On Saturday, August 23, 1952, Dale and Dalene drove to the Burlington depot to meet Stanley arriving on a train from Osceola (visiting Jettie in Osceola since July 31) and drove back to Muscatine.
Muscatine To Burlington
Homesick In Clinton
On Sunday, August 22, 1943, Helen and children visit Lela (Helen’s sister) and Gene Yates in Albia, Iowa – but Dale is working in Clinton, Iowa, and writes, “Home is not home without a family.” We lived in Clinton for 10 months during World War II.
Late, Late Movie
In Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 21, 1957, Dale wrote, “Another nice day. Helen cashed my pay check at the bank. I wrote Mother a card. Put a floor in the new basement clothes closet. Watched late, late movie.”
Revenuers In Action
In Muscatine on Saturday, August 20, 1955, Sheriff Anson and Deputy Martin came to Dale and Helen’s house with a bottle of moonshine. Dale called the Omaha office about it. Five days later, Sheriff Anson, Deputy Martin, and Alcohol Tax Unit co-workers Mead, Owens, and Stanger seized a still with mash and whiskey from Herbert Hume at an auto salvage business south on highway 61.
Gaggle Of Gardner Girls
In Muscatine on Wednesday, August 19, 1953, Dale wrote, “Took six hours off work and went to a household goods sale on Mulberry. Letter from Mother. Carol Jane called from Davenport.” My cousin Carol Jane arrived the next day on a bus for a brief visit. Left to right above, many years later: Lloyd Gardner’s four daughters Marie, Mary, Carol, Nancy, plus my sister Dalene, with me behind.
More Family Visits
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On Saturday, August 18, 1951, Ruth and Louie Schaffer (Helen’s brother) and Lela (Helen’s sister) and Gene Yates arrived in Muscatine for a visit. The next day, Dale gave Louie and Gene a tour of the alcohol plant before they left to return to Osceola. Some years later – above left: Louie and Ruth, above right: Lela and Gene.
We Get A Parakeet
On Sunday, August 17, 1958, Dale wrote, “We all went to a Flight Breakfast at the Estherville airport. All we could eat. Drove back to Minneapolis from 1:15 to 5 P.M. Rested on porch awhile and watched TV.” We had been visiting Lela (Helen’s sister) and Gene Yates and brought their parakeet, Skipper, with a cage and stand, home with us.
Jack And Margie Visit
In Minneapolis on Friday, August 16, 1957, Dale wrote, “Had the right rear wheel fixed after work, new grease seal and brake cylinder. Jack and Margie and family got here about 6:30 p.m.” Margie was Helen’s niece, married to Jack Nish. Above: Margie, daughter Cathy, Jack, daughter Ann in Osceola some years later.
Roswell Visits
In Muscatine on Wednesday, August 15, 1951, there was a heavy thunderstorm at 3:00 in the morning with a lot of lightning. Dale wrote, “Rained 1 inch in 15 minutes. Electricity burned out our refrigerator. Mother came on the 7:40 bus. Roswell and Tressa were here.” Roswell Gardner (above) was Dale’s cousin.
More Overnight Company
In Minneapolis on Friday, August 14, 1959, Dale wrote, “High 72° and cloudy. Rain last night. I mowed the lawn after work. George and Wilma Casey came from Osceola about 6:45 p.m. Helen called Lela. Tom Speece and I watched the Colts beat the All-Stars.” Tom Speece rented the basement room. Left to right above: Sisters Helen, Lela, and Wilma about 15 years later.
Looking At Typewriters
In Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 13, 1958, Dale wrote, “Nice day, rain in the evening. Stan took the Chevy today to go on a General Mills picnic. I drove the Dodge. Went downtown after work to look at typewriters.” Above: a 1958 Underwood ad.
Overnight Company
In Minneapolis on Monday, August 12, 1957, Dale wrote, “Took the Dodge to the Shell station after work to have the right rear brake fixed. Lloyd and Chloe Schaffer, Wayne, Vivian, and Donovan Hansen drove in about 6:45 P.M. Visited all evening.” Lloyd Schaffer (above, much younger) was Helen’s brother, Vivian was Lloyd’s daughter, and Donovan was Vivian and Wayne Hansen’s son. They stayed overnight and left the next morning.
Up On The Rooftop
In Minneapolis on Sunday, August 11, 1957, Dale wrote, “Painted the dining room table. Patched a vent on the roof over the upstairs bathroom. Warm today, about 90°. Took Dalene for a ride out to Johnston’s Meat Market. Stan went swimming.”
Swimming At The Air Base
In Minneapolis on Sunday, August 10, 1958, Dale wrote, “Cool and cloudy and a nice rain. High 80°. Cleared off about 5 p.m. Stan went swimming at Wold Chamberlain Naval Air Base.” That’s Wold-Chamberlain above.
Moving To Minneapolis
On vacation from Minneapolis in Osceola on Sunday, August 9, 1964, with Helen and Dalene, Dale wrote, “Supper at Mother’s with Clarence, Marie White, Wilma, Marie Kimmel and Susan too. Showed some pictures. Stan called at 11 p.m. to tell us they are moving to Minneapolis in September.” Marie White was a daughter of Dale’s brother Lloyd, Wilma was Helen’s sister. Control Data Corporation had offered me a job at their computer plant in Arden Hills, and I accepted it. I didn’t want my children in the southern California public school system. Above, in 1964: Marie Kimmel, Jettie, Helen and Dalene Gardner, Susan Kimmel.
Trapeze
In Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 8, 1956, Dale wrote, “Dalene and friends went swimming at Crystal pool. She and I went to see Trapeze.”
Buying Meat
In Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 7, 1957, Dale wrote, “Cashed my pay check and drove to Johnston Meat Market and bought meat, 10 miles north of Columbia Heights. High today was 88° with strong southerly winds.”
Check Out The Charger
In Osceola on Friday, August 6, 1976, Dale wrote, “Cloudy in the morning, clear in the afternoon. Painted the patio roof aluminum. Jack, Margie, and Ruth here in Ruth’s new Dodge Charger.” Ruth was Helen’s sister-in-law and Margie (married to Jack Nish) was Ruth’s daughter. Above: a 1976 Dodge Charger.
Dale’s Varicose Surgery
In Minneapolis on Monday, August 5, 1957, Dale wrote, “Another nice day, high was 69°. I went to Dr. Roberts after work and he cut a blood clot out of a varicose vein. Painful.” Did all that painting yesterday cause this?
Dale Paints
In Minneapolis on Sunday, August 4, 1957, Dale wrote, “Beautiful day. High 69°. I painted the outside of the basement and one side of the garage today. Looks better.” Dad loved to paint, and his coveralls were always spattered all over.