettie’s house.
Neighbor Picks Corn
Still in Osceola for his father’s heart condition on Wednesday, November 8, 1950, Dale wrote, “Eddie Liggitt picked a load of corn this morning. Dr. Dean said Dad is lots better. Helen and I ran Marie’s store from 4 to 5 p.m.” Unfortunately, Williams died five weeks later. Eddie Liggitt was a son of Clarence Liggitt, the farmer across highway 34 from Williams and Jettie. After Clarence was widowed, he and Jettie married in 1955.
Kids In A Plane
In Osceola for his father’s heart condition on Tuesday, November 7, 1950, Dale wrote, “At folks, Dad may be a little better. Helen and I went to Louie’s in afternoon to visit. Wilma took kids a ride in an airplane.” Louie and Wilma were two of Helen’s siblings (she was the youngest of nine children).
How To Go Broke
In Osceola on Wednesday, November 6, 1935, Dale sent a letter to the Civil Service about a File Clerk job. Farming was not working out well during the Depression for Dale (above, in Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes) and Helen.
Dale’s Father Declining
On Sunday, November 5, 1950, Dale drove his family from Muscatine to Osceola. His father Williams (above, with Jettie, earlier that year) was very sick. Stan and Dalene were left with George and Wilma Casey (Helen’s sister) on their farm two miles north of Osceola.
Sunday Chicken Dinner
In Muscatine on Sunday, November 4, 1951, Dale wrote, “Had baked chicken dinner. TV in afternoon and evening. Good programs.”
Temporary Home
On Thursday, November 3, 1955, reassigned to the St. Paul office, Dale wrote that he, Helen, and Dalene drove from Latimer, Iowa, to the St. Paul Tourist Court and rented a cabin for $18 per week (about $160 per week in today’s dollars).
Dale Transferred
On Wednesday, November 2, 1955, Dale, Helen, and Dalene drove to Helen’s brother Gerald and Ressia Schaffer’s Latimer, Iowa, home (above) to spend the night on their way to Minneapolis for Dad’s transfer. I stayed in Muscatine to finish the semester at Junior College.
Lunch At Kresge’s
In Minneapolis on Friday, November 1, 1957, Dale had a turkey lunch at Kresge’s and wrote, “Helen and I went to the Candlelight Café for supper then to the downtown library.”