In Muscatine on Sunday, December 31, 1950, Dale, Stanley, and Dalene went sledding. Helen’s brother Harley, his wife Dot and son Keith arrived from Osceola to spend the evening with them. Dale wrote, “Had fried chicken and watched TV all evening.” Happy New Year!
Lunch With George And Wilma
In Osceola on Saturday, December 30, 1950, after his father’s funeral December 19, Dale gathered his family and they had lunch at the farm of Helen’s sister Wilma and George Casey (off U.S. Highway 69, about where the red star is above), and drove home to Muscatine. He wrote, “Watched TV at night. Good to be home.”
Return To Osceola
Photo Studio
In Muscatine on Thursday, December 28, 1950, Dale wrote, “Worked 8 to 4:30. Got the car fixed again, $11, carburetor & fuel pump trouble. Called Helen at noon from the plant. Polished the kitchen floor & printed pictures at night & watched TV.” Dale had a photography darkroom at home for developing negatives and prints.
Boxing On TV
Home Alone
Merry Christmas!
On Monday, December 25, 1950, in Osceola after his father’s funeral, Dale wrote, “We went to Lloyd’s in morning, Mother and Marie, too, for dinner. We went out to Ruth and Louie’s to borrow 2 sleds. Louie and Ruth here for supper.” Lloyd and Marie were Dale’s brother and sister; Louie was Helen’s brother and Ruth was his wife.
Osceola Christmas Eve
In Osceola on Sunday, December 24, 1950, after his father’s funeral, Dale went to his brother Lloyd’s for breakfast. He wrote, “We took Mother and went to Wilma’s for dinner. Pearl, Lena, and Louise here in the evening. Ralph, Marie, Susan and us had our Christmas tonight. Nice.” Wilma was Helen’s sister; Dale’s aunt Lena was married to Pearl Yates and Louise was their daughter; Ralph Kimmel was married to Dale’s sister Marie and Susan was their daughter.
TV Antenna
Final Christmas On The Farm
In Osceola on Friday, December 22, 1950, after his father’s funeral, Dale wrote, “Helen and I went to Muscatine and back, after Christmas tree and presents. Nice day. Kids decorated the tree at night at Grandma’s. Marie and Susan came out to stay all night.” Above: ‘Grandma’ Jettie’s home two weeks earlier, for their farm sale.
Osceola Post Office
Grieving
On Wednesday, December 20, 1950, Dale wrote, “No check today, yet. Still at Osceola. Brought Marie & Susan out to Mother’s at 10 A.M. Helen, Dalene & I went out to Louie’s in the afternoon to visit. To the cemetery to look at flowers on Dad’s grave. Dalene & I went to a church program at night.” Susan was the daughter of Dale’s sister Marie, married to Ralph Kimmel. Helen’s brother Louie was married to Ruth Cherington.
Williams’ Final Rest
More Final Preparations
In Osceola on Monday, December 18, 1950, for his father’s funeral, Dale wrote, “Up at 8 A.M. & I got breakfast at Mother’s. Jack & Ina were here for dinner. Took Marie to Wilma’s to wash. To Webster’s in the afternoon to see Dad. Mother paid $609 complete funeral & lot expenses.” Ina was Jettie’s sister, married to Sanford ‘Jack’ Hook. Wilma was a sister of Helen’s, married to George Casey. Webster’s was the funeral home (above).
Making Final Arrangements
A Sad Day
On Saturday, December 16, 1950, my grandfather Williams McBain Gardner died on his farm near Osceola, Iowa. Dale’s sister Marie called us in Muscatine and Dale drove his family to Osceola that day. Above, about 1931, left to right: father Williams, older brother Lloyd Norval Gardner, mother Jettie May Short, younger brother Lawrence Dale Gardner, little sister Marie Belle Gardner.