My father’s name was Richard Carl Knote.

In the summer time we had a boat business. (30-40 boats that we rented out by the hour or the day) Fissheri in the wintertime. My father was Oberfischmaster.

In our 20 foot white cemented basement was 2 cemented water tanks where fresh water went in and dirty water went out.

In our river (the Saale) my father and brothers caught {the fish} with long nets. {They were} broght back alive to the tanks.

The customers would come to buy them alive. Legal Regulations mandated that all fish sold must be alive at tme of sale. They could be killed for the trip home. Dead fish were to be destroyed and were not allowed to be sold.

My dear mother was busy in the household with cooking, baking and cleaning. My mother was slim. While she was well she was singing and always happy.

Over the kitchen door hung a plaque. It said: In the stars, there it is written. Have faith in God. Beleive, Hope and Love. Over the frontroom was: God is Love. Over the bedroom: If you love God and live right, two angels stay with you day and night.

We never washed our own clothes. As long as I can remember, every monday, a wash-woman came. In the summertime she came at 8:00 and in the winter she came at 9:00. The clothes all had to be sorted and the spolied ones soaked. There was a special wash house {made of} all cemented blocks (real pretty). The blocks were yellow and red. There was even running water. In the middle of the room, sat a round copper boiler, cemented in, just ike the fireplaces in the park. It would hold 15 pails of water. The clothes were washed in the machine and then put into oil. You had to push the machine back and forth by hand. The clothes were then rinsed and hung on the line to dry. At 10:00 we would bring the woman lunch and by 11:00 she was done. Often she would fold the clothes and sprinkle them ready for ironing.

For all this she received 3 marks, less than $1. This was the price in 1920. I guess now would be more.

My mother’s name was Hedvig Elizabeth Hartman. She came from a family of teachers. Her dad, two brothers and 2 uncles were teachers.

We had a very lovely home. On the first floor, there was a kitchen, frontroom and dining room together, a large bedroom and a pantry with an Eisebose {Icebox?}. On the second floor was another kitchen and frontroom plus two bedrooms. (We sometimes rented the rooms out.). Upstairs we had the boys bedroom with tow beds, a gues bedroom and a large bedroom with 3 beds for the girls and a large fruitroom. We had running water, gas light and gas stove.

We had a very lovely flower garden in front of the house with a large pear tree and a white fence around it.

Then imagine youself goin up 18 cemented steps. At first you come to grandmothers house. It was three rooms and always very cozy. She had flowers all over in her windows. Then you came to a wood shed and tool rooms. Then pens for goats, pigs and tame rabbits. Then the washhouse and a large shed for lumber.

Going around a small road lined with rosebushes of all colors, tulips, narcisis, forget-me-nots, bachelor buttons and snowbells you reach a vegetable garden in which grew raspberry bushes, currents and Quams (?). On the left side was the Orchard. There were 12 blue plum trees, 4 apple trees, 4 pear trees, 2 cherry trees and 2 large walnut trees. On the right side were 2 hazelnut bushes, snowball, Spyrea, ferns and lilac bushes (white and red blossoms. In the middle of it all my dear father built a gardenhouse with round table and benches. We often had birthday and large coffee parties there.

(On the facing page there is a picture of the house. With the notation: Yes this was always my highest wish so long my dear Ephriam was here...sure would have been proud to show him the place where I was born, where my loving brother Richard lived with his family. My dear brother Richard passed away in November 1962. Elwood phoned Elizabeth. I was with them for Thanksgiving.)

We were 5 sisters and 2 brothers. L(o)uise, Helene, Richard, Heddy, Irene, Martin and myself. We were all baptized and confirmed in a large Luthern Partolomaus Church. Our parents {taught} us to pray morning and evening prayers and table prayers. We all went to Sunday school and church.

My father served many years as a deacon and treasurer, was on the school board and had many Tesks Courthouse (?). My mother was active in Ladies Aid and Mission Circle.

My sister Louise was the oldest. Besides schoolwork she had music lessons, played the piano real well. Often she played for young people.

My sister Helene went to Business College. She was Comptoistin for years and was a clerk in a large apartment store.

We all went to the middle school. The cost for one child was $10 per month and books were extra. From Monday until Satuday from 7-12 and 2-5. Eight hours every day in the summertime. And 8-12, 2-5 in the wintertime. 7 hours.

My 3 sisters were sunday school teachers.

My brother Richard, besides schoolwork, also helped dad in the Boat Business. In the wintertime helped him with the fishing and the mending of the nets.

When my brother was 18, with my fathers signature he went to Hamburg to join the Nordsee (North Sea) Fischeri. He went with them in large Fish Cutters to learn repair and build boats for 2 years. After he returned he joined the navy for two years.

When he came home he married Mary Frohn. They moved into grandmothers house. Richard always was a good son. Always willing to help at any place and anybody. He came home from the Navy, a captain.

Then, on August 1, 1914, he had to leave. He went to the big World War. Most of the time he was on Underseaboats (Submarines). He came home safely.

My sister Heddy came next. She was always troubled with her heart. Even as a child, often she was in a doctors care.. In school she was good. She learned easy. Besides her lesson she also took piano, voice, French, English and later Italian too. My mother was often worried about her, no good in anything in household. She had a very high spirit and as a little country girl was always talking about foreign countries.

My sister Irene was very different. It was hard for her to learn her school lessons. She was verysmall for her age, but had just beautiful long brown hair. My mother braided it in 2 long braids and tied it in bright ribons that reached the floor. (Hair or Ribbins???) She was mothers helper in any way. Was good to help with the boat business. She loved to knit and embroider. Then she went to learn sewing for 1 year. She ws very good in that and sewed her own clothes. Later, after she got married, she sewed everything for her girls. My brother Martin was next. He was a real clown (Fasen Macher). Singing and whitling and very good at teasing the girls and he was always full of humor. He didn’t like school, but he was a very good swimmer and ice skater. He loved to go fishing with father and helped a lot in the boat business.

As the world war broke out, he had to leave the 6th of August (1914?) for training. As a soldier he went to England. Shrapnel hit his leg and his left eye. He was then assigned to France. Man, he was in gun to gun fight and one Frenchman knocked out all his teeth. He spent a long time in a French hospital. God stayed with him and sent him home all right.

After he returned, he made up his mind to be a mail carrier. Father sent him for one year to business college to learn enough to keep the job.

My schoolyears were just perfect. After school, I would change clothes and go out to play. My mother used to say, you come here, how are your hair look, see this apron all tore up, you never will amount to anything. Then my father come and say don’t cry, well, mother, you know she is our baby.

In school, I loved arithmatic, spelling, language and handwriting. Strongly I was planing on going to high school (I think she means college?). But God’s will was different.

When I was 18 (my last year of school), my dear mother took sick with inflamatory rhuemetism. Everyone was married from my brothers and sisters. So it was my task to take care of my mother. Often I broke out into tears when my schoolmates came to invite me out and I had to say no. My father would take me in his arms and say God seen how good you are to mother and dad. Someday he will pay you back.

Yes, I learned that God is love.

For 12 years, on sunday evenings I went to a young peoples church-circle. Just Girls. From 1/2 past 7 to 1/2 past 9. There I learned from Mrs. Pastor Melzer many good lessons in Bilble verses or Poems, good songs and good prayers. I was really happy. I loved to go, just like a little birdie that liked to fly out. While I was gone my father would read to my mother or play the piano.

My dear mother was quite sick. I had to wash her, comb her hair and dress her. I often had to feed her. She could not move one finger, but always had a clear mind. You could hear her sing and pray all night. The most piano she had. When the weather was cloudy or rainy, her hands and knees would swell up. Those were really bad days and she would cry all day.

Often she said why I have to sit with her and all my other neighbors and friends run along. I never done anybody any harm. Then she would eat not a bite all day and she would be mad and crapy. I could do nothing good for her.

Twice a week a lady masseuse would come and massage her whole body. She had pills, medicines and tea that were all doctors orders. She had radium cure, hot steam baths. One year my sister Irene came and took mother in a wheelchair to a “Sool-Bath” three times a week. She like that real well. After her bath she had to lay 1/2 hour in their Sauna. My dear father spent lots of money. Often he said, I will pay out my last penny when you my love, just get well again.

In the wintertime it was my job to take care of my parents, cook, bake and take care of the housework. But in the summertime, I had to be in Boat Business by 7:00 in the morning till 11 to 12:00 at night. It really kept me busy. I had to be there when customers came and rented a boat. I had to write in the book the No. from the boat, the hour they are leaving and if they left coat, jacket, hat or money, that is fine. Otherwise they would leave the boat someplace and not bring it back. Then I have to atch the men that are cleaning the boats. It really kept me busy! Running up to see how mother was getting along and then running back. Often I didn’t know whether I was coming or going.

Some days when my mother felt better, I would get help from my neighbors and take my mother along with me in Business. We have this nice little cement house and then is someone there to watch things. Then I hurry up and cook something to eat in the summer house. Then it was fun!

Mother’s aunt got sick and wanted someone from our house to come and help her in her confectioner’s store. So, Heddy went to Osnabrook, a large city. There she was selling anything what was (tea, coffee and so on). Another young girl was helping her.

Her aunt, who knew these people pretty well, said she could go. The people were very nice to her and on their way home he asked will you marry me? My sister laughed and said Ha Ha, what did you think, I don’t even know you.

In the meanwhile, Heddy wrote home and said that an American wanted me to be his wife. Oh boy, my father was boiling mad, that Girl.

Here they came in Auto. Mr. Brinker, his brother August and wife and my sister. By coffee and kuchen they just sat and talked and laughed. My father got his address and wrote a letter to the Counsel of America. They wrote back and said that everything was like Mr. Brinker said. This was January 1908. He told my sister that in 2 years, 1910, when the roses are blooming and God is willing, I am coming back.

He wrote often and in July, 1910 he came and stayed until August.

My sister got married and went along to Nord Dak. 1910.
In February of 1914, my father got really sick and wanted to see Heddy. We sent a telegram to my sister. Irene and her daughter came right away. Father got better and Heddy left. Soon father was worse and on 12 April 1914 my dear Father died. My poor mother took very sick and I hired a young girl (16 years) to help me because mother was bedridden for about a year. She got well again and could get up and enjoy herself a little more. She lived 6 years longer after my father passed away.

In February, 1920, my mother had caught a heavy cold and she had asthma quite bad. Often she had to sit up in bed, her chest hurt her often bad. The doctor told us that we better let Heddy know. Henry sent Irene and Heddy right away. Before they arrived our dear mother passed away. It was March 6, 1920. Heddy was on a ship as mother passed away. Well may everybody know, Heddy felt very bad. All we could do was visit the graves of father and mother.

Gods ways are difficult for out plans, but it was his will.

They stayed with us all summer. Henry wrote letters saying to bring me along back. After mother passed away. I had her sick 13 years. I stayed with her in good and bad days. I done my task. Henry wanted me to come along. He said he would pay my fare if I would work for two years (talk about indentured servitude) and then he would pay my fare back. Heddy was not feeling good enough to stay alone. He had hired a girl most of the time to help her with the housework.

Well, I prayed a lot. I couldn’t see why I should leave my home, my dear sisters and brothers, my friends and neighbors and my country (The decision to leave Germany at this time could not have been that hard!) But on the other hand, I could see. I do good to help my sister. And I would be back in two years! After a long talk with everyone I loved, I made up my mind and went with my sister and neice to Amerika.

There were many good-bye, farewell paries that they put up on my account. They all shook their heads and couldn’t understand. Many tears, my sister and brother flows. My dear sister, you leave us? Don’t worry, I like a vacation. I’ll be back in two years!

We left October 24, 1921. Richard accompanied us on the train to Hamburg. There was a large English ship, Manschuria waiting for us.

On October 26th, in the morning, under many big tears and kisses from my dear brother Richard. He loved me so. Please little sister, stay here with us. Don’t leave us, don’t leave me. Oh, I wringed my hands to God and he gave me the strength to say: My dear brother, sister Heddy needs me, and you will see, I will be back in two years. The minister Pasor Melzer and his wife had a wonderful farewll for us. God be with you, don’t forget to pray. His prayes he will answer if he thinks it is best for you and on any place. They sang to Nim Denn Meine Hande.

the music played. Musz i denn. musz i denn zum Stadelein hinarn or Die mein lovetones stay here. Auf Weidersehn, Good by

There was a storm for four days. The waves were really high and nobody could go on deck.

There was a capell (?) of 15 musicians {on deck?}, when the weather permitted, otherwise in the musicroom. There we could hear many different voices in foreign languages. Everyday except Sundays we had English lessons from 10 -12. There were two teachers, one male and one female.

Never, never I felt sorry I came to this country. I just loved the hills, the farms and so many different people that I met. I never got homesick.

I started to learn the English language but I was often dissapointed. I tried so hard to learn things. I would try to ask for some food at the table. Henry and George would answer me in German. Irene was with me and she helped me along.

On the 15th of November, we went to Tagus to the Luthern Church. The Ladies Auxillary had a welcome for us and sent a big lunch.

We had been home just 12 days when a man came up on horseback and wanted to see Mr. Brinker. They heard that Mrs. Brinker had brought her sister along. Irene came int he kitchen. “Oh, Aunt Mary, it is one of the young men from our neighbors that’s here...one of the Johnson boys.” Henry and Heddy both came out to the kitchen and wanted me to come in.

“No, no! I cannot talk american good enough.” I guess the young man asked for a drink of water, so he had to come to the kitchen. Irene was so full of fun! She stayed behind me and told me what to answer.

Irene said: “Aunt Mary, meet Ephriam Johnson, one from our nirghbors.

He was the first American man I talked to and I guess he made it out. When he got home, his mother and brothers asked him: “Did you see the dutschgirl?. He replied: “Oh well, I guess she is ok.

Now, why he came was, there was a barn dance 26 November and he invited us to come. My sister was still very tired from the trip. But the closer the day, came the more excited she got. {Ok, that’s a paraphrase} She said: Marichen, I got to fix your hair. We are going tommorow to the Dance {This is crossed out and Party written above it}. I said : “No, I am not going.” Henry said: You can’t stay home, then the hired man can’t go.” There was nothing I could do, as go along. Ephraim Johnson invited me to the first dance.

So the time went on.

In February, my dear sister was quite sick. Henry had to bring her to Minot to the hospital. He stayed the night with Lauber’s for a few days. Irene, the hired man and myself had to keep house for a few days. Evertything went ok.

Henry came back and wrote in German dovan (?), how to bake bread. Heddy came back in two weeks. I had bread baked already and she was quite suprised.

The neighbors came and stopped. They wanted to know how Heddy was getting along. Irene had to leave for Blind-school in Bathgate, N.D. on the 1st of March. This what I did’nt like. Then Heddy was days after days not good, most of the time in Bed or on their launsch (lawn chair?). Her heart gave her lots of trouble.

Well, it went on and on.

One week 2 bothers, Leonard and Edddie came over to visit and wanted to play Whist. A week later Ephraim and his borther Robert came. Them mama Johnson came with one of the boys. They stopped on their way to Tagus to get groceries and asked if someone wanted to ride along. Henry and George went.

Easter came and Ephraim came with his mother a few days before and invited us over for Easter Sunday dinner at 2 o’clock.

Oh, that was fun, I remember. Easter Sunday morning we went to Tagus to the Luthern church. My sister was the Sunday School teacher and for the service she sang. I just enjoyed the ride in the double buggy. All the boys played really good piano and violin. So we had a grand time.

Irene came back in June for the summer. Sundays we would go to church in Tagus, my sister would often sing a solo of a duet with her daughter (my neice) Irene. Well, when then Ephraim came, Henry and Heddy would let me go, because Irene came along. (Yes, may all of you know what fun we had!) Irene had to translate the words to me. She was siting between us, beleive it, we laugh more, then talking. Usually we went to Berthold and stopped for lunch and groceries and eat candy all the way home.

I guess the first time Ephraim came to Brinkers, the first words we talkt together, I think it was Love at first Side.

Then came the 4 July. Ephraim came a week before and invited me -- and Irene -- to ride along in a buggy to Fargo where the picnic grounds were and the Crowd went for Celebration. His brother, Leonard was taking his mother with the car. Henry and Heddy came in their double buggy and brought the lunch. So, by 1 o’clock everyone was eating and really enjoyed themselves. This was another wonderful day! I really liked and loved Ephraim more and more.

Irene had to go back to Blind School. No, I did’nt like that at all. Then often Henry and Heddy were so square {This is her word!}, nothing to say. Ephraim kept a-coming every week. We all 4 played whist together. Heddy first a lunch then he {we?} went. Sometimes we take Henry and Heddy along and we got groceries.

Then came Harvest time and Ephraim only came on Sundays for a while. Heddy would often say then: “I guess that Johnson boy forgot about you.” Oh, I remember, I went off to my room and cried. I did not like that.

One nice day Grandma Johnson came with Robert and she wanted to see Mrs. Brinker. They were quite loud, talking together in the front room. Henry too. All I heard was no, no, I never wouild think I not let my sister go. So they went.

Then Heddy told he that Mrs. Johnson wanted to hire you to help her in the cookcar cooking for the dreshers {threshers}. Never mine Henry, no never, with all them boys. Between time I helped with housework for 2 weeks to Mr. & Mrs. Gust Marschal. I stayed three weeks with Mr. & Mrs. Ray Nicols. I helped out Mr. & Mrs. Peterson (Sophus & Rachel). Worked for them two weeks, sure had lots of fun ({I} later {found out that they were}related to Ephraim). Often Uncle Ole would play the accordian and I had to sing ‘Ach du lieber Augustin’. They all liked me and I had it good and helped on any place and..I liked to ean a dollar.

Time went on, her comes Mrs. Johnson again. She came right into the kitchen and asked me, “Would you, Miss Brinker help me? Did you like me?”

“Oh Yes!” I said. “I sure would love to go.”

“Well, come, get ready, I need you tommorow. We have work to do. It will be 12 men and us.”

Henry and Heddy just looked at me. “How have you, Mary, not to ask us?”

I said “Well, I think I love to go. I am not a child anymore. I am going!”

Mrs. Johnson showed me the room with two beds where I was sleeping. Everything went just fine. She learned me many things and with language we got by. Once in a while she had to use her hands to show to me.

Ruth 1: 16 & 17. And Ruth said, “Enteat me not to leave thee, or return from following after thee: for wither thou goest, I will go; and where thou layest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people and thy God, my God. Where thou diest, will I die and there will I be buried. There Lord do so to me and more also id ought but death part thee and me.

Afterwards we had a swell {or small} dinner at Laubers (friends of Brinkers). So, Mr. & Mrs. Ephraim Johnson stayed one week honeymoon in Grand Hotel in Minot. Then we went back to the Loen Place where Ephraim was farming with his brothers, Robert, Leonard, Eddie and cousin Loule.

Grandma left for the winter to BC Canada to stay with her oldest son Joseph in Sask and his family.

So my family stayed with 5 man to cook, back, wash, iron and clean house. But, oh boy, this was fun! Yes, what you do with love this goes better. O, the boys were very good and clean. Every evening after the chores were done and supper over, they would go and get the violin. {Gosh this sounds like Little House}. Eddie, Leonard and Loule played the piano. Boy was that fun. My work got done so fast. Sundays the boys all drove to Tagus to church, when the weather permitted. Most of the time they went on sleighs, or with some neighbors.

The schoolhouse was right on the foarm. The neighbors would come and scrub and clean and put the benches outside. Then they would invite a crowd of married people to bring lunch and I cook the coffee. We went a swingen most every Friday. There was anywhere from 20-25 {couples}. Lunch as 12. We danced til 1 -2 o’clock. Sometimes we went sleigh riding over to the neighbors and danced or played whist till morning. Sometimes we had young people over to our house.

The winter went fast for me. Brinkers came over once in a while, or we went over there. In the spring, Grandma came back and Eddie rented a place close by. His mother did the house work for him until he got married to Rose Frantz.

Now here, in short notice I give report from 1920 till now 1960. {Recap!}

In 1920, my dear mother passed away in 6 March. My sister Heddy and neice arrived 12 March, too late to see mother. Heddy stayed all summer doctering with Irene’s eyes. We went to many eye specialists and Henry spent lots of money, but it helped only a little. 1921 I went to america, October 26 1922 I got married to Ephraim Johnson. November 20 we moved to the Loen Place. Ephraim farmed with his brothers Robet Leonard, Eddie and cousin Loule. They stayed with us through 1923 and 1924. 1925 we moved to the Peterson place. Ephraim farmed alone. In the fall we moved to Hartlane. Ephraim drove the schoolbus. There was Isabelle born in the fall of 1926. We moved in with Leonard and Grandma stayed there the winter. Isabelle got baptized in Ephraim’s Cousins place, Otto and Oline Johnson. 1927 in the spring we moved to a house by Stanick’s {Stanwick(?)} where Ephraim farmed his place But his daughter got married and we had to move out and their son-in-law do the farming. We moved that winter to Tottin’s small house.

So I ended up with four boys. They farmed in the spring of 1923 together.

His brother Leonard got married.

Then we moved to the Peterson farm and Ephraim farmed alone, but had a hired man Sievert. There, March 22, 1925, Bernhard Edwin ws born. It was for me a hard time too. Instr (?) baby.

We moved to Hartland and Ephraim drove the school bus. There on February 9, 1926, Isabel Ruth was born, instr. baby too. Hired girl was Inez Johnson from Eurelia.

Brother Robert stayed with us often until he got married.

In 1928 we moved in the black hose as we called it. (all tar paper around) in Parschal {Parshall}district. Elwood was born September 23 and was baptized in Parschal Luthern Church with Maud and Leonard standing by. Ephraim was hauling grain then in his new International Truck for the farmers all around and was farmhand to Mr. Axel Nelson.

In the spring we moved to Van Hook and farmed for Arthur Erman. He boarded with us too. There was Elizabeth Margareth born an 15 July 1929. Everything went fine with her. Just one doctor. Hired girl was Pearl Evans (Maud’s young sister).

From there we moved the next spring to Belden. We farmed for Mr. Sutton, where we stayed. Bernhard and Isabelle went to school to Miss Mary Henning. Elizabeth got baptized in Luthern church in Stanley. Mary Henning and her Brother Charly stayed by.

Mr. Sutton passed away and we moved to Oscar Normie place and farmed this for two years. There Eddy passed away in November 1931. Heddy passed away in the summer of 1934. Henry wanted us to come and farm the Brinker’s place. Henry went to South Dakota and got his sister-in-law and moved into his other farm where she was his cook. At this time Ephraim also farmed Otto Engeno’s quarters too.

Then we moved to Berthold and rented the Salter farm and then we moved to the Olson farm and was going to buy it - but he wanted too much.

Oh yes, we had a lot of hard times. crops were poor and expenses high. Ephraim farmed all his life, but we were never lucky enough. You put the crop in in the spring and it takes all the money you saved up. Then comes the heat and the rain comes too late. Or the grasshoppers cameand ate it all up. Or the hailstorm take it all.

So, in the fall of 1942 on 16 November, we moved to Minot with Isabelle & Elizabeth. The two boys Bernhard and Elwood stayed athe the place. Elwood still was going to school and Bernhard got him off every morning. The boys had cows to milk and chores to do.

Ephraim went to work the 18 November 1942 as a machinists helper in the Great Northern Roundhouse from 3-11 everyday with two days off. Those two days he had off and them other days he worked extra from 10-12 or 9-2. He did Carpenter work, or did some paining or shingling a roof or fixen some windows. He was very handy with anything. Except electricity he didn’t like.

On the 18 November, I went to work dishwashing. I worked with the mangler {manager?} for the St. Joseph’s Hospital and did lots of hour work besides my work at home. Oh. I felt I was young and loved to work.

At first we moved to 2nd St. N.W. and rented two rooms from Mr. Stotter at cut rate. Elizabeth and the next year Elwood went to McKinley school and Isabel was going to high school, but not for long. She wanted to work out and earn money.

We moved in the spring to 9th St. N.W. and rented a house from Mr. Fuller. 5 Rooms until we bought , in the spring of 1944, a lot at the corner of 10th St. and 10th Ave. N.W.. We bought a house where the Granite Spring Water is fr. N.W. and moved it on the lot. after cementing the basement. We moved in the fall of this same year to our houe. We made it all modern. We both worked at the house. Worked out, earned money and put it into the hosue. We never borrowed any money from anybody. We just went little by little and finally we had it done nicely. Ephraim built it all alone and his double garage. He bought for the house a new coal furnace from M{ontgomery} Wards the year we moved in. (The furnace was in pretty bad shape until we decided to put a gas funace in that was vollendet(?) November 10 1958.

Paid Mr. Bob Harvey by Check Nov. 6 in Full - 197.88. Ephraim gave Paul the old
Figurt Furnace..............................$ 5.00
Our Plower...................................35.00
and..........................................25.00
Together for labor...........................65.00
For Pipes and Fittings.......................69.58
Wrote check in full.........................$134.58.
I just wrote them figues down in case anyone would later be interested.) We built a new chiminey, put in new kitchen floor, new bedroom floor, all new doors, put in sink, bathroom utinsils all new, new hot water heater, new wash tubs, new dryer. Then Epraim put a glass porch on. We made all together a different house out of the old one. Not everything at once, but just a little money we could spare here and there.

Isabel married Paul Spilovoy 1 Aug. 1944. They moved to the farm in Max, N. Dak.

Since 1945, every year we went on a vacation. We really saw lots of nice places, We both enjoyed our trip on the railroad pass. We went to Sask. Canada, Minnesota, Manitoba, Vancouver, B. Columbia, Minnesota, South Dakota, Piece River Country to Dantson Creek. Turner Valley Calgary, Canada and Pembina, ND.

Bernhard married Helen Nicols from Bethold N.D. September 13, 1946 and they moved in our basement.

November 20th, 1944 was our 25th Wedding Anneversary. We was 38 adults, 8 children and 2 babys. Had the organ from Rev. Harris over, Bernice Johnson played and movies. Carol sang and Irene sang too. Rev, Anderson was here with his family and gave a service and we all sang: What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Sunday we had open house from 2-4 and served coffe, cake and ice cream.

1947 We went to Canada, BC. with Elw. and Eliz. They {US/CAN border people?} sent us back. We didn’t get to see no Kurt nor Laura. My papers were not all there. On the way back we stayed in Idaho and seen Bernhard in Farogut. We had quite an excellent trip.

August 21, 1948, Ephr. and myself went to Piece River Country where Ephrain with Efner, earl, Dorwald and Manford Asleson went fishing hunting and camping. Ephr. shot a black bear.

June 28, 1949 we left for Battleford , Sask., Can. to visit Joseph and Mildred and thier family. From there we lft July 7 for Vancouver to Kurt and Lauras. The 14th of July we left to visit with Earnest Johnson and Emile and their children in Turner Valley, Calgary. We returned on the 22 of July and Epharim went back to work on the 24th of July.

May 25, 1950 we went on the bus to Bismarck. Then by train to Glendive, Montana to visit Ephraim’s cousin Ole and family. Then went to Hardin and visited with uncle Nels and Auntie. Had a good time and came home June 8.

The last Sunday in December, 1951 was Elizabeth’s wedding party.

May 21, 1951, we went to Vancouver BC to Kurt and Laura’s. Seen there was my sister Leni. She arrived May 11, 1951 to Kurt’s. We spende good time together. We got home on June 6 and on the 8th Ephraim went back to work.

September 3, 1952, we went by train to Grand Forks. We visited with Maud’s brother Ted Evens, sister Pearl and their families. From there we went to Grafton, where cousin Verna Tisdahl got us to St. Thomas. In St. Thomas we visited with Russel Lraum and family, another cousin. Saw Gertrude Fuam (?). She was a superintendent of Cavalier High School.

The next day, Verna took us to Pembina to Aunt Mary’s. She was a sister to Grandma Johnson. We visited there with her daughters Mabel, Mathilda, Olina and Lena and Frieda. Then went back to St. Thomas.

September 6, Russel Fuam(?) came over and we and Verna went along. We went to Vang Ole Romfo’s (another cousin) and visited Jack and cousin to Ephraims’s dad. Many more relatives. Then we went back to Russel’s where they had coffee ready and visited there until 12 o’clock. So, we went visiting from one cousin to the next uncle, aunt and friends.

From 3 till 13 September we had not one rainy day. We both thought it was the most interesting trip we {had ever taken} We met all the old relatives, friends and made aquainments with new friends. Sure was fun!. We visited 53 adults and 16 children.

1953. We stayed home. Ephraim had his vacation as usua, but he thought we better dave some money. He had some jobs spoken for and he promised he’s help along with. He worked on his double garage too.

1954. We went June 29 to Vancouver BC. From there to Calgary where we visited Benny and family, Ernest and family. We both enjoyed the stampride(?) real well. We stayed in a private home that a young couple had just built. Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Austin and their 2 daughters. There was no cabin, motel or hotel rooms to get, everythling was full. There was a large gathering of a Luthern Mission. We liked our room real well and enjoyed our visit and came home the 11th of July. The next day, Epharim went back to work.

1955 we stayed home too. Ephraim got hurt June 3 and had to be in the hospital for 7 days and didn’t work before July 6. So we kinda went easy on our vacation.

1956, August 15, we went to Minnesota to Tacoma, Washington and to Vancouver, B.C. to visit Kurt, Laura and the Girls.

1957. We went to Fargo to visit with Mary and Gene Loberg. We also visited with Carol and Bill and his Family. We went with our new Frazier and traded it for a 1950 Pontiac. Paid $75(?) they allowed us for our car $425(?). Sure, we thought we had a good deal.

On the 20th of April, Ephraim got laid off from the roundhouse and we were getting unemployment checks. Ephraim had here and there some jobs extra and I worked for Mrs. Ellison, hour work 2 times a week.

July 18, we received our first order withWatkins Products and July 21 our first day with God on the Peddler Road. From then on we went most everyday for 3 hours the forenoon and after supper for couple hours. We both enjoyed our work and had very nice customers. Oh, once in a while you find some unfriendly poeple, they would look down on you as {if} we were Peggers {Beggars?}

The 16th November, our last day. Sold Watkins to Cleona (Mrs. Art Snyder) and to Sorenson had a real good day.

On November 20, our 36th Anneversary, my dear Ephraim, our good Father take suddenly, unexpected sick through the night. He had a light stroke at 3 o’clock in the morning. We called Dr. Sorenson. He put him in a strict diet for high blood pressure, he gave Ephraim some medicine an he had to stay in bed. (Epraim lost his voice, but it came back.). Maude and Leonard came and had coffee. Elizabeth came later and had coffee. Paul and Isabek came and we all had coffee and they all wished us a Happy Anneversary.

Ephraim was getting along so nicely til 24 November. He had another stroke, a little heavier. I was all alone. I got Mrs. & Mr. Smith up, so I could call Bernhard and Dr. Sorenson. Doctor said the best for Ephraim was the hospital. Oh, no, no, he didn’t like to go. “Why, why?” he asked. “I am getting everything and Mary is good to me.” Bernhard and myself told him: “It is best for you dad. The nurses know just what to do when you get another stroke.” So, Doctor Sorenson sent an ambulance and I went along with him as 1/2 past 3.

Thanksgiving, 27 November, ha had a heavy stroke in the morning. it paralized his right side and affected his tounge. His eyesight was poor and his speech was quite messed up, sometimes. As Elwood and I cam up at 2 o’clock, he was so happy. He wanted to hold our hands and he cried a lot. Oh, my poor Ephraim looked so pitiful. I stayed with him all night. At 2 o’clock he woke up and was so glad I was with him. He squeezed my hands and kissed me over and over again.

Then he started to cry and cry. He kept asking for Bernhard, Paul and Elwood. The nurses couldn’t quiet him down, so I called Bernhard and Elwood at once. They came with Lawrence. They stayed and talked with him til 1/2 past 3 then they went and I stayed. Elizabeth came at 8 and sat with dad until 3. Isabel and Paul sat up with him all night until I came at 8 until 2. Then Rosi and Rachel sat with him until 6. Fay until 10. I came and sat with him all night again. Everday and night someone was with him. They all were good with him and helped where they could and prayed for him. Reverend Chester Johnsin visited Ephraim often.

November 28th. I called Bernard and Helen and Isabel and Paul, Elwood and Elizabeth and Fay. We all had communion with Rev. Johnson.

November 30. Sunday. We went to church in the morning. Elwood was working until 3. Bernhard got me from church for dinner over to their home. We had just gotten done eating and Helen was passing the ice cream around when the phone rang.

It was Isabelle. “Come quick, dad had another stroke.”

So Bernhard, Helen and myself went as fast as we could to. As we came up, they had poor dad put already in an Oxygen tank so he could bretahe better. Ephraim was very heavy breathing. I called Elizabeth and Fay and Elwood from his work. We called his sister Mabel too. They all came, could help nothing, just look on. and said a prayer for him.

Elwood sat up with me that night. Rachel and Posi came as noon and sat until 6. Fay came and sat until 10. Then I took over til 9 in the morning. Helen and Lawrence stayed til 1 then Berhard stayed til 1/2 past 3, he had to go to work. Isabelle and Paul stayed till 7 o’clock. This was December 2.

Ephraim had always lots of strength in his left arm.

Mabel came around 7 o’clock and she sat up with me all night. Ephraim rested good, bu never said one word more and still we never thought his end was so near.

He always reached for my hand and squeezed it a lot. The nurse told me that this was all right. Then - Oh - he took all fo his strenght, pulled himself off his pillow. Mabel went behind his bed and straightened out the pillows. Oh, my dear so loving Ephraim give me such a sweet smile. So long I live I will never forget, it was more than a million dollars worth to me.

And then- after a while he did the same thing. he just lifted himself way up and he gave us both a sweet smile, and he wanted to tell us something. He moved his lips, but all he could say was just a mumbling. Oh, my dear, dear Ephraim wanted to tell us something, but he could not.

Around 9 o’clock in the morning, December 3 came Dr. Giltmore and Dr. Sorenson. They both stayed with Ephraim for quite a while and examined him. Then they came to me and said. “Well, Mrs. Johnson, we done all we could for Ephraim. You can expect anything from now on.”

Oh, beleive me, these were very heavy words for me. So then we called all the children. Mabel at noon had to go back to Kenmare.

Elwood worked all night and I felt very tired. So Bernhard said “Come, I take you home a while so you can rest up.” I did not like to leave Ephraim, but they said that they all would stay. Well, I rested a while. Then 1/2 past 2 there was a knock on the door. Paul and Lawrence were there.

“Hurry, Hurry! The last minute is coming.”

Elwood and myself went with them. They drove so fast as they could. But as we came in the waiting room, Isabel and Elizabeth said. “Daddy just went sanft asleep at 10 minutes to 3.

The chaplain took me up with Elwood, Paul and Lawrence. He said to me “Now Mrs. Johnson, just feel your husbands hands, they are still warm.”

I took both of his hands and kissed them over and over again. “Good bye, my dear, dear Ephraim. I wish I could be with you.” Yes it was God’s will and he knows the best, he wanted him, but we can’t understand. Why oh why? Is it possible the chaplain said to me? Oh yeas I said, by God it is possible. Now my dear Lord give me strenghth so I am doing the right thing just so, how my dear Ephraim would do it. My dear children and gr. children need me. Please help us all dear Lord. Amen.

The autopsy showed the high blood pressure that Ephraim had. It had caused to burst blood vessels in his head and as often and heavy as the strokes came.so more blood vessels burst. And this caused his death.

The funeral services were held Decbr 6 at 1:30 in Minot’s Augustana Luthern Church of which he was a member. Rev. Chester Johnson officiated. Burial was 16 April 1959. It would have been his 69th birthday. He was buried in cemetary at Hartland - Carpio. All winter he resteed in vault until spring came. The ground was frozen so hard this is why we could not bury him before.

I guess I am at the end of my writing. Just can say this. The Lord is real good to me. He has given me strength from day to day so I can do my daily duties. Elwood is with me in th house, what I really think is wonderful, may God be with him in everyway. This si my daily prayer. Every one of my children and all loved ones and Grandchildren are real good to me. My prayer is please God, stay with all of us. Amen.

This is written December 4, 1959.

Your dear mother and grandmother Johnson.